CHOOSING YOUR RIDE

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When you learned to ride a bike as kid, it was probably on two wheels or perhaps four if you had training wheels. And your parents probably told you to watch out for that fire hydrant, which you then eyed so intently that you barreled smack into it (true story, poor Laura). Today, there are gobs of options to ride, so let’s get rolling.

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• Unicycle. Seriously? Good-on-ya, my friend.

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• 2-Wheel Bike. Unsurprisingly, you can find a vast range of two wheelers, from road to mountain to snow to recumbent. But what’s best when you have MS? There isn’t a best, because it all depends on the issues your disability presents. In general, the bigger the tires, the more stable the bike. In general, road bikes tend to be lighter. In general, cruisers with no top tube are easier to mount and dismount. Like I said, it all depends. Choose what works best for you and your goals. If you plan to compete in an Ironman, a cruiser is a poor choice (but great for a quick ride to your local bakery).

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• 3-Wheel Trike. When balance gets iffy, a trike makes a load of sense. Another bonus: when you tire, you can park in the shade and chill while seated. When I finish riding, I’ll relax and cool down before I climb out of my trike, giving my body extra time to recover. There are two main designs in trikes: delta and tadpole. Delta trikes have one wheel in front and two in back (one of the rear wheels typically provides the power). Tadpoles have two wheels in front and one in back, with the rear wheel typically providing the power. Generally, tadpoles are more stable and agile, but entry and egress tend to be harder. There are upright deltas that are chair height that, while not terribly sporting or quick or light, will get one from point A to point B. As a rule, trikes with larger wheels are faster, but they will never be as fast as a two-wheeler.

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• 3-Wheel Handcycle. Handcycles for the road tend to be deltas with the front wheel providing power, but tadpole arm bikes are popular for more challenging terrain. Some you sit upright, while for others the rider kneels instead of sits and are the cycle of choice for off roading on rocky mountain trails due to their superior stability and ability to generate climbing torque (alas, I have not tried one yet). The deltas can vary widely from perched high (slowest) to near prone (fastest). If you have trouble with entry/egress, lying down to cycle could prove seriously problematic. Keep in mind, though, that the higher the seating position, the slower and less stable the handcycle. Cycling using your arms requires more effort and is slower than a comparable three-wheel leg cycle and far slower than a traditional bicycle.

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• 3-Wheel Trike (Arm & Leg). It’s called the Berkel Bike (there are other types). Have I tried one? No. Does it hold promise? Yes. Will you go fast? No. Does it look awkward? Yes. Does that matter? No.

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• 4-Wheel Cycle. These are called surreys and they are mainly for rent to ride on a boardwalk with three other friends who can pedal while you pretend to pedal.

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• E-Bike and Trikes. Electric-assist bicycles and tricycles are all the rage and for good reason. They seamlessly add a boost to your pedal stroke—typically in a range, say from 1-5—so you can dial in the assist. Up it for hills, drop it for flats, or max it out if you are gassed. Worried about not getting in enough of a workout? Don’t. Research has found you still burn just as many calories and work just as hard, only you go faster and farther. This is incredibly helpful if you ride a trike or handcycle, which are far, far slower than a regular bike. With the generous help of Teton Adaptive Sports, I tested an e-trike in the Grand Tetons—the Nuke from Reactive Adaptions—and it was more fun than I anticipated. So much so that my newest handcycle has an assist. Once I break it in and get a good feel for it, I’ll have far more feedback and advice in that department.

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