ICE Blog

I’m sat at the hospital waiting for a routine scan to check that the 3/4 of me I can’t feel is healthy...and wondering where the three months since the Paralympics have gone. Train, plane, automobile...school, charity, business...the medal has been taking me on tour! At last though I’ve had 5 whole nights in a row in my own bed - woohoo, the longest run since July. I’ve only got one silver medal calling me for duty, so I wonder what it’s like for other athletes who’ve got 4 golds! Don’t get me wrong. It’s a privilege to listen to the eight-year old boy tell me how much he loves riding his bike and wants to be an Olympian, or the fifteen-year old lad sharing his goal of running in Rio (he’s in the top few in the country for his age, so it’s not a long shot). The funniest thing about travelling with the medal, is that every time I go through an airport security, I get stopped. The first time they said there was a strange metal box in my bag they needed to check, but my the fifth time I realised the security team just wanted a peek of the medal!

So training has been lower key for a while, but I was at the gym the other day. Time wasn’t on my side and I dumped by bags next to the bench press, and began a warm up until the bench came free. Ten minutes later a guy sitting recovering between reps stopped me.

“S’cuse me love” he started, “I’ve just got to say to you...” he stuttered a little, “Respect. Real respect.” I assumed he was talking about the Paralympics, though couldn’t figure out how he’d know I’d been in it.

“Errr, how come?” I smiled back.

“No-one would ever leave their bags next to us” he replied, “but you did. You trusted us. Respect for that.”

“Oh...” I tailed off, surprised. “It didn’t cross my mind.”

“Exactly. Respect.” 

I can be a bit naive at times, and there’s not much crime in places I’ve lived, but why wouldn’t I trust them? 

“There is something really valuable in one of those bags though” I couldn’t help myself. “Do you want to see it?”

“No, no way. Just respect.”

I think they were the taxi drivers I know train there every morning. Maybe some don’t trust them, but they seemed like top guys to me. I dug out the medal anyway, and a gang of blokes quickly gathered round, nodding and saying stuff like “Respect. Silver”

The other ‘silver’ moment of the month happened this weekend, when I went back to visit Mytholmroyd (try and pronounce that), the village I grew up in. My mum had organised a coffee morning / book signing of Boundless and it happened to coincide with the official switch on of the village Christmas lights. The community had given me amazing support during the Paralympics, but they really went all out this time - with the only official silver post box in the country! A man from the Post Office came especially all the way from Newcastle, armed with silver tape to dress the box. Unfortunately he started on the wrong box so ran out of tape halfway through the big pillar box - but it got finished off with silver foil until every bit of red was covered. Very cool! Not sure it will last much longer than the Monday morning post pick up, but I’m moved by the thought and effort.

If there’s one thing the silver medal has taught me (apart from how to nearly kill myself in training to get it), it’s that there are some AMAZING people in the world with big hearts and generous spirits. Thank you all.

Karen Darke

We want your trike to be the perfect fit for you. This article shows you how to adjust your handlebars to suit your style of riding.

Handlebars are set to provide a balance between optimum comfort and minimum turning circle. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’; it’s a matter of preference.

Sit on the seat of your trike and reach underneath to the handlebars – you will find two quick release levers. Release these and the handlebars can be moved in and out, and tilted forwards and backwards.

Sit back in the seat and move the handlebars to a position that feels comfortable. Tighten the QR levers and go for a ride – focus on cornering to check the turning circle. If the turning circle is too small, widen the handlebars a little more until you find the optimum balance.

Some people will want the tightest turning circle possible. Release the QR levers and slide the handlebars as far as they will go outwards: do not extend beyond the MAX position, marked clearly on the handlebars. Tighten the QR levers and go for a ride to get used to the new position.

Handlebars can also be tilted forwards and backwards. Try out some different angles and consider the ergonomics of braking and changing gear.

The adjustable handlebars are part of the Rider Positioning System – a suite of design features that enables ICE riders to adapt their trike for the perfect fit, maximum comfort and optimum performance.

Over the winter many of us will cycle a little less and will perhaps give their trike a hibernation period until spring arrives. In this article we look at how to store your trike to ensure it is fresh for the first ride of the season.

Firstly give your bike a good clean and lubrication. For cleaning tips read Nathan’s article “Shiny, bright and lookin’ good”, and for lubrication advice read “Maintenance 101: Lubrication”.

Set the gears to the smallest sprocket and chainring. This keeps the derailleur springs and cables under minimum tension.

Ensure the tyres are properly inflated and check them every month or two. Storing a trike on soft or deflated tyres is not recommended.

Store the trike indoors where it will be dry, preferably using a hanging storage system. Storing your trike outdoors is only acceptable if it is protected from the elements and there is good air circulation; storing under a tarpaulin will actually accelerate corrosion and can damage the paintwork and components.

Before your first ride of the season give your trike a full service: check the derailleurs, brakes, suspension, drivetrain, frame, tyres and tracking, and lubricate. Instructions for checking and adjusting your trike are in your manual (download the latest manuals and instructions here). If you are not sure, take your trike to your local dealer or competent bicycle mechanic. 

Enjoy the rest and look forward to a fresh season of triking fun!