Three bikes, two handbikes—and a group ride
When you talk about group cycling, you somehow automatically assume that everyone rides the same way, on the same type of bike, and at the same pace. But for a shared experience, it’s not at all necessary for everything to be exactly the same.
On our most recent tour, five of us set out on the road. Two of them joined us on handbikes, and I can honestly say: not for a single moment did I feel that this made the ride any different.
Of course, you have to adapt to one another. But you adapt anyway when you’re biking together. You wait for each other, pay attention to one another, and adjust your pace. It was no different this time.
Plus, the guys are really good at this. 😊 In general, the ride wasn’t about one person “going slowly” while the rest had to adjust to them. It was a fast-paced, energetic bike ride that we were all part of.
And of course, we stopped along the way to look around and chat... There were five of us, and it was just nice to be together. Personally, I’ve always found their company uplifting. They’re a really cheerful bunch, and they brought that energy with them this time, too. The others also enjoyed the joint program in a similar way.
Maybe that’s exactly why I’d like to show you this video, too.
Let’s not feel self-conscious, awkward, or uncomfortable when you meet someone in a wheelchair at a public sports event. There’s no reason to.
There’s no need to treat this as a special situation. There’s no need to worry about how to act. Let’s just set off together.
The opportunities in sports are much broader today
Another thing that’s very important to me in this story is the handbike itself.
Today, there are various devices and technical solutions available, so sports opportunities can be opened up even for those who, for whatever reason, have ended up in a wheelchair.
I think this is a huge deal. Because an injury, an illness, or a change in life circumstances doesn’t necessarily mean the end of physical activity.
Maybe with a different tool.
Maybe in a different form.
Maybe a little differently.
But it's possible.
And maybe this video can also provide a little inspiration for those who can’t yet imagine how they could play sports as a wheelchair user.
For me, as a handbiker, this shows exactly that: that it’s possible to rediscover the joy of movement, to pedal at a brisk pace, go on tours, and experience all of this together with others.
Because it’s not just about the equipment.
It’s also important to have people and communities around us that we can join.
With whom the question isn’t “Can you come with us?”, but simply: “When are we leaving?”
Perhaps this is what a true shared sporting experience is all about. It’s not that everyone moves in the same way, but that we move together.
That’s another reason why I loved this hike so much.