20 May 2008
Alber & Me
Alber and I have been together now for about 4 weeks, so how are we getting on as a team?
As with any new piece of equipment and I must remind myself sometimes, that all Alber is, is a piece of equipment, I have panicked when a sound I did not hear before I suddenly hear. When I notice something on the control panel that I did not notice before or when something just does not feel right, as my emails to Sigrid Beiter in Germany and Graham Jeffery at Gerald-Simonds bare out. Now that I know how Alber thinks, sounds and works, my emails have got a lot less, and I have grown more confident in Alber and I hope he in me.
I am going to be sitting in Alber for an average of 40 miles per day, at say an average of 5.5 to 6 mph, say between 6 to 7 hours of actual moving time, per day. To see that, you could say that as I am starting at 0900 each day, if I was not to stop, I would be travelling until 1500. But we are going to stop regularly. Jack Adams told me very early on in the planning to stop every hour for 10 mins if you need it or not, because by the end of the day, you will wish you have. This advice I am taking on board and will be doing, give or take a minute or two... There is 1 more hour to add, that brings us to 1600 hrs; and then there is lunch between 45 to 60 mins that takes us up to 1700. This is when the traffic is heavy, so we may stop for an hour, pop over to the camp site, put up the tent, then come back and finish the days run say at 1900.
Now we all know that I have done this on an average mileage and average speed, so these times are not spot on, but are only as guidance for me, my team, and you my readers. I dare say you are already working it out yourself. Must add, that the batteries will have to be change twice per day, but that can be done in a break quite easily.
Now you can see that Alber and I have to feel very comfortable with each other. So what am I doing to make sure Alber has the best chance of doing the trip?
Weight is of prim importance, so I have to keep an eye on my own personal body weight. When Alber was ordered, I was asked my weight so the knew which suspension to put on. I am about 9 st.
Next we are not carrying any thing on board Alber such as wet gear, extra water; the cyclist will have that in the saddle bag, I am hoping to have some form of water drinking device on board so I can drink as I go along. Gerald-Simonds are putting on the back of Alber an orange flashing warning light with sola energy to charge it. We shall also have as much light weight warning signs as possible; this will properly be an orange waist coat across the back of the seat. Other than my safety gear I am wearing , and no I am not going naked, but one couple did attempt the E2E naked, I tell the truth, details are on the web and the TV did some coverage, remember it now! that is all the weight, ups forgot two things, my mobile and radio, must have radio 4 with me, is all Alber will have to carry.
For my own personal comfort I have been looking at gloves, joystick control knobs cushions, and wet gear.
To prevent pressure sores, the worst enemy of any wheelchair user, and hand on my heart, I have only had one pressure sore, ever, and that was a very long time ago on my left elbow, but I will not go there, I have com to the conclusion that ‘change is as good as a rest’ I am taking 3 different cushions with me to change during the day. I have three control knobs and different combinations of gloves. I am at the moment trying the golf ball, which Jack my JR, thinks is for him to play with and barks at the Alber for someone to give it to him, he of course does not get it. I am also trying out Global Leather figureless mitts. These I find have padding all over and are best for the hand control. I do wear cotton gloves as well as my hands do not have much mussel on them.
For wet weather I have kept away from the traditional all over cap and opted for a leg bag and cycle cap with a scarf or small towel around my neck to stop the rain getting in.
The cycle cap may seem a strange choice, but it covers me and the hand control had a waist strap and two loops inside to enable me to hold down the cap in winds. Also for safety it is bright yellow. Why cant we have wheelchair covers that are florescent and bright beats me.
So there you have it, one very happy Alber and Alber rider. I hope you found this information of help and interest.
Alber & Me
Alber and I have been together now for about 4 weeks, so how are we getting on as a team?
As with any new piece of equipment and I must remind myself sometimes, that all Alber is, is a piece of equipment, I have panicked when a sound I did not hear before I suddenly hear. When I notice something on the control panel that I did not notice before or when something just does not feel right, as my emails to Sigrid Beiter in Germany and Graham Jeffery at Gerald-Simonds bare out. Now that I know how Alber thinks, sounds and works, my emails have got a lot less, and I have grown more confident in Alber and I hope he in me.
I am going to be sitting in Alber for an average of 40 miles per day, at say an average of 5.5 to 6 mph, say between 6 to 7 hours of actual moving time, per day. To see that, you could say that as I am starting at 0900 each day, if I was not to stop, I would be travelling until 1500. But we are going to stop regularly. Jack Adams told me very early on in the planning to stop every hour for 10 mins if you need it or not, because by the end of the day, you will wish you have. This advice I am taking on board and will be doing, give or take a minute or two... There is 1 more hour to add, that brings us to 1600 hrs; and then there is lunch between 45 to 60 mins that takes us up to 1700. This is when the traffic is heavy, so we may stop for an hour, pop over to the camp site, put up the tent, then come back and finish the days run say at 1900.
Now we all know that I have done this on an average mileage and average speed, so these times are not spot on, but are only as guidance for me, my team, and you my readers. I dare say you are already working it out yourself. Must add, that the batteries will have to be change twice per day, but that can be done in a break quite easily.
Now you can see that Alber and I have to feel very comfortable with each other. So what am I doing to make sure Alber has the best chance of doing the trip?
Weight is of prim importance, so I have to keep an eye on my own personal body weight. When Alber was ordered, I was asked my weight so the knew which suspension to put on. I am about 9 st.
Next we are not carrying any thing on board Alber such as wet gear, extra water; the cyclist will have that in the saddle bag, I am hoping to have some form of water drinking device on board so I can drink as I go along. Gerald-Simonds are putting on the back of Alber an orange flashing warning light with sola energy to charge it. We shall also have as much light weight warning signs as possible; this will properly be an orange waist coat across the back of the seat. Other than my safety gear I am wearing , and no I am not going naked, but one couple did attempt the E2E naked, I tell the truth, details are on the web and the TV did some coverage, remember it now! that is all the weight, ups forgot two things, my mobile and radio, must have radio 4 with me, is all Alber will have to carry.
For my own personal comfort I have been looking at gloves, joystick control knobs cushions, and wet gear.
To prevent pressure sores, the worst enemy of any wheelchair user, and hand on my heart, I have only had one pressure sore, ever, and that was a very long time ago on my left elbow, but I will not go there, I have com to the conclusion that ‘change is as good as a rest’ I am taking 3 different cushions with me to change during the day. I have three control knobs and different combinations of gloves. I am at the moment trying the golf ball, which Jack my JR, thinks is for him to play with and barks at the Alber for someone to give it to him, he of course does not get it. I am also trying out Global Leather figureless mitts. These I find have padding all over and are best for the hand control. I do wear cotton gloves as well as my hands do not have much mussel on them.
For wet weather I have kept away from the traditional all over cap and opted for a leg bag and cycle cap with a scarf or small towel around my neck to stop the rain getting in.
The cycle cap may seem a strange choice, but it covers me and the hand control had a waist strap and two loops inside to enable me to hold down the cap in winds. Also for safety it is bright yellow. Why cant we have wheelchair covers that are florescent and bright beats me.
So there you have it, one very happy Alber and Alber rider. I hope you found this information of help and interest.
