Can a polio victim go cycling?

[ufkacbln]

You've got to be joking - there are guys I know who ride trikes off-road and I really enjoying racing the taxis down Oxford Street on a Saturday

Trikes are a state of mind

More seriously - most bike paths are a total pain in the wotsit for trikes as the 'gates' and other structures meant to restrict access for motorised vehicles also tend to make things difficult for trikes too.

My Trike is less hassle with these than my loaded tourer or any of the trailers!

 

[NigC]

Perhaps she needs to buy a pair of shoes specially for cycling in ... (not from a cycling shop), as she probably hasn't got a pair that would be exactly right to cycle in
[Edit: this is from a woman's point of view]

I know what you mean, but I just don't see it at her "thing". I think she's made a concious effort to "ignore" her difficulties as much as possible - she's never had special shoes are any other aids (except my arm occasionally) and would see a that as a huge concession. Admittedly, a modified bike is pretty much the same, but..... it's difficult to explain..... husband's intuition maybe?..... I think she'd be much happier with a modified bike than a modified shoe.

Having bought made-to-measure orthotic shoes and crank shorteners, I would just add this comment: the shoes were £540 from Salts, of Birmingham (you'd pay 4 times that in London). The crank shortener was £50.

Only comes in one colour, though.


A.

Wow! I'm shocked at the cost of the shoes

You made a very strong argument for the crank shortener, but then went and spoilt it with the "one colour" bombshell

Peter Eland's "Velovision" has an excellent section on modifications and options

You could also ping "Hilldodger" of this Parish who has experience of modifications.

Another good link, thanks Certainly worth spending some time reading through that too.

I'm going to try another approach and see if I can get her to think about it again. I really would love to be able to get the three of us out and about (without using the car) this Summer

 

[summerdays]

I know what you mean, but I just don't see it at her "thing". I think she's made a concious effort to "ignore" her difficulties as much as possible - she's never had special shoes are any other aids (except my arm occasionally) and would see a that as a huge concession. Admittedly, a modified bike is pretty much the same, but..... it's difficult to explain..... husband's intuition maybe?..... I think she'd be much happier with a modified bike than a modified shoe.

NO No no ... you missed my point... I just meant an excuse to go shopping to buy yet another pair of shoes as I'm sure she has a gap in that wardrobe for some nice shoes that would be suitable for cycling in ... not one from any specialist!

And a modified bike would be better because then all her shoes fit with it, rather than being restricted to wearing one pair of shoes only on the bike.

I've only known one person with polio - my nursery school teacher and family friend - and she didn't mind the specialist shoes AFAIK ... but then she is 98 now, she is the one I mentioned on the thread about Disabled badges on cars and the fact my Dad had a badge he could put in the car.

 

[NigC]

NO No no ... you missed my point... I just meant an excuse to go shopping to buy yet another pair of shoes as I'm sure she has a gap in that wardrobe for some nice shoes that would be suitable for cycling in ... not one from any specialist!

And a modified bike would be better because then all her shoes fit with it, rather than being restricted to wearing one pair of shoes only on the bike.

I've only known one person with polio - my nursery school teacher and family friend - and she didn't mind the specialist shoes AFAIK ... but then she is 98 now, she is the one I mentioned on the thread about Disabled badges on cars and the fact my Dad had a badge he could put in the car.

"Gap in the wardrobe" The wardrobe is full (her space is 3 times the size of mine), the extra clothes rack is full overflowing, the shoe rack is full (daughter has helped here), the floor space in front of the shoe rack is full (daughter's help again) - my wife alone CURRENTLY owns more shoes than I have EVER owned in 42 years. Erm, yep, you're right - there's still space

 

[jasonmccullum]

having never had polio i cant answer that part of your question.

however my left leg is 1 inch shorter and my left thigh is 2 inches smaller and riding a bike relly helps my legs
i have created a 1 inch raise on my left spd-sl and that has helps my bike setup and equalises the muscle use on my lefg leg which then builds the muscle

so far i am doing around 40 mile rides

 

[newbiebiker]

My uncle who had polio used to ride on a regular bike..I don't think he really uses the other legs.

I hope you find something suitable for your wife so you can bike together.

 

[NigC]

My uncle who had polio used to ride on a regular bike..I don't think he really uses the other legs.

I hope you find something suitable for your wife so you can bike together.

I think my wife would probably be just about OK on a regular, non adjusted bike. Her good leg would be doing 90% of the work, so we'd never be able to go at any real speed - but that's never going to be an issue anyway.

If she does decide she wants to do some cycling and likes the idea of the crank shortener, then that is definitely the way to go for her