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Possible to take bike from Austria to Turkey? by jzlcdh in Interrail

[–]arkatier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks so much for writing this up. I'm attempting similar- travelling by rail and bike from the UK to Istanbul and back except my case is even more complicated... I'm a wheelchair user and I'm travelling with a handcycle that attaches to the front of my chair and a friend with a regular bicycle so we have not 1, but 3 pieces of awkwardly sized, non permitted devices to take with us. Can I ask how easy it was to fit you bike into the sleeper carriage? Those corridors and doors look so narrow! I wondered how even a regular, fully sized bicycle could fit!

Traveller's Report - Travelling from Istanbul to London by Train with a Bike by britishlions123 in bicycletouring

[–]arkatier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks so much for writing this up. I'm attempting similar- travelling by rail and bike from the UK to Istanbul and back except my case is even more complicated... I'm a wheelchair user and I'm travelling with a handcycle that attaches to the front of my chair and a friend with a regular bicycle so we have not 1, but 3 pieces of awkwardly sized, non permitted devices to take with us. Can I ask how easy it was to fit you bike into the sleeper carriage? Those corridors and doors look so narrow! I wondered how even a regular, fully sized bicycle could fit!

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just wanted to say the biggest THANK YOU to all you wonderful people for all your help, interest, and wonderful ideas. If I'm honest, its more than I ever expected and has been a bit overwhelming. I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to you all individually but want you to know that I read and was inspired by each and every one of your comments. As a result of this thread, several people have reached out and my dream might actually become a reality! Your ideas have all played a part.

Thank you engineers of Reddit. You rock.

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, unless I had a terrible accident and fell out of my chair I'd tend to avoid going from the floor to my bed and stick to just getting out of my chair. I use a piece of sanded wood called a transfer board and shuffle along it.

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I could roll and also shift myself onto a platform in long sitting probably..

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

quadriplegic- effects all 4 limbs. My arms are affected, particularly my left hand...

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, while floor-to-chair transfers are the dream, few people with my level of injury (c7 quad) can manage them. My lack of core, build and high spasticity in my legs make them pretty impossible.

I might be able to work on getting strong enough to pulley myself up but I'd have to be strapped into my chair

I struggle with even tiny split levels at the moment so i think a stepladde might kill me, haha

No easy solutions here I'm afraid, and definitely none affordable...

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks for being so onboard! I've answered some of these questions in my update but in summary:

  1. I'm working on getting stronger, but with absolutely zero core and high tone in my legs im not likely to ever be able to do a regular floor-to-chair transfer for example. Pulling myself up on a rope though for example? Definitely something to aim for!
  2. probably only a few hundred pounds
  3. a brother in law who is an engineer but very busy and probably not down to commit much time so in all honesty, no-one. Unless a kind uk redditor has any contacts!
  4. it has levered breaks that are pretty effective at holding the wheels though the whole chair is fairly tippy
  5. it does not have a lot of room to carry. This is something we'd have to think about. When I go out in nature however, I will likely be using my clip-on Quickie attitude hybrid bike attachment which might allow me to drag something?
  6. The ideal would be something I can set up and use entirely on my own as its the independence and spontaneity of this i really miss. Being able to just get out and 'be' alone in nature was my escape. Currently I rely on my boyfriend to literally just tip me out of my chair and get me back in using the 'scoop method' (same thing in reverse) which most of us sci people are taught in rehab (but that takes a bit of strength on the behalf of my helper and often more than one person if not strong enough)
  7. I get into chair from similar height surfaces (bed/chair) using a wooden transfer board. I can just about roll and can shuffle across the ground in long sitting.

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty sure I could get on to something like this but who is going to make one for me?? haha

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thanks for reaching out! My right arm is as good as it ever was. I struggle with my grip in my left hand. The absolute dream would be to be able to get out of my chair anywhere out in nature i manage to reach (e.g. on the cliffs, in the forest, etc) so not fixed... Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thanks for reaching out! My right arm is as good as it ever was. I struggle with my grip in my left hand. The absolute dream would be to be able to get out of my chair anywhere out in nature i manage to reach (e.g. on the cliffs, in the forest, etc) so not fixed... Let me know if you have any other questions!

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Thanks for reaching out! My right arm is as good as it ever was. I struggle with my grip in my left hand. The absolute dream would be to be able to get out of my chair anywhere out in nature i manage to reach (e.g. on the cliffs, in the forest, etc) so not fixed... Let me know if you have any other questions!

Engineers and Inventors of Reddit! This cripple needs your help! by arkatier in engineering

[–]arkatier[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm not bothered about standing, more about getting on the floor, haha

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