Passed by the BORP #AdaptiveCycling station on the #GreatWalkway. Seems like a cool program to share with anyone you know who could enjoy an adaptive bike/trike.

Update, in case this is helpful for other #amputees out there: #cycling without my #prosthetic leg made my lumbar injury flare. This could be due to improper bike fit or going too hard too soon. But I also realized that I missed riding with the prosthetic. (Unlike the ‘90s and ‘00s, mine is really comfortable—its just that the liners and gasket can be finicky sometimes, and when it fills with sweat, it slides a bit. It’s only come completely loose twice, though.) I missed the rhythmic back and forth of using each leg, and that using it strengthens my weak side, too.

Arguably most importantly, I need (or at least want) to be able to walk at certain points, or at the end of, my ride—especially when im riding with my relatively young son. I won’t have time to get competitive until he’s in college, anyway, so I’m not going for absolute max power. If I do get competitive, I’ll probably make the switch back to the “no leg” style.

#amputee #AdaptiveCycling #paracycling #RoadCycling

Any above the knee amputee athletes out there, especially cyclists? I average 60 miles (97 km) per week and have done a hilly half-century, and I’m really starting to think that riding with my prosthetic leg is holding me back. It fills with sweat, slowly comes out of position, and has popped loose a couple times. Plus, I have a lower back muscle that I strain often walking or doing chores (working on karts 😂), and the road bike can make that worse, especially when I’m down on the drops.

But I also don’t want to lose the torque/wattage I get from my weak side, limited though it is. And it brings the pedal around for my strong side so I’m not adding stress to my quads pulling that pedal through. Also, it is nice to have the option to, you know, walk around when you need to. So I’m torn, especially since I don’t want to tear that muscle in my lower back. I’ve seen paracyclists both with and without the prosthetic, too. Thoughts?

#cycling #amputee #paracycling #AdaptiveCycling

I had to take off my rear storage bag for the #Garmin, but the radar/camera/strobe light could literally be a lifesaver. So I got a frame bag small enough for the water bottles to fit, which carries ALL my tools and spare tubes. That frees up the small pouch on top for snacks and tissues (yay spring).

This, in turn, frees my jersey pockets for a small first aid kit, and for longer rides: my solar charger/battery and a Gatorade.

And it's still relatively aero. #Cycling #RoadCycling #AdaptiveCycling #ParaCycling #Amputee