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Handcycle hire: At what cost?

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 21:55:35 GMT

Bike hire: The golden ticket

Living in Cornwall within such close proximity to the Camel trail, Cardinham woods, and Lanhydrock gives me a front seat to see just how popular bike hire is! The Camel trail is teeming with cyclists, and there are literally hundreds of bikes for hire at key points along the trails.

The very first bike hire on the camel trail (and in fact Cornwall) was set up in 1983 by Nigel at Bridge bike hire in Wadebridge:

‘From humble beginnings Bridge Bike Hire has played an integral part in the development of the trail and other cycle trails and hires across the country including, working with Sustrans and Centre Parcs as well as setting up the first cycle hire delivery service in 2000, Go ByCycle .’

His website explains what a great idea it was! Bike hire is very much a ‘golden ticket’ with a balance between getting a fleet of bikes at the right price, making the most of hire in a great location, and then selling off the stock at the end of a season, ready to repeat the process the following year. With many hire businesses also offering bike servicing to supplement their income, it would seem that bike hire, when done right, is a very viable career option.

My choice to venture into the world of cycle hire was made whilst under the influence of the intoxicating buzz that came with riding around on my newly obtained handcycle. Everyone needs to try this cool cycle!

I think in my mind I had visions of sunny bike rides and being paid to go out on rides with others to show them just how great inclusive cycling is! I’ll just ride my bike and they can ride the other two bikes and it’s all going to be great right?

This was coupled with the momma bear fight for equality mission I have, which was established in 2008 with the birth of my son. It has been a growing commitment ever since.

Ollie has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Being a parent to a child with additional needs kind of has a way of turning you into a bit of a warrior for them! You don’t necessarily want to be having to do battle for things, but with access issues, numerous appointments, adaptations, and the general requirement for specialised things, it's not as straight forward as it could be.

An example of this is shoes. If my daughter needs new shoes, it’s a trip to the shops and hey presto, we can get shoes in a day, possibly two if she's feeling indecisive! If Ollie needs new shoes, we have to book an appointment, wait around a month for that appointment to get measured up, then order the shoes, then another appointment to fit the shoes. We only get one pair for all activities. They act as trainer/school shoe/wellies/flip flops/ don’t wear them out too fast it takes months to get another pair shoes. An extra pair would cost £90. This is just for shoes; it’s a battle. You slowly get turned into a warrior, and it makes me wish things could be easier.

Specialised is a term that I've come to associate with a high price tag. This high price tag can be found on the majority of products which are ‘specialised for disabled use’. I won’t dive into whether or not they are justified, but I do feel there is a ‘disability tax’ which prevents access to equipment. Combine that with potentially working less due to disability or relying on benefit and you’re not going to be in a position to spend £5k on a handcycle. There aren’t as many options for the differently abled, and those that do exist are not just expensive, but also provide storage and transportation issues before you’ve even begun to factor in insurance.

I firmly believe there should be hire options for differently abled cyclists, there should be access for all. Of course, this was something I had looked into before seeking out my own bike. Currently the hire options consist of a wheelchair tandem (platform on the front for a wheelchair to go on, able bodied person required to pedal the tandem) or a mobility scooter. These are popular options, but as someone who wants to be more independent and active, and is able to do so given the right equipment, another option was required. I knew I wasn’t the only one.

So, how do I go about bringing this idea of handcycle hire into reality? It definitely doesn’t fit the model of cycle hire that works so well for the numerous local businesses. I thought talking to one of the existing hirers would be a good start. The enthusiasm to see the options extended to encourage differently abled cyclists was there. As to was the reality check that unfortunately it’s not a sensible business decision from a financial point of view. They take up the space of three regular bikes that pretty much guarantee hire, they require more time for handover, and they just happen to cost £5k which is going to be a very long return time! A mobility scooter ticks the box for access so why go for handcycle hire?

When I think of cycling, I think of the amazing energy and enthusiasm of the differently abled cyclists I know. They are what I would term sporty. Some people are sporty, some are not. This isn’t changed by your physical ability; I know able-bodied people who loathe exercise just as some disabled people do. Handcycling for me isn’t just about the exercise, though it’s a great benefit, it’s about inclusion.

Inclusion, or the lack of, was what consumed me with grief when I was first diagnosed. I adored walking around the woods and exploring with the kids at their fast pace. I suddenly felt like I'd been placed firmly on the bench at the sideline having to watch from a distance and longing for my turn. There was a heaviness that stayed with me. Yes, I could get a mobility scooter and use that to tag along, but for me I wanted to be more active. Getting the XCR handcycle threw me right back out there! It made my daughter say ‘I’ve got adventure mum back’. That warmed me and, though there are still moments of heaviness as I adapt, the load feels lighter.

If there’s me, the not quite sporty but likes to be active (I'm not good at doing nothing) person who has gained so much from handcycling then surely, it’s worth providing the option for others.

Opting to push forward with handcycle hire knowing that it’s going to be time consuming and not as financially rewarding as regular bike hire is a risk. I still need to run it as a business in order for it to be viable, but will endeavor to keep the cost low in order to avoid the ‘disability tax’ feeling. It definitely includes a lot more work than a ride in the sunshine! The whole experience to date has provided a new found respect for all small business owners, and to the CIC’s out there who have all the additional admin and funding to consider. I thank you for your commitment to helping others. I look forward to some collaboration in the future.

For me, there’s a ‘price’ to pay with being differently-abled, it can be a mental one when dealing with lack of inclusion and equality, and the various other challenges. Physically it can take its toll. Financially there’s that ‘disabled tax’.

Providing an inclusive cycling option pays back mentally, physically, and financially (eventually!)

Bright ideas

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 11:01:23 GMT

Getting tooled up: a trip to the workshop

Tooled up in this instance is very much referring to fixing the bike rather than anything else!

Did I mention I had signed myself up for a bike maintenance course? I think possibly just a few times!

There were a few events that triggered the decision to get myself some training. The first time I questioned my lack of preparation was not long after I’d got the bike and was embarking on a ride with a group of experienced riders. Finding out just how much practical equipment others had in their bags versus mine being full of snacks and a puncture repair kit (forgot the pump!) was a bit of an eye opener.

My bike not only provided a very liberating freedom, but also gave me such optimism for picture perfect bike rides. So much so that I was oblivious to anything maintenance related, my mind was so occupied with excitement that I hadn’t given inner tubes, lube, cleaning equipment, chains, quick links, gears, brake pads etc much thought at all. This awesome bike was surely going to be so awesome that it would never get a puncture right?! Well , maybe not! but that tiny plastic box containing a puncture kit was surely all I’d need!!! I’ve brought two so I'll give myself a pat on the back… oh dear!

Previous bike knowledge was limited to my dad attempting to teach me to ride a bike and for some reason me just not being able to get it. My husband was very supportive when I decided to try again as an adult a few years ago. I’d thought that perhaps I just didn’t try hard enough as a child and could put a bit more effort in now that I was older. I really wanted to be good at it. I was still not good at it! I found it a painfully frustrating experience and never pictured myself going cycling EVER again. I’d never spent enough time cycling to have had to give a second thought about maintenance.

