Enabled Trikers: Welcome to our newest forum!

[Papa Zook]

For quiet some time we have discussed the need for adding a section specifically for those who are overcoming the challanges of riding with physical limitations. As we age, we can all relate to limitations, but some have dealt with challanges for many years due to an accident, injury, stroke, chronic illness or other contributing factor. This forum is dedicated to those exceptional individuals who are determined to keep on riding and enjoying life, despite the challanges! Feel free to start a thread on any related subject you wish.

 

[Trent]

Great Idea Z-Man! While walking Zuma last fall, came around the corner and there was a guy washing his HD Trike in his driveway, and we had to chat for a while. A young guy slammed into him about 3 or 4 years ago while on his Ultra, less than 1/2 mile from our homes. I remember reading about it when it happened.

He lost his right leg from the mid thigh down, and was in a coma for a coupla months. He is around 50 yrs old. He was one of the first people around here to get a custom made Trike with a foot brake on the left side. He is retired now, and He and his wife ride all over this Great Country thousands of miles every year from coast to coast.

He has a really hi-tech prosthetic for his right leg and you cannot tell he has that watching him ride. I so admire his desire and love to ride and willingness to do anything to continue doing what he loves to do. We go for a ride once in a while when he can fit it into his busy schedule.

I also would really enjoy hearing stories from other riders with limitations. Start talkin' you guys!!!

 

[americanbadass]

Great Idea Z-Man! While walking Zuma last fall, came around the corner and there was a guy washing his HD Trike in his driveway, and we had to chat for a while. A young guy slammed into him about 3 or 4 years ago while on his Ultra, less than 1/2 mile from our homes. I remember reading about it when it happened. He lost his right leg from the mid thigh down, and was in a coma for a coupla months. He is around 50 yrs old. He was one of the first people around here to get a custom made Trike with a foot brake on the left side. He is retired now, and He and his wife ride all over this Great Country thousands of miles every year from coast to coast. He has a really hi-tech prosthetic for his right leg and you cannot tell he has that watching him ride. I so admire his desire and love to ride and willingness to do anything to continue doing what he loves to do. We go for a ride once in a while when he can fit it into his busy schedule.

I also would really enjoy hearing stories from other riders with limitations. Start talkin' you guys!!!

Ok-I will be first: I have more titanium in my lower right leg than the space shuttle, and am just falling apart in general! The majority of us are riding trikes due to age or disability. I still ride 2 wheels some of the time, but feel the day will come when I will ride 3 all the time.

 

[Gorilla]

great addition randy

 

[Tinbasher]

Great idea.

I guess my story might be of some interest.

I was a keen rider as a young chap. I owned some classic bikes which would be worth a pile if I still had them. Started on a little BSA Bantam graduating through a Triumph Tiger Cub ending with an AJS / Matchless 650 twin. Got married, got mortgage, got sensible!

Then in 85 while working in a shipyard I fell about 30ft from a submarine under construction and broke my back. I discovered trikes in the mid 90s then built a Mini Cooper automatic based trike. After retiring two years ago I bought my present trike BMW R1200c Grinnall conversion.

The adaptations I have are pretty simple. As I cannot reliably use my lower legs I have all hand controls. Gearchange is Klictronic push button, very similar to the US Pingel. Brakes are combined on the right handlebar lever operating through a proportioning valve. I have electric reverse fitted to get me out of those tight spots. Other simple things are footplates as I couldn't feel my feet on pegs, gel saddle so I don't damage my numb butt and a wheelchair rack for when I use my chair. I can also walk a little with braces so I sometimes ride with crutches instead.

The freedom this gives me is amazing, not just the freedom of the road but freedom to cast aside the expected stereotype imposed on disabled people of being limited and protected. Last year I rode home in the dark from North Yorkshire passing through small villages and over bleak moorland. I can still smell the wild garlic and the woodsmoke from the log fires as I approached the villages. The sound of laughter and voices from the little village pubs as I passed through (not passed by passed through). Stopped at a set of traffic lights I had a short conversation with two older ladies who wanted to climb on the pillion! The sheer joy of riding is one of the things that keeps me sane.

