General Cycling Discussion - When you start feeling sorry for yourself

Think of this guy, First he was hit by a truck (avoiding a pedestrian) and lost his leg. Afterwards he struggled for years being homeless. Then he taught himself how to ride a bike again and became a courier. Now he owns his own messanger service in N.Y. And I was all grumpy because I had a strong headwind this morning.http://www.milkwood.org/ray/courier.jpg

cabaray, thanks. I've had one of my worst, most-embarassing work-days of my life and got bad medical news last night. Seeing this helped. A lot.

that is simply amazing... I can't even imagine how he does it... imagine being cliped in with only one foot, and loosing balance in the direction of your missing foot? How could you possibly not fall over????

Cool! Thanks for posting that! :)

Anyone seen 'Emmanuel's Gift'? It's at blockbuster, and was pretty good.

A deformed man (one functioning leg) from Ghana applies for grant money to buy a bicycle. His goal was to be the first disabled person to ride across Ghana. He ends up becoming a national hero, forms an organization to aid the disabled in Ghana, and is now trying to get legislation passed to protect disabled rights. It may be narrated by Oprah (grr) but it's worth a watch. Biking one-legged is tough! At one point he is flown to San Diego where he rides in a 60-mile charity event along the coast. That coast is HILLY, and he put other bikers to shame.

Makes me think of Sarah Reinertsen, (completed the 2005 Ironman with only one leg). In an interview, she was asked about some "able-bodied" people not being active and applying themselves. She said something to the effect of "I see some people and think 'what a waste of two good legs.'"

Any time I start thinking about slacking off, I think of that quote.

If anyone is interested in watching the actual movie go to Democracy TV http://www.getdemocracy.com/ You will have to download and install their software. Its worth it anyway, since this player/platform is so amazingly easy - it's like iTunes/Tivo for online video.. Then go to the channel guide or do a search for the Mediarights. The video is called Fast and Reliable.

That is a good reminder for me to stop complaining. Thanks.

Great post. Sort of came as a wake-up call for me to stop whining about stuff.

that is simply amazing... I can't even imagine how he does it... imagine being cliped in with only one foot, and loosing balance in the direction of your missing foot? How could you possibly not fall over????

Answer, you don't. I occasionally lose a leg while out riding. This usually happens when I have one leg loose and extended for a stop. If I have not fallen over, I circle around and fall next to my leg and hope the fall is in the grass.

Losing a leg on the road makes for an interesting time. I must try and get my other prosthetic out of the pedal and stop close to the leg without falling. Next I must lean over and try to pick it up without falling. And all this is done while hoping no cagers run over me or my leg.:)

Answer, you don't. I occasionally lose a leg while out riding. This usually happens when I have one leg loose and extended for a stop. If I have not fallen over, I circle around and fall next to my leg and hope the fall is in the grass.

Losing a leg on the road makes for an interesting time. I must try and get my other prosthetic out of the pedal and stop close to the leg without falling. Next I must lean over and try to pick it up without falling. And all this is done while hoping no cagers run over me or my leg.:)


You have two prosthetics? So when one comes loose you fall and put it back on, or try to circle and pick it up while riding?

You have two prosthetics? So when one comes loose you fall and put it back on, or try to circle and pick it up while riding?

You have two prosthetics? Yes, I have one prosthetic for each leg.

So when one comes loose you fall and put it back on, Yes, most of the time I fall over and put it back on.

or try to circle and pick it up while riding? The exception is when riding on an asphalt road I try not to fall over and hurt my bicycle or get a road rash. I try to stop next to my leg and reach for my leg while still on the bike.

Could this be a trend of the ULTIMATE weight weenies?

Yes, I have one prosthetic for each leg.

So when one comes loose you fall and put it back on, Yes, most of the time I fall over and put it back on.


When I posted this thread it never occurred to me that some members do in fact have disabilities. Man, I tip my hat (or should I say helmet) to you, thats amazing that you continue to ride with, not one, but two prosthetics. Question- did you ride before you lost your legs or did you start for rehabilitation reasons? Of course I'm making a lot of assumptions here, but it would be interesting to hear your story.

You have two prosthetics? Yes, I have one prosthetic for each leg.

So when one comes loose you fall and put it back on, Yes, most of the time I fall over and put it back on.

or try to circle and pick it up while riding? The exception is when riding on an asphalt road I try not to fall over and hurt my bicycle or get a road rash. I try to stop next to my leg and reach for my leg while still on the bike.


You inspire me. I never actually though about a prostetic falling off while riding, but I guess when clipped in, it can happen.

I gotta tip my helmet to you too!

Also really makes me look bad:o

When I posted this thread it never occurred to me that some members do in fact have disabilities. Man, I tip my hat (or should I say helmet) to you, thats amazing that you continue to ride with, not one, but two prosthetics. Question- did you ride before you lost your legs or did you start for rehabilitation reasons? Of course I'm making a lot of assumptions here, but it would be interesting to hear your story.

My story is too long to post here, but I am going to write it and post on a website after the college semester.Here is where my picture was put in the local paper last week.

http://www.starcourier.com/articles/2006/04/07/local_news/local2.txt

If you click on the Benefit 4 Life link, the 9th paragraph tells a little of my history.

