19 replies to this topic

[Talan Skeels-Piggins]

I am writing to inform you of a brand new charity that aims to help motorcyclists that have been paralysed, or lost lower limbs, to get back on a bike.

The Bike Experience Charity has been set up by Talan Skeels-Piggins, a paraplegic T4/5 complete, who has been riding motorbikes around the UK race tracks for the past two years.

Together with the instructors at Castle Combe circuit, a progressive, step by step schedule has been created which allows the rider to enjoy the freedom and pleasure of a solo motorcycle. The Bike Experience shows how you can ride and how to adapt a bike so that the individual can move on and enjoy riding at any of the UK’s tracks. We do not advise any rider to go back out on the road, due to the difficulties of bike-stabilisers, legality of adaptions and other road users.

The Bike Experience has a number of sponsors and supporters, growing day by day, so the potential rider does not have to pay anything. Keeping the costs to an absolute minimum is another of the key objectives for the Bike Experience, as Talan is aware that it is only a small percentage that get financial compensation for their injuries.

All enquires should go to the website: http://web.me.com/ts...ed_Motorcycling, or send Talan a message here at Apparelyzed.

Many thanks for your time and should you wish to come to one of the Bike Experience days to see for yourself, please contact us.

The Bike Experience Charity

Edited by Talan Skeels-Piggins, 20 February 2011 - 04:21 PM.

[M Tustain]

Hi Talan,

I know we had spoken a while back about me wanting to get back on the bike but I haven't been able to due to costs really! What your offering above sounds amazing and I'd love to be a part of it and come to one of these events? When are you next going to be holding one of these?

Mark

[M Tustain]

Hi Talan,

I know we had spoken a while back about me wanting to get back on the bike but I haven't been able to due to costs really! What your offering above sounds amazing and I'd love to be a part of it and come to one of these events? When are you next going to be holding one of these?

Mark

[ClaraTaylor]

NADB.

[greybeard]

ClaraTaylor, on 20 February 2011 - 09:32 AM, said:

NADB.

From Google:

National Association for Bikers with a Disability
LINK

Edited by greybeard, 20 February 2011 - 09:50 AM.

[dangerousdave]

NABD will help you get back on the road with a road going vehical
A-LA ME
What these guys are offering is a race track scenario - not a road going scenario
They desrve credit for thier attempt and I wish them well
Me - the road is my race track

[harleyrider11488]

im a 46 yr old male who has been on bikes since the age of 8. i wrecked july 09 broke my back t6 and im paralyzed now. i destroyed my 06 softail harley and lost it to the insurance. wife left me 10 days after leaving hospital lost house bike wife camper etc all in one instant. i had to file bankruptcy due to financial hardship. i do receive ssi now but i cant get a loan for a harley with a sidecar, i guess the only thing that mattered to me in life was riding and now its over. losing everything was hard enough and ive accepted it, but losing my bike and now knowing ill never ride again because nobody will give me a loan that i can pay for no problem hurts the most. i guess ill never have a life now..it was fun. brian

[Andrew Meddings]

harleyrider11488, on 24 February 2011 - 04:59 PM, said:

im a 46 yr old male who has been on bikes since the age of 8. i wrecked july 09 broke my back t6 and im paralyzed now. i destroyed my 06 softail harley and lost it to the insurance. wife left me 10 days after leaving hospital lost house bike wife camper etc all in one instant. i had to file bankruptcy due to financial hardship. i do receive ssi now but i cant get a loan for a harley with a sidecar, i guess the only thing that mattered to me in life was riding and now its over. losing everything was hard enough and ive accepted it, but losing my bike and now knowing ill never ride again because nobody will give me a loan that i can pay for no problem hurts the most. i guess ill never have a life now..it was fun. brian

with that attitude life is over . is there is no reason why you cant get a job , save some money & buy a harley . changing your life is as simple as changing your attitude.
there are people out there offering opportunities like this so take up the offer
cheers andrew

[Ripharper]

Excellent idea!! I would love to ride a solo after nearly thirty years of riding an outfit. I would love to join you one day for a ride. I am riding down to the Ducati factory in Bologna this year and wiil take some thoughts with me to maybe ride a solo Duke.

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[araitn]

I would LOVE to take part in the Bike Experience! Too bad it's a bit far from my house. Maybe I can talk my wife into a visit to the UK? I wouldn't be too excited about the plane trip though.

Riding a properly set-up bike in a controlled environment would be awesome. My street riding days are over. There's too many crazy f@@kers (cagers) on the public roads!

[dangerousdave]

Riding a properly set-up bike in a controlled environment would be awesome. My street riding days are over. There's too many crazy f@@kers (cagers) on the public roads!

Yea...I know...thats why they call me Dangerous

Clear the roads...nearly April

Edited by dangerousdave, 02 March 2011 - 02:13 PM.

[Talan Skeels-Piggins]

araitn, on 01 March 2011 - 01:57 PM, said:

I would LOVE to take part in the Bike Experience! Too bad it's a bit far from my house. Maybe I can talk my wife into a visit to the UK? I wouldn't be too excited about the plane trip though.