I often attract questions when folks realise I am disabled and I love to explain and promote the fact that disabled people can and do ride on both two and three wheels. I have recently joined the NABD the UK disabled riders organisation which is great charity and a mine of information and support for disabled people who want to return to or take up motorcycling (Motortrycling ???)

Happy to answer questions on anything.

 

[Ray Monroe]

Hi all,

I have been riding since I was 9 and have always enjoyed 2 wheels. 2 years ago I had a fairly serious stroke that affected my right side. I walk with a cane and have no use of my right arm and hand. I worked my butt off in Rehab and now I lead a somewhat independant life.

When I found this site, my hopes were raised even higher. I read everything I could about the Stallion. I ended up buying one from a wonderful couple in Springfield, IL. I am having it altered to suit my "ability" and I can't wait to meet those of you that will be at the TT rally in June. I have communicated with 2 other stroke survivors on this forum and I welcome dialog with all others whom are disadvantaged.

I am eager to learn from you and also to share.

Randy, thanks so very much.
Ray

 

[patriot]

Wow! I'm going to love reading threads from folks who have limitations but have overcome through technology. I complain of a sore back, but is nothing in comparison to what others are going through. I would like to see detailed pictures of mods completed on bikes that make them operational for you. Happy riding!

 

[pmar6004]

Hi all,

I have been riding since I was 9 and have always enjoyed 2 wheels. 2 years ago I had a fairly serious stroke that affected my right side. I walk with a cane and have no use of my right arm and hand. I worked my butt off in Rehab and now I lead a somewhat independant life. When I found this site, my hopes were raised even higher. I read everything I could about the Stallion. I ended up buying one from a wonderful couple in Springfield, IL. I am having it altered to suit my "ability" and I can't wait to meet those of you that will be at the TT rally in June. I have communicated with 2 other stroke survivors on this forum and I welcome dialog with all others whom are disadvantaged. I am eager to learn from you and also to share.

Randy, thanks so very much.
Ray

Hello Everyone,

I promised Ray, who previously told his story, that I'd participate in this "new" forum, when or if the organizers thought it had interest, value or merit to the rest of its members. Since I'm not new to Trike Talk and have previously shared bits and pieces of my story earlier when I first introduced myself and on some previous posts, I won't repeat myself and promise to be brief. Like Ray, my stroke affected my right side, however with months and months of rehab., physical, occupational and speech therapy, I was able to regain many of my abilities, which the therapists refer to one's ADLs (activities of daily living: eating, dressing, transporting, toileting, bathing...) Fortunately, my stroke wasn't as severe as it could have been, per my MRI results, so I guess I can postpone my introduction to a nursing home a little while longer.

My biggest struggle was not physical but emotional. To have to give up riding my motorcycle, one of the passions in my life for 50+ years, was totally devastating to me, or at least I thought so. If it wasn't for my lovely wife Pam, who had the task of being my caregiver, without her love, patience and understanding, I'm sure that I would have given up, given up on life in general. It was through her encouragement and support that she convinced me to look for a way to regain my passion and to feel the "wind on my face" again. Since I have very limited control of my right arm and hand, yet I could still drive a car, I had to look for a trike that had controls similar to that of a car.

Enter the Stallion...(thank you TMS!) As they say, "the rest of the story is history", including making it possible to attend my first TT/T.O.I. rally, Rally In The Valley, Maggie Valley, NC, last year. In closing, I want to thank again Trike Talk and its coordinators, organizers and volunteers, for giving me an opportunity to share my story and a place to fellowship. I hope to read about others who are physically challenged, to share their stories, as well. To my many friends that I've made on TT and to those I have yet to make, God Bless and Ride Safe...! ThumbUp

Daydreamer

 

[RdKnB]

I think this is a great addition. My issue is my right knee gives out time form time and I never know when. It is an old injury.

