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Customer reviews
Dennis from Sydney, Australia
I’m Dennis Cooper – I’m the Australian distributor for Trekinetic and I also have a passion for skiing.
I thought it would be interesting to see how the new ‘wonder machine’ performs on the snow and I think I'm the first person to try this, so you might find this interesting reading.
Three years ago (when I was walking), my wife and I, plus the kids – (then aged 4 and 7); all left the slopes on the last day as a skiing family – I was so proud, the kids looked so great.
We went again recently for my 61st birthday, this time for me to sit-ski. I was a bit cautious at first and because I wanted to sus things out, I didn’t take my K2: I took my conventional chair – ‘big mistake’.
Day 1.
As soon as I got out the door and hit the snow I was stuck. Couldn’t move, forward or backwards and just wheel spun ‘til my wife came to give me a push.
Day 2 and beyond.
I took the K2 and as soon as I got on to the snow, the difference was immediately obvious and I didn’t even have Trekinetic’s (currently under development) metal studded snow tyres on!
I was independent once more.
So much so that as soon as I got on the snow I just took off, I couldn’t help it.
I was oblivious to everything except snowball fights with the kids and racing around all over the place with lots of fast turns and making tracks in the snow. I was so into it that I didn't notice behind me, at the meeting point for all the disabled skiers who were all getting organized for their particular lessons, gear, etc…….. and they were all staring at me wide eyed.
Obviously it caused quite a stir, not only amongst the skiers but more so amongst the guides and instructors - many of whom come from a snow environment or use it frequently. My instructor, a Swiss female, was very keen to get information for her and her counterparts, because she saw a definite need for one 'back home'.
About Sit skiing
Sit skiing is hard at first, balance is so critical. More so for me I think because although a paraplegic I also have scoliosis with a pelvic twist, so I had to pack foam wedges under one side of the seat. That’s the great thing for me about the K2; is that because I don’t have any waist muscles and it has a moulded seat, I sit ‘in’ the chair as opposed to floating ‘on top of it’ and, believe it or not, I have much less pain at the end of the day.
The first day, even though I was on dual skis, I fell more than 30 times, but I
didn’t care, and by the second day I was on a mono ski and skiing on my own- of course I raced the kids!
Speaking of racing the kids; I don’t have a choice; weather we are out on the grass, beach or snow; weather they are on their bikes, scooters, skates or walking you know kids, and it’s always the same. “Come on dad” is all they say and off we go!
Well, my conventional wheelchair is a dinosaur compared to the K2. I liken it to when I had the use of my legs and used to come home to my slippers, now that’s how I view my conventional wheelchair, great for in the house but not much use outdoors!
A large amount of organisations are mistaken in their requirements, in that for a place to be ‘wheelchair accessible’ or ‘wheelchair friendly’ for instance, requires only disabled parking, no obstructions and a special bathroom. Unfortunately this view is not one that is truly shared by wheelchair users.
Obstacles and ‘hurdles’, not apparent to an able-bodied person, such as - cracks in the pavement/potholes; hills, up or down; anything that is not a flat, hard surface; grass; mud; roots; gravel; pebbles; sand; silt; wet or slippery surfaces; ice and snow, etc; all create great concerns to someone reliant on a wheelchair for mobility and who wants to avoid face plants at all costs.
There is however, I am happy to announce, one wheelchair that handles all these obstacles easily and efficiently, not only from the users point of view; but that of the carer (read ‘pusher’) point of view. Not only does it handle these ‘hurdles’ superbly, but they provide a natural and refreshing relief, with less effort and by also using a different set of muscles.
Wet, muddy soccer fields use to be a no-go zone before I had my K2, now
I can enjoy my family outings no matter where we go.
After two years of establishing the Trekinetic K-2 here in Australia, we are really starting to make inroads with this revolutionary machine.
It is really something you owe to yourself to at least experience. If anyone in Australia would like to do just that, simply e-mail me on trekineticaus@optusnet.com.au and I’d be delighted to let you try one of our
demonstrators.
