Human-Powered Commute Week?

[cjsmith]

A recent post by renaissancedan reminded me that Bike to Work Week is coming up.

Naturally, since bicycling and walking are both Right Out for me, I thought of driving riding taking the wheelchair to work. I certainly won't be ready to do that by Monday -- I can't even go around the building once I'm here! But it's an intriguing goal. I need goals. It's been way too long since I've had a physical goal.

Wheelie to work. With some thought I could set a timeline for it. Mid- to late June might be achievable.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

How long is your commute? By the time you can do that, I'm sure you could beat me arm-wrestling. Of course, given my arms, you might be able to do that now. ;-)

(And what do I do for next week if I work from home? Get on the bike and go around the block? It'll be moot anyway as I'll be travelling to the east coast.)

[jb98.livejournal.com]

I learned how to drive a wheelchair Sunday in the very crowded Museum of Modern Art bookstore. It was great fun, but my shoulders are still aching.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm still learning -- I wouldn't trust my ability to brake quickly, and I have a very hard time with slightly slanted pavement (eg riding along the edge of a road). Need stronger arms and shoulders. Fortunately, there's nothing wrong with those... yet. :-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Four miles. Eh, my arms were strong (for my size) once, but not lately. You'd win easily, I suspect. We'll see what happens to my arms and shoulders if these feet don't improve.

Obviously you need a stationary bike!

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Obviously you need a stationary bike!

Nah. I've waffled over getting one of these (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17627#) sometime, though. :-)

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

You could practice getting up our driveway - it's about a 35-degree angle. *grin*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

There you go -- if you order now, maybe you can "bike to work" next week. ;-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

There's uphill and downhill, each of which has its own challenges, and then there's *around* the hill. If my right wheel is lower than the left I have to push with my right arm only, or maybe even brake on the left, to go directly ahead. I suspect there's a slope beyond which I'd have to tack like a sailboat.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I hadn't thought about *around* the hill. Coordination challenges - especially if your chair has those free-turning little front wheels.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Mine does have those free-turning front wheels, and already I'm thinking maybe that's not the best idea ever.

Ah well. I'll learn, unless my feet get better. And maybe some day I can indeed attempt your driveway! Ya never know! 8-)