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Cycling
Oct 15, 2009 1:41:54 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Oct 15, 2009 1:41:54 GMT -7
Lynne:
Thanks for that link. Interesting, partly because the problems he describes are not dissimilar from those of BKAs who try to ride. I'll sign up with the Facebook group and see what else I can glean, or maybe tell the AKAs there about the devices I've mentioned above, as I reckon they would also help AKAs, particularly in the knee-bend area.
And as far as your comment about it being easier than walking, too right, it is! I am amazed sometimes that I've 'done' half-a-mile without even realising it; it really is quite spiritually uplifting. Helps if you can get off and walk occasionally, but in terms of mobility/effort, then if walking is hard, bike-riding is 50 times easier.
Allen.
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 15, 2009 7:20:51 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 15, 2009 7:20:51 GMT -7
Hi Allen,
Spoke to Glen and he is going to pop in here to offer his advice. He will probably ask to join.
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kotz
New Member
Posts: 2
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Cycling
Oct 15, 2009 10:45:22 GMT -7
Post by kotz on Oct 15, 2009 10:45:22 GMT -7
Hi Guys Lynne found me and asked if I wouldn't mind popping on a maybe trying to give some words of advice on riding as an AKA. Well my story starts when I first started riding at the tail end of 2007 with my everyday walking limb. I had purchased my bike even before my amputation so had no other choice but to learn to ride. I wasn't going to waste all the money I had spent on my new mountain bike (it was rather expensive). A few of the problems I had has already been covered by Allen and that was my foot coming off the pedals and also if I managed to keep it on it would hit the chain stay and be pushed off. Ok to the first problem keeping my foot on. I used Shimano pedals and managed to clip in with the good foot I then took the bad foot and decided to grind the Shimano cleat so that it was only clipping in at the front of the pedal. this worked ideally for a few months until I got more confident on my bike, then as I went over rough terrain it would pop out of the pedal........Mmmmm time for another plan. I then went over to Power grips a novel way of strapping your feet in place, they are really good and you can get out of them very easy (see here www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28933). As my riding advanced i decided to go "fully clipless" and bought some Time Atac's so now I'm clipped in and my riding has gone on leaps and bounds. As for the foot hitting the chain stay I used to carry a small toolbox with me and loosen the pinch bolt on my pylon, turn my foot so the heel went outwards slightly and ride like this. Did I get wrong off my NHS prosthetist? You bet I did every time I adjusted it. In the end she just said "I don't want to know" I mean you can't put your life on hold if the NHS won't give you the gear. Now then socket wise I was very lucky in that I got on very well with a fantastic guy who had seen me on my group and wanted to help me, his name Jamie Gillespie. Jamie works for Pace Rehabilitation and agreed to make me a cycling specific socket. you see my NHS socket was indeed very high round the groin area and as any AKA will tell you when you ride with a high socket it pinches on the nose of the saddle and this take my word for it realllllllllly hurts. I had my socket specially made, thing is when I told the NHS centre they said "we could have made one like that".....this really annoyed me as I had been asking for months about one. so in ending my suggestion for anyone on the NHS is don't take "No" for an answer. Keep asking and saying you want to learn to ride, tell them it's the best form of exercise as it's non impact, just whine and whine until you get what you want. Yes you can ride with a ordinary above knee socket but take my word it can hurt lots and it's so frustrating, not to mention it makes you swear a lot. I consider myself a really lucky fellow, this year I will be the first above knee amputee to be demoing the Brian Bartlett Universal Knee System. I say lucky a lot of it is shear determination,spirit and not taking "No" for an answer if I had given up when I first became an amputee on my cycling dreams I wouldn't be where I am today. If I can help anyone out at any time please feel free to just ask, hope this helps. Take care guys and have fun Glenn:)
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Cycling
Oct 17, 2009 6:46:54 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Oct 17, 2009 6:46:54 GMT -7
Hello Glenn, and thanks v.much for coming in and posting your thoughts.
In some ways, I've been trying to keep things simpler, especially for older or less fit people who don't want to carry a set of Allen keys to adjust their feet when they get off their bikes!
For example, the 'kneesavers' referred to (and pictured) way back in this thread really DO mean that you can leave your prosthetic foot at the odd angles that are best for walking, because they are (with that very small modification to the distance from frame to pedal) far enough away not to bang into the chain, or frame (depending which side you've got your plastic foot).
I bow to your obviously superior knowledge of AKA sockets, and I can see that even with the Gravitydropper you might have problems cycling those first few yards before you could lift the saddle. It's not the IDEAL way to ride for BKA riders, either, but if you put up with the discomfort for ten yards then life gets much easier.
Another point is this: if you're not a 'fit' cyclist, then getting to the bottom of a slight hill means you might well want to get off and walk, hence the effort to keep the LEG in its best condition for walking, which is hard enough at the best of times!
