General Cycling Discussion - Advice for friend with Muscular Dystrophy

A group of friends and I are planning to do RAGBRAI this year. I have a friend in his mid thirties that has a mild form of Muscular Dystrophy who has to wear leg braces to walk. He is interested in participating with us but hasn't ridden a bike in years. My question is if anyone here knows of any difficulties he may encounter or tips and tricks that could help make riding easier for him. Feel free to chime in!

would he have to wear is leg braces when riding? how much difficulty does he have with M.D..

he might also be able to try a different leg/foot ortho device such as this.

www.ordesignslv.com

If he needs to wear his braces while pedaling/cycling he would need to raise his saddle/seat post for full leg extension do to the brace.

there are other types of ortho devices made, but carbon fiber is pretty firm and gives somewhat of a flex

Trikes are good for some people with balance/movement problems. Recumbent trikes are more commnon but upright racing trikes (http://www.tricycleassociation.org.uk/)are worth consideration.

Your friend should get in touch with Ken Mierke at Fitness Concepts (http://www.fitness-concepts.com) . Ken is a top multi-sport coach in the DC area, and has coached at least 2 ITU world champions. He's done over 100 triathlons......and has muscular dystrophy......he might have some good advice.

Another very good option would be stoking a tandem (i.e. second-seater). He would have to spin as fast as the captain, but he would not have to push too much in grades and he would not have to deal with balance issues.

There are quite a few tandem teams, including most adult–child teams, where the stoker has little or no balance.