Being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition gave hindsight that helped to put a lot of negative sports related experiences into a new perspective. Now that I've found the bike for me ( best bike ever, cycling is actually rather awesome!) I’m very much inclined to look after it.

I figured there would be some maintenance to do but that it couldn't be that hard. If it was then I’d take the bike up to the really nice chap at the bike shop to sort it. As I spent more time on the bike I began learning a lot more about how they aren’t quite as simple as I first thought. It seems I like to learn the hard way and have made some silly mistakes.

So far I’ve managed to give myself some oily black freckles ( arms and face, they stained it for a few days) as a result of too much lube on a not very clean chain, lots of tiny cuts after thinking the frayed gear cable could be smoothed with bare fingers back into its casing, and a near breakdown from thinking I’d totally broken the electrics, but had actually just knocked the sensor out of place!

Not being capable had been chipping away at me. Thinking ‘I wish I could do that’ and then questioning it, well then why don't you?

If I wasn’t cycling solo in my own oblivious bubble then I was with a group of experienced riders who seemed to know what kit to carry and how to use it. Maybe riding on my own wasn’t such a good idea? I could feel my confidence being chipped away. I had to do something about that before it developed into a problem, so I signed up for a course.

Cytech does a fantastic two day home mechanic course. It was in depth and hands on, which was exactly what I needed. I went in with very little knowledge on bikes, other than how to fix a puncture! I left feeling much more confident and ready for solo rides again. Things like replacing brake and gear cables, sorting out everything chain related, derailleur placement and identifying the necessary tools were what I wanted to walk away knowing. We got much more than that! It was a relaxed atmosphere with a small group of very likeable people. I'd highly recommend checking out the Cytech website for a breakdown of the course and signing yourself up for a confidence and knowledge boost.

I’m building up my tool collection and I now carry more than snacks in my bag!

Bright idea:

The darker evenings haven’t stopped me from riding, I’ve been joining a group who meet in the evenings and go on various routes to clock up the miles. One particularly wet evening led to me reviewing my clothing choices and I now have a waterproof cycling jacket for future rainy days.

Visibility is key, good lights, reflective clothing, and not forgetting the flag! Doing all that I can so there's a better chance of me being seen and not injured. I feel the safety of numbers is best for night rides.

One thing that had stuck in my mind was the inability to signal which direction I'm heading in on the road. Putting your arm out to signal on a handbike is awkward! I tend to ride in the middle of the group so that it’s, hopefully, fairly obvious that I’ll be travelling in the same direction. It’s not an ideal solution though. Whilst scrolling through a handcycle group on social media wanting to see how others manage, I discovered a review by a fellow handcyclist for a helmet with indicators!!! How awesome is that!

‘’Indicators on the helmet give me a lot more confidence… the ability to get around safely is truly liberating’’

Ellis had reviewed a bike helmet by Lumos, a company who have raised over £2 million on kickstarter, for their cycle helmets dubbed ‘Cycling’s smartest safety accessory’. The slogan for Lumos: move smart, stay safe.

The rationale behind the indicators in the helmet are that they are easy to understand, and that it is safer and more visible. By using the same ‘road language’ of a flashing orange light there is less chance of misunderstanding intentions.

Unlike hand signals the lights can be left on for the whole turn, making it safer to manoeuvre without getting off-balance. Indicators are mandatory on cars, it makes sense for cyclists to get some too!

I now feel like I’m getting the right gear and have a bit more of an idea than I did when I started! It’s all small steps in the right direction. I’d like to think as I develop my own confidence with the bike that I can pass this on a bit when the time comes to hire the bikes out. Aside from bringing the helmet to my attention, Ellis highlighted that many people don’t know about the bike options that exist, and so never bother trying it out. My favourite quote from him: ‘Roll models - pardon the pun - are key.’

learning curve

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:15:25 GMT

Optimism is essential!

Welcome to 2022! I began the new year like many others, brimming with enthusiasm about everything I’m hoping to achieve, and resolute that this year will be much better than the last. I’d say that’s a common feeling each year, but the previous two years have presented their own challenges with the whole global pandemic issue, meaning that bettering them feels easily achievable.

Whilst covid continues to cast it’s shadow I’m cautious with planning, knowing that things could be cancelled at short notice, but at the same time, also wanting to make the most of things whilst we’re able.

The air of optimism that comes with the start of a new year is influential enough to encourage me, and countless others, to go outside on January 1st and do something ‘outdoorsy’. What is with that?! On most other freezing cold, probably going to rain, windy days of the year I’m happy to find entertainment indoors, by a fire or other heat source and preferably with cake and tea.

That ‘fresh start’ vigour is something that strikes around my birthday too. Becoming a year older always makes me reflect on what I’ve managed to cram into the previous year of my life and what else I'd like to squeeze in before I die! I’m reminded on a frequent basis just how unpredictable life can be which has the effect of a full throttle energy towards that bucket list.

There was no New Year's Day dash into the icy cold sea for me! I’d opted for my first solo ride on the road (making the most of the lack of traffic) out to meet up with family and have my first piece of cake of the year at the cafe. It’s nice to have a cake and tea incentive when it’s so cold.

The route out was one that held a sad memory. I’d struggled to walk it the last time I'd visited and couldn’t keep up with the kids. It was another location that hammered home the progression of my condition and left me feeling angry and robbed of adventures. A wonderfully inspirational woman on Instagram had reminded me that it’s possible, if not almost mandatory! to go back and create a new memory to replace it, swap the bad for the good. Now I'm not saying it’s a quick fix, you might have to go back a few times to bring it back to a happy place, but I rode out on the roads before gliding through that trail and felt like I was standing ten feet tall. Not in the least bit embarrassed to let you know I had a little teary eye moment!

After a very enjoyable ride around the other trails at the destination I decided to do a bit of a smug victory ride down the hill. Almost on cue I get swiftly brought down from cloud nine, I could even hear the rushing sound of air to accompany it as my front tyre was punctured!!!

The front wheel is the most difficult one to fix on the XCR. You can’t get the tyre off without taking the wheel off. You can’t turn the bike upside down like a standard bike and you certainly can’t fix the bike with the paltry kit bag I'd deemed sufficient for the days ride. Lots of lessons to be learned here and lots of frustration which was remedied temporarily by a rescue from my other half who brought the van to grab me plus the bike and go for that tea and cake. He’s a keeper!

Sitting down next to the warm fire to enjoy the cake (chocolate brownie as it’s the go-to coeliac option) I felt a pang of incompetence. It was a blow to my self-esteem that I knew very little about how to fix the problem. When the husband gets a puncture, he can sort it out and be on his way. I know it’s not as simple as that with the XCR. He said he’d have needed a rescue too given the lack of right kit and awkwardness of the front wheel. He suggested we wait for the bike guy to get back from his holiday and get him to look at it. Another dose of ineptitude to tip the balance and cause me to want to fix the situation. Yes, I’d got myself booked onto a bike maintenance course in a few weeks' time, but the best part of my day was achieving the ride out here and I didn’t want to let that ‘I can do this’ feeling go.

