# I got a handcycle

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-handcycle/302627>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [May 6, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-handcycle/302627 "2005-05-06T00:23:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-handcycle/302627/1 "2005-05-06T00:23:09Z")

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Its an [Invacare Top End XLT Pro](http://secure.srginc.biz/product.php?brand=sa&code=8260&mode=build) . [Pictures here](http://turlockrunningclub.org/Handcycle.htm) .

Brief background: Last June I was hit riding my bicycle to work,crushing my left leg. I have some movement at the hip and limited range in the knee but due to nerve damage I have little functional strength.

I got it three weeks ago and I’m up to 17 miles. I have really missed getting out and breathing hard,getting hot and sweaty and having the wife complain about the smell.

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**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-handcycle/302627/2 "2005-05-06T00:45:18Z")

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Jeez, I had no idea! I’m glad your mostly ok.

Slick wheels though. I’m jealous.

I saw several people competing in the Boston Marathon on handcycles this year.

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**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-handcycle/302627/3 "2005-05-06T01:01:05Z")

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I saw “handcycle” and I honestly pictured some sort of handheld device which monitored the distance equivalent to so many turns of a handle …  
But hey, congrats on keeping your spirits and your heart rate up after an accident like that. Will your leg eventually be back to its old self again?

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**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-handcycle/302627/4 "2005-05-06T02:04:44Z")

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At this point recovery is a big question. There’s a lot of nerve damage and that takes many months to heal,if ever. I have recently regained some movement in my ankle so there is some progress. I am missing part of my hamstring muscle so I probably won’t regain full function but I might walk again with a brace and cane/crutch. My running club had several members running at Boston and I heard about the cycles there.

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**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-handcycle/302627/5 "2005-05-06T02:50:49Z")

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Is your right leg OK? I’m wondering if that could augment a handcycle somehow.  
With a cleated pedal / shoe you probably could pedal a recumbant with one leg, tho probably not ideal.

Brian