Questions for bike riders

[Shannon]

A very nice man gave me his hand cycle about a year ago. I finally got up the nerve to give it a try just this past week. I took it around the block. It was fun, but I had trouble with a couple of things. Before I ask my questions, I should say that I don't know the first thing about bikes as far as gears and all that goes.

Question #1 is: I had trouble getting started going up a slight incline. Once I was going, I was fine, but I just couldn't get it going. Was I most likely in the wrong gear or something?

Question #2 is: I had trouble with braking. I'm not sure I can describe this well, but I'll give it a try. When my hands are above the crank thing, and I try to brake, all it does is pull my body forward. I'm a t4/5 para and so I don't have the muscles in my torso to hold myself back when I'm braking and my hands are above the crank. I don't have a problem when I brake and my hands are below the crank, because then I'm pushing instead of pulling. I hope that makes sense? The obvious thing to do is brake when my hands are below the crank, but what if I need to brake when my hands are above the crank?

And Question #3 is: How long does it take to get used to it? It was very awkward, but I'm sure it will become much easier with time. I'm just wondering how much time.

I suppose I could figure out all these things on my own with practice, but I'm a little nervous to try it again.

[Curt Leatherbee]

Sounds like you are trying to start out in too high a gear. I take it you have a internal hub on that bike in which case the gear numbers should be displayed on the shift handle. You should be starting out in first or second gear, then as you build up speed you can shift to the higher gears.

As far as braking, I take it you have a coaster brake on that bike, you should have the crank in around the six o'clock to eight o'clock position (handgrips down low) then push hard to stop, this way you are using youre tricep muscles which is much easier than pulling with your biceps as it does require quite a bit of pressure. If you have a handbrake on that bike you could use that too.

Make sure you have enough air in your tires and be careful not to corner too fast on that bike (over 10mph in sharp corners) as since it has a high center of gravity you will fall over.

It is great exercise and lots of fun, stick with it.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[Shannon]

Thanks Curtis,

I'll keep trying it. I'm sure it will get easier and easier each time I do it.