 

[Bill Reber]

Cancer and a botched surgery took my two wheels . Patricia gave my bike back to me with the third wheel. I have surgery (reconstruction) in April 2013 which " God willing " will get me back to as much as 85% of what I was but still will not be able to handle the two up big bikes with out the third wheel. Happy to be alive !
Bill

 

[tommy loso]

This is a great addition to the forum, Bazooka...

After having a heart attack and five by-passes, I thought that I'd never be able to ride again..I thank god for three wheels and the ability to stay in the wind..That's what will keep us young.........

 

[bustedwing]

Thanx Zook for starting this thread, and anybody that has been on here lately has seen my story several times, an I am right along withpmar6004 except with me I had to give up my CDL, which I had since I was 18. That meant giving up a career. And going from the bread winner to the a man that needs help. A huge step for me. Although I spent 2 years being sliced and diced, I am able to walk which I was 2 mm away from being paralysed from the neck down. I do have daily problems but I get huge support from my wife, I am welcomed by the Patriot Guard Riders, and once in awhile mother nature lets me actually ride my trike!

 

[Ray Monroe]

Wow, we are off to a great start. aba, I hope to meet you some day. You artwork is awesome.

Trent, thanks for relating the story about your neighbor; he sounds like someone I would like to know.

Tinbasher, I admire your "can do" additude and the fact that have figured out a way to cope with what was put before you. I am friends with the gal who imports Klicktronic here in the USA. She runs a web site for disabled riders. Tin, thanks for sharing your story.

 

[pcombe]

This thread gives me hope!

I have been fighting my family to regain my independance
After two major heart attacks in the last ten months and now living with C.O.P.D and congestive heart failure my life has changed so much and not to my liking in most cases.

I can no longer do the things i have always taken for granted.
I still have my sense of humor and an overdeveloped sense of independence.

I am in the proccess of converting my 1989 tour glide ultra with a champion conversion while i can still do it myself with a little help from an old friend.
And no small thanks to Zook.

I am stubborn enough to do the conversion myself and sensless enough to look forward to it,and determined to pursue the joy of watching yellow lines roll under my wheels.

I know that this dissability will one day lay me low but like the rest of you i am gonna do this my way.

There is a right way, A wrong way, and our way!
My fly fishing rod will not stay dry and my morgan stallion will still carry me where my trike won't go.

I salute the the dissabled rider for their abilites.
You give me strength!

I hope to see you on the road and look forward to visiting and hearing of your progress and rides on this forum.

Paul Combe

 

[msocko3]

Great addition, I admire those who have shared their stories. It goes to show when their is a will there is a way.

 

[Tinbasher]

Great to hear everyone's stories especially to hear that in every case getting back in the saddle was a huge positive milestone for folks.

Paul I can relate to the family issue. They love you, they are scared for you and want to protect you, that's understandable. But, they are looking at your disability from the outside and they see a changed and maybe in their eyes, a less independent or able person and in the case of a heart attack a "sick" person. You understand your disability differently from the inside out. I knew that although some of my body was uncooperative or just plain useless, I still was the same person.

It took some time to get this over to family (not my wife who "got it" right away). They (most of them) now understand that it isn't the length of a life that's important it's the quality. We know our own limitations better than anyone else and most of us are not going to do anything stupid.

Keep working on them, let them come here and see these posts, they will hopefully come around.

I need to work out a way to carry my fly fishing gear, I didn't even wet a fly last year the weather was so poor.

All the best.

 

[patriot]

I enjoyed reading pcombe's post. As we grow older, most if us will have challenges. Yesterday, I visited the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, GA. While there, we celebrated the birthday of a 90 year old resident. But it wasn't him that broke my heart; it was the 62 year old veteran that has been there already 10 years. It appears, when you enter this home, that's your home till the day you die. I say this, that as we grow old, stay active, fight to stay active and do things that helps your body stay younger. My back hurts most the time and I could just complain and never ride my trike, but I intend to ride until they pry my off the seat. Please, someone build a trike that will house a hospital bed!

