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MS doesn't stop Louise from cycling regularly
Partner: CTC
Scheme: CTC Cycle Champions
Location: Reading
Louise Trimble has MS and cannot walk for very long periods of time. She wanted to do more exercise and consulted her GP about doing so. After chatting to Louise, her GP completed a Pathway Referral form for her to attend CTC Cycle Champions’ Cycling for Health at Palmer Park in Reading.
CTC’s ‘Cycling for Health’ is 2 regular 'drop in' cycling sessions. The participants can use the velodrome and try out the adapted bikes. The sessions are supervised and friendly assistance is always on hand from Helen Biggerstaff, CTC Community Cycling Development Officer, and Binders Roszcyk, a Pathway Exercise Referral Instructor. Helen has been training adults as part of the weekly Disability Cycle Group, with between 30-35 regular service users attending.
Using a specially adapted trike Louise cycles with the group around the track at Palmer Park. It is an ideal form of gentle exercise for Louise and the other participants as they can go at their own pace.
On her first outing, Louise found getting into the seat and sitting upright a challenge, as she had rather weak core stability. She also found that her muscles were shaking uncontrollably. As she relaxed and got her bearings, her coordination and muscle control improved considerably.
If your balance is a bit off, like mine, the three wheels will keep you upright ‘says Louise. ‘It takes a little getting used to….but it gets me out in the fresh air and gives me a real sense of achievement as I can build up the number of laps I do."
"I used to like walking, but since I can’t walk very far anymore, this is an ideal alternative’
Louise has also noticed the progress that she’s made. ‘The way I’m tackling it is to do two or three laps, then rest, then start again until I feel I’ve had enough. I really enjoy it, and am hoping to build up the number of quarter of a mile laps I do each week’
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