Last week we recieved an email in the Problem Solvers inbox from Scott over at Ride 2 Recovery, an organization dedicated to assisting injured veterans with recovery and rehabilitation through cycling. Scott is the equipment manager and ends up using our Cable Doubler 1:2 quite a bit for amputees and folks with hand injuries. 

While poking around the site today, I came across a story about a veteran, Delvin McMillan, who'd lost both legs and hands (full story here). Delvin came to Ride 2 Recovery to see whether or not they could adapt a bicycle for him to ride.  Scott and his team hunkered down and got to work. I was curious about some of their solutions, so I emailed Scott who was kind enough to send me back some pictures of Delvin and the build process.

I had a chance to speak with Scott on the phone as well, and asked him about his process. I mean, in a situation like this, where do you start? He explained that his eight years working in a bike shop helped, but mostly it's trial and error. They sit down with the rider, determine what the ability level is and what adaptations need to be made—then start working. I particularly liked this progression of shots, as it shows how they addressed the drive-side handlebar setup:

Scott used Shimano's Di2 system for the shifting, and the Cable Doubler 1:2 with a single brake lever on the non-drive-side. It's hard to see because he's nested it within the bar-end:

Overhead view:

All-in-all a really clever setup with a great purpose. Delvin's bike was the first they'd built for a quadruple amputee (Scott mentioned he was working on an all-carbon fiber version which I'm looking forward to seeing).

Coming up for Ride 2 Recovery is their Rocky Mountain Challenge a 6-day fundraising ride from Cheyanne, WY to Fort Carson, CO starting July 31. You can sponsor riders by visiting the Ride 2 Recovery website.