Adaptive Cycling: Handcycles, Amputee Adaptation, Visual Impairment, and Other Needs - Looking for leg amputee riders

Are there any riders out there that are leg amputees? I would like to discuss the challenges and what you have found to overcome them. I currently ride 50-75 mi/wk but working up to a 100 mi benefit ride in Sept. The physical challenges for an amputee rider are only fully understood by another such rider.

http://www.sinclairclarion.com/home/life/2011/05/16/sinclair-student-overcomes-obstacles/

So i personally am not an amputee, but i got to school with this kid and this story was just in the newspaper on Thursday i think. It's a pretty interesting read about him and his bike and the things he overcame. He's doing a huge ride this summer too, it starts today actually.

Websites that may help:
http://www.oandp.com/articles/2005-01_10.asp
http://www.oandp.com/articles/2005-08_11.asp
http://www.mtb-amputee.com/

I know a doctor in Farmington with one leg amputated. He and a group were planning a ride to the east coast, but by his discription, he blew his stump and missed the ride. Whether from necessity or preference, he used platform pedals, and his Rivendell was set up with the Nitto Moustache bar mounted upside down.

I have no idea if he is a member of bikeforums.org or not. Obviously, I can't mention his name, though I'm sure he would welcome the dialogue. It's frustrating to be in this position.

Thanks for the stories guys but what I am looking for is info from actual amputees. I have found some good info on You Tube though.

Get in touch with World Team Sports through their website.

Michael Milton might help you out.

http://www.michaelmilton.com/

http://www.australiancyclist.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=14909

There was a member with a BKA whose handle was punkncat active last year. Kinda dropped off the boards when it got hot.

Here's a thread he started similar to yours.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/626040-Any-BKA-s-on-BF? (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/626040-Any-BKA-s-on-BF)

Maybe something useful here for you.

The forums don't allow Private Messages from new members because of a spamming incident but you might ask an admin for an exception and contact him directly.

Thanks for the old thread ahsposo, this helps.

howdy, I realize this thread was started back in may so you may have lost interest. I am a AKA right leg, new to bike riding. Was born with birth defect called PFFD. Have always been active but years are catching up with me. Am 46 and have gained a few pounds. A bike offers me increased activity with less impact on knees and hip than other sports. Really am just getting started because of the summer heat was unbearable. Have made only one real adaption on my bike, I added a peddal extention on R pedal so that my prosthesis would clear the crank arm when pedaling. Took me a while to find a bike that fits and that i liked, I am 6'5" and 250lbs. Settled on a trek navigator. I know its a comfort bike but it fits and price was right.... bought it used on craigslist. Would be happy to share any other info with others if it would help...Im not shy so ask questions if you like.

Tarwet, I just turn my toe in to clear the crank. I put a mark on the pylon at correct toe, and bike toe. I have kinda been leaving it at bike toe lately, lol...

punkncat, Yep turning the toe works but the problem I have with that is because I have a cover over my pylon, its not easy to make the toe in/out adjustment quickly. For 25 bucks I purchased an adapter to extend my pedal 25 cm. Not much but made all the differance in the world.
I am having a lot of fun with the bike, temps have dropped this month and very little wind. A few weeks ago I was struggling to ride my bike 2 or 3 miles a day and tomorrow my goal is 25.
One question that you may be able to help me with though, Ive read that shortining the crank length on my prosthetic side could be helpful for various reasons. Do you or any one here have any experience with a shortened crank with AKA. Thanks

I have been suggested that very thing. The idea is that since you generally develop less power on that side, and the lessened length causes less knee bend.
I am following the advice of a member here who made a new "cleat pylon" that will do away with the foot for rides. My prosthesist pretty much offered to make it out of spare metal in the back, so..the price was right. Without the foot, the leg will stay much straighter in relation to with the foot, and hopefully will eliminate some rub issues I have been having.

You aren't anywhere near Atl, GA are you?

http://www.borp.org/revolution

They have a ride tomorrow. This is a pretty competitive program and I'm sure they'd help with anything you might need to know. Got my picture with Raphael doing the 100 miler (Big yellow lug with yellow bag on the bars..)

Yeah that was me with that pylon with the cleat. I have been away for awhile but I'll dig up the pics I have on here and post them, actually they are in one of my posts somewhere from a couple years back. I have shop drawings somewhere too.