 

[skuuter]

SUPER THANKS Folks for the Posts in this Thread.....Definetly "Determination" with a Capital "D" in a lot of Posts...GREAT Section Zook, and Kudos to Ray Monroe.....pepper pepper pepper

 

[pcombe]

Great to hear everyone's stories especially to hear that in every case getting back in the saddle was a huge positive milestone for folks.

Paul I can relate to the family issue. They love you, they are scared for you and want to protect you, that's understandable. But, they are looking at your disability from the outside and they see a changed and maybe in their eyes, a less independent or able person and in the case of a heart attack a "sick" person. You understand your disability differently from the inside out. I knew that although some of my body was uncooperative or just plain useless, I still was the same person.

It took some time to get this over to family (not my wife who "got it" right away). They (most of them) now understand that it isn't the length of a life that's important it's the quality. We know our own limitations better than anyone else and most of us are not going to do anything stupid.

Keep working on them, let them come here and see these posts, they will hopefully come around.

I need to work out a way to carry my fly fishing gear, I didn't even wet a fly last year the weather was so poor.

All the best.

Dear tinbasher:
I looked up a local flyfishing club here in Casper. It seems that they have a program where club members go out of there way to take dissabled fly fisherman out fish at least once a month in the warm season. I volunteered to help in that program. It seems they have handicap accsess set up on private land. and the way i understand it they also have float trips on the platte river.

I have been told that the fishermen might make 20 hookups a day. Now that's not bad fishin! It's just a way to give back a little and do some extra fishing myself. I can't get out in the fast water anymore but i still manage to land a few. A dead drift works great here but the slow water makes me work a little harder on cast accuracy. Some times i trailor my flies( tying a wet fly on first and a dry fly behind it) so that i can fish different depths on the same cast.

 

[pcombe]

Ok-I will be first: I have more titanium in my lower right leg than the space shuttle, and am just falling apart in general! The majority of us are riding trikes due to age or disability. I still ride 2 wheels some of the time, but feel the day will come when I will ride 3 all the time.

I read with intrest your profile and see that you are located in Salt lake. I grew up in Idaho and when i wore a younger mans clothes i got into a little trouble in salt lake. Nothing serious mind you. I had a couple of friends that once belonged to the sundowners M.C. and would accompany them to a few parties on second south in the city of saints.

I would like to tell you i had a great time and assumed that i did but it's hard to remember allot of it. All part of ones miss-spent youth i guess?

Pcombe

 

[Ray Monroe]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want to thank every one of you who have posted here, you guys are all a huge inspiration. There is not a single person here that cannot relate to and learn from your stories.

I should give special thanks to Ray Monroe who suggested this forum in the suggestion thread. I had kicked this idea around for quiet a while even before his suggestion but Ray PMed me, emailed me and called me non-stop until I had no choice but add this forum. The guy is persistent! Good call Ray.

Zook

Zook,
Thanks for the kind words and I hope I wasnt too much of a pain in the butt. In a few short days we have learned a lot about "persistance" and additude. I salute the folks in here that have proven that they refuse to be defined by a disability. Futhermore I give high marks to those of us that don't wrestle with a handicap but have empathy for those who have. The folks 'round these parts are as good as any forum that I have seen. I like "em some.

Ya done good, boss!
Ray

 

[pcombe]

Thanx Zook for starting this thread, and anybody that has been on here lately has seen my story several times, an I am right along withpmar6004 except with me I had to give up my CDL, which I had since I was 18. That meant giving up a career. And going from the bread winner to the a man that needs help. A huge step for me. Although I spent 2 years being sliced and diced, I am able to walk which I was 2 mm away from being paralysed from the neck down. I do have daily problems but I get huge support from my wife, I am welcomed by the Patriot Guard Riders, and once in awhile mother nature lets me actually ride my trike!

Had to give up my C.D.L. to. BUMMER!

 

[pcombe]

Great idea.

I guess my story might be of some interest.

I was a keen rider as a young chap. I owned some classic bikes which would be worth a pile if I still had them. Started on a little BSA Bantam graduating through a Triumph Tiger Cub ending with an AJS / Matchless 650 twin. Got married, got mortgage, got sensible!

