5pm and we are off for our inaugural ramble! Armed with new K-2, energy drink, fleeces, camera and plenty of enthusiasm (oh, did I mention the not so great weather?).
Our destination, Southport beach, with a car park surface that might have been laid back in the 60’s and is now more like the lunar surface. The first time we decided on this walk we didn’t even manage to get out of the car park – definitely not wheelchair friendly.
Hooray! Our first goal achieved – out of the car park and onto the trail. Getting used to the unusual steering meant that I was all over the place at first, but the good thing is that wherever I unintentionally steered, I could get myself out of without my husbands muscle power. This independence lark could get addictive. With our sights firmly set on attaining the waters edge, we set off .
Now, if you know Southport you will realise that this can be no mean feat because the tide only seems to come in every few years and the rest of the time can be miles away. Apart from this we forged ahead and in no time were getting excellent practice over stones, mud, sand, grass and a mix of them all. Not being used to going off road it soon became apparent that I would need to be patient with myself and build up my strength. Pushing yourself around a shopping mall and a beach are entirely different matters. This did however give my hubby a chance to see how easy it was to push and before we knew it we had gone about a mile with the sea still just a distant glimmer! At this point we noticed we were the only people on the beach and rather than become the next headline on the North West news – I could imagine it – “Women in wheelchair rescued from incoming tide”, we decided to turn back and try reaching the beach another day when we had a tidal report.
All in all, it was an amazing first trip. We tried and conquered a number of different terrains and at the same time got the confidence to go on to bigger and better things.
Tired but happy we returned home to hose off my K-2 ready for the next adventure.
Bundu bashing and other wheelchair adventures... 
HI Lorna and Michel
Thank you for your feedback. I am an active person and have swam for 10 years to keep on my feet (and fit) for as long as I can/could. I still swim and have worked back up to 32 lengths a session. I used to do 40 lengths every day. Swimming is a great way to work your muscles, without stressing any joints/pains or injuries. Swimming has really helped me; especially now I have a Trekie to deal with- My Trekie it is great and I am learning the tricks. It is sensitive, and light to turn; this takes time to establish control.
Every morning we walk our doggie around the local park, it is an easy ride and a nice way to begin my adventures with my Trekie. My husband had to tell me to slow down- I mean I actually get time to take my hands off the wheels and cruse for a while- and stay straight! In my Trekie my shoulders do not burn or hurt- it takes effort to move but a different kind of effort, one that can be built up without hurting the tendons and muscles in my neck and shoulders.
I have some outdoor gloves that have a hard padding across my knuckles, these have proven useful in tight spots. I wear fingerless gloves under these as it gives me extra grip and padding-so I am learning.
You are right about the word ‘disable’ anything attached to that word is expensive. I often wonder why. At the moment I am swimming the channel in my own pool, in my own time, 22 miles for ASPIRE to help people with spinal cord injuries.
After surgery it took a long time to feel ‘me’ again and since have Trekie I am beginning to feel better. I am getting my hoist sorted out on Friday and will feel even better as I then can do little rides on my own.
I do have a dream/aim. I hope you do not think I am crazy when I explain……. I would like to raise enough money to give a young adult a set of Trekinetic wheels; so they can feel freedom like I now do. I know I would have to ride miles to raise that kind of money; but I think after my swim I will set my heart and mind to that task. It will give me focus and something to build on. Who knows who I will meet or link up with on my travels. I would like my two brilliant surgeons, at Stanmore, to carefully identify a young adult who would want/benefit from a set of Trekinetic wheels.
Anyhow better go I need my Smoothie to start the day….Thank you for linking up with me….
Sue
In your photos you look like you are having a great time. I would like to try his trip and the beach is my kind of thing- what wheels did you use as I have two sets….also you are wearing gloves what kind do you find are best?
As long as the weather isn’t wet I am usually happy outdoors – South African born, now in the UK and so I am definitely a fair weather wheeler 😄. I have had all sorts of gloves – from wheelchair gloves, cycling gloves and just any old ones with rubberised palms and it takes a while to find a favourite. The ones in these pictures come from a visit to Canada and are cowboy gloves which were my absolute favourite in all weather conditions as they kept me dry and warm. Sadly they fell out the car somewhere so I will need another family visit to get more! Since then I have some from Costco which are fabric with padding and rubber palms and they do a really great job except in rainy winter weather where I have them drying on the radiator every day. When I find some I like I tend to buy a few pairs and keep them until the old ones are worn out. In summer I don’t tend to wear gloves unless I am going off-road a lot and am using my rims to slow me down rather than my brakes. A lot of the time I cut off the tips of the gloves fingers so I don’t hurt my palms but can still use my phone and stuff without the on/off all the time. Good luck in your search but be warned that anything labelled for wheelchair users is so much more expensive so try find alternatives.
I know what you mean about the difference between pushing on a nice smooth surface and off road! The first time we went out I could almost feel my K-2 getting frustrated that we weren’t going farther and faster! I have great confidence in the chair’s ability to cope with the terrain, but I do need to build up my strength and stamina to really take advantage of it. At least this way of getting fit is much more fun than slogging away in a sweaty gym!
Hi Lorna it’s nice to know someone’s out there and in the same boat as myself- my muscles are developing……I am learning to tilt my chair back when going down and up hills that helps; I tilt my wheels out to give me much more balance….it’s all new and exciting…