But this is the sort of dialogue we need, between Leg modifiers, and Bike modifiers. The answers for us all are in here somewhere...
Allen, bka, London.
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 0:09:33 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Oct 20, 2009 0:09:33 GMT -7
There's a holiday organisation in Europe called "Cycling for Softies", all about non-strenuous rides and simples bikes. I think my 'tendency' is towards a similar approach for amputee cyclists.
If you look at Glenn's main comments on Facebook, you'll find references to 'falling off your bike', and doing it in safe places (grassy banks etc). I have NEVER fallen off my bike, nor ever intend to do, and most of the bike modifications I'm advocating are designed to keep you upright. Not fast, but upright!
Allen.
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 3:28:55 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 20, 2009 3:28:55 GMT -7
Hi Allen, Agree with you that we must all be 'safe' on our cycles. I think that there are those who will modify their bikes and those who don't. It is great that there are various ways of doing it, thanks for all the info, I'll probably, like you, be a safe cyclist. The likes of Glen do offer inspiration to those of us who haven't even ventured onto a cycle. Glen is definitely not you average amp cyclist but has a lot to offer those who want to get out there and challenge themselves. I think there are major issues with the saddle for above knee amps regarding their sockets, not to mention having to contend with a knee unit. If I ever get to the point of trying to cycle I think I would rather learn in a safe place just in case I fall off, grass is probably a softer landing than a deserted car park somewhere Cycling is one of those things I dream about doing but then again walking is too
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 3:33:02 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 20, 2009 3:33:02 GMT -7
Allen,
Could you pop into HMM forum, there is someone who needs advice about their foot hitting the frame. Think it's in Biking across USA.
Thanks
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 5:18:39 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Oct 20, 2009 5:18:39 GMT -7
Lynne: I did have a look at HMM (once I'd worked out what it meant!) but only found one reasonably current post about feet and pedals, from Caveman. I've replied to him with some ideas, and suggested he pops in here.
If it wasn't him, then point me in the right direction.
Allen.
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lynne
Female Member
Posts: 35
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 8:55:35 GMT -7
Post by lynne on Oct 20, 2009 8:55:35 GMT -7
Thanks Allen, Sorry, should have been more clear Wrong post, not Caveman. You need to go to Amputees cycling across America and its a post entitiled Foot hits pedal shaft by SNUBA, Hope that helps.
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Tom
New Member
Posts: 24
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 11:14:32 GMT -7
Post by Tom on Oct 20, 2009 11:14:32 GMT -7
As an LBK, attached is how I've approached cycling, a recumbent trike. It eliminates any balance problems and if you get to a hill you can't climb, just rest awhile and try again. Not that there are any hills around here anyway. It's perfect for running the dog, who prefers a steady 8 mph pace with occasional bursts of up to 15 mph. ... Tom Attachments:
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 12:14:41 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Oct 20, 2009 12:14:41 GMT -7
Hello Tom, glad you could join us. Looks nice, but I wouldn't fancy it in London traffic (which is MAD, and drivers don't even see each other, let alone low-level bikes). One of the things I envy about US residents is the variety of different bikes that are available to them, for example: day6bicycles.com/www.crankforward.comwhich look great, but almost unavailable in Britain. Allen. bka, London.
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Tom
New Member
Posts: 24
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Cycling
Oct 20, 2009 12:47:37 GMT -7
Post by Tom on Oct 20, 2009 12:47:37 GMT -7
. Looks nice, but I wouldn't fancy it in London traffic (which is MAD, and drivers don't even see each other, let alone low-level bikes). I've spent a bit of time in London and was always amazed at the way cyclists and motorcyclists interacted with the rest of the traffic. You're right, this wouldn't work even with one of those orange flags on a pole. I am amazed, though, at how much room drivers give us on the road. Much more than a regular bicycle. ... Tom
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saam
New Member
Posts: 1
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Cycling
Jan 3, 2010 19:13:05 GMT -7
Post by saam on Jan 3, 2010 19:13:05 GMT -7
Hello all, I've chatted & know of Glen a little on the phone, I am in western Canada, guess I could classify myself as a experienced cyclist, I am a AKA, 9 yrs, a mtn biker & road cyclist but tackle everyting , no modifcation to my bike, I use clip in pedals for both bikes. Check out www.mtb-amputee.com/ to see other amputees. I like the idea of the adjustable seat post, especially for mtn biking, being able to lower the seat to get back on the bike. Could try the shorten cranks but the opposite way, shorter good leg longer prosthetic crank as my knee centere are out. steve middleton Lynne: I haven't got a clue! AKA mechanics are a whole different world. The place oneblueleg suggests, 'Facebook Amputees', is a closed group, like our Facebook amputee-online, but it is probably well worth joining particularly if you can get some specific information about AKA/cycling solutions. If you do, bring it back here and tell us, too... Allen.