Equipped with YouTube, google, the required tools and a husband to help with the lifting I set about fixing the puncture. I’d forgotten about having put on my favorite jumper for warmth before beginning the task and consequently I now have oil stains on it. Normally I’d have been upset if I'd have spilt something on the jumper, but these stains feel like my badge of honour! It took hours!!! I did something I’d promised myself I’d never do which was get grumpy with my kid for holding the torch in the wrong place! I’ve got memories of my dad telling me off for not pointing the torch the right way. Sorry Dad! I now know how frustrating that is! Sorry to my darling daughter for barking at you, your help was much appreciated x.

A few notes:

Wrong inner tubes: just because it’s got 26 inch wheels that doesn’t mean every 26 inch inner tube will work, who knew eh! Must now only buy Presta valve!

Seat pad: This makes a great knee cushion

Work stand: If you’d built this when you intended to then the husband wouldn’t have had to stand holding the bike up. Build that stand!

Photos: keep taking photos as you do things, it really helped when piecing it back together.

I need to remember not to be so hard on myself for not knowing things or needing help. This lesson in bike maintenance was timely and very much appreciated. Better to have had a puncture when help was at hand, and I was easy to reach. I got more from the day in terms of accomplishment than I could have anticipated. I’m not glad of the puncture as I was really enjoying the ride, but I’m very pleased to have fixed the problem and learned a lot. I’ll wear my stained jumper with pride and a renewed awareness of ‘The more you know, the more you realise you don’t know’, I've a lot to learn!

I look forward to the bike maintenance course and being a bit more informed for the future.

I went back a few days later to attempt the route again and I did it, there and back! I avoided any smug victory rides down the big hill as I didn’t want to tempt fate! I think the cake tasted a little sweeter this time though!

Sounds like a plan!

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 10:48:06 GMT

I love it when a plan comes together!

I’m informed that the key to success is down to several p’s, this number tends to differ depending on the politeness scale, however the gist of it is that proper planning prevents poor performance.

Going out on the bike in the rain doesn’t bother me too much, however, the cold, wet, muddy conditions do impact how often I go out as I've got to wash and dry everything after each ride!

During my time at home in the comfort of the warm and dry, I've been focusing on not only investing in kit that is waterproof and warm, but also planning routes so I can extend my exploring range. This has also taken into consideration the need for cake en route, and the need to review these places fully in the interest of research!

This year has been so much better than I could have imagined. I remain in awe of the sport-on XCR hand bike and how it has helped me through such a difficult transition as my condition progresses. I still can’t express just how awesome it is to be able to ride around and become so engrossed in the adrenaline rush or beautiful scenery that I forget about the daily struggle with walking.

A real stand out moment has to be my first ride in the rain! Calling it rain feels a bit too kind to the situation as it was a full-blown downpour. At times I felt like this ride was possibly one of the silliest things to have done, the clothes I had were shower-proof at best, I was concerned about the electrics on the bike, and visibility was at times at a dangerously poor level. However, once the rain had seeped its way into everywhere it could, and there was no possibility of getting any wetter it became a level of joy that is akin to the look on my child's face as he jumps in puddles with reckless abandon! There was a sense of accomplishment based on my very survival! I'd completed the route and not given up, which given that I was with a group of able-bodied cyclists, and in my own mind was feeling the pressure to keep up as the only hand cyclist, was a real achievement.

The joy of a hot shower and a cup of tea at home after was perfection.

I had forced myself to go out despite feeling like I should just stay in and address the growing to-do list of things that were stressing me out. Ever the procrastinator I went, I saw, I conquered! That ‘I can do this’ attitude that carried me through the ride had been inflated by the completion of it, and I felt much more able to get on with everything else on my list the following day. Yes, I rewarded myself with cake too!

Right, on to those P’s to address some planning!

Product:

The bike (yes, I know I've already decided on that but it's good to explain the rationale)

As with the standard two-wheeled bicycle, there are road and off-road options. You can go to places on an off-road handcycle which you might have thought were out of reach. I wanted something that could tackle the varied terrain of the forest trails at Cardinham, as well as the relatively flat camel trail.

The sport-on XCR is a lightweight, fast, cross country handcycle that is great for most terrains. This means forest trails, coastal trails, muddy or sandy roads are accessible, ticking all the boxes!

When I started out with a ride from Bodmin to Wadebridge it felt like hard work as I was trying to push myself by keeping the electric assist at a relatively low level. This was unnecessary! there was enough battery to have allowed for more support and I just tired myself out! It's easy enough on the flat to find the right level at which I'm putting in enough effort to be getting a bit of a workout vs just cruising on the electrics. Going around Cardinham I’ve learned that it’s better to over rather than underestimate on assistance required on the slopes! The electric assist is there when needing to keep up with other riders, or allow overtaking them when you want to go a bit faster!

The seating position in this hand bike is very comfortable, you’re pretty much in a padded chair with your feet up. I would probably opt for a hand bike over a bicycle just for the seat comfort!

Knowing that the XCR handles well and has electric assist that can adapt to suit my fluctuating ability makes it easy to rave about. It’s a very accommodating bit of kit. I’m often asked about how it must be hard work to ride it. My response is to say ‘yeah, you’ve got to be quite strong *flashes the tiny arm muscles* and the electric assist helps’!

Packing: What kit to wear and take

I’ll go through this in more depth in another post as there is so much to consider when it comes to the kit to carry on the bike and what to wear!

Nothing reminds me more that I'm still very much an amateur at this bike lark than getting soaked to the skin and very cold. Getting cold is a tricky one for me as it really affects my legs, this has resulted in a mammoth leg spasm that caused me to knee the chain off! Whoops!

Wet weather: Being low to the ground means in the rain my legs are stretched out ready to receive a full soaking. The other disadvantage is that, whilst you might have a great mudguard, any bicycles going past are prone to spraying you in the face with debris. Keeping warm and dry is the preferred option.

Here’s where I’ve got to with my clothing in the winter:

waterproof jacket (shower proof has its limits, Cornish rain has no limit), layers of tops but ensure they are breathable! there's no need for padded shorts on a handcycle so I wear two pairs of leggings. One set is thermal, and the other set are water resistant. Waterproof socks are a thing! Warm, waterproof gloves, a snood, Helmet (obviously) and an under-helmet bike hat to prevent the rain seeping in. A set of bike glasses helps too. For those adventurous night rides I've also got some lights in the form of red light armbands, and a headband with white front light and red rear light. It's fantastic having the headlight to illuminate where I'm facing!

Running leggings and shorts have handy pockets and aren’t padded (I personally don’t see a need for padding when I'm sat on my cushioned seat!) however, the downside is the internet adverts suggesting a set of running shoes to go with these. Erm, not sure I'll get much use from those!

Arm cover is essential when you’re on the hand bike as you’re at stinging nettle height!!! It’s easy to get distracted and swerve to allow someone to pass and get stung for your kindness.

Remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.