Be warned though - your current wheelchair will feel strange, when you return to it!
James from Watford
The Trekinetic is an awful lot faster than a standard wheelchair and a lot better once you get off paved surfaces as well.
I'm always camping, fishing and kayaking and I'd never get to some of the places I go without it. In a conventional wheelchair you are always looking down at the ground, taking care to spot possible obstacles such as stones or tree roots, but in the Trekinetic, you don't need to bother.
The drum brakes are great for holding the chair back and steering it when going downhill.
The chair is good at getting over kerbs, as well; with the large wheels at the front, you don't need to use the "wheelie" technique you would in a normal wheelchair to get the small wheels over the kerb.
It also helps break down a lot of barriers. People won't normally approach someone in a wheelchair but everywhere you go in the Trekinetic, it leaves a wake of turned heads and quite a few people come up to ask you about it. At the Isle of Wight Festival last year, I could hardly move because of the interest in it. I for one wouldn't go back to using a conventional wheelchair."
Simon from London
Having MS one of the several things I miss is being able to walk any distance, especially in the country.
Having found this remarkable wheelchair by surfing the web there are very few places I and my wife cannot now go.
For anybody like me with good upper body strength this wheelchair/mountain bike hybrid is ideal.
The other thing I’ve noticed is the amount of attention an interest from able bodied people including comments about style, not what you would normally expect.
As a lady I met the other day said she thought it was great except there was nowhere to put a handbag.
The three wheel arrangement is remarkably agile even in reverse. (Tested in John Lewis glass department at Bluewater )
It is as fun to use on firm sandy paths as it is chasing around Ikea, not to mention the superb old quaysides of the Garonne in Bordeaux, as the pictures.
Dealing with Mike Spindle is a real pleasure especially as when doing my own adjustments and servicing he has always been extremely helpful.
Having seen the new GT-3 I have to admit it is very tempting ( Anyone interested in a low mileage K2 ! )
Julie from Surrey
My husband and I have always been keen ramblers. We liked nothing better than to be out in the countryside with our dog, Alfie. You can imagine how devastated we were when I was diagnosed with MS, and found I couldn’t walk far. It seemed like the end of the world. We valiantly tried to continue our walks with a conventional 4-wheel wheelchair. Dreadful!! My husband found it difficult to push me over tree roots, and I had to buy a sports bra, I was being shaken about so much.
Then we found the Trekinetic.
It was the answer to our prayers. It is light to push (so I am told!) and extremely maneouvarable. We whizz through mud and over tree roots with ease. It looks extremely cool, so I am not embarrassed to be seen in it. In fact, I have to fight to get in it, as my friends’ children all want a go.
I am still hoping to be able to self-propel myself eventually after I have eaten enough spinach to build my arm muscles up. However, the problem I faced was how to hold the dog’s lead and use both arms to propel.
I e-mailed Mike Spindle with my problem, and low and behold, a dog attachment was designed. As you can see from the picture, our dog attaches to the wheel and even if my husband is pushing, it makes life easier for us. The dog is still not convinced I am not going to run him over, but is getting used to it!
TREKINETIC footnote:
The Dog Lead Attachment, hooks onto the centres of the specially modified wheel hubs, is easily adjustable for length and fits to either side.
Julies request and our elegant easy to use design, has enabled it to emerge as one of TREKINETIC’s most popular accessories.
Heidi from Western Australia
Hello from Down Under!
Since breaking my back 5 years ago, I have looked high and low for a chair capable of the lifestyle I lead. That is, I'm in to extreme sports and the great outdoors. I spend my time between the beach or in the bush, hacking through sand, mud and vegetation. Oh and camping by a fire at night, again mostly in sand, this is Australia!
This machine has made my life hell of a lot easier, and my partner loves it to, it's less hard work for him!
The great thing is that there's no castors at the front to get in the way, it means I don't have to balance on the back wheels over everything. It will pretty much go anywhere! - well within reason!!
