17 replies to this topic

[JeffYates]

Hi Girls and Guys, I'm about to take order of my very 1st handcycle
I'm so excited but yet very apprehensive aswell. If you have any suggestion or tips that could help please let me know.?
training regime, eating programs, techniques, what to do and not to do!!

Edited by JeffYates, 12 January 2012 - 06:23 AM.

[Maltese Cat]

depends what kind of hand bike you have, but my top tip is not to see how fast you can go round a corner downhill when there's a car parked in the way..... (Guido's says removing a headlight washer with his thumb was not that comfortable - i say big relief it was only the headlight washer and thumb - it was very nearly the brand new trike and Guido that we lost!)

[JeffYates]

I'm getting a top end force R its coming at the end of the month!

I thought that was the idea, to go as fast as possible ;) shame that doesn't sounds like fun!!

I'm entering a 21km race in Feb which only leaves me 2 weeks to train will this be enough?

[Edinburgh Colin]

JeffYates, on 11 January 2012 - 02:11 PM, said:

I'm getting a top end force R its coming at the end of the month!

I thought that was the idea, to go as fast as possible ;) shame that doesn't sounds like fun!!

I'm entering a 21km race in Feb which only leaves me 2 weeks to train will this be enough?

I think you can safely say going fast is fun and the intention, meeting stationary objects may not be!

[knightrider]

Very nice handcycle. I doubt 2 weeks training will be enough, but you can still do it, you have plenty of gears. 21km is a long race so pace yourself, lean right back as much as possible when cycling and go through the gears to suit the speed, you can do it just don't out pace yourself too early. Oh and going fast is fun though And make sure your tyres are pumped up to the optimum, makes cycling easier and you can roll smoothly and sometimes at great distances compared to a normal AB bike, so thats good for little resting points.
I wish you all the best in the race.

[wheelie182]

I've thought about ordering one of those handcycles for the lonest time. They look like they would cause major neck strain though.

[A trophy guy]

Do you have any level of fitness now? If you do, and you really put some effort into your training (and diet), two weeks (while not ideal) should be enough time to at least get you somewhat acclimated for what you will be facing in the race.

Handcycling is not like wheelchair racing. A racing wheelchair is nothing like a hand-cycle. While most wheelchair races do allow handcycles to participate, they aren't in the same division as the wheelers. Handcycles are not nearly as strenuous or physically taxing as racing chairs, they are more like a bicycle powered by your arms. Wheelie182, the neck strain is not really an issue in hand-cycles, due to the position of your body in the cycle itself. Now racing chairs, those are tremendously straining on the neck; I competed once in 2004 and I have never recovered from the damage I did to my neck.

[JeffYates]

knightrider, on 11 January 2012 - 09:45 PM, said:

Very nice handcycle. I doubt 2 weeks training will be enough, but you can still do it, you have plenty of gears. 21km is a long race so pace yourself, lean right back as much as possible when cycling and go through the gears to suit the speed, you can do it just don't out pace yourself too early. Oh and going fast is fun though And make sure your tyres are pumped up to the optimum, makes cycling easier and you can roll smoothly and sometimes at great distances compared to a normal AB bike, so thats good for little resting points.
I wish you all the best in the race.

I think i made the right decision, to late to change it anyway ;)!
That's my biggest concern not knowing how to pace myself, its going to be tricky.
Thanks for the excellent tips i most certainly will use them.

[JeffYates]

A trophy guy, on 12 January 2012 - 01:30 AM, said:

Do you have any level of fitness now? If you do, and you really put some effort into your training (and diet), two weeks (while not ideal) should be enough time to at least get you somewhat acclimated for what you will be facing in the race.

Handcycling is not like wheelchair racing. A racing wheelchair is nothing like a hand-cycle. While most wheelchair races do allow handcycles to participate, they aren't in the same division as the wheelers. Handcycles are not nearly as strenuous or physically taxing as racing chairs, they are more like a bicycle powered by your arms. Wheelie182, the neck strain is not really an issue in hand-cycles, due to the position of your body in the cycle itself. Now racing chairs, those are tremendously straining on the neck; I competed once in 2004 and I have never recovered from the damage I did to my neck.

I have been going to gym last 4 weeks, just building up strength but in terms of fitness i'm not sure, i do intend on cycling every morning on an indoor trainer though?

[A trophy guy]

JeffYates, on 12 January 2012 - 06:18 AM, said:

A trophy guy, on 12 January 2012 - 01:30 AM, said:

Do you have any level of fitness now? If you do, and you really put some effort into your training (and diet), two weeks (while not ideal) should be enough time to at least get you somewhat acclimated for what you will be facing in the race.

Handcycling is not like wheelchair racing. A racing wheelchair is nothing like a hand-cycle. While most wheelchair races do allow handcycles to participate, they aren't in the same division as the wheelers. Handcycles are not nearly as strenuous or physically taxing as racing chairs, they are more like a bicycle powered by your arms. Wheelie182, the neck strain is not really an issue in hand-cycles, due to the position of your body in the cycle itself. Now racing chairs, those are tremendously straining on the neck; I competed once in 2004 and I have never recovered from the damage I did to my neck.

