"This isn't a tale of derring-do, nor is it merely some kind of 'cynical account'; it isn't meant to be, at least…. If he's a bit of an adventurer, he could have experiences which might interest other people and his random account would read something like this diary."
— Diary introduction to “The Motorcycle Diaries” by Ernesto
“Che” Guevara
Writers are taught that the opening paragraph should have a hook that piques the reader’s attention. Beginning a blog/journal about hand-cycling (an outdoor activity) in midwinter is ill-timed at best. With temperatures fluctuating all over the place (Monday: High 32f & freezing rain; Tuesday: High 63f a record & T-storms; Wednesday: Low 18f & snow) and the roadways covered by a gritty mixture of sand, I think it is wise to stay indoors. So please bear with me over the next few weeks as I ready myself for this upcoming endeavor Be warned from the outset that I don’t envision an epic journey down through
As you can see from my “About Me” profile, I was diagnosed
with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998. I’ll
skip all the trials and tribulations of what I have been through over the past
15 years. Suffice it to say that physically I am a mere shell of my former
self. Prior to the onset of the disease
I was running about 20 miles a week and taking 25 mile bike rides. Today I find
it difficult to walk the dogs around the block.
I try to keep upbeat about things, but not being able to run
really bothers me. So much so, that I actually dream about running. Take last
night as an example: I dreampt I was removing my belongings from the coat-rack as
I prepared to leave the fitness center after a workout. I discovered that the
person who had departed just before me had forgotten his satchel. Grabbing the forgotten
satchel I JOGGED after him in an effort to return his belongings to him. Now
this is where it gets a little weird, as I closed in on him, I realized the
person I was trying to catch was President Obama, and the satchel had turned into
a black briefcase. Not just any briefcase, but the BLACK BRIEFCASE that contains
those nuclear bomb “fail safe” codes that were featured in many of the Cold War
movies I saw as a youngster back in the ‘60’s. He thanked me as I gave him the
briefcase. I then turned around and JOGGED back to gather-up my belongings. My
sensation was “oh I saw the President” (like no big deal) but DAMN I JUST
RAN!!!” Of course upon waking I realized that I had just had another one of my weird-ass dreams. For more of my crazy dreams Click Here
As I alluded to in the prior paragraph, I try to go to the
gym 3 to 4 times a week, using machines and free-weights to maintain my core
strength. Unfortunately MS symptoms have weakened my leg muscles to the point
where I have difficulty pedaling stationary bikes with enough intensity to
achieve a cardio workout. This concerns me because my parents either had or
have heart problems. Then, a few months ago, the fitness center added an
exercise bike with cranks for both feet and/or hands. Incorporating this
machine into my workout gave me the cardio exercise that I was looking for. Cranking
away got me to wondering about whether there is an actual bicycle powered by
hand.
An online search was my introduction into the world of handcycling.
I quickly realized that these highly
specialized bikes are a bit pricey to say the least. Low-end models start
around $2000 and a top-notch racing model goes for about $5000, both of which were
out of my price range. Bike shops in town couldn’t offer much advice. On a whim
I asked the facility manager of fitness center where I work-out if he had any
ideas. He recommended that I contact the director of the regional adaptive
sports program (Wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing etc etc). An exchange
of introductory emails provided me with little new information so I was back to
square 1. After few weeks went by, she sent me a promising e-mail. One of her
basketball players had contacted her about his desire to sell his handcycle…
As you have probably figured out by now, I bought the
handcycle. It has been a couple of months since I purchased it, but because of the weather conditions I have only
taken it out for a couple of spins. I have to tell you the sensation of the wind blowing
through my hair as I as I propelled myself forward was so wonderful. So until weather conditions improve I have been focusing
on increasing the strength and endurance of the muscles of my chest, arms and
shoulders.
So that’s where things stand now. I will update this
journal/blog with updates