Riding a properly set-up bike in a controlled environment would be awesome. My street riding days are over. There's too many crazy f@@kers (cagers) on the public roads!

The flight over isn't too bad. I have spent my last five years traveling to and training in: Canada, Utah, Colorado, South Korea and New Zealand. Never had any issues with flights and sometimes I was lucky enough to get an upgrade to a lay flat bed....experiencing how the other half travel! If you do come on over to the UK let me know and we can be sure to fix you up.

Should the Bike Experience get going, I would look to try and find people in the USA to come up with something similar.

Riding a bike around a track is a fantastic feeling, I've hit 175mph at Silverstone and Snetterton which is a huge rush, and some might say dangerous.

Regards

[araitn]

Thanks for the response Talan.

Talan Skeels-Piggins, on 03 March 2011 - 09:19 AM, said:

Riding a bike around a track is a fantastic feeling, I've hit 175mph at Silverstone and Snetterton which is a huge rush, and some might say dangerous.

I know of the rush of which you speak. Pre-injury, I received my motorcycle racing license and participated in track days. I can live with that kind of danger, self created. I used to be comfortable with street riding danger but, not on two wheels anymore. I just don't think three wheels would provide the same thrill. In my mind you might as well be riding in a convertible automobile.

My wife is all up for a trip to the UK. Maybe one day?

[dangerousdave]

I know of the rush of which you speak. Pre-injury, I received my motorcycle racing license and participated in track days. I can live with that kind of danger, self created. I used to be comfortable with street riding danger but, not on two wheels anymore. I just don't think three wheels would provide the same thrill. In my mind you might as well be riding in a convertible automobile

TuT...tUt....Araitn
You have much to learn....if you think 3 wheels is slow....if you think 3 wheels keep you in a traffic jam....if you think 13 minutes to go round the Nurburing in the wet is slow
You are most certainly......WRONG
Thats why I'm Dangerous....thats why the Police keep trying to catch me
A 3rd wheel attached to a Hyabusa doesn't slow it down....just removes some top end

[araitn]

dangerousdave, on 03 March 2011 - 03:34 PM, said:

I know of the rush of which you speak. Pre-injury, I received my motorcycle racing license and participated in track days. I can live with that kind of danger, self created. I used to be comfortable with street riding danger but, not on two wheels anymore. I just don't think three wheels would provide the same thrill. In my mind you might as well be riding in a convertible automobile

TuT...tUt....Araitn
You have much to learn....if you think 3 wheels is slow....if you think 3 wheels keep you in a traffic jam....if you think 13 minutes to go round the Nurburing in the wet is slow
You are most certainly......WRONG
Thats why I'm Dangerous....thats why the Police keep trying to catch me
A 3rd wheel attached to a Hyabusa doesn't slow it down....just removes some top end

Dangerous Dave,

I'm not sure what TuT...tUt means but, I was in no way insulting your amazingly fast Hyabusa.

I didn't say that your trike (or anyone's trike) is slow, I just said that I don't think it would give me the same thrill as riding on two wheels. Sure, I got a thrill out of going fast down the straights but, the main thrill to me was getting the bike leaned over in the twisties and dragging a knee.

Sorry if I offended you and keep up your dangerousness for us all.

[dangerousdave]

No offence taken Araitn, and yes I do have to slow down on left handers as the sidecar wheel comes up off the ground, but I make up for that as I power through the right handers
As for getting your knee down
Following a knee downer in front of me on a roundabout going as fast as he could..........I wanted to toot him to get out of the f..ing way, but thought that might distract him and he might slide offf
So I settled for following him so his mates could take the piss later on

We all get our thrills in differant ways......2 or 3 wheels....keep enjoying the ride

[harleyrider11488]

is there anywhere to get a 10,000 loan for a harley? i destroyed mine and wife left took house etc... im on ssi and i can afford 200 or so a month but im so lost not having a harley now. im going to put on a sidecar so i can stay upright. if anyone knows how i can find a place please let me know. thanks brian

[Talan Skeels-Piggins]

We had the second Bike Experience day at Castle Combe last week. It was a great success with both riders getting riding again in the closed off paddock area. However, the 'demons' were too much for one rider and they weren't able to make it out onto the track. The other rider overcame the rain, slippery conditions and enjoyed an hour of track time. Many thanks to all who helped and well done to the two who got back on a bike.



Riding again.

Coming in to get caught.

Ready to go out on the track.

Me leading, with the rider second and other instructor third.

[cas]

Looks fantastic talan! You came to southport spinal unit to give a talk whilst I was there. I think it's fantastic that you have set this up to give people the opportunity to get back on 2 wheels - rather than 4!!! I'd love a go, but as it would just be a one off- just to prove I could, I'll wait until the rush has passed. .......besides my mum always hated me riding pillion with my ex........would give her something to talk about!!!! Best of luck with your venture- and the skiing!!!!

[araitn]

Hey Talan, congrats on another successful Bike Experience! It sounds and looks like a great time. Thanks for the post and the photos. I'm still dreaming about coming over to participate with you one day.