I have been going to gym last 4 weeks, just building up strength but in terms of fitness i'm not sure, i do intend on cycling every morning on an indoor trainer though?

When training for a 21km race, what you want to focus on is building your stamina, strength, and lung capacity. While going to the gym is excellent-a necessary part of training-you need to be out there riding your cycle. When you say "indoor trainer" what do you mean, exactly? Is it like an arm bike? Because an arm bike is the only thing I can think of that would be close to what you would need for your training. And arm bikes (UBEs) are great, you can definitely build your cardiovascular stamina and your upper body strength and muscular endurance simultaneously using one. However, you don't want you first ride on your handcycle to be your actual race.

You need to get a feel for it and get a feel for what it's like outside, where you have to deal with dips and valleys, hills and sharps turns; none of which are experienced training on an indoor trainer. If you want to avoid embarrassment, frankly, don't wait until the very race itself to get into the cycle and ride. Even if you can somehow have access to indoor riding, use that.

[JeffYates]

A trophy guy, on 12 January 2012 - 06:35 AM, said:

JeffYates, on 12 January 2012 - 06:18 AM, said:

A trophy guy, on 12 January 2012 - 01:30 AM, said:

Do you have any level of fitness now? If you do, and you really put some effort into your training (and diet), two weeks (while not ideal) should be enough time to at least get you somewhat acclimated for what you will be facing in the race.

Handcycling is not like wheelchair racing. A racing wheelchair is nothing like a hand-cycle. While most wheelchair races do allow handcycles to participate, they aren't in the same division as the wheelers. Handcycles are not nearly as strenuous or physically taxing as racing chairs, they are more like a bicycle powered by your arms. Wheelie182, the neck strain is not really an issue in hand-cycles, due to the position of your body in the cycle itself. Now racing chairs, those are tremendously straining on the neck; I competed once in 2004 and I have never recovered from the damage I did to my neck.

I have been going to gym last 4 weeks, just building up strength but in terms of fitness i'm not sure, i do intend on cycling every morning on an indoor trainer though?

When training for a 21km race, what you want to focus on is building your stamina, strength, and lung capacity. While going to the gym is excellent-a necessary part of training-you need to be out there riding your cycle. When you say "indoor trainer" what do you mean, exactly? Is it like an arm bike? Because an arm bike is the only thing I can think of that would be close to what you would need for your training. And arm bikes (UBEs) are great, you can definitely build your cardiovascular stamina and your upper body strength and muscular endurance simultaneously using one. However, you don't want you first ride on your handcycle to be your actual race.

You need to get a feel for it and get a feel for what it's like outside, where you have to deal with dips and valleys, hills and sharps turns; none of which are experienced training on an indoor trainer. If you want to avoid embarrassment, frankly, don't wait until the very race itself to get into the cycle and ride. Even if you can somehow have access to indoor riding, use that.

When i refer to an indoor trainer or indoor roller this is basically a device which the front wheel of the handcycle is attached to, allowing you to transfer onto the cycle and train in the comfort of your home. Maybe in the interim i should start using UBEs! I intend on also doing a few road events before the actual race, 5 or 6 quite morning rides like you say allowing me to get a feel for it, especially considering i have had to specially adapt the grips due to my limited hand function also to familiarize myself with the use of the elbow shifter etc.

How much time per day and how far do you think i would need to ride to prepare me to complete 21km race?

[richo]

about 21 k i reacon

[JeffYates]

So i managed to finish 21kms, after only spending 3 weeks on indoor trainer, so awesome to be involved in sports again.
And i placed 1st in my division.

I urge everyone to try handcycling, it so rewarding!

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by JeffYates, 01 March 2012 - 01:13 PM.

[Doodle]

Good work jeff! Nice bike as well, if I coulld afford one I'd have one!

[JeffYates]

Yeah the are expensive, i did alot of fundrasing and sponsor deals to get it. I'm very greatful

[tcscas]

http://www.oneoffhandcycle.com/ is what i have had for 4 years! Here is a video of me going downhill with it! Let it buffer out and enjoy!

[JeffYates]

Awesome vid, thanks for sharing.

[guido]

When I was searching for a handbike, there didn't seem to be one good information resource, so I put together this page on Choosing a Handbike. I hope it will help others. It's designed to collate what's out there, and the different styles that you can opt for, and then signpost you on to other great info, association, group and manufacturer sites ~ all in one tidy, easy-to-read place.

If you want to add to it, change things, add reviews, whatever, that'd be great, as that's what it's for!

(I chose a Hase Kettwiesel in the end, which is a really leisurely tourer and can be turned into a tandem with an original AB version, which is great for me and Cat going out together - racing snakes need not apply!.)