Wheels for All, September 2019

The day before I was going into hospital for a spine operation, I got an email within the local cycle campaign group to let us know about this event at the end of the month.

I could not believe my luck, I have been hinting & asking for this sort of event for some years & heard nothing about it & when I did, it's during the time I could be in hospital recovering from a spine operation.

Well thankfully the operation went well & was done by keyhole surgery, so was out just after 3 days & meant I was likely to go along. And on the first day I was able to, tho I could not ride any of the cycles whilst recovering from the operation. I wanted to go & give my support to the event & see who was there, as well as see all the wonderful cycles that would be used.

The first day was a bit drizzly but people went & was more about talking to those who went along & discuss what it was all about, promoting that the disabled can also enjoy cycling whether cycling themselves or doubled up with another rider to enjoy the ride. I got to speak to various people who were running the event & discovered the plans for the cycle track at the Northern Gateway Leisure Centre & I can tell ya it's gonna be better than I thought it would be & look forward to seeing it open & write up about it next year once I see it open & get to visit. I also had a good look round the cycles too as there were some interesting designs for all sort of abilities to cycle or to enjoy cycling.

 

 

 

 

But as the day came near to the end, I just had to ride something, so I rode what is basically an all terrain mobility scooter called BOMA which is designed to be ridden by anyone. Even those who have limited movement or strength, I have ridden it before a few years back as it is based at Highwoods Country Park for hire & was kindly loaned for the 2 day event.

 

Even tho it was a tiring day, I did enjoy it & hoped the next day be even better if my body was up for the job of doing this all again.

Thankfully my body was, tho slightly achy from the day before but I knew I can take it easy there & enjoy the day. When I arrived, it had already started & a group of children were already enjoying the cycles & as the day went on other joined & tried out the cycles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also got to have a better look at the cycles...

 

One of which is one I have known about for some years & here it was that day & I could not cycle it, the Van Raam Easy Rider. 😞 A very versatile looking tricycle which has quite a few options of adaptations to suit all sort of rider.

 

And tho I could not cycle this lovely machine, I could at least sit on it to see what it feels like to be on the cycle. And stayed on it for over 15 mins as it was so bloody comfortable I did not want to get off. And thanks to Rick for taking the photos of me on the Easy Rider. The only thing I thought the cycle needed to make it even better would be apehanger handlebars. 😉

And as the day started to wind down & got quieter I asked if someone could take me on this lovely tricycle designed to carry wheelchair users in their wheelchairs, Van Raam VeloPlus. Was pleased that they said yes & got to ride this cycle as a wheelchair user would & went around the track twice.

Best way to describe it is that it was very smooth to ride on, nippier than I expected & the pedal assistance was barely noticeable & the person cycling found it wasn't to much of a strain. It felt like as if I was flying along on a flying carpet (if I ever get the chance too of course) 😉.

But alas the day eventually came to an end, all who ran it gathered to discuss the feedback they got from those who came & it was clear everyone running the event & who came to the event all had a great time & smiling. And was great to meet those who ran the event & even more pleased to hear they plan another in December which likely be an indoor event due to the time of year. And hopefully I be allowed to cycle then so I can try out these cycles & help cycle others around too.

I like to say thanks to Colchester Borough Council, Sustrans East, Cycling Project, Leonard Cheshire, Ashfield Special Needs & anyone else involved in the running of the event I didn't get to know who you work for or forgotten. I has a great time being there (even if I could not cycle) & sure look forward to the next one.

Review of the LiteLok Silver

If you have been following me on social media, you would already know I already have & use a LiteLok Gold which I bought to use for the conditions of my insurance as well as peace of mind to know my Cruiser will still be there when I return. And I've had a fair few enquiries of what it is on my bicycle due to how I fit it as I ride not your usual style of bicycle so had to go with a different way to carry it.

Well not long after I started to use my LiteLok Gold, LiteLok came out with the new LiteLok Silver & I definitely liked what I saw of it online.

Photo courtesy of LiteLok

And a few months back I was asked to try out the LiteLok Silver & see what it is like compared to the LiteLok Gold. I was quite pleased to do so as I wanted to see what it was like. And when it arrived in the post, I couldn't wait to get it opened.

First of all it came in a nice sturdy box.

Lock came with its own carry bag,

And of course the lock itself with instructions & 2 straps to hold it to the frame (found these later on as didnt realise they were in the bottom of the carry bag) & a bunch of keys for the lock.

First thing I had to do was to wear it, something I couldn't do with the LiteLok Gold due to my slightly chubby figure.

And happy to say it fit round the waist quite nicely with room for a larger waistline. It didn't feel heavy or bulky having it around the waist.

Now to try it out... Unfortunately at same time to me going out on the bike with the new lock, I had issues with my disability getting worse & soon to be going into hospital in a few months time for a spine operation so lots to prepare for it (The road to recovery has taken a left turn...) & I also had 2 foster cats having kittens which has kept me busy since.

 

But I did take my Cruiser out for rides, mostly to do shopping around town & thus could try out the LiteLok Silver as well as use my LiteLok Gold.

As you can see it is smaller than the Litelok Gold, so I could easily fit the liteLok Silver within the frame with the LiteLok Gold using the supplied straps & the spare one I had as I require 3 to fix the Litelok Gold to the frame.

But also small enough to roll up & put in my panniers.

As for using the Litelok Silver, as I have already used the Litelok Gold I found that the lock itself works differently. Instead of clicking together both ends, the lock on the Litelok Silver slides together.

And unlike the Litelok Gold, the Litelok Silver requires the key to be in the lock when you lock it. With the Litelok Gold you can click it together without the key which I find easier but that is more likely due to being used to it.

But other than the different type of locking mechanism I found the Litelok Silver is no different to use than the Litelok Gold. It is smaller than my Large Litelok Gold so it did limit its use to lock around various parts of the bike &/or what you are locking the bike to. Weight wise it is definitely lighter so will benefit those concerned about weight on their bike when cycling, something that doesn't bother me as my Cruiser is no lightweight cycle.

So my verdict is that it is a good lightweight lock to use that helps give a peace of mind when securing your cycle, had I not used the Litelok Gold beforehand I wouldn't find the differences to be a niggle to me. I would likely have had bought 2 if I was to use the Litelok Silver than the Gold I have already as they are cheaper. 

The downside would be it doesn't have a neoprene skin available so would give me some concern to marking the paintwork on the bike. Also as it is Sold Secure Silver rated, that means for me I couldn't use it alone as my insurance requires Sold Secure Gold rated lock to be used so to be covered for theft, had it been Sold Secure Gold rated or I could use a Sold Secure Silver rated lock for my insurance I sure would prefer to use this lock as it is lighter to carry when cycling.