Disability cycling
Start line - this way.....
Limitless
Limitless, is British Cycling’s inclusive cycling programme which provides cycling opportunities for disabled people, regardless of age, impairment and ability. We have been awarded Limitless Champion club status. Find out more here. We will be looking to engage with riders with a disability who have their own bike, and want to progress to racing.
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In 2020 we had, for the first time, a group of Handcyclists competing in our Saturday 7 Mile Time trial league at Canewdon.
Hand Cyclists and Para cyclists may find our Club time trial programme will improve personal best times and help with preparation for other competitions. Handcyclists have also raced at our annual Club Circuit Race day at Colchester Northern Gateway.
With four closed circuits in Essex, Kent and London there are racing and training opportunities, as well as Paralympic training hubs hosted by British Cycling.
Whether it's on the track or the road, two wheels or three, para-cycling offers something for everyone who wants to get cycling.
Para-cycling was first developed by cyclists with visual impairments who competed on tandem bicycles. Since then, the sport has continued to grow and was first introduced to a Paralympic Games in New York in 1984 with road events for athletes with cerebral palsy included for the first time. Further events were added over the course of the next four Paralympic Games, with track cycling making its debut in Atlanta 1996.
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In June 2018 Southend Wheelers hosted the BC national para cycling road race and time trial. The time trial took place on the local roads of Canewdon with the road race taking place at Redbridge cycle centre this event was attended by the best para cyclist from around the country and formed part of 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifying event. One of the title winners in 2018, Ben Watson went on to win Gold in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and Fin Graham won gold in the Glasgow 2023 World Para championships.
Classification
Para-cycling currently includes individuals with cerebral palsy, visual impairments and physical impairments. Road cyclists compete on handcycles, trikes, tandem bikes or bikes depending on their condition. On the track, cyclists compete on either tandems or solo bikes.
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C1-C5 is for athletes with cerebral palsy, amputees and other conditions who can ride a bike.
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T1-T2 (trike) is for athletes with cerebral palsy, neurological conditions or other athletes who are unable to ride a bike.
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B is for visually impaired cyclists who compete on tandem bikes with a pilot.
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H1-H5 (handcycle) is for riders with impairments affecting either both legs or a combination of the upper and lower limbs (amputees, paraplegics and tetraplegics).
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Para-Cyclists will find Wheelers membership beneficial as a progression pathway in the sport.
