Grassroots Games 2016: Road Cycling
The Paralympics is under way in Brazil, and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is focusing on the sports that you will see, hear or read about over the next two weeks.
With 22 different disciplines on show in Rio 2016, EFDS takes a look at grassroots participation back here in Britain.
Today it’s Road Cycling, with Wolf Simpson telling us about rehabilitation and improving his overall health.
My physiotherapist recommended cycling to me five years ago.
It’s a low-impact form of exercise that helps me to keep my leg moving. I was told cycling would help, and it has been immensely helpful.
I enjoy cycling, and although I don’t compete in events.
Instead I cycle for my own benefit. I do social rides, long-distance, charity rides and so on. I got into cycling again five years ago, using it as a way of getting off my walking sticks.
Before my leg disability, in my teens I used to cycle a lot.
It was my main mode of transport, and I have never bothered learning to drive. Cycling was me, and I loved it. On the day I was told about my leg. They said I would never ride again, would never again sit on my bike. It was gutting.
As soon as I was told I could cycle again I got straight out there and bought a second-hand bike.
It was a bit of a rust-bucket really, but it got me out on the road. It was absolutely lovely, just to do one mile to the local supermarket to buy a drink! Fantastic.
Cycling is straightforward to take up.
I learned to ride when I was young, which helped. But there are courses out there that will help you cycle.
Health benefits are a great reason to get started.
I have improved enormously, my circulation and other aspects of my internal health. I don’t look any different than I did five years ago, but I feel so much better inside.
