Category: handcycling

City Park and NOMA Sculpture Garden, New Orleans

After finishing up at the World War II Museum, I still had energy to do something else. I wanted to see the New Orleans Museum of Art, but it was closing early that day. So instead I visited the recently reopened Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden that is located on the NOMA grounds inside City Park, a huge public park in New Orleans.

I wanted to visit City Park anyway and ride my hand bike around, which is exactly what I did. The park is beautiful and some of the outdoor artwork is amazing. They make great use incorporating the art into the lakes and canals present in City Park.

On my way to City Park.
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My first 360 degree video

I recently bought a Samsung Gear 360 camera. Got it used off Amazon for under $150. It’s not waterproof like the GoPro’s and the picture quality isn’t as nice, but other than that it’s pretty amazing technology for the price.

To test it out I attached it to a selfie stick and then strapped the selfie stick on to the front of my handcycle. It gives a nice over the head view of everything around me, but it’s not very stable and looks kind of silly. I might try some sort of clamp-on system to improve the stability.

Here’s a short handcycle trip I took around my neighborhood recently. You should be able to pan around as you play the video to see all around me. I even tried it out using my Google Cardboard headset and it looks surprisingly nice even without being formatted for a headset.

Rode my handcycle through Hollywood Beach, Florida

Last weekend I visited Hollywood Beach, Florida. I rode my hand-cycle up and down the 3 mile (one direction) beach boardwalk on a gorgeous Saturday morning. I had never visited Hollywood Beach before, but it instantly reminded me of “The Strand” along the beaches of Los Angeles. There’s an endless parade of smoothie stands, beach shops, tiki bars, and smiling, happy people. Also Margarittaville!

There is lots of public parking at the parks that are on both ends of the boardwalk. Best of all, the beaches offer direct access from sidewalk to the sand, with no ramps, dunes or other obstacles to slow someone down. If you watch my video closely you’ll also notice a few blue colored wheelchair accessible mats going out into the sand. I didn’t get a chance to get on the beach as I was tired from my biking, but I will surely return soon.

My first GoPro video

Here is my very first GoPro video. I attached the camera on the front of my Dragonfly handcycle. I still have one of the original three speed Dragonfly’s and it’s still my favorite wheelchair attachment toy. It’s always fun, gets me a lot of compliments, and best of all let’s me go at a fast speed without having to even transfer out of my chair.

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I took my gear over to Lake Nona, Florida, a classic riding spot for me. It’s near my home and work, with a beautiful bike trail that goes several miles through the area sounding the Orlando Airport. The trail even features accessible water fountains (accessible for both wheelchair users and dogs!) and complimentary air pumps. Parking is easy as the trail starts at a small commercial area that has a Panera, a Union Burger (Canadian burger chain that serves poutine), a pizza joint, and a frozen yogurt shop, among other businesses.

Lake Nona itself is an upscale community and a future biotech hub. There are some beautiful houses and people are always friendly.

My first video is rather uneventful, but it gives you an eye-level view of what riding my handcycle is like.