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Post by allenuk on Jan 4, 2010 0:05:00 GMT -7
Hello Steve.
Thanks for those ideas - the crank shortener on the GOOD leg is a real bit of lateral thinking, although I think for BKAs the 'normal' way is probably better.
Yes, the post lifter/dropper (Gravitydropper) is a must, certainly if you have your saddle set high for long legs. It's changed my cycling from painful (on the knees) and slow, to painfree and a lot quicker, plus given the extra thrust from the straighter leg, it's a bit easier getting up hills (well, slopes anyway).
Allen, bka, London.
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Cycling
Jan 14, 2010 2:36:39 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Jan 14, 2010 2:36:39 GMT -7
Steve: if you're around, could you go into more detail about the magnetic cleats?
Some of us don't like the idea of clipping ourselves onto the pedals (me included), as we want to get our legs back on the ground in double-quick time, but the magnetic versions might be a solution.
Allen.
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woffa
New Member
Posts: 5
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Cycling
Apr 1, 2010 16:03:04 GMT -7
Post by woffa on Apr 1, 2010 16:03:04 GMT -7
Hi,
I've just joined the group and thought I'd offer my experiences with cycling as an AKA.
In my opinion when you get a prosthetic leg it can only ever be efficient / effective at doing one activity. In that I mean if a leg was built and set up for walking then it should be really effective at walking. If however you ask for a walking leg to be set up so you can also cycle then you lose functionality of one or the other. To this end I believe that if you are serious about cycling then you need a leg that is built purely for cycling. The negative here is that it will be very poor for walking.
My first cycling leg was built to cater also for walking, something to do with my prosthetist not really understanding my requirements. Needless to say an angle grinder applied to a socket to achieve the result that you really wanted really draws the attention of an unsuspecting prosthetist. Anyway point proved and prosthetist kind of on board and now I have a leg that is purely for cycling.
Points that I'd like to highlight as important are suspension, socket trim line, alignment and pedal attachment.
First off I find that I need reliable suspension. I have tried a seal-in liner and found it to be very unreliable so use a pin lock liner. I know Glenn and know that he uses one of the 5 seal liners with good results, however I have no experience of this.
With regards to trim line of socket then this is where the commitment to cycling starts. If you are serious then you will have to lose the part of the socket that your bum bone sits on (sorry for the poor description, but you know what I mean) as this part interferes with the cycling seat. Losing this means walking is much more limited and difficult.
Alignment wise I think a foot that is turned in is required in order for you to stop clashes between your leg and frame/ crank/ chain.
For pedal attachment I use SPD pedals and clips. Using these is the only way that I can cycle, however the downside is that you will fall off alot because of them and they are difficult to clip into to get stated.
I must add that I am a 31 year old cyclist that has been an amputee for 4 years or so. My kind of cycling is off road and down hill mtb, and as such I fall off a lot. I accept this and it does't take the fun away from cycling. In my opinion if you want to cycle as an AKA then expect it to be difficult to start off with, be prepared to fall off, be prepared to compromise a leg that is good for cycling but rubbish at walking and also be prepared to fight the NHS system for something that will enhance your quality of life.
Hope this helps in some way,
Woffa.
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Post by allenuk on Apr 2, 2010 2:37:06 GMT -7
Hello Woffa.
Maybe it's different for AKAs (no, rephrase that, I am SURE everything is different for AKAs!), but for BKAs, modifying the bike is a fairly straightforward proposition (see above, if you have the time), and it means of course that you can cycle, get off, walk, get back on and cycle, and so on, without carrying a spare leg on your back.
I am sure some of the modifications I use on the bike would translate very easily to an AKA set-up - the pedal extenders which make toe-out much less of a problem, for example, and the Gravitydropper for raising and lowering the saddle as well.
As you can see, I carry a torch for the all-round leg rather than specialist legs for this or that, and try and modify the world to suit. Doesn't always work!
Allen, bka, London.
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Cycling
Apr 4, 2010 12:42:17 GMT -7
Post by allenuk on Apr 4, 2010 12:42:17 GMT -7
And as a reply to my own reply (is that allowed?)...
Maybe the difference between my approach and that of Woffa etc. is that I don't see cycling as a Sport, in any way, at least not for me. It's an everyday activity, like walking, and for the same reason - getting from A to B in as pleasant a way as possible, with at the same time an element of healthy exercise.
But sport? No. I've never been competitive about anything, much. Men tend to see me as odd; maybe women understand this position more! I enjoy being good at things, but I don't want to be better than anyone else. Does that make me unsporty? Probably.
Allen.
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