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21 January 2009

I don't know how I forgot to say here, but last November I placed an order for a new handcycle. It is produced by Draft Wheelchairs here in the UK. Last November I went to Draft and spent 3 hours with them. I tried out different makes of handcycles, and also different styles. The Draft handcycle I chose was their racing configuration and the difference between all the other handcycles I tried was very significant. This bike rolled so easily and although the bike was not made specifically for me, it just felt as if it had been made to fit me.

Dan at Draft has been keeping me up to date with the construction of the bike, even supplying me with photos of how they do the build. On Monday this week the batch of 3 handcycles they are making were sent off for spraying.

I am trying to be patient as I wait for the new bike. There are just over four weeks to go until 24th February when I go to collect it - I can't wait!

24 February 2009

The day has arrived and I collect my new Draft Racing Handcycle! I arrived at Draft in Godmanchester, Essex in the middle of the morning. My new bike was wheeled out and it looked fantastic. The design of Draft handcycles are very sleek anyway, and in the Silver Sparkle paint I had chosen I think my bike was gorgeous! Dan and Chris (who built my bike for me) then went through checking everything was OK and adjusting the bike correctly for me. At this point I was so embarrassed, the cranks kept touching my stomach. I have put on weight since I went in November last to be measured for the new handcycle! Luckily using slightly different shaped cranks solved the problem, but I do want to lose some weight so I can use the "proper" cranks.

The next 12 days I spent with friends in Woodham Mortimer, which is a village in Essex between Chelmsford and Maldon. I found a great area to ride my handcycle. It was free from heavy traffic and was fairly flat with only a couple of gentle climbs. It only took a short time before I felt at home with the new bike and was able to start pressing on to increase the speed I was riding at. I did not really want to end my time at Woodham Mortimer. Not only are my friends great company, but I also knew the roads back in Surrey are not so peaceful as the roads here in Essex.

4 April 2009

It was back to the Stoke Mandevile Stadium for another handcycle training weekend run by the Handcycle Association UK. I did better than last September, but I still need to improve a lot. I think part of my problem is the way I work the cranks. Ideally you should exert the same power for all of the circle you move the cranks round. I am certain that most of my power is on the bottom of the circle when I am pulling the cranks toward me. This is wrong - the most powerful part of the circle should be as you are pushing the cranks away from yourself. As your shoulders are against the seat back at this point, all your effort is in pushing the cranks away from yourself. When you pull the cranks inwards, you are also having to hold yourself from being lifted up of the seat, so you are also using core muscles. Pushing away only uses arm muscles.

13 April 2009

I have been out on my local roads a couple of times since going to Stoke Mandevile. My main effort has been in trying to use the push part of the circle the cranks move in more effectively. At last I think I am making progress and this is now at least as effective as the pull cycle. The expression "practise makes perfect" comes to mind, so I need to keep at it.

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