It's not what you've lost, but what you've gained

Sep 13, 2015 2:58 PM

notsohotwheels

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Hospital October 11

whilst still in hospital undergoing rehab for my spinal cord injury (T11)

September 2015

Comparason

Each years progress pics

I have an injury this year so hadn't trained for two weeks. Two weeks of drinking has meant my previous years picture looks better IMO.

My training

This year is my first season as a handcyclist. I train 6-9 times a week and have two bronze medals from the British Cycling National Para Cycling Champs. I'm pleased with my first season and hope I can take it further. I also work, fitting training around work.

Hell yes Handcyclying! My dad is a quad from an injury when he was 19. He picked up the sport to ride bikes with me and my bro. Way to go OP

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Congrats man!

10 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

So many cute OPs recently 0_o

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

lol, "Quickie"

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

'Mirin hard, bro

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Cmon Op!! Youre SO hot on wheels ☺️

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

As someone from Croatia, why pick this country?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

To cycle to Outlook festival. Then it was to get to the lakes. After my accident it was to complete it and now for it's beauty and people :)

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thanks for pointing out Mont Ventoux in #4. And great job OP.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Cycled up it last summer from Bedoin - after Cycling Belgium to Croatia to finish the trip where I broke my back. London - Paris 23h this yr

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

You say you fell in Belgium, is it possible I've seen you pass me by in said country? I work in Geraardsbergen, the town home to 'the wall'.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

We cycled Ypres - Brussles the first time and then Liege - Neufchataux (crash site) the second time, so maybe passed north? I will be back!

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I was gonna be lazy tonight and not doing my training, but after seeing this post, I have no excuse. Thank you OP!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Damn! Sorry to hear you suffered such a horrific injury. Pleased to see it hasn't stopped you from getting on a bike and climbing mountains!

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I'd ride you from London to Paris

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

TIL wheelchair workouts must be great for your abs. Look at those things. Those are glorious and I'm a straight man.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Awesome, you put me to shame!

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Great username

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Holy cow - you are really in shape, OP! Amazing development of your abs and biceps especially. Respect.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Great work bro

10 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 0

Saw a guy cycle the Fred Whitton on one of these, was incredible, I nearly died using my legs.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Oh I would love to do that. I want to do Coast 2 Coast in a day next summer, going over Hard Knott pass. Huge respect for completing it!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Scary descent coming off it, keep an anchor handy. Good luck next season.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Okay, this might sound ridiculous but I'm genuinely curious. If you lost the ability to use your legs would it not be less of a burden(1/2)

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

My buddy has been trying to get his legs cut off for years. His doctors won't do it.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

to have them removed? I feel like you could move yourself around more effectively with your arms and everything.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

you really like the plaid PJ pants.

10 years ago | Likes 78 Dislikes 2

I'm assuming those are easier to put on than jeans.

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Less than 30 seconds to dress. It is always summer and jeans are too hot to sunbathe in. Legs burn too fast in shorts. PJs are the answer :)

10 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

what happened in the accident?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

/a/cO9hh

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Fell off a bicycle trying to cycle from London to Croatia.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Solo accident?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yep. Over the handlebars. Less than 20 mph. Landed awkwardly. Spine pushed down from neck, broke at bottom. Small bruise on shoulder

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Two collapsed lungs, no other broken bones. Shit happens. Such is life. Don't let it deter you from cycling :) Freak accident.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm from Croatia! Sadly, don't remember any news about your journey. Usually, it's an event when someone comes to visit us.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Very friendly people. Very pretty country. Will go back next summer for the Pula half Iron Man.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Thank you, and I forgot to add I admire your persistance :) good luck!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

10/10 would bang.

10 years ago | Likes 47 Dislikes 1

Agreed.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

man you go with symmetric controls? isnt that a bitch on hills? now that's a pretty bike. tested a steel framed one, made me feel small. rpz

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You steer with the cranks so would swerve every peddle if it wasn't. It's better for your shoulders too (gym ones are worse for you).

