Originally Posted by HAMMER MAN
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.
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.