The kit to take on the bike is still very much a learning opportunity. It's grown a lot since just a drink and a snack! I'm grateful to those who have lent me a multi tool or a pump! It’s all well and good having the right kit but knowing how to use it is handy too. I’ve signed myself up for a course in bike maintenance and repairs for exactly that.

I’ll list off what I’m currently carrying in the bag and, all going well with the course, I’ll do a more in-depth bit on applying that knowledge!

The bag so far: Puncture repair kit, inner tubes x2, Tyre levers, my own multi tool! A drink an a snack, first aid kit.

I’ll be adding a spare chain and the relevant tools, plus a tyre mate as I hear they’re a worthwhile addition!

If you’ve got any suggestions on kit to add, or better yet any recommendations of tried and tested waterproof cycle clothing then please let me know.

Pick your path:

In an ideal world there would be a route planner for trails that highlights things like where to get food, or where all the awkward barriers are! There are various trails around, but none have the tried and tested review from a hand bike perspective.

I’d like to know:

Is it wide enough to fit the bike?

Are there turning \ passing places? (Will I get stuck in a narrow lane with a car unable to pass me)

Will there be cake?!

If there are barriers can the bike navigate through?

Are you sure the café with the cake is open?

What is the emergency access like?

I managed to get a meeting with the relevant officials over the need of a chaperone on rides to open and shut gates on a certain route. There’s not much fun in being reminded of the fact that as a grown adult you aren’t allowed to go on a bike ride unless you ask your mates if they’re able to come play and open a gate. It’s far from independent living and I'll be taking the relevant authorities to task on adapting as many barriers as possible!

Parking:

The VW transporter is named Vinnie after the artist, Vinnie-Van-Gogh! As much as I amuse myself with silly names like this, it does feel like I’ve added a jinx to the left wing-mirror. In the height of summer, the parking in the county goes a bit bananas! However, the issue with parking is more to do with the hand bike itself. Yes, there are plenty of rails for a bicycle to park up and be chained on, but the dimensions of the XCR mean that it’s a bit more of a challenge. That’s not to say there isn’t anywhere to park it, just that it requires a bit more work. This is something I'll factor into my route write ups!

Picture this:

I need to remember to photograph sections of the route and points of interest so I can add these to the write ups. It’s easy for me to become so engrossed in a ride that I keep forgetting the photos and footage! I’m sure this sort of information would really help with the decision-making process when considering what route to take. Having not done much exploring on my own I can admit that this is due to being worried about getting myself lost or stuck at a barrier. Whilst I can sit and read through written instructions and get a rough idea of where I'm supposed to be going, I’d much rather have the luxury of someone showing me the way! If I can capture the routes using a go-pro and share that then it’s a step towards a guided ride. Seeing images of the awesome views on a route gives a real incentive to push on up the slopes, or along the trail for that reward. As for the cake, I’ll have to try and remember the photo before I inhale it.

Promo:

At some stage (early 2022) there will be hire bikes! At that point I'll have to let everyone know they are here. You'll likely hear me shouting it from the rooftops! Failing that, if you want to be one of the first to know and have a go then please click the contact button and get yourself on the list.

Someone ought to do something!

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 18:05:20 GMT

Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...

Well, there's been a bit of a gap since my previous post! The summer holidays have come and gone, starting with the euphoria of no more school run, hurrah! (the only 'run' I do :D) then finishing with actually looking forward to the kids going back!

With no clear information on how my condition is going to progress I'm very much about making the most of things while I can, so we've really crammed it in! I might need another 6 weeks to recover.

The youngest child has started school this year. Whilst I'm pleased to have some rest time (the boy is a whirlwind of energy) I'm also left feeling a bit redundant. I'd told myself a few years ago that I'd be able to work more and get around to all the tasks/hobbies I never seem to have the time for. Life over those few years has adjusted course somewhat!

Those lyrics in the title above 'you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone' really seem to stick at the moment. The restrictions imposed by the pandemic have really emphasized that. I can't be certain which lockdown was the one that we struggled with most, but for me it's actually the aftermath of lockdown that is hardest. We can go out and do things! There's a new enthusiasm for the outdoors and making the most of stuff. Well deserved praise is given for the workers who kept the country running. These are all great things! I'm really wondering as we tiptoe towards things building back up 'What the heck do I do now?!'

I stopped my job as it just wasn't feasible with the leg issues and accessibility to venues. The youngest is off to school. Aside from my role as the kids chauffeur I'm left with a bit of a gap in my day.

It feels as though I've lost a big part of me. That need to feel appreciated and like you're doing something that matters seems to be woven into me. I'm not teaching or conducting weddings anymore. Money can't fix me, nor is it down to just trying harder! The holidays had presented lots of situations where I pushed more than I should and was duly punished. I'm definitely still adjusting. Apparently I like to learn the hard way!

The lesson here: Trade your expectations for appreciation and the world changes instantly.

Instead of focusing so much on what I can't do and the frustration that brings, I'm learning to frame things with gratitude and appreciation. The money that enabled me to buy a handbike came from such tragic circumstances. I'm very grateful for it, and at the same time painfully aware of the huge financial barrier preventing others from such an experience. No, the money can't fix my legs, but the bike is the next best thing. I get to continue being 'adventure mum' which is priceless.

Something I often observed growing up was the euphoric response to giving. The idea that, whilst it's lovely to be the recipient of a gift, there's a lot of, if not more joy to be gained from giving. This seemed a bit confusing when i was younger, getting something was better than giving something away right?! When I had my own children it really clicked just how nice it is to see the joy on their faces. Having gone through a considerable amount of difficult times in life I've watched people go above and beyond expectations to help. There seems to be a direct correlation between this and feeling appreciated.

When it comes to deciding what to do with the money I have left it goes hand in hand with my aspirations of changing the world (or at least my little bit of it!) Having a gratitude for owning a bike is one thing, seeing others who would really benefit from it not having access to it though is the motivator. Hiring out handbikes would not be profitable financially for quite some time. I'd like to think people would already be doing it if it were a real money maker! It would however hopefully yield some smiles that would appease my need to be doing something useful. Perhaps it might even act as a legacy, continuing the importance of the joy in giving.

This blog helps me stay accountable to that commitment. Alongside my facebook and instagram accounts (Follow the tabs on the home page to find me!) I get to keep updated with the goings on in the lives of people who face similar, and often more challenges than myself.

I'm still waiting on the arrival of the bikes, but in the meantime I'm hugely excited to say that a loan of my bike will be occurring! I had thought I'd be too precious to really encourage anyone to use my bike but then I noticed an appreciation post on instagram from someone who had been to test out the xcr whilst being up country. Then I noticed that this person lives locally. I'd guessed by the long wait for the hire bikes to arrive that she'd be waiting a while before she'd be able to ride again. An opportunity to volunteer my bike had presented itself and, having read about her journey, I think I'm possibly more excited about sharing the handbike joy than she might be about riding it!!!

Those lyrics 'you don't know what you've got 'til its gone' were circling my head during an over ambitious family trip to a 4 day long festival (great, just got that ear worm back!!!)