Then in 85 while working in a shipyard I fell about 30ft from a submarine under construction and broke my back. I discovered trikes in the mid 90s then built a Mini Cooper automatic based trike. After retiring two years ago I bought my present trike BMW R1200c Grinnall conversion.

The adaptations I have are pretty simple. As I cannot reliably use my lower legs I have all hand controls. Gearchange is Klictronic push button, very similar to the US Pingel. Brakes are combined on the right handlebar lever operating through a proportioning valve. I have electric reverse fitted to get me out of those tight spots. Other simple things are footplates as I couldn't feel my feet on pegs, gel saddle so I don't damage my numb butt and a wheelchair rack for when I use my chair. I can also walk a little with braces so I sometimes ride with crutches instead.

The freedom this gives me is amazing, not just the freedom of the road but freedom to cast aside the expected stereotype imposed on disabled people of being limited and protected. Last year I rode home in the dark from North Yorkshire passing through small villages and over bleak moorland. I can still smell the wild garlic and the woodsmoke from the log fires as I approached the villages. The sound of laughter and voices from the little village pubs as I passed through (not passed by passed through). Stopped at a set of traffic lights I had a short conversation with two older ladies who wanted to climb on the pillion! The sheer joy of riding is one of the things that keeps me sane.

I often attract questions when folks realise I am disabled and I love to explain and promote the fact that disabled people can and do ride on both two and three wheels. I have recently joined the NABD the UK disabled riders organisation which is great charity and a mine of information and support for disabled people who want to return to or take up motorcycling (Motortrycling ???)

Happy to answer questions on anything.

I have been intrested in the gel saddle but wondered just how much difference it might make?
I beleive i seen a gel pad for sale on e-bay.

 

[Tinbasher]

I can't tell you if its any more comfortable because I can't feel it! I had the option to have it so I guess it's just a bit of extra protection. Keeping your skin in good condition can be a big worry for most paraplegics because it can take months on bed rest to heal even a small sore patch.

I certainly haven't had any signs of problems and I do check after riding.

 

[Ray Monroe]

Hello Everyone,
I promised Ray, who previously told his story, that I'd participate in this "new" forum, when
or if the organizers thought it had interest, value or merit to the rest of its members. Since
I'm not new to Trike Talk and have previously shared bits and pieces of my story earlier.

When I first introduced myself and on some previous posts, I won't repeat myself and promise to be brief. Like Ray, my stroke affected my right side, however with months and months of rehab., physical, occupational and speech therapy, I was able to regain many of my abilities, which the therapists refer to one's ADLs (activities of daily living: eating, dressing, transporting, toileting, bathing...) Fortunately, my stroke wasn't as severe as it could have been, per my MRI results, so I guess I can postpone my introduction to a nursing home a little while longer.

My biggest struggle was not physical but emotional. To have to give up riding my motorcycle, one of the passions in my life for 50+ years, was totally devastating to me, or at least I thought so. If it wasn't for my lovely wife Pam, who had the task of being my caregiver, without her love, patience and understanding, I'm sure that I would have given up, given up on life in general. It was through her encouragement and support that she convinced me to look for a way to regain my passion and to feel the "wind on my face" again.

Since I have very limited control of my right arm and hand, yet I could still drive a car, I had to look for a trike that had controls similar to that of a car. Enter the Stallion...(thank you TMS!) As they say, "the rest of the story is history", including making it possible to attend my first TT/T.O.I. rally, Rally In The Valley, Maggie Valley, NC, last year.

In closing, I want to thank again Trike Talk and its coordinators, organizers and volunteers, for giving me an opportunity to share my story and a place to fellowship. I hope to read about others who are physically challenged, to share their stories, as well. To my many friends that I've made on TT and to those I have yet to make, God Bless and Ride Safe...Daydreamer

My new friend Pmar covered a lot of ground and quite good. Unlike Paul, I did not have a wife to support me during my "trial". As a matter of fact, the gal who I was going with decided to leave when the stroke hit. What I did have were a multitude of friends from church, pickleball (google it), barbershop chorus, and recumbent bike riders.