Once you get the hang of the drum brakes you can do some awesome skids and spin going down hill on gravel. Beware though, I have had some amazing and funny (for everyone else) wipeouts!!.
Max from London
I like the design and how this reflects on the user (i.e. it’s not medical and it looks like I’m someone who cares about the way things appear). Added to this, it goes places which are difficult to tackle in a traditional manual wheelchair.
It has made an incredible difference to my life. It has enabled me to go places I wouldn’t have easily been able to go otherwise – beaches, mud paths, gravel drives, etc. It has also enabled me to travel much more easily – e.g. recently we went to Lisbon, which is full of cobbles and hills.
Equally importantly, it allows my personality to be expressed more accurately (i.e. I transcend being ‘just another disabled person in a wheelchair’).
Max is an expert in marketing, with specialist knowledge of disability matters.
He heads Good the Agency (www.goodtheagency.biz).
Max is an expert in marketing, with specialist knowledge of disability matters.
He heads Good the Agency (www.goodtheagency.biz).
Peter and Joan from Sussex
Peter and Joan are married with a young family. Joan has MS and is mostly pushed by her husband Peter. They live in Sussex, UK and opted to reply independently.
Joan – the Passenger
I suffer from MS. I was diagnosed in 2001 and I have been dependant upon a wheelchair for around 3 years.
I was given my first wheelchair by the NHS Wheelchair Service in Chichester. I was offered a choice of standard wheelchairs.
I quickly became aware of the difficulties associated with using traditional wheelchairs. When my husband, Peter, who had been working abroad, saw and pushed the wheelchair he was horrified and worked on effecting a change for the better which (as I had seen what was available), I did not believe was possible. Peter saw the Trekinetic wheelchair in John Bell & Croyden, in London, gave me the leaflet and looked for a distributor on the Internet. We made an appointment and went up to see the chair at Hewardine in Egham, Surrey, our nearest distributor. I ordered it immediately.
Luckily I had seen wheelchairs en masse before and knew to stick to my guns as the dealers are very good at pointing out everything else! But there was nothing like it. I held the vision of where I wanted to go - the Cuckmere Valley – which none of the other wheelchairs could do as they all seem to be built for shopping trips.
We took delivery of the Trekinetic All Terrain 2 months ago. We sound like a high energy family but only want to do the normal things that families do. We have two sons Paul 14 and James 13. The most overwhelming things I have done, which nearly made me cry were when my carer and I went for a walk outside the back gate and were surrounded by trees on a country track; on a walk with friends on the estate woods and fields; then last week when we went to the Woodland Fair at Bentley Wildfowl Trust near Lewes. We could never have roamed the fields and marquees in a traditional chair. While there we talked to a spinal injuries wheelchair user who highlighted his difficulties with traditional wheelchairs.
I also get lots of compliments about the chair.
I find it very powerful to talk to other wheelchair users about the chair and the possibilities it opens up for them as it has already done for me. Being in a wheelchair shuts the door on life, which the Trekinetic opens up again.
Peter – the Pusher
Until 3 years ago I had not given the practical aspects of wheelchair design a second thought.
Necessity has forced me and our helper to struggle with the shortcomings of wheelchair design.
The small wheels at the front continually get caught in every minor pothole in the pavement causing the chair to come to a sudden halt which sends shudders through the arms of the pusher and is extremely uncomfortable for the passenger. At times my wife has almost been thrown out of the chair.
Gravel, cobbles, unmade up tracks and roads present no problems for the Trekinetic – it has opened up a whole new world for us. We can now go for country walks and on the beach as a family. Before Trekinetic we either couldn’t go or would have to leave my wife behind.
As the pusher I find the Trekinetic All Terrain much easier to control than a traditional chair as it is light and glides along with the lightest touch. We have just had the umbrella fitting added to the handles at the back. This means that the umbrella keeps not only the passenger dry but the pusher too.