Described as an adventure packed, activity filled four days of fun I was, in hindsight, very optimistic to think I'd be able to take such an event in my stride. We had a lot of fun, particularly on the crazy bikes at the circus!

It also was utterly harsh at times. Whilst it might have appeared to some that the tears running down my face from the poorly planned layout and massive walks to get to almost anything, the kids were buying my 'it's just hayfever' excuse. The building frustration and anger about not having my bike there serves as an appreciation reminder. It was going to be there when we got home and I could join in without feeling like my legs my just snap clean off!!!!

With the help of my wonderful entourage I was able to participate in the majority of things I wanted to do. The combat archery was a definite pass, I'd have been too much of an easy target with my inability to crouch down or move out of the way! On the final night the guys decided to try and hail a ride back from a guy in a buggy car. Don't ask, don't get eh! Well it was a don't get in this situation! Or so we thought...

We made our way towards the path back to the campsite and took on the big hill leading down (downhill hurts too). Waiting at the bottom of the hill was the buggy car. Waiting in the buggy car was a very compassionate guy who took pity on this leggy blonde and gave us a ride back to the tent!

At this point I might have been slightly delirious from the pain as I proceeded to chat to the guy (let's call him a hero, he deserves it!) about how my bike would have been the perfect solution. It's fair to say at this point that our hero might have been wondering 'how does she ride a bike if she struggles to walk?!' He very politely allowed me to rant on about how amazing the xcr is.

Having decided to do a kind thing I was repaying him with a rant, eek! Albeit one with solutions, it's still a bit rude! Rather than nod along and drive away as fast as he could after dropping us off, he enquired about making changes to the way things are done there. Accessibility meant something to him! Even better was that he was in a position to do something about it too. I'm glad that I shared my aspirations with him. Changes like this don't happen overnight, nor can I do it all by myself, but I have made a start.

“The phrase 'Someone ought to do something' was not, by itself, a helpful one. People who used it never added the rider 'and that someone is me'.”

― Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

Exercise: a love\hate relationship

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 13:15:07 GMT

Wanting to be more active:

A recent survey I carried out indicated all participants (except one!) wanting to be more active. The one who opted for 'no' was already very active with at least 150+ minutes a week exercise!

This led me to consider the barriers to being more active, most noted was the lack of time and childcare. The survey was a research tool for me to gain some insight into how to set up the handbike hire to meet customer needs, which has led me to question 'if we have limited free time, surely we'd want to spend it doing something we love?'

Couple that thought with a comment I often get when out riding 'I bet that's hard work eh love!' and I'm suddenly wondering how shared that perception might be? Who wants to spend precious free time doing hard work?!?!

My response to that is that handbike doesn't have to be hard work! There's an electric assist on it so that I can choose between using the bike as a way to have a nice easy trip or to work a bit more on my fitness levels. I've been slowly building myself up and setting goals which has been a great sense of achievement, and I can see progress in my increased energy level. I'm not riding around with mega buff arms so there's a big visual clue that it's not too hard! However, it is still exercise. Yeah I've just said that word...EXERCISE! I'm not sure how that word makes you feel, but for me there are mixed emotions.

As an ex member of the gym I look back on my time there as a love hate relationship. I LOVED my time there because I got to hang out with my niece as her gym buddy, it's nice to have company! I'd signed up purely to support her and it worked well. I'd highly recommend a buddy as you feel like you don't want to bail out on someone so you stick to going. Personally I saw it as time out of the house for me to chill a bit, no demand to hit a certain weight or lift a set amount, just a no pressure thing. I admired my nieces dedication and loved seeing her getting stronger as the weeks passed, but I couldn't say the same about me.

I didn't know at that point that I had SPG5a and was beginning to get frustrated with not seeing even slight improvements. Having started the gym with a happy-go-lucky vibe I'd found myself sliding towards HATE for my body for struggling, it was even starting to go backwards and I seemed to be getting worse!!!

In my case it triggered the journey that led to my diagnosis and an explanation for my steep drop in performance! I wasn't doing the right exercise for me and was putting strain on myself. It's important to find the right exercise for you.

Unsurprisingly, science offers up an explanation for my love / hate exercise relationship:

According to science, the reason you hate exercise so much (you might not hate it!) might have nothing to do with the actual exercise, but rather a problem that runs much deeper:

Weight loss is often peoples focus at the gym (think: weighing themselves each time, calorie burn workouts, or rigid schedules with the hope of losing weight). People also often focus on their perceived flaws as motivation (hoping for toned arms, critiques of their body in the mirror, or aiming toward a 'better' figure).

But psychology research illustrates that these tactics don't actually work. They're self-sabotaging, which results in worse motivation in the long run.

A number of psychological studies suggest that appearance-focused or body-shaming motivation tactics are actually a large part of the problem. They found negative correlations between weight stigma and a motivation to exercise.

The takeaway: The more focus there is on bodies looking 'good' or 'bad' based on size or 'ideal' shape, the less enjoyable exercise becomes.

You might be wondering what is the girl on the bike rambling on about?! As someone who is certainly guilty of focusing on perceived flaws, I wasn't aware of the impact of appearance-based motivation. All that time spent at the gym and nothing to show for it?! No visible changes to my body? What was the point? In a world where we've become accustomed to a faster pace of life with instant gratification thanks to the internet and phones, the lack of results wasn't good enough (did I mention I can be impatient!)

Appearance-based motivation is externally driven, rather than internally driven - which can generate an all-or-nothing relationship with exercise that doesn't work.

It hadn't worked for me, hence my ambivalent attitude.

When we start exercising for pleasure and fun, exercise can become intrinsically motivating, meaning we are motivated from within. If its not enjoyable, it's going to be really hard to stay motivated!

I mentioned being an ex member of the gym, I haven't been back there since. After my diagnosis I gave up on the idea of ever being fit and had resigned myself to not achieving those toned arms or better figure. In honesty, I was a bit depressed and felt sad that my appearance was changing. Progression has led to my spine curving in at the base which forces my cake tum to stick out! My knees are turning inwards like they're desperate for face-to-face conversation and my feet turn a purple zombie-ish colour! nice eh!

Now that my exercise is restricted by my current ability, it mainly consists of occasional kayaking and regular rides on my bike. You know what... I've never felt better about myself!

I'm so happy to be able to explore by bike and kayak that I don't think of it as exercise at all. The focus for me is now very much about the ability in disability. Do I miss fully functioning legs? of course! I'm very aware of how useful they were! Can I still be an active, adventure mum? You bet I can!!! Is accessibility a barrier? Sometimes that's a yes, sometimes it's just not something I'd want to do regardless of my legs (rock climbing would still be a solid pass!)

When you take the focus away from that 'ideal' body and the pressures that come with it, you can start to enjoy exercise. You'll be rewarded with the great mental health benefits:

less tension, stress and mental fatigue
natural energy boost
a sense of achievement
more focus and motivation
feeling less angry or frustrated
boosting your self-esteem
helping you concentrate as well as sleep well and feel better

The physical benefits will naturally follow and you might even find it fun!

