My Review of the recent Stoke Mandeville Handcycling Weekend.
In summary, had a great time, learnt loads, had good workouts with a good bunch of guys. I’m in my 5 month of handcycling, having bought a second hand quickie shark and have been cycling locally near home (Newbury) with friends once a week, using the turbo trainer at home and doing fitness work in the gym and pool. I’m incomplete T7.
As a relative novice to handcycling I found this residential weekend hugely beneficial, as I’ve taken on the challenge to cycle John O’Groats to Lands End next year for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. I wanted help with technical aspects, training and development and I got answers to all these areas with lots to incorporate in my own plan.
Saturday morning was spent doing various drills on the track, and to my surprise had covered 24 miles in a three hour session! Sprints, time trials, team rides, lots of chat and encouragement from Matt, our coach and the riders alike. Had lunch, while the heavens opened and then went out on the road for 2 hours in the afternoon. This was quiet leisurely, in beautiful countryside, we all chipped in to help when one of the team had a puncture. We went at a nice easy pace while getting in some good exercise, 17 miles done by the end. Stayed over on site and went out for dinner to a pub in Aylesbury and we were joined by Andy and Geoff who would be taking us out on the ride on Sunday.
Sunday morning came and a few of the Saturday cyclists were not riding on Sunday but we were joined by another and five of us went out for a nice long ride. I was the novice in this group and on route we split into two where the more experienced went to take in some additional hills, which also added to their journey distance. I carried on with Andy which I found to be enjoyable and challenging enough in parts and we’d covered 42 miles overall. Having also stopped for a sneaky cuppa and a sandwich. When I got home late Sunday afternoon I felt pretty tired but very pleased and recovered quite nicely on Monday.
I would recommend this weekend and anybody who’s thinking about starting some handcycling or looking to improve. My motivation is strong as I’ve taken on the challenge to cycle John O’Groats to Lands End with a number of friends, who are conventional cyclists, in September 2012. So I’ll be attending this again and as many other organised events as possible. If there are any handcyclists out there who’ve done endurance cycling, or even LEJoG, I’d love to hear your stories and welcome your advice on training etc. Please get in touch - simon.benson99@btinternet.com
Thanks to Matt, Geoff, Andy and cyclists for a great weekend.
As a relative novice to handcycling I found this residential weekend hugely beneficial, as I’ve taken on the challenge to cycle John O’Groats to Lands End next year for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. I wanted help with technical aspects, training and development and I got answers to all these areas with lots to incorporate in my own plan.
Saturday morning was spent doing various drills on the track, and to my surprise had covered 24 miles in a three hour session! Sprints, time trials, team rides, lots of chat and encouragement from Matt, our coach and the riders alike. Had lunch, while the heavens opened and then went out on the road for 2 hours in the afternoon. This was quiet leisurely, in beautiful countryside, we all chipped in to help when one of the team had a puncture. We went at a nice easy pace while getting in some good exercise, 17 miles done by the end. Stayed over on site and went out for dinner to a pub in Aylesbury and we were joined by Andy and Geoff who would be taking us out on the ride on Sunday.
Sunday morning came and a few of the Saturday cyclists were not riding on Sunday but we were joined by another and five of us went out for a nice long ride. I was the novice in this group and on route we split into two where the more experienced went to take in some additional hills, which also added to their journey distance. I carried on with Andy which I found to be enjoyable and challenging enough in parts and we’d covered 42 miles overall. Having also stopped for a sneaky cuppa and a sandwich. When I got home late Sunday afternoon I felt pretty tired but very pleased and recovered quite nicely on Monday.
I would recommend this weekend and anybody who’s thinking about starting some handcycling or looking to improve. My motivation is strong as I’ve taken on the challenge to cycle John O’Groats to Lands End with a number of friends, who are conventional cyclists, in September 2012. So I’ll be attending this again and as many other organised events as possible. If there are any handcyclists out there who’ve done endurance cycling, or even LEJoG, I’d love to hear your stories and welcome your advice on training etc. Please get in touch - simon.benson99@btinternet.com
Thanks to Matt, Geoff, Andy and cyclists for a great weekend.