I was in a facility for 4 months and I went from having my kids gather around while I was on a ventilator for a week to walking out of that place albeit with a cane. The one constant was there was not a single day without a visitor; sometimes it was more than I wanted. What that effected was very little down time for me to wallow in sorrow and self pity.

I wanted to get better; first for me, but also for all my friends who supported me, watched go thru therapy, sometimes fail miserably, comforted me when I had frequent crying spells (some were uncontrollable weeping), and offered praise when they saw baby steps toward improvement. I felt like I could not let them down. The number one factor in my rehab was my faith. Another BIG factor was the love and support of family and friends.

I plan to attend the TT rally in June. Ole Pmar and me are going to challenge you guys to a 3 legged sack race; and Paul and I won"t need the sack. :vxtyaq:
Thanks for you ear,
Ray

 

[slimfin]

This is a great thread. Some of us don't realise how great good health is. I for one think sometimes I am in bad shape with broken bones or surgeries,ect. When I see coments like this it makes me realise there are people in the world that has endured a lot more. My hat is off to all of you!!!!!!

 

[pcombe]

This is a great thread. Some of us don't realise how great good health is. I for one think sometimes I am in bad shape with broken bones or surgeries,ect. When I see coments like this it makes me realise there are people in the world that has endured a lot more. My hat is off to all of you!!!!!!

keep in contact bro!

 

[pcombe]

My new friend Pmar covered a lot of ground and quite good. Unlike Paul, I did not have a wife to support me during my "trial". As a matter of fact, the gal who I was going with decided to leave when the stroke hit. What I did have were a multitude of friends from church, pickleball (google it), barbershop chorus, and recumbent bike riders. I was in a facility for 4 months and I went from having my kids gather around while I was on a ventilator for a week to walking out of that place albeit with a cane. The one constant was there was not a single day without a visitor; sometimes it was more than I wanted. What that effected was very little down time for me to wallow in sorrow and self pity. I wanted to get better; first for me, but also for all my friends who supported me, watched go thru therapy, sometimes fail miserably, comforted me when I had frequent crying spells (some were uncontrollable weeping), and offered praise when they saw baby steps toward improvement. I felt like I could not let them down. The number one factor in my rehab was my faith. Another BIG factor was the love and support of family and friends.

I plan to attend the TT rally in June. Ole Pmar and me are going to challenge you guys to a 3 legged sack race; and Paul and I won"t need the sack. :vxtyaq:
Thanks for you ear,
Ray

Thought i would just drop a note:

Faith is a powerful force my friend.
Once i figured out i really wasn't invincible the raw spirituality of some of my friends and loved ones saw me past those weeks of hospital depression also.

I guess i have never been a very religious person in the classical sense of the word
But i have no doubt that there is a God and i'm not him.

It is only through greater humility that i have ever been able to summon enough faith and courage to see me through all adversity. Adversity doe's not not have to equal chaos. I have a choice in the matter through free will?

I salute your faith!

Mine is simple:
I take all that is good and all that is bad in my life and hand it over to a power greater than myself, And all i ask for is that he make me into the man he wishes me to be.

I don't have to do any of that analysis to paralysis crap. I only have to be willing to alighn my will with his own.

It divorces me from depression about my condition and helps me to find other ways to compensate for not doing things quite the way i used to?
It is very seldom i get down in the dumps.
Sometimes life can be really grand!

 

[Charlie D]

Dear Zook, as you know I am now getting around with a walker but it will not stop me from riding my Stallion.. We will be in Ark. in June God willing.. One big inspiration was seeing JOE JENKINS AKA JJTriker riding his trike less than 2 months after having his leg replaced 2 years ago. When the time comes and the doctor says no more bike riding REMEMBER he said nothing about TRIKING Just keep doing.. Anyone going to MaggieValley N.C. stop at Wheels through Time Museum and have Dale or Matt show you the old Harley with wheelchair adaptation dating back to the 1930's... Damn Good topic .ThumbUp

 

[Charlie D]

Thanks Ray Monroe & Pmar6004 Keep up the good work .