Not only does the design and appearance of the chair lift my wife’s spirits, it makes me feel good too. I don’t feel I am pushing a disabled person anymore.
It’s great.
Tekinetic has done for wheelchairs what the mountain bike did for bicycles.
We drive a large estate car – a Saab 9.5 – although our other wheelchair folded flat, it occupied the whole boot space making it imposible to carry the shopping or luggage. The Trekinetic fits neatly in a little more than half the available boot space. We have space for the shopping or luggage or Spot (our now happy Cocker Spaniel).
Reverend David from the UK, working in India
In Sept’ 1988 I had a car crash, broke my neck and my back and was paralyzed from chest down for four years. I was subsequently (and ironically) diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition which was inoperable – and even though I had eventually gained the use of my legs, would very soon lose the ability to walk. As most of my disabled friends have done, I ignored the consultant’s prognosis of being wheelchair bound within a year and managed, with a great deal of determination and no small amount of stubbornness, to get about using crutches and walking sticks for another fourteen years.
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Rev Dave! |
The Taj Mahal |
The Maharajas Palace, Jaipur |
It was only in 2003/4 that I had to accept that occasional use of a wheelchair was necessary and began to discover that ‘one size fits all’ was not a suitable maxim! As an ex semi-pro weight lifter and rugby player, I do not have, by any stretch of the imagination, a svelte-like physique! My figure is what in more elegant, (eloquent), genteel times, would have been referred to as ‘portly’. Today’s more no-nonsense, ‘call a spade a spade’ (or a shovel) society, would simply label me as either ‘stocky’ if being considerate, or chubby if not.
As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I remember with great clarity, a dietitian’s instruction to me, that I should stand naked in front of a mirror and jump up and down. “Anything that wobbles, that God didn’t INTEND to wobble, comes off”! she gravely and somewhat alarmingly announced. I now sit back, behind my desk, a comfortable 16.5 stone (I never did manage to metricate myself!) and accept that the Good Lord made us in all shapes, sizes and colours so who are we to try and change that!?
Wheelchairs of various shapes and antiquarian design were displayed to me with much aplomb…….. seemingly proud of the utilitarian, depressing designs that gave no thought to style, fashion or aesthetics!
The contraptions all shouted “Look at me…. I am a disabled person”. I HATED them with a passion! The restrictive, thin (and extremely hard) wheels were clumsy and awkward to use; the lack of suspension meant every fragile bone in my spine was jarred to the point of me screaming to stop! The ridiculously impractical guide wheels at the front, refused to go over the smallest stone or obstacle and the vinyl seat felt like a rather cheap deckchair! And as for the institutional design…….
Then, like Willy Wonka, opening the last golden chocolate ticket, I found the Trekinetic website! I was traveling to India in five weeks and to be honest, wasn’t relishing the prospect of managing with crutches alone. I spoke to Mike and then to Errol (Trekinetic’s West London agent) and within 48 hours, was sitting in one of their chairs, taking my first tentative 'steps' around their showroom.
In 2000 I was ordained a priest and work in Southampton as a ‘Community Minister’. This involves spending time with people sleeping rough, those with drug and alcohol dependency, the homeless, sex workers, and the disenfranchised. Access to inhospitable venues is often necessary and crutches are not the easiest tool to help when one is trying to squeeze down narrow alleyways in the dead of night!
My home is on the edge of the New Forest, a real joy for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, walking etc; The unadopted and rather pot holed road that leads down to Southampton water (alongside my home) was always a bit of a test of both endurance and temper! I live within 25 metres of a wildlife sanctuary and reserve which has always been unavailable to me….conventional wheelchairs sank into the damp woodchip paths and left me stranded within minutes.
The Trekinetic isn’t phased by such obstacles. With it’s wheels set to splay (MEAN) and it’s off road tyres almost floating over the surface, I managed to keep up with friends as we enjoyed the pleasures of the open countryside. The chair deals admirably with gravel, woodchip bark, cobble stones, ceramic floors, tarmac (complete with obligatory pot holes!), compacted soil, slate shards and grass.
