Let\’s give them a hand!

Give whom a hand? Prithee allow me to explain.

The mention of cycling is likely to conjure up images of pedalers with well-developed leg muscles. And of long rides; and of Grand Tour races.

Cycling, however, is not restricted to the able-bodied; thanks to hand-powered bikes. Several times I\’ve seen a man around here riding a hand-powered adult tricycle. He had a model that was very low to the ground. I don\’t remember for sure whether it was delta style (two wheels in the back; one in front); or tadpole style (two wheels up front; one in the back) style; but he sure was moving that thing! Let\’s give a hand to all the hand-powered cyclists out there!

A big worry with such a bike would be traffic. Low-slung tricycles and bicycles (such as recumbents) are harder for motorists to see. A warning flag would be a very wise idea, in addition to a reflective vest; and a helmet, of course.

If some disaster deprived me of the use of my legs, I\’d want one of those hand-powered trikes. I\’m sure it would take a long time for me to develop enough strength and endurance for even short rides; but I suppose I\’d eventually be able to go farther when I needed to. Maybe even enough to go on long Sunday rides!

I know I want to keep up my cycling in whatever way I can, because it\’s hands down one of the greatest pleasures in my life.