This is not a bike. It is not even just an awesome recumbent trike. This is adventure. It is currently being customised at London Recumbents who sent the pictures, and explains one of the mysterious trips we made down that way recently, one wet and windy day, when my son went to explore possibilities.
As a consequence of that visit, this particular recumbent is being built for my son… and he is like a cat on hot bricks waiting to take delivery of it. And I can’t say I blame him. I’m not much better…
Quite apart from anything else, it looks like fun. But that is not the main idea, though doubtless an exciting side effect. You may recall that he recently tried riding a bike, complete with ‘L’ plates on his T shirt and stabilisers on his wheels. For those who are not aware of Nick’s story, my son was stabbed through the brain in 2009 and his continuing recovery is little short of miraculous. Even though riding the bike at all was, in every sense, a triumph, it did not go as well as he had hoped. But the idea stuck and he found a way. Hence the trike.
With a bicycle and Nick’s balance, there was no way he would have been able to go far alone. With the trike… well, the world is his to explore; it negates every problem he would have getting around. Hase, the German company that makes them, seem to have thought of pretty much everything and can adapt these bikes to suit physical challenges far greater than those of my son. That he cannot yet walk unaided might, you would think, mean he can only go for a ride and come home. Not so. Some nifty gadgetry strapped to that back should allow him to lock the bike up and explore. Some even niftier engineering should allow him to tackle most terrains… and under his own steam too.
When Nick finally got an electric wheelchair, he said something that struck me hard. Going out in it would be the first time he had been able to go out alone in five years. There had, until then, always been somebody pushing the chair. Someone behind him. Yet an electric wheelchair, though it gets you places, is limited by its bulk and its batteries. And, critically, all you are doing is sitting still. Immobile. There was still a frustration and a desire to be able to go out under his own steam.
Now, he will not only be meeting the world on its own terms, without the preconceptions the presence of a wheelchair often evokes, he will be meeting it looking pretty damned cool.
Given my son’s story, you can imagine how proud I am of him for taking this new step forward. His determination to recover has been a constant over the past years. Yes, I will worry… but not so much about his safety. He has carefully put everything possible in place to ensure that. My worry will be… what on earth he’s going to get up to next. I have visions of being asked to write about his adventures…
We have another trip to London, to make the final adjustments that make this machine personal, and then it will be delivered. This is not just a trike. It is a symbol of what can be achieved through dedication, courage and a stubborn refusal to give in or give up. This is not just an amazing bit of engineering. This is freedom.
Trial run
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Very cool wheels. He can go places and keep very fit at the same time. An amazing story that just keeps getting better.
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🙂 Those words, ‘cool wheels’, I think he may hear a lot 🙂
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OH, My Gosh!!! That is so wonderful!!!! I am soo happy for him. And for you. It is so hard for those who don’t understand to realize just how limiting it is, how lonely, to be locked into not being able to enjoy the freedom they take for granted. I can’t wait – you know we are going to need a video so we can all congratulate him! Give him a hug for me and pass along my best!
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Good, isn’t it 😀 Now a video… that’s a great idea 🙂 He’ll probably read your comment himself, but I’ll pass it along, Leiah 🙂
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Good!
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This is fantastic news, just what we’ve been looking for. I’m sure this will help speed his recovery even more and it will certainly leave him less frustrated.
Just a question. Is there any reason why this is recumbent? Does it help the body in some way or is it just the style? I was trying to envision cycling from that position and cycling from a more upright position and wondered if it was just preferences that ruled. Whatever the answer, I’m so pleased for him and for you obviously.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Thanks, David 🙂 Many prefer this position.. you see a lot of them in London too as a green alternative to cars and traffic. It allows you to actually look at the world rather than being hunched overthe handlebars. For those with limited mobility or balance who may not otherwise be able to ride, it opens up a whole new set of possibilities. xxx
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So excited for your brave son AND his proud mama!
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I may be just a tad proud of him 😉
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Absolutely brilliant!!
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🙂
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Fantastic Sue – wheels and wings – this is one extraordinary man – and his Mum too.
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He is, Susan 🙂
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That’s fabulous. There’s no wonder he can’t wait.
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Good, innit 🙂
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Very
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🙂
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Truly inspiring and wonderful that your son has found a way for greater freedom. Neat bike. Warmest wishes to you both.
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Thanks, Annika 🙂
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Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
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https://top100topics.wordpress.com/
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As soon as I saw it I thought “this is freedom”! And kept that thought repeating with your written words. And that’s how you ended your post. I am so happy for him!!!
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Brilliant, isn’t it 🙂
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Perfect!!!!
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I have seen these used. Awesome. 🙂
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It is 🙂
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Fabulous, Sue. ☺
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Thanks, Van!
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vive la liberte
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Yep 🙂
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What a difficult journey your son–and you–have been on. Best of luck to him with this bike. Sounds like we could all learn from him, especially in the area of persistence.
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Thank you, Carrie.
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What wonderful and exciting news, and what a fantastic looking bike! :–)
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Good, isn’t it?
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The best! 🙂
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This kind of freedom can never be underestimated. Pedal power rocks! 😀
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😀
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I have the title of the book of his adventures…”Unstoppable” ;-D Nick is awesome, you must be so proud of him!
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Ah… So this is what you were so excited about the other day! It looks fantastic… Have lots of fun and adventure, Sue’s son! What an inspiration you are!
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