THE
ALPINE BIKES Scotland
HIMALAYAN HAND-CYCLE

Karen and Pete cycling in Hunza Valley, Northern Pakistan

The first hand-powered traversal of the Karakoram

The expedition is over and this page is being updated.
The page was updated during the expedition based on the cards, letters and faxes we sent home.

Introduction

One sunny Scottish spring morning, a climbing accident changed my life, forever. I was paralysed. No more walking, running, climbing, cycling, or being in the mountains........or so I thought. Six months later I discovered Scotland's Alternative Skiers. Words cannot do justice the impact this had on my life, allowing me access once again to the exhilaration and freedom of the mountains, the sensation of movement, and the ability to go as fast as anyone else. Since then, I have become very involved with the organisation, and learnt that many disabled people have not just 're-discovered' these feelings, but are experiencing them for the first time in their lives. The experience brings improved fitness, balance, physical co-ordination and confidence - all of which are carried over to surmount everyday problems and difficulties in a similar way. Disability and its severity are irrelevant, and the benefits to the individual are as countless as the number of people wanting the opportunity.
Karen Darke

The Charity

Scotland's Alternative Skiers (registered charity no. SC003903) was formed in 1989 by a group of individuals with the same ideals, view and foresight. The aim is to help provide the facilities, equipment and expertise to bring the opportunity for winter sports activities within reach of the Scottish disabled community. The average annual membership is approximately 200, and disabilities include amputees, cerebral palsy, paraplegics, the blind, those with epilepsy and also learning difficulties.

The growing success of the association is, however, putting increasing demands on our resources, and this presents the danger of preventing disabled people in Scotland the opportunity to sample what most take for granted. Unfortunately, the specialised equipment is very expensive, with just one of the pieces of adaptive ski equipment costing in the region of 2000 pounds. The sponsored 'Himalayan Hand-Cycle' aims to alleviate the shortfall in resources.

The Challenge

This expedition will be the first ever hand-cycle crossing of the Himalayas, initially crossing the Tian Shan mountains from Kyrgyzstan to Kashgar, China, then following the Karakoram Highway from China to Pakistan. The tandem recumbent hand-cycle to be used for the ride has been specially designed and built for the expedition by Greenspeed, in Australia. Along with the two support mountain bikes, this event will take place during the autumn of 1997. This fits with appropriate climatic conditions.

More about the expedition:

... as planned:

... as it happened:

Sponsorship - HEY, WE NEED YOUR HELP !!

All donations will be gratefully received !!

Coming event !!

Events in aid of the expedition

Links to related pages

For any enquiries regarding the page please contact Gheorghe Muresan <muresan @ scils.rutgers.edu>.