SCALING NEW HEIGHTS: Lessons from conquering hills with a wheelchair
What is the toughest part of every hike you’ve ever been on? You got it – the hills!!! J’s Crew tested out a serious track last weekend and we learned a lot. The stats of this hike: 200 m of elevation gain and 10 kms with a team of 7 people over 3.5 hours. Quickly recapping Jen’s injury – she uses a wheelchair and is currently non-verbal. Check out our lessons learned where we share our experience and pass this article on to any loved ones undertaking something similar!
UNO: TEST & ADAPT EQUIPMENT TO RIDER
Each rider will have a unique experience based on her or his special needs, and the more you can customize your equipment to your rider, the better. For Jen, we had two issues: 1) Skin breakdown where there was too much friction, and 2) Preventable discomfort. On our next trip, we will:
- Get a more comfortable seat cushion and arm rests
- Store tools on the bike to be available for quick adjustments
- Check positioning frequently and monitor facial expressions to ensure comfort
DOS: CHECK ROUTE CONDITIONS
Keep the mosquitos at bay!!! An unforeseen mosquito infestation drove everyone crazy on this trip. Needless to say, we will be bringing OFF! on the next trip. Lessons here were:
- Check conditions before you leave –sunny? Buggy? Rainy? And pack accordingly!
- Budget extra time for things like longer lunch breaks for a quick cat nap
TRES: PRIORITIZE EXTRAS
Whilst lugging Jen up a hill is noble enough to warrant the energy, we found there were some extras we really needed and others we could do without.
The biggest item on the chopping list was Jen’s extra wheelchair – while it was useful as a pack horse, it required two people to push up hills – there must be a better way!
Things we added to our precious list of “things we are willing to carry” included:
- Extra tires – rocky terrain is hard on equipment
- Quick-release carabiners – easier is better
- Bungee cords to secure things as needed
- Spare parts and light blanket
CUATRO: COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE!
This was an extremely trying hike for everyone and each team member pushed their limits. On these days, injury is possible and preventable. Our tips are:
- While going uphill, talk to your team about what’s happening with your rider (especially if she or he cannot speak!)
- Be honest about your capabilities and when you need a break to avoid burning out or risking injury
We can’t wait for the next hike! Upwards and upwards!
Check out the highlight reel here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuh0x-XsPlp/?hl=en