Personally, I've gained a lot more confidence, which, when I'm signing myself up for long rides that I'm not certain I'll survive, is not necessarily a good thing! It's about finding the right exercise for you. I didn't like cycling before because it wasn't the most comfortable exercise, safe to say the ability to put my feet up and sit in a comfy seat is a definite perk to the XCR.

Something to consider:

I have had anxiety and experienced panic attacks.

The way you feel when you get active – breathless, hot, sweaty, a fast heart rate – can feel similar to the symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks. This can be distressing and may then cause a panic attack or increased anxiety.

If this happens to you, try a lower impact activity such as yoga or pilates. When this feels ok, build up the intensity slowly and notice the difference between the effects of physical activity and a panic attack. (Knowing that I have the electric assist on the handbike reassures me that I can relax and let the battery help if I want). Exercising with someone else may help you feel reassured that help is available if you feel anxious.

Any amount of physical activity is better than none. Finding an activity you like and are able to do regularly is more important than pushing yourself to do something you don’t enjoy. Remember, balance is good, so don't forget to mix it up with occasional cake!

Endeavour: try hard to do or achieve something

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 18:58:48 GMT

Endeavour is a powerful thing!

This week I was fortunate enough to take part in a ride (23 ish miles) with some of the amazing guys from Endeavour Community Cycle Club in Plymouth.

I should start with explaining why on earth I'd signed myself up for another long ride with no idea if I'd actually manage to complete it, but there's no clear reason! Perhaps it was due to finishing the 17 mile challenge and feeling a tad cocky (apparently I'd forgotten about aching arms!!!) Maybe it was the supportive advice I'd received from them on a handcycle group on Facebook, coupled with curiosity about their cycling story and an eagerness to meet other people to relate to. Whatever the reason (and despite my initial nerves about holding them all back that almost made me cancel at the 11th hour) I went on the longest ride I've done so far!

These guys are mostly ex forces, I think knowing that might have been the cause of my nerves!!! I had visions of them putting me through my paces and shouting orders, eek!

The core values of the group really shine through, no one is left behind (they did joke about this!) and they really care about supporting each member to achieve their goal. There were a few orders shouted! However it was massively appreciated, having someone let you know about oncoming bikes and keeping a look out takes the stress out of being on a handcycle on a busy trail.

Guys it was a pleasure to meet you, I enjoyed the ride and enjoyed the cake even more!

I've learned it's a good idea to reach out to others, there are some great people out there.

I highly recommend a stop off at Bodmin Jail for a post ride treat, check out their menu where you'll find desserts listed under 'last rites'. Opt for the cheesecake if you're partial to a sizeable scoop of clotted cream!!!

Endeavouring to adapt

Not being able to feel my feet properly has an impact on cycling, it dictates that I use a handcycle!

Arguably, I don't have to cycle at all. I'm not forced to cycle, although it's not as though going for a run is a viable fitness option for me!!! I could kayak for the cardio (that's my other exercise of choice) or I could sit and eat cake and not worry about exercise, as it stands I have a nice mix of all three (I'm sure by now you've realised I like cake!)

Whilst the few months leading up to and after my diagnosis really rocked my confidence and self-esteem there was a point where it seemed to suddenly dawn on me that I'm actually really lucky. Granted, many people might not consider being diagnosed with a progressive condition as 'lucky' , however, I was very aware that it could be worse. I felt a bit daft for not coming to that conclusion a bit sooner, but when you get news that will be life changing it can have a tendency to throw you a bit!

The list of things that were no longer an option due to the progression was getting longer, some things I wasn't too sad over though as I didn't really do them before anyway (alas my running career was over before it began!)

It wasn't necessarily about doing exercise, I just wanted to find something that I could do and feel like I was achieving something, I needed a boost to my self esteem. Finding myself in a position where I needed to ask for help more or knowing that everyone was having to wait for me to catch up was increasingly frustrating. The bit that really got me was not joining in with adventures like I used to. Sitting on the sidelines was starting to chip away at me.

Finding the XCR handbike changed my life! I can't emphasize this enough.

This wasn’t just the physical benefits that come with cycling, increased joint motion, muscle movement, great for circulation, core development, and more...

This was the emotional gains, the sense of inclusion and that feeling of independence.

Going to the woods and riding around with my kids, my daughter said to me ‘I love this, I’ve got adventure mum back again’

Nuff said!

So endeavour: it's defined as trying hard to do or achieve something, an attempt to achieve a goal, and also an enterprise or undertaking.

I endeavour to fulfil my role as adventure mum!, to set myself cycling goals (and smash them!), and, I hereby endeavour to give an earnest, prolonged, and industrious effort to bringing handcycle hire to fruition in my home town!

(there's a sense of accountability when you share your goal with others! I now feel obliged to have to do something about it, which is a good thing!)

Oh, and finally, I must get a mudguard....

Sportive ( not a race! )

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 11:50:01 GMT

Taking things at your own pace!

What is a sportive?

A sportive is an organised ride which you pay to do, it follows a planned and signposted route with both medical and mechanical support available. For the super human lot who opt for the longer distances there are feeding stations too. I'd like to think that I could have opted for a longer distance with food as an incentive, but I knew I was already being optimistic with my goal of the 'inspire' 17 miles route. The beauty is that they take the guesswork out of riding somewhere new, think of them as a great way to see new places with the route planning done and lots of very useful signposts!

Most events have several routes covering different distances to suit all levels of riders from novice to elite.

The wonderful thing about a sportive is that it's NOT a race!!! You may get a ‘race number’ but this is more for the organiser’s benefit (so they can tell if you’re part of the event or not). Having not had my bike for very long, and never having been on the roads with it, I decided the best option was the shortest route to test out how both me and the XCR would do! All I had to do was turn up and take things at my own pace.

Why did I sign up?!

Acknowledging that I haven't had my bike for very long and that my furthest ride had been just shy of 13 miles I figured it would be a good idea to give myself a challenge!

This genetic condition of mine physically affects my legs, but it also has a bad habit of trying to sneak up on me mentally. I get a tad frustrated with not being able to do things like I used to, stuff takes longer to get done and some things are falling into the 'can't manage that anymore' category. I often have to have a word with myself to not waste the 'leg time' I have left just feeling sorry for myself! It's happening, there's nothing I can do to change it, so I need to make the most of it.

One thing I had enjoyed in the past was doing the charity events like the pretty muddy run or the bubble rush. I wasn't super fast at them but I loved the feel of the day and taking part in something that helped a worthwhile cause. This sportive was for Cornwall Hospice Care, and whilst I'd raised a bit of money to help them, being able to take part in an event again was going to be really helpful for me.

Instant motivation!!!

Sportives are a great motivator. Pick one you like the look of, enter it and – BOOM – you have a goal and focus to go riding.

They can also push you to go further than you might normally ride; a lot of riders take on longer distances on the day than they’d ever do normally.

How did it go?

