In the fourth and final part of our mini-series, our man Lee Korman learns from the experts what it takes to make it as an elite paratriathlete…
Racing Bike
For someone who has never sat in a wheelchair – let alone raced one – there was a degree of trepidation before my lesson on a racing bike, see picture above.
Thankfully the demo bike I used was fitted with a safety wheel at the rear, otherwise it would have been a far shorter and more painful tutorial than planned. It is difficult to stress just how tricky it is to balance on the chair without tipping backwards. All bodyweight must be pushed forward, which felt uneasy even at relatively low speeds.
Once that issue has been dealt with, there is the small matter of generating enough power to build momentum. The key, Egan explained, was to lock thumbs into the outer wheel at the top of the circle, then flick down and backwards in a single movement – almost as if pushing a clock around from 12 to 9. Easier said than done!
As if that wasn’t enough to contend with, the final aspect to master is steering. This can be done either by heaving bodyweight from one side to another, or leaning back and spinning on two wheels for a tighter turning circle. Difficult and terrifying in equal measure.
Handbike
The handbike proved to be slightly easier, albeit at speeds that were moderate at best. The motion required to propel the bike – using arms simultaneously to punch the handlebars forward, allowed for a smoother ride and more control with conventional breaks. Even after only ten minutes though, I had lactic acid coursing through muscles that I didn’t know existed...
Guided Running
The guided run was by far the most interesting experience. Even on 100m straights, it was necessary to place complete trust in the guide, and resist the urge to hold an arm forward in anticipation of any obstacles. Once we tried turning – even in wide arcs – it became an even more uncomfortable experience. All sense of bearings were completely lost.
For more information about how to get involved in paratriathlon, contact jonathonriall@britishtriathlon.org.
GE is a proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Elite Partner of the GE GB Triathlon & Paratriathlon teams – providing support and expertise for the athletes as they prepare and compete at the highest levels. See more at www.facebook.com/GEtriathlon
