Hello boys and girls, I am looking to start getting into wheelchair racing, have been training for the past year running around the track at my local gym (well wheeling lol). I want to go further now and move into doing some wheelchair racing. Problem being I find that information is very limited around the net and everywhere else to be honest! I have looked pretty much everywhere and although there's alot describing different competitions over the past year etc. I can't find any info on how people actually get started, I mean the obvious thing is get a racing chair, but how do you go about it? It costs a bomb from what I have seen which is an annoyance but even then what can I do after I get one?

Just generally looking for any ideas or advice anyone has regarding this particular sport please!

Hello future racer -

Checked your profile; don't know your location, so this may be useless.

Matt Strugar-Fritsch of Disabled Sports USA - Far West (Citrus Heights, CA) is the man to contact. He'll help you out with chair selection - you have to make the final choice, of course. But business like level of injury and degree of slope to the crank's seat/back, etc. (Failed to mention - did you want to race 3-wheelers or cranks?)

I wheeled a half marathon in my TiLite TR last spring. Beat my projected time. Rocky Robinson and Chris Hougue (both veteran racers across US) did their hand cranks - first time Chris ever beat Rocky. Teased the hell out o' him. Gettin' old and all that.

You don't have to put down 3grand for a race bike. If you're in good shape (shoulders), then use your push chair for a couple races. (Do not start with a half marathon! Try a 3K or 5K flat course, keep training and slowly work your way to 10K. After bangin' out a few of them, you'll know what your race is - or if you even want to continue that particular sport.)

Didn't catch your age. If you're a young buck, remember - you only got one set of shoulders. Don't beat 'em up. But don't be a slug either. Sports is definitely a great way for a gimp to go!

Best of luck to you

Murray

Hi

I am based in Leeds and have only dabbled at wheelchair racing but am very passionate about handbike racing. I can understand yur frustration its a difficult sport to get a start. The race chairs are expensive and generally custom made for each racer. If you want to try handbiking i can help you to borrow or buy a bike. There are loads of races and events for handbikes in the UK, Europe and Internatioanlly. If you are set on racing chair then i would suggest you contact the British Wheelchair Racing Assoc www.bwra.co.uk

I often have handbikes for sale but its also can arrange a loan bike depending on your needs. I am not a trader as such just buy n sell for fun as a hobby. I have helped alot of handcyclists get started and that is good for the sport.

I have a very well used race chair here which might be of use to you. But alot will depend on your height, build and reach. I am 6 2 and 13 stone with about a 33inch waist which will perhaps give you an idea whether my chair might work 4u. I would add that pushing a race chair relies on technique and is very different to pushing your day chair. I havent used mine in years now so am very rusty!

Feel free to give me a call 0790 4416739 always enjoy a chat about bikes, chairs and sports!!

Paul

ps race chairs can be bought thro bromakin and draft wheelchairs in uk. or top end chairs are very popular from usa. costs are in the £1500-2500 bracket.

Try some of the contacts in here, they'll get you moving in the right direction

http://www.wheelpower.org.uk/sports/dyncat.cfm?catid=16971

I'm looking to start too, only I'm enjoying myself too much at uni right now lol!

Cheers for the linky!

Hello

I am an amateur racer competing at 10k and half marathon level. I am no good really, though I have won a few races because very few people have entered! I am purely for the fun of it, I miss cycling and this is magic! I also do it for health and to prove that fat birds can win races!

You need a race chair obv- I got mine from ebay of all places! Second hand ones are around but tend to be advertised in small circles so you need to know where to look- contact the BWRA for help. The other problem is getting the right size/type. I'd say for a starter anything that you can afford and can fit into is somethign to go for. You can figure out your perfect measurements, seat style, colour and dangly bits once you're hooked.

It's a very different style to street chair pushing- I thought it would be no problem to make the transition but my first time out my arms were killing me and I had some nasty hand burns- and I put in lots of mileage in my street chair. The push rims on a race chair are rubber covered and you can't steer or brake with them - but you will try to out of habit! Steering is via the bars at the front or the track control- you can shove this to lock the steering over meaning you can corner while still pushing.

Gloves are a must! You'll shred up your fingers quickly otherwise. You use mainly the base of your palms and literally smack the rims to move it. Race gloves velcro your fingers so your hand is in a fist. I can't afford race gloves to use every day so I use thick winter bike gloves - they wear through eventually but are very cheap in comparison. Good racers make their own out of moulded plastic which you strap to your hand.

I'd contact the BWRA to get you started both with finding a race chair and for some advice on technique. I train on the road. If you can get the cash together to get started you'll be hooked. Also take a look at www.sportaid.com for all sorts of racing goodies. Lots of them are chair users, stuff is generally cheaper in the states and they'll treat you right.

Good luck.