I did ride a lot before getting prosthetics, but mostly to train for other sports and rehabilitation. Being on a kidney waitimg list for for three years and the seven ampitations put me in very poor shape. Atrophy had me down to 118 pounds and it was an effort to walk. Last spring I had a friend of mine retrieve my ten speed from the garage and started to ride again. I was wobbly and could hardly do a mile, even after riding on a stationary. On May 6 last year I purchased a new Giant Cypress and proceeded to put 700 miles on it before the end of the year.

I use toe clips instead of clipless pedals for a couple of reasons. It is hard to twist my knee far enough to release the clips on SPDs and the toe clips also allows me to use large platforms to reduce heel strike on the crankarm.

Thanks for the compliments, but one young lady who used to post on here empresses me. Serendipity competes in triathlons with a prosthetic.

edp 773
outstanding admirable courage and spirit.

edp773,
Wow. Very impressive.
The effort it must take to ride is probably ten times what it is for "able-bodied" riders.
Keep it up!
(and I, for one, will never complain about riding into a head-wind, again):)

The effort it must take to ride is probably ten times what it is for "able-bodied" riders.
Keep it up!
(and I, for one, will never complain about riding into a head-wind, again):)

Go ahead and complain about headwinds, because I sure do.

In my opinion the effort is not even twice as much as when I had both feet. The big difference is not being able to use calf muscles for sprints and hills. I use quad and hamstring muscles to pedal and keep a fast cadence to keep the mass rotating.

Thanks for the compliments, but it was not my intention to get sympathy. I was trying to answer questions because people are curious, and show some humor at the same time.

Cabaray,this was a good thread and makes a good point. It was insightful of you to start this thread and inspire fellow bikers.

The big difference is not being able to use calf muscles for sprints and hills. I use quad and hamstring muscles to pedal and keep a fast cadence to keep the mass rotating.
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quads must be quite massive with the constant pulling-up motion..

curious
Do you ever stand to pedal? if so how much weight can you bare on the prosthetics, and if you push harder gearing does this effect your balance?.

A couple years back I rode with a guy for a while who was missing his left leg, all I can say he was one fast MOFO, to be honest i was quite astounded by his capabilities.


Thanks for the compliments, but it was not my intention to get sympathy. I was trying to answer questions because people are curious, and show some humor at the same time.
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I do not believe anyone thought you were after sympathy, I find it quite exhilirating and courageous to accept and overcome a challange like this.

Very inspiring! I have only one eye, so I don't ride at night, and I have to be extra careful in traffic because of my reduced peripheral vision and depth perception. We adapt. Always think of what you CAN do, not what you can't. Most people make reasons for not being 'able' to do something, when in fact, they don't want to do it.

Congrats.

There was a magazine story about this guy. His drive train is on the left as he has only a left leg. Also some idiot stole his bike and then tried to sell it back to him because it was perfect for him to ride.

...
Thanks for the compliments, but it was not my intention to get sympathy.
...

Not sympathy. This is very impressive.

Have you seen the Coke commercial where the old guy carrying the grocery bag schools the young man at basketball? At the end of the ad, one word comes up on the screen: "Respect"

Like it or not, I'm afraid you have just become an inspiration to many people on this forum.:)

I will never complain about my broken ribs again. Amazing.

I decided to ride the Tour de Cure partially in memory of my step father who had diabetes, and also for a friend who has a couple of cats with diabetes... and for others whom I know of in a general way.

But, one thing that has now come into play with my more concrete understanding that my weight issues increases the risk of diabetes...It is also to help reduce the risk of finding myself in the same position.

I enjoy charity walks and rides because I can help to raise a little money, and I can also be thankful that I am able to be one providing help instead of needing it... And if I do need help in the future, I hope that there are still some that care enough to help people that they do not know by spending their time and efforts in raising funds, and in doing the research.

Thanks to this thread, my training rides will be a little easier!

I would urge all forum readers to ride at least once a year for a worthy cause, and if you can't, then at least find a rider/walker/runner/swimmer to support in a fundraising event. The events raise money, and awareness...

Here is a previous inspirational thread worth reading; for those recovering from health issues.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=180853

Wow, that is amazing. I laughed at the weight weenie comment though, it could happen haha.
again no sypathy here, just a lot of inspiration. kudos to you.

steve

The big difference is not being able to use calf muscles for sprints and hills. I use quad and hamstring muscles to pedal and keep a fast cadence to keep the mass rotating.
______________________________________________________________________________________-
quads must be quite massive with the constant pulling-up motion..

curious
Do you ever stand to pedal? if so how much weight can you bare on the prosthetics, and if you push harder gearing does this effect your balance?.

A couple years back I rode with a guy for a while who was missing his left leg, all I can say he was one fast MOFO, to be honest i was quite astounded by his capabilities.


Thanks for the compliments, but it was not my intention to get sympathy. I was trying to answer questions because people are curious, and show some humor at the same time.
____________________________________________________________________-

I do not believe anyone thought you were after sympathy, I find it quite exhilirating and courageous to accept and overcome a challange like this.

To answer your question, no I do not stand to pedal, but this is because of old sports injuries to my right knee. Higher gearing does not affect my balance at all. My prosthetics weigh aroung six pounds each, sao I keep a high cadence to keep the masses rotating.

My quads are defining quite well, but nothing like when I used to race motorcycles. Someday they will look like the quads of a Tour Racer again. I have only returned to bicycling for less than a year.