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The ruins at Hampi |
Downtown Cochin |
I have spent every autumn and winter in India for the past 14 years. I was beginning to think that I would have to sell up and return to the UK……….India is not the most disabled friendly country. Roads are full of ruts and pot holes, pavements are uneven and badly maintained. The Trekinetic performed like a real Star! It was dismantled innumerable times and thrown into train baggage compartments, aircraft holds, taxi trunks (and frequently left assembled and ‘displayed’ on the roof of taxis!) It has trundled very contentedly across rough, stony paths surrounding the magnificent ruins of Hampi; it’s sache’d across the manicured lawns outside the Taj Mahal; it’s wandered around in an almost dream like state, through the rich decorations of the Maharaja’s Palace in Jaipur and raced friends across the white sandy beaches of Goa, down to the azure blue sea; it’s bumped and rattled over the 1,000 year old cobbles of Cochin’s ‘ famous Jew’s Street and endured incessant honking of horns and shouts of abuse from bus drivers and taxis as it’s rolled down roads in Mumbai and Delhi.
On the way home, I was waiting at Bombay Airport and this tall, softly spoken Scottish man came up to me and said " Wow, that's the first Formula One wheelchair, I've ever seen" ! I didn't think too much of it, one gets used to all kinds of comments regarding Trekinetic. A little later, whilst talking to another ‘admirer’, he happened to say “What did David Coulthard have to say about the chair?!” I confess that my knowledge of Formula One stretches to James Hunt, Graham Hill, Stirling Moss and of course the great hope for British F1 the young Hamilton…….so whether or not I had been talking to the great man himself, I am not sure. If however, it was you Mr Coulthard, may I suggest you contact Trekinetic……I am sure they could do wonders in revitalizing your Formula One ratings!!!!!!!!
Wherever we (my chair and I) have gone, we have turned heads…..some questioning whether it is indeed a wheelchair! I never imagined that something as prosaic as a wheelchair could indeed become a fashion accessory, but I think that is exactly what has happened to Trekinetic!!!!! This year my Indian travels will be taking me to Mumbai, Kolkota, Chennai (Madras) Pondicherry, Bangalore and Goa. I am not remotely phased by such an itinerary.....my trusty Trekinetic will ensure that my disability doesn't prevent me from what has of late become a passion - travel. My partner and carer Tony is also looking forward to being able to explore for more than twenty minutes at a time, (to allow for 'coffee/rest breaks') - it's more likely now that HE will need the respite, rather than me!
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DC at the office! |
Sunset at Goa |
The staff, Mike, Errol et al’ have all been fantastic. They are not just manufacturers/retailers of a product….they really CARE about their creation AND their customers. The frequent newsletters/e mails and the occasional phone calls mean a great deal (to me) and make a big difference. I return to India the end of November (Mike and his team are ‘servicing’ my trusty ‘steed’ as we speak) and do so, safe in the knowledge that there will be little or no obstacles to me enjoy the diversity of such a magnificent country.
Like most disabled people I guess, I experienced a certain amount of depression when I was initially diagnosed and the depressing prognosis became a reality; however Trekinetic has changed all that. I can be (and will be) as mobile as any able bodied person. There will be very few, if any, physical obstructions that will prevent me from enjoying even the most rigorous adventures.
It was be crass to say ‘Trekinetic has changed my life’, but it has certainly transformed it and given it a whole new sense of purpose and excitement. Thank you Trekinetic!
(Rev Canon David E***)
Some photos are library items..
Sandy and John from Billingham
Sandy and John live in the North East. Before Sandy was diagnosed with MS, they were both keen hill walkers. When new K-2 owner Sandy, told us she was going to go on an epic, 8 day trek, across the Great Glen Way Scotland, we were delighted
The 75 miles, all off road and all ‘unsuitable for wheelchairs’ was not to be taken lightly. We supplied them with spare inner tubes and a spare rear wheel, which can be attached with cable ties. Despite an uncharted course for a K-2, they completed it all on time and we would like to know whether this is a first for a manual wheelchair.
