Free adaptive cycle programs along Blackstone Heritage Corridor

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Free adaptive cycle programs along Blackstone Heritage Corridor Worcester Telegram

Worcester, MA — It felt good, for the first time in a month, to get my muscles pumping and my heart rate up. And it felt good to breathe the spring air and cover some ground along the rushing Blackstone River, even if I was using my arms to power a Handcycle, instead of my legs.

For someone with a mobility Challenge — even a temporary one such as my fractured foot — these simple pleasures don’t happen often enough. A program to bring the joys of cycling to people with disabilities is working to change that.

For five days in May, in celebration of National Bike Month, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is partnering with All Out Adventures and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Universal Access Program to offer a series of free adaptive cycling events on the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway.

On Wednesday, three 3-mile guided rides on adaptive cycling equipment left from the new Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center on Paul Clancy Way.

The Worcester visitor center will also host rides on May 15 and 18.

Similar adaptive cycling tours will leave from the Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone on May 8 and 22.

Rides are available at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Riders must register in advance with All Out Adventures at (413) 584-2052.

At the start of the first ride on Wednesday, attended by about 20 people, All Out Adventures staff worked with participants to understand their disability and select the right equipment for them.

Jackie Brown, a program leader, brought me an upright handcycle, sort of like an elongated adult-sized Tricycle, called the INVACARE Top End Excelerator Handcycle. Learning to use the brakes and the spinning handle that powers the chain was a cinch. The handcycle even had seven gears, plus “mountain drive” buttons for extra gear power. Product specifications say it can go up to 15 mph, although our tour speed would be more relaxed.

Others were seated in single or tandem recumbent bikes, with pedal power and assistance on tandems provided by volunteers such as Bob Contursi of Uxbridge. Mr. Contursi participates in the Blackstone River Bikeway Ambassadors volunteer group.

Last spring, Bikeway Ambassadors attended a daylong training with All Out Adventures, and ...

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