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I don't want to be that guy but chest bro, you gotta hit it more. But still awesome change.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thanks and because I'm doing sport I don't need excess muscle weighing me down. It's getting bigger but the pose doesn't help. It will come.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Are you aiming for that high endurance lean look?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I would rather look even, but for now I need to be as light as possible with only lean useful muscle. Chest will come though as it's worked.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm a lineman in football so I got that big man mentality lol

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He's got that jail body.

10 years ago | Likes 559 Dislikes 7

For clarification. Prisoners in american jails tend to do a ton of work making their muscles big but next to none on their legs.

10 years ago | Likes 181 Dislikes 1

As opposed to European jails? This seems so silly given that jails are almost always 3years or less,

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well when they try doing squats in jail, it never goes well for some reason

10 years ago | Likes 117 Dislikes 0

So normally I switch my days when working out. Do you have trouble since you can't do Leg day/Buttday/ ect?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Don't go to the gym. I cycle 6-9 times a week and 1 rest day a week. Trying to get on a British Cycling squad.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Woah that's a lot of cycling! Keep it up, you look great!

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Do you have like a crazy diet regime? Because those are some sick gains.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Nope.Eat when I'm hungry as I need to get stronger. I don't really eat junk food or drink much alcohol any more. Just a lot of sport.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This is exactly why I'm not in shape, no way I can keep up exercizing for 4 years

10 years ago | Likes 196 Dislikes 2

It's fun, find a rhythm and you'll enjoy having something to work towards every day.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Aw. Don't say that! If you make it part of your lifestyle everyday it becomes normal. Not something you "have to do"

10 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

Exactly, I love running and lifting weights now. It's one my favorite parts of the day.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

but to achieve that build you have to diet, and some of us know it's much harder to break habits than to make them (which is hard enough)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I always thought that too but I've been exercising for the last 6 months now. It gets addictive once you get over the initial slump. (1/2)

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Now I look forward to the next workout and get mad if I miss one. You feel amazing afterwards, almost like a high. (2/2)

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

How long did it take to overcome that initial slump?

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

For me it was a couple weeks, or when I started seeing changes in the mirror. When you start seeing results it's a great motivation.

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Great! I wanna lose a few and it's quite hard :/ I'm just 1 week in and I don't really like to excercise.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Stick with it. Trust me, it gets easier.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Skipped the leg day, eh.

10 years ago | Likes 2668 Dislikes 64

I was looking for this

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You beat me to it.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I expected this in the comments, but not at the top.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

10 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

Damn! Take my upvote you glorious bastard. Got me to spit coffee!!

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I wanted to say that... my husband just shook his head!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh, you.

10 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Was looking for this in bad comments. But no... Top comment

10 years ago | Likes 32 Dislikes 0

I did quite expect it to turn that way, too... :D

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm glad someone else said it so I didn't have to +1

10 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 3

I had this exact thought +1

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Looked for it. Found it. Cheers!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hes going the Joe Swanson route

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I will take one ticket to hell please.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That's harsh, dude. He literally cannot skip.

10 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 3

This deserves to be top sub-comment.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He's not skipping anywhere

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

More like he quit leg day

10 years ago | Likes 57 Dislikes 0

Fucking savage

10 years ago | Likes 221 Dislikes 4

That was pretty brutal.

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

The title for my last year update was I don't even squat.. :D

10 years ago | Likes 1027 Dislikes 1

Beast Mode

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You're good take this +1 you deserve it

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Your username is totally wrong by the way. It's very much hot wheels

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

*claps* Respect, m'captain. Plenty of it.

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

you rock bruh

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That's savage and I love you for it.

10 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

Sick gains bro!

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

do you do physical therapy for your legs? because even being paralyzed they look pretty thin, but thats probably your body type maybe idk

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You are epic, this is amazing!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Real question, not to be mean, why is your chest so underformed compared to arms?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It's getting bigger than it was, but that pose doesn't help. Shoulders have made the biggest gains from cycling. Most of my torso will grow

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

O.k. I'm unfamiliar with cycling and stuff. thank you for the enlightenment. :)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0