Hi All,
As the title reads - are there any adaptive/disabled cyclists on here?
I’m a mildly adaptive cyclist (not to be confused with “adaptive training”) with a lower right leg disability, and I’m looking for advice on cycling techniques to work around my limitations. Specifically; I have nerve damage in my right leg following a knee surgery that has led to permanent quadriceps atrophy, some loss of feeling in the outside of my calf, and a slight drop foot during intense exercise or extended walking. I don’t have enough loss of muscle power or range of movement to qualify for Para sport, but I do meet the “Adaptive” category in USA Triathlon and CrossFit if that helps anyone understand the extent of impact on my physical capability.
I’ve started cycling as I no longer have the quad strength to support my right leg when jogging or running, and now wear an AFO (ankle foot orthosis) when walking/standing for extended periods or walking over rough ground. I figured using TrainerRoad would be a good way to maximize my time on a bike indoors and outdoors, but I don’t have a particular event in mind. I’m looking forward to my first FTP test tomorrow after previously just using Zwift or cycling without much aim on my trainer.
The problem I’m having other than an obvious split between left and right leg power output is now I am starting to stand up to pedal, but the strength difference in the right leg means that the pedal stroke is quite jerky. I’m aware that being able to stand up to pedal is an essential part of able-bodied cycling, so I do want to be able to do this - it may be that I have to adjust my technique, or adjust RPM, or something else I haven’t thought of and wondered if there are any riders here who deal with similar injuries or disabilities?
BR,
Emily
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Hey there and welcome to the TR community!
I’m not an expert on the kind of technique/PT work that may be beneficial for you, but I’ll check in with the other coaches here at TR to see if they have any advice that might be helpful. 
Thank you, Zackery! Much appreciated.
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Here are some tips from Coach Jonathan:
"I don’t have any direct experience with this, sadly. That said, I can share my thoughts.
It seems Emily is having issues with standing and pedaling in particular, and I’d urge them not to worry too much about it if they feel it is a barrier. In other words, they don’t have to be good at standing pedaling in order to ‘be’ a cyclist.
In terms of technique, the lack of quad strength on one leg means they may have to optimize the upstroke on the opposing leg when they are in the problematic phase of the pedal stroke. They may also find that leaning the bike slightly more during the problematic phase of the pedal stroke may allow them to move through it with more ease.
In the end, everybody has a different style on the bike due to how they are built and how their bodies work."
Hi! One disabled handcyclist using TrainerRoad here!
Obviously, I cannot comment on the pedaling techiques of the able-bodied cyclists, but I just want to encourage you, don’t think that you have to able to do something in particular to be a cyclist. I’d just adopt your cycling so that you can do it the best possibe way to you, YOUR WAY.
Be it f.ex. using different gear ratios, cadences, techniques etc. compared to the able-bodied cyclists, it doesn’t really matter. I’d say the most important thing is, that you can enjoy cycling.
Just as a side note, for what I know, very few physically disabled standing top cyclists seem to pedal standing. They use other means to get up the steeper climbs.
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I lost part of my right knee joint when I was 18 and I’m now 57. Bottom line is a need to wear a knee brace when walking.
Other than that I’m unable to stand up whilst cycling and while I have a massive right/left leg imbalance. Both aspects I’m unable to change, the latter has been mitigated as my overall power has increased. Some of the z2 workouts have single leg drills which has helped my pedalling technique. I’m lucky that I’m still pain free and I’m able to cycle as much as I’d like. I opted for 170mm cranks and prefer them to my 172:5’s but my main suggestion is to find your own way and listen to your body.
Focusing on what you can do is my best suggestion and establish what works for you. Sustainability and consistency are key aspects for success.
My goal has always been basic, to have enough fitness to enjoy my rides, don’t get too hung up on power, watts/per kilo. Trust the process and enjoy the journey. Of course it’s a circular argument as we always push for more!
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Hi Emily-
So I am an adaptive female cyclist with no right leg ankle mobility which makes for no access to right calf muscle- essentially a 1.5 leg racer.
First of all, I’m curious that you say you do not qualify for para status as your description sure sounds like myself and my teammates on Team USA Paracycling, a few who use AFO. Is the condition considered permanent? If it is and impacts your ability to perform on your bike that is an indicator.
Regardless, as several commenters suggested, you do not- and most likely should not- try to fit the “standard” methods. The point you made is “adaptive” athlete- we simply have to adapt to what our unique bodies are capable of doing, not go by some paradigm.
As for me, I avoid standing up on my bike due to pain and imbalances and have trained to optimize my sitting power which uses slightly different musculature.
Higher reps has also helped me build up less fatigue but might strain your condition - give it a try for few weeks and see how it works.
Additionally, my power imbalances have been slightly mitigated through single leg work (on and off bike) and surprisingly with specialized physical therapy on parts of my body I had no idea were also adapting.
There may also be adjustments needed to your crankarms. I suggest 165 or lower to open up the hips and put less strain on the quad at top of stroke. I have custom 165L135R due to leg length issue and it was a godsend.
Finally and most important, understand you must be your own advocate so really challenge your coaches, doctors, PT. They are catering to a lower common denominator and it seems you’re aiming for much more than that.
I had to fight every way to discover these non standard ways to work within my disability and I am still a world class cyclist.
Point is you have to do YOU! Honor your perfectly imperfect self 
Do not be afraid to try a different way, there are many paths to the same goal. Very best of luck!!
Andreacbikes
5 Likes
Hello,
Thank you for such a comprehensive reply! It’s awesome to hear from a fellow adaptive cyclist that is achieving the stuff dreams are made of!!
To answer your question as to why I don’t qualify, I can only surmise that I still retain too much muscle power and ROM in my right leg to meet the para scoring. My last ortho surgeon did a comprehensive video’d assessment and all of the requisite paperwork which I sent to USA Triathlon and they replied with a “no”. I’ve attached a screenshot of the email received here.
Currently my foot drops only when fatigued, and drops excessively to the outside (supination I believe) whereas before the knee surgery that is thought to have caused it, I overpronated slightly. This means that I do have ankle flexibility and full ROM but it is much weaker than the left when I am trying to lift my foot and the practitioner is applying force (I can lift it against gravity and “some” force). I’ve lost 5 degrees of extension in my knee despite an op to remove adhesions and manipulate under anesthesia. I have full bend of my knee. I can perform around six ankle raises on the affected leg and around ten times that (I don’t count) on the good leg, so this is again too strong for para scoring I think.
The nerve damage in the lower leg has been show to be the superficial peroneal nerve on an “abnormal” EMG, and I had a “normal” EMG prior to surgeries. I can’t feel the top portion of my outer calf, but do have some feeling in the top of the foot and rest of the lower leg. The quadriceps atrophy is said to be permanent now after three years without change despite PT etc. but I have not had any definitive medical testing to show exactly why - the quads get signals, they just stay “diminutive”…. Either way, they are weak!!
We are a military family and have just moved again so I’m referred to a new neurologist and pain clinic (I don’t like pain meds and want a better solution!) so I’ll ask them if there are some definitive tests I can have done that would help a para sport board make a definitive decision. The foot drop has become more noticeable in the last six months, it’s as if the muscles are only getting half the message - they work but they fatigue quickly and they aren’t strong.
I don’t mind not qualifying - there are so many people who deserve to do para sport who have more comprehensive disabilities. I’m just happy I can cycle and have found something I can keep doing.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your kind words.
Em Kueffner
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