I love it, I love it, I love it!
A new month. And with this new month there is another opportunity to start something new. Something that has been on my mind for quite a long time. And something that I enjoyed as a kid. Riding a kick bike. Yes, this simple two-wheeler that promises fun and action in abundance.
Pleasures From The Time Of My Childhood
I have been looking at various kick scooters for some time. Years, actually. After having stumbled across a YouTube video some time back in which someone was training his sledge dogs with a kick scooter I was sold on the idea of getting myself one of these adult kick bikes. One that can take a bit of abuse and doesn’t mind if I take it onto gravel roads and dirt tracks.
After a bit of research I narrowed in on two options. Either a Swifty, a compact, sturdy, small scooter that is designed in Scotland. Or a London Kickbike. Bigger, 26“ front wheels. Both come with breaks. As an amputee I quite like the idea of having breaks instead of jumping off at full speed. I still haven’t had the chance to test these - and potentially other - models but hope to do so soon.
At the moment the rather hefty prize tacks still prevent me from actually buying one. So you can imagine the excitement I felt when I recently discovered one of the kids’ old scooter when de-cluttering our garden shed. I just couldn’t resist the temptation of trying it out right away. The de-cluttering can wait, I though. And off I was for my first ride on a kick bike in about 40 years. And I loved it, loved it, loved it.
I guess it’s time to start saving for one of these snazzy models that caught my eye. Time for a test run. Time for new adventurers. I will keep you posted. And if you have any advice and what I
need to look out for when buying a scooter, I would love to hear from you.
Further Reading
![](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=268x10000:format=jpg/path/sc6141ff44a2cc3cc/image/i20fdb8ccf9bc56fc/version/1557741949/image.jpg)
The ADK climbing foot
Climbing is a great sport. And there is no reason why people with a limb difference shouldn‘t give it a try. I have been climbing years and I tried a variety of set-ups; i.e. completely without any artificial limb (no socket, no knee, no foot, no nothing) and with the C-Leg (but with my normal day-to-day foot) before settling on the ADK climbing foot. The ADK foot is a rather unspectacular piece of gear but it works surprisingly well for me. read more
![](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/none/path/sc6141ff44a2cc3cc/image/i5e0744835002fcb2/version/1557741949/image.jpg)
Getting into paraclimbing
Climbing is an amazing sport. Full stop. No matter if you are into bouldering or top-roped routes at a local climbing wall, prefer pre-bolted sport routes outdoors or love the thrill of proper multi-pitch trad climbing or a deep-water solo, the sport has something for everybody. And I mean everybody, no matter if you are able-bodied (what ever that is) or not. read more
![](https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=268x10000:format=jpg/path/sc6141ff44a2cc3cc/image/i3ef55042a1c257a8/version/1557741949/image.jpg)
Safety tip for paraclimbers
As there is such and interest in this amazing sport, I would like to share one more tip for those of you who want to give it a go. For those among you who might even try climbing with your prosthesis or a special climbing leg/foot.
Depending on the set-up you use and depending on the fit of your socket, it’s essential to secure your artificial limb to your climbing harness. Why? Well… read more