They did have a puncture to the rear tyre, caused by a stiff thorn, but that was easily changed by John. That was the only real problem and now the K-2 permanently stays in their car, covered with mud awaiting the next adventure.
Here is a selection of pictures they sent us from their fantastic journey.
Fort William to Gairlochy - Gairlochy to S. Laggan
Ft Augustus to Invermoriston
Invermorrison to Drum – Drum to Inverness -
Drum to Inverness – The finish!
Well done Sandy and John, spectacular effort
Have Chair - Will Travel (Anywhere)
This article kindly reproduced from the October 2007 edition of FORWARD, the magazine of the Spinal Injuries Association and is also published in the October 2007 newsletter of The Disabled Ramblers Association
Have Chair - Will Travel (Anywhere)
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Dr Mike Bruton, Chairman and Founder of the Disabled
Ramblers Association, and Lynn Punchard Editor of
Forward have asked me to test and review, the recently
introduced manual wheelchair, the Trekinetic K-2.
For me one of the most inappropriate phrases in the
English language is wheelchair-bound. My
wheelchair, or to be more accurate, wheelchairs, do not
bind me they liberate me. I have one wheelchair that is
great in an outdoor urban environment, but it is hopeless
off road because of its small casters and not good in an
indoor environment because of its large camber which
makes it too wide for many doors. I have a purpose
designed and built cross-country wheelchair that is great
off road but very unsuitable indoors and finally I have a
chair with no camber that is good indoors.
This, horses for courses wheelchair policy is all very well if you can afford it, have sufficient storage room and can transfer easily from chair to chair. The K-2 has been designed to be an adaptable wheelchair suitable for both the urban and off road environment, .a horse for all courses !
The Trekinetic K-2
Manual wheelchairs have improved dramatically over
the last 30 years. This improvement has been gradual,
progressive and evolutionary: the introduction of rigid
frames, cambers, lightweight materials etc. However
the basic design of rear wheel drive, a tubular frame
with two large wheels at the rear and two smaller casters
at the front has remained.
The K-2 was designed by an engineer with a background in designing components for Formula One racing cars. Its design is revolutionary. No tubular frame but a Carbon Fibre bucket seat that acts as a ‘Monocoque’ chassis. Not rear wheel drive, but front wheel drive with two large wheels at the front and a smaller one at the rear.
The camber of the wheels is adjustable from parallel to up to 24 degrees by simply rotating the axle; thus giving the stability of cambered wheels for outside use, or the narrowness of parallel wheels for indoor use. The rear castor has a patented device that keeps it in a straight line when wheeling forward, even when crossing a slope, thus obviating the need for constant one arm pushing to keep in a straight line. The rear castor has a shock absorber which can be used to alter the inclination of the chair depending on preference and circumstances of use. The footplate is telescopic. The K-2 comes with hub brakes that can be used for slowing, steering or parking. There are removable side plates to protect clothing and even an umbrella that fixes to the chair.
A number of extras are available including rear push bar, water bottle, seatbelt and transfer platforms. I have tried the chair off road on a gravel track, a dirt track and grass of varying lengths. I have used it along my high street, in an office, the supermarket, Starbucks and in my local leisure centre. The K-2 coped with all these variable environments perfectly well.
The chair does take a little getting used to. The angle of pushing is different to a standard wheelchair and requires a slightly different muscle action. I thought the rolling resistance better than a standard chair despite my chair having large very knobbly mountain bike tyres. I found that I could push the chair up steeper inclines than in my own wheelchairs; this seems to be because of the ability to brace oneself against the back of the chair when pushing hard. The chair is stable, probably because of its low centre of gravity. The rear castor arrangement makes it virtually impossible to tip backwards, the telescopic footplate doubles as an anti- tip bar in the front and a camber if activated increases lateral stability. The bucket seat chair provides good lateral support to the trunk.
