26-day Wheelchair Push

21 Days in, 54.6 Miles Covered

It’s the longest day of the year. I’ve been hot, I’ve been wet, and I have kept going. Still on target for the 26-day wheelchair push.

The daily 2.6-mile for 26 days wheelchair push for the Junior Sports Club situated in Bourne End, is going well and is rewarding. Not just financially for the money raised for new equipment but for myself. I feel a lot fitter and am sleeping well. Daily stretches are keeping muscles feeling good, and I’m pain-free.

Weather

Day 21 of the 26-day wheelchair push. Some days have been hot. Deciding when to go for ‘the push,’ all hung on how much heat reached this little corner of the Chiltern Hills. Venturing out early morning or evenings work best for me in hot temperatures. These hours helped me keep my body temperature at a comfortable level.

Then the rain came.

Sat at my computer arranging a wheelchair skills training session, I watch the rain through the patio doors thinking, monitoring the BBC forecast, hoping it would change. Thus announcing a break in the downpour just enough for me to don my Raindek and coat, prepare my entertainment choice, place the headphones into my ears and head out.

There is a pause in the wetness falling from the sky, so I clasp this opportunity. Pulling the front door up behind me, I head out.

I’m tearing down a road parallel with the main road running through the village. It’s quiet, and I’m on high alert as I propel myself listening to The Jam. Then I feel it, the gentle pitter-patter of gentle rain. I curse. My gloves are already wet from water spray and splashes. The traction on my rear wheels is a little compromised, and it’s going to get worse.

And then it comes,

I can handle a little rain, I was brought up with it being a UK resident all my life. I believe everyone should get soaked once a year at least – to be one with nature.

This particular soaking I’m about to get is fairly warm. It is June, after all. My Kinetic Balance Jacket and Raindek are working well, but my gloves are sodden.

Gloves, gloves, gloves

There is always talk on some Social Media groups associated with wheelchairs about gloves. Every so often, someone asks for recommendations. Streams of comments appear in the thread from people claiming to know which gloves are best. I believe that if you are an active user, no gloves are 100% full proof. They will wear out, and they will let the wet in. The only thing to be happy about with gloves is if they can keep your hands warm. But then they might not be that comfortable to use to manoeuvre a wheelchair due to their bulkiness. Fine for keeping hands warm when out in the cold, but possibly a bit cumbersome for propelling a mobility aid.

A break

As there is a drip from the peak of my cap, there is a slight break in the downpour. A little relief for me. It doesn’t stop raining long enough for my gloves to dry out but long enough for the wet grass verges and front gardens to give a smell of sweet, wet, fresh summer.

I turn a corner to start heading home, maintaining a good pace dealing with the camber. Passing through the village centre and I hit the long straight bit that ever so slightly rises far in the distance (about a third of a mile). I can see the end and feel the little drops of rain started again. Building up into another downpour. But I can handle it; I should be used to it; I’m made in Britain!

Another thank you

So thanks again for peoples support the past few days. I had an invite to Rickmansworth Aquadrome for a change of scenery by my sister-in-law. I took my best mate with me and enjoyed a steady push round there – the average pace was 12 minutes per mile – not bad for an eight-year-old! Big sis came out with me Sunday for another stint around the village and a catch up after.

Aunty Christine and best mate
Rickmansworth route
Rickmansworth route
Out with big sister
Route with Sis

Today

Today I ventured out all alone. Again I got wet. I wanted to go in the evening, to use the full use of the long daylight, but it wasn’t possible. Family commitments and challenges of spinal cord injury life meant I could not. So a 1030 start this morning, I headed out and made good time!

Help

This fundraising task is for Bourne End Junior Sports Club. To support the club and purchase new equipment to keep offering sporting activities to the local community’s youth. If you are interested in supporting this, please follow this link – https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=StuartWheeler3&pageUrl=1

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