Tuxedos and Triumphs

A white-tie affair. This years Peers Network Summer Gala offered just that–along with a great cause in the Challenged Athletes Foundation. CAF is an organization whose mission is to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles and competitive athletics.

Alana Nichols is one such athlete. After being paralyzed in a snowboarding accident when she was 17, Alana experience severe difficulty adjusting to her new life. With the help of CAF in the form of a purpose-build chair for basketball, she was able to continue to excel in athletics. While completing her Masters in Kinesiology from the University of Alabama, she competed on the US Women’s National Basketball team that went on to win the Gold Medal at the Bejing Paralympics. Returning to her youthful passion for snow sports, she took up adaptive skiing, eventually winning two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze at the 2010 Winter Paralympic games in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her strength and determination are inspiring. With the help of organizations like the PEERS Network, CAF is able to provide this type of support for athletes like Alana Nichols. British Customs is grateful to be part of such a cause.

Up for grabs in the charity auction were two bikes from Triumph’s modern classic line. A gentlemanly Bonneville T100 and a boisterous Thruxton 900–each decked out in BC parts packages. The Bonneville’s brown leather Slammer seat complimented the black engine components and chrome lighting package, while the sleeper exhaust and air box elimination kit stepped up the performance of the machine. The Thruxton’s race-inspired lines and sleek Shorty Predator exhaust came to life during the live auction portion of the event–casting a striking silhouette courtesy of the Cafe Racer Seat with Integrated Taillight. Both bikes exuding the cool of Steve McQueen, the calm of James Dean, and the attitude of Marlon Brando.