The chair I tried was fitted with large aggressively treaded mountain bike tyres. These were excellent off road particularly on wet grass. However they made the wheels heavy and increased rolling resistance. I would like to have tried the chair with a compromise tyre, one that was smooth in the middle but heavily treaded on the outside. The manufacturer tells me they are able to offer, as an optional extra, a spare set of wheels with smooth tyres. It would be very interesting to see how easy the K-2 was to push if it was fitted with lightweight, narrow, high pressure tyres.
The K-2 comes with thin seat liners. These would not be suitable for most spinal-cord injured users as they would offer little protection from pressure sores. However specially shaped Roho and foam cushions are available.
With the wheels removed and the frame folded the chair forms a fairly compact load approximately 880 x 400 x 620 mm. weighing approximately 9 kg
The K-2 is beautifully engineered and is by far the most versatile wheelchair I have ever used. It is the only wheelchair I have ever come across that, without attaching any adaptions, is perfectly at home on road, off road and indoors.
In conclusion I would say that the Trekinetic K-2 is the ideal chair for someone who wants a chair that they can use for the normal activities of daily living and go off road.
For further details click here
For details about wheelchair rambling see www.disabledramblers.co.uk
Related links
www.spinal.co.uk | www.disabledramblers.co.uk
Comment by Mike Spindle, designer of the Trekinetic K-2.
When Roger contacted me and said he had been asked by FORWARD, to test our wheelchair, he also invited me to come down and see what the Disabled Ramblers Association was all about. I was pleased to accept and the event was scheduled for a Friday morning, near Lymington in the New Forest.
I brought a K-2 for Roger and an identical one for myself, in the hope that nobody would mind me joining in. In the event, when I got there, Roger was stuck in traffic and would not arrive until lunch time. There were about 20 wheelchair users and all had 4 wheel, powered electric buggies. Anyhow I was the only manual user and when they said I should lead, I was not amused and wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew. I should stress that I am not a wheelchair user, by need. I weigh 16 stone and sadly not very fit at all. Naturally over the last six years, I’ve done over 100 miles of testing, but I don’t think 9 miles with little more than a lunch break. Anyhow, I could hardly say no, could I? It was a perfect day, sunny but not hot, so we set off up a gentle gravel gradient. I was with one of the organisers and he had an electric TRAMPER buggy, like many of the others. The TRAMPER’S coped with the terrain very well and if you at the stage where you need a powered buggy, they would seem a good choice. The only difficulty they had was when we approached the sprung loaded gates, that you often encounter on these rambles. As manuals can turn on a sixpence, they are easier to position and consequently, I opened all the gates (in chair) and let everyone through. The terrain, scenery and wildlife is simply beautiful and whilst they can’t guarantee the weather, they can the views.
Thankfully after about ¾ mile there, was a break that I needed, more than the others. In actual fact I didn’t feel so bad at all, but I was perspiring a lot. It was vital for me, that I was carrying a water bottle, otherwise I would have been in trouble. I was really pleased with how the K-2 performed and I thought of another improvement along the way. The K-2 has drop-in side plates, not too dissimilar to a traditional wheelchair. They are designed to keep your clothes away from the rotating wheels and protect you from dirt. They do not hold you legs together.
It struck me that if we had a slot in the top of each of the side plate, the user could thread a ‘Velco’ loop strap and pull it tight. This would keep your thighs centrally located and might be useful. We are now prototyping this. After 4 ½ miles we reached the lunch halt at a local sailing club and after a little while roger and his wife finally turned up. Raring to go Roger set off and for a little while we travelled side by side. He observed that the unconventional front wheel propulsion of the K-2 , doesn’t make you look down when you push. He said you can remain looking forwards whilst propelling, something you have to crane your neck to do with a traditional rear wheel drive chair. It was the first time anyone, had observed this.