Imagine going to a party in fancy dress, only to arrive and find you're the only one in fancy dress...

well it wasn't quite like that, but it's fair to say I did feel nervously odd getting the bike out the van and riding down to the event village. I LOVE my bike and am very fortunate to have it, but at this point in time I felt very noticeable, not quite vulnerable, but just doubting myself for a bit. It seriously didn't help when the bike just decided to cut out on me and not move. A part of me wanted to get ride buddy husband to just take me home, like I had no place here! We both checked over the bike and couldn't work out what had gone wrong, decided to get it up to the registration desk and check it out there. Thank Tech for google!!!! It gave us a few things to do and it seemed to work. There's nothing quite like setting off onto a busy road knowing that it might just quit on you! I think it decided to behave as a reward for me not giving in.

As we set off I noticed the looks from spectators, the little encouraging comments, people shouting my number and cheering a bit. I had completely wrong tyres, on a wide bike on a busy road on a particularly hot day. I also had my husband there by my side (well, just behind me!) the coolest bike there, and no pressure to finish.

Hills, heat and hell up!

After remembering to smile as we went past the camera I was beginning to feel pretty pleased with myself. Then onto a feeling of 'why the heck did you sign up for this?!' and next was 'woah look at the views!' There were lots of hills and bits that looked flat but weren't, but all in all it was a lovely ride up until the bike gave out.

We had got this far and were about 5 miles from the finish, I was feeling like I might actually be able to make it, Alex had been supporting me all this time and as i'd got up a particularly steep hill ( using the electric assist that I've mentioned before! ) I waited for Alex to come around the corner. Handbike 1 mtb 0 is the usual smugness reserved for the top of the hill. I wasn't smug. Alex's bike had given out and he'd cut his leg. Being the super resilient guy that he is he decided he'd just push his bike to the finish and cruise it downhill where possible. THERE WERE FIVE MORE MILES!!!!! He told me to go for it, I didn't want to go it alone because roads are damn scary when you're cycling, especially on a handbike! I figured he'd catch me up soon enough as I'd probably run out of steam, but somehow I didn't. I managed to get myself pretty much all the way before feeling like my arms were done in, but then I saw the 1 mile to go sign and thought lets have it! Screw you crap legs and screw you doubtful mind I'm here for a personal victory. I got myself a shiny medal and sat to cheer my husband over the finish line too!

Lots of people said they were inspired by me on my bike, I'd say the same about the other amazing handcyclists out there. It's not just a bike ride, it's mental health, physical health and it's inclusion.

Cardinham: cake and cycle!

mrslaurawilton@yahoo.com (laura wilton) — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 17:29:37 GMT

4 trails and a chocolate brownie

Cardinham woods is located in central Cornwall. It sits on the edge of Bodmin, easily accessed from the A38, and has a well deserved reputation for some pretty epic mountain bike trails. So what does it have on offer when those awesome mtb trails aren't accessible for a handbike (amtb)?

It boasts 4 walking trails which are varied in their ability level, ranging from a gentle stroll to a steep path that comes with a warning that it may not be suitable for inexperienced walkers! This provides the enthusiastic handbiker with some confidence building trails and a chance to get a real adrenaline rush should you want it. Perhaps more importantly, Cardinham woods has a cafe that caters for this cake loving coeliac! Woods cafe is conveniently situated right near the point at which the trails finish, ready with a cake reward if you so wish.

On to the trails...

Lady Vale (full) 2.5km (1.5 miles) Purple arrows

I'll start with the reminder that this is a walking trail and, whilst its not heaving with people enjoying a stroll, it's not one that you can race around on. Dog walkers enjoy this path so its good to be mindful and slow up a little unless you can see its a clear run! This one is the easy-going, easy access route where you can follow the river upstream and loop around. The route takes you from the carpark by the toilets around to finish at the cafe, however, if you'd rather not navigate around a fiddly gate you can do the route in reverse. Make your way over to the start of the Callywith wood walk and be sure to stick to the left, it's well signposted. There is a bridge (marked on the map as the Lady vale walk shortcut) that you can easily cross over to make a much easier loop and be delivered back to the cake point!

There are some slight slopes in this trail but its certainly manageable, I used this trail to get used to handling slopes and how to set off mid-slope, I'd say this is a great introduction to woodland trail. If you're used to the relatively flat Camel trail then I'm sure you'd survive the Lady Vale!

Callywith wood 4.3km (2.7 miles) Yellow arrows

I had better reiterate that it's a walking trail again! I'm sure other cyclists use this too, but its a shared space trail. That said, this one does tend to be a bit quieter than the Lady Vale. Following the picturesque stream the trail has a gradual climb past some of the oldest conifer trees in the woods ( I read that on the sign!) I found the terrain to be a little rougher than the Lady Vale trail and at points it's quite rocky, but the bike managed just fine. The first time I did this track I was a bit surprised at the ascent being a bit more hilly than I'd expected, I'd get up a slope to go around the bend and find it's yet more slope! The infamous mountain bike trails are woven across the walking trails so you might see a few fellow bikers dart past.

The views on offer are certainly worth it, but I find the little section of rocky, bumpy track (just before the loop meets back to the trail down again) a highlight of this route! On the handbike it feels like the scene from ace ventura, just be sure to take it steady as you join the track down as its a tight cut-back. Once you've made a 3-point-turn to get yourself heading back down it's a really nice descent following that lovely stream back down to the car park.

In terms of accessibility I'd say that the cut-back sticks out as a potential issue, I have to use a foot to nudge the bike backwards, so this is something for consideration before you set off!

Wheal Glynn 4km (2.5 miles) Grey arrows

Well...I don't feel that this needs the walking trail reminder as much as the others as there never seems to be many people opting for this steep trail!

Accessed via the Lady Vale trail, there is a steep ascent up to the old Wheal Glynn mine. I like that my bike has an electric assist that I can adjust to help me reach the summit! My significant other does not have electric assist, this is why I got to enjoy being first to the top and just a few moments of slight smugness that it was handbike 1 mtb 0!

Wheal Glynn has some of the tallest trees in the wood and really makes you feel wrapped up in the forest. It also has (in my opinion) the steepest slopes in the wood, as you zig-zag down on a handbike it feels a bit risky with a tight bend to navigate (but there is enough space to swing wide) and get yourself lined up nicely to pick your way down slowly over the rough terrain. Confident mtb guys will just zoom on down and rob you of the smug feeling you had earlier.

As I neared the end of the trail I spotted a bridge, though curious I decided not to take it, but as it turned out it (Angel bridge) leads onto the Deviock trail. Taking it will save you a few minutes of detour to the Lady Vale bridge.

Wheal Glynn is a very pretty trail, but I think the steep descent is going to take some getting used to. This isn't one for the faint hearted!

Deviock trail 6.5km (4 miles) Pink arrows

The longest of the trails, Deviock comes with a warning that it's steep sections may not be suitable for inexperienced walkers. In hindsight this was also a warning for any handcyclists who were getting a bit smug about their electric assist hill climbing abilities. It's worth noting that what goes up must come down had already been demonstrated to me on the previous trails... and yet here I was enthusiastically cycling on.

Described as a gentle climb up, the trail takes you to the outer edges of the wood. The promised pretty views do not disappoint, all of the trails are beautiful, but this has to be my favourite.

I prefer the surface of this track, it mainly consists of a more compacted ground, the shingle that you'll encounter on the Callywith wood and Wheal Glynn occurs much less here. As you find yourself reaching the edge of the wood the trail takes you into the woodland. Going from a nice wide track to being immersed in the woods, it's welcome shade on a hot day.

Just before you get presented with a gap in the trees ( that might evoke a bit of doubt that you'll even squeeze through ) there's a dip. This dip is not so conveniently the same length as the xcr! My advice here is commit to the dip! Picture yourself gliding through into the woodland and just go for it. This is the advice I'd like to have given myself before I took a hesitant attempt and rolled back to settle in the dip, which as I mentioned fits the xcr nicely and doesn't make your escape very easy! Luckily my partner (hiding any laughs) gave me a push. Following the path down through that gap leads you to a small patch of mud and up on past a lovely farm on the right hand side. This part of the wood is a bit damp underfoot but very pretty, that is until you arrive at dodgy corner!!!

Dodgy corner earned its title. The deceptively steep slope that awaits around a left hand bend managed to leave me quite literally bowled over! Whilst the xcr is light enough to flip back over it's worth just stopping entirely before the bend and sussing out how you'd be able to manoeuvre yourself to a straight on position to tackle the slope.

Warning!!! there's a steep slope (if only someone had mentioned that...)

This is a narrow, steep, rubble lined slide. My lesson here was to just embrace that slide! go with it and cruise on down slowly, too much breaking and you'll likely skid and not have much control. The rest of the trail is a great chance to cruise on back down to the Lady Vale bridge. Take the path on the right to get yourself to the cafe for that well earned cake.

The Deviock trail and Wheal Glynn ideally require you to take a ride buddy, especially for the first attempt while you get familiar with them. I'd say they're for the extra adventurous / confident (in my case naively so!) That said, there's a great sense of accomplishment when you're done.

visit www.forestryengland.uk/cardinham-woods for trail maps and other Cardinham info.

Getting out there...

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 22:51:48 GMT

When it comes to getting out there on my bike I'm spoilt for choice with nearby trails that offer woodland, coastal and riverside views. Having spent a great deal of time in these places pre-disability I can't begin to express how amazing it is to be able to get back out there and experience it all again.

Ability to adapt

As I'd mentioned before, I'm not the sort of person who does sporty things. When I attempted to ride a bike when I was younger it didn't go so well!!! (Safe to say nobody knew I had a rare genetic disorder) I could walk, manage a steady jog, but balance while pedalling? nope!!!

Finding the ability in my disability has repaired my relationship with cycling, who knew a bike would become instrumental in me adapting to, dare I say it, LOVING exercise!

All inclusive!

The best bit by far is being able to go 'all inclusive' as my daughter claims! Now that we are all able to go out

riding together as a family she informs me that it's like I've got my legs back, she's got her adventure mum, I've

got a bundle of warm fuzzy feelings (well, not in my feet! I can't feel those!)

Better together

Whilst it's great to get out on the trails and make the most of my new found freedom, it's made even better when I'm with my 'tour guide'. Mostly better... it's less good when his lack of navigational skills mean we get stuck on a very steep slope!!! All part of the fun eh!

What's the deal with a handbike?!

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 22:53:34 GMT

The name gives it away!

Hand bike?! It's pretty much what you'd expect, a bike you power with your hands! There are different types out there and, if I'm honest, I was expecting them to be heavy and insanely hard work. As it turns out they're actually much more agile and cooler than I thought, its a beautiful thing!

Why wouldn't you just ride a regular bike?

I'm the last person I expected to see on a handbike. I've had a fairly consistent love/hate (mostly hate!) relationship with anything sporty and still wouldn't say I'm sporty now despite spending most of my free time either on my bike or kayaking! Bizarrely it took me becoming disabled to suddenly want to go and ride a bike, which might not sound like it makes any sense!

The idea of not being able to move around as freely as I'd like made me go in search of something that would allow me to do just that, to explore the environment around me whilst moving at a pace I choose. An adapted mountain bike that doesn't require leg power ticked the box. 'Regular' bikes are a little too demanding of leg power!

Is it hard work?

Yes and no! If I'm wanting the challenge I'll switch off the electric assist!!! Living in a hilly place I felt that electric assist was necessary, I'd have been a bit crazy not to add it! I can select the level so it's still a challenge, but it's on my terms. Having the power kick in by itself would have taken away my chance to increase my strength and the sense of achievement when I've managed to get around on a lower setting. Finding routes that are wide enough is another challenge!

So, it's a bike for disabled people then?

It didn't take long for my able-bodied husband to have a go on this!!! He's got a love for the mountain bike trails on his 'regular' bike, but really enjoyed the change this bike offers.

I'm certain that you don't have to be disabled to ride this bike! I'd say it's a fantastic thing for anyone who wants to be more active, those of you who are up for trying something different. It's not exclusive to those of us who find ourselves somewhere on the wide spectrum of medical barriers to cycling!

Patience is a virtue

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 22:48:57 GMT

Taking a step back to August 2020...

Wanting to do things when you can't do them (for whatever reason) is frustrating! I think we've all had our fill of that over lockdown, but for me it was going to be extending beyond that. Whilst I'm keen to see things return to something more recognisable as 'normal' (all in good time of course!) I was also in the position of feeling sad about everything starting up again, and that feeling of being left behind. It's still early days for me in terms of adjusting to my progressive genetic condition. There's so much I want to do, and even with all the enthusiasm in the world, it's time to accept it's not all going to be possible. So, when there's something I can do then I'm keen to get on it straight away.

It went a little something like this:

discovers handbike
travel 310 miles to only seller in the UK
place order for bike, hurrah!!!
wait for order...
more waiting...
9 months later (could have had a baby in that time!) it's ready

I'd like to say I waited patiently and enjoyed the 10+ hours of driving to collect it but I'd be lying!!!! Still, it was TOTALLY worth it!

What else could I do?

During my long lesson in patience I started thinking about what else I could do? (Not a very patient response!!!) What were others in my situation doing? In my 'I need to get out there' mindset I decided to go kayaking, turns out that's not something that requires my legs much either!

Then I looked again at ways to access the paths and trails I was deeply missing. Mobility scooter? Well... as frustrated as I was at the wait, and whilst this is a much loved bit of kit, this wasn't going to give me the adrenaline rush I was after! The tandem bike with a platform for a wheelchair wasn't really appropriate for me either.

My bike wasn't even here yet and my thoughts were already leaning towards getting a second bike! One to hire out to share with others, everyone must know the joy of handbikes!!! Thus the idea of 'tri-cycle' had begun. (Yes it's my attempt at a play on words and I like it!)

Den ideas...

If, like me, you've ever watched dragons den and convinced yourself that you'd one day come up with something good to go on the show with, then you'll know about the power of a unique idea! Bike hire is far from unique. It's a proven winner around here, there are multiple establishments gathered around trail hotspots. The specialist expensive handbikes aren't available. This is likely due to a number of reasons (it's not a big earner). I'm not deterred just yet...Did I mention the long wait for a bike?!