So you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
Roger (foreground) and I discuss the Disabled Ramblers Associations plans and activities. Actually I was exhausted and requested the stop.
Time was now pressing as Roger and his wife had to be somewhere else shortly so Roger pressed. I take no pleasure in telling you, that I simply could not keep up with this ‘Old Dog’ In the end I threw in the towel and pushed my own K-2 for the final 1 1/2 mile stint. I was pleased to finally see the car a park, which was conveniently adjacent to the Gunn Inn. By the way, great crab sandwiches and Beer in Keyhaven, Lymington.
I would like to thank the Disabled Ramblers Association, for allowing me to partake in their day. It was great to meet everybody and I can only encourage anybody who has a K-2 to join them for one of their outings.
Quite honestly, there is nothing about it not to like.
They can provide the K-2’s natural habitat! www.disabledramblers.co.uk
Independent Test of the new TREKINETIC K-2, Summer 2006, at Gisburn Forest, Lancashire
by Tom Griffin, BBC Radio Lancashire, Disability Correspondent.
It is worth pointing out that Tom cannot bend his legs at all and is not suited to the K-2 in its current form. Consequently the front edge of the K-2’s seat was cutting into the backs of his thighs for the whole four hours.
These are Tom’s personal views, not those of the BBC.
It took me five minutes to become accustomed the chair. The rear wheel steer wasn’t a problem. Anybody who has used a wheelchair would have no problem with this whatsoever.
I tested it on a few potholes and other rough ground. I fully expected to require assistance getting out, but with the BMX tyres, it glides over potholes, stones and similar objects. I found the Trekintic chair easy to handle
The route was a four mile circular ramble though Gisburn Forest in Lancashire. So rough, I was told it was unlikely I would complete the course in a manual chair! The other participants used electric Tramper Buggies.
The terrain was a mixture of cycle ways, farm tracks and woodland path.
I have used wheelchairs for the greater part of my life. One problem is fatigue in the arms and shoulders when *pushing for any distance. I soon discovered not only was the chair easy to get moving, once it was rolling the effort needed to keep it moving was minimal even on the roughest terrain. In fact, the problem was slowing it down!
Although the terrain was rough I didn’t feel uncomfortable even when I was being “thrown about”. I am used to a wheelchair being unstable, with one wheel leaving the ground, or the chair become “grounded”, this didn’t happen.
Tom with Martin, from All Terrain Mobility Services, Trekinetic’s distributors for Lancashire
The farm track more is suited to four-wheel drive vehicles. I decided to go in between the two tyre tracks. This wasn’t easy due to large stones every few yards. They did stop me moving forward, only slowed me down. In fact I can’t recall getting stuck.
The reclining seat is a nice touch. As well as providing a good *pushing position it helped take the pressure off the back of my legs. Unfortunately, due to my stiff knee joints I was unable to make use of the footrest. This meant keeping my legs straight for the four miles. Two hours in I felt pain at the back of my legs where the edge of the seat was digging in.
I think either the seat and backrest needs to be lengthened or extra padding provided in these areas. I am sporting a large bruise across my back under my shoulder blades where the seat caught me.
Due to my build and disability I required assistance both to get in and out of the chair. I am used to having armrests that I can use to help me in and out of the chair. Again, maybe some armrests could be developed; clearly not everyone would require it.
I regard it as an achievement that I *pushed the majority of the route myself, something I couldn’t have done in an indoor/outdoor wheelchair. That is as much down to the design and build of the chair as it is to my physical ability. The user does need physical strength to get the most out of this chair.
The K2 would suit the majority of people and open up a whole new world to wheelchair users. Because it eliminates fatigue in the arms and shoulders I think it has more applications than the ability to take the user off road.
Given my particular circumstances the chair would be unsuitable for me at the moment. After three and a half hours I felt uncomfortable. I suffered pain in my back and legs. If there was more development in terms of the footrest, seat padding and armrests I would be happy to purchase one.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/image_galleries/tom_griffin_ramble_gallery.shtml?1