Islay Cycles

31/12/2025

Just a wee update. I'm continuing to work hard at my rehab with an intensive physio routine. It's still very difficult to do basic tasks but I do hope to try fixing bikes in the spring. My core strength and flexibility is coming on from being weak and rigid. The biggest improvement is in cycling on my trike. It no longer takes a week to recover from a short ride. Though sensation in my legs is poor, I am aware of how hard I'm working. Bizarrely, my cardio is way ahead of my muscle strength and endurance. This is probably residual from years of endurance training combined with what is properly wired up. I'd encourage anyone who uses a wheelchair amd had either strong upper body or lower body strength try a trike. The Hase one I have has many possible adaptions and is built to your specs. I wish all you good people who follow this page a very Happy New Year. Here's me on my first ride to Ardbeg adorned in the wife's cast off hoodie. I felt more triumphant than I look. Cycling is so joyful, you have to agree.

26/08/2025

A wee update as it has been a while. As you know, Islay Cycles is just me, with assistance from Lesley. I'm still working hard at my rehab every day. Progress is painfully slow but real. Indeed, managing pain is one of the main problems. I'm noticeably stronger. Whilst I need crutches to balance, my freestanding balance is improving. I still can't bend down and pick things up. It's the toughest test I've ever faced but I hope to be able to re-open at some level. Meanwhile, thanks to great kindness, I have one of these Hase trikes, adapted for me by Ben at Kinetic Bikes. I've had a few turns and am utterly kaput afterwards. Nevertheless, I'm every bit as excited as this fine gentleman in this short video. Thanks for all your support

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24/02/2025

Thanks for all the supportive messages. Turns out the threatening message was a scam. I should know better as Facebook is full of that kind of thing.

19/02/2025

Apparently Meta are threatening to close this page because I have violated their copyright or something. If that's the case, thanks to all who have followed. As the late, great Douglas Adams wrote, " So long and thanks for the fish"

31/01/2025

A wee update for the kind people who follow this page, though I'm still out of action. My walking with a wheeled walker is improving, managing over a mile. Not bad, having been told I wouldn't be able to walk more than a couple of steps. It's not just any walker, it's a veloped, part way to a bike. It's a modern version of the 19th century velociped. A Trionic off-road jig, no less. My hand function is still not great but I will have a go sevicing a bike when the spring eventually comes. I'm also looking to buy a recumbent trike. My balance is still wobbly so a trike provides a stable platform. They cost a fortune but needs must.

03/11/2024

A friend created a picture of my inner self. Hopefully, one day, more my outer self.

27/10/2024

I'm making progress, albeit slowly. I hope to try servicing bikes in the spring. This is me having a wobbly walk on Corran Sands, Jura, our lovely neighbouring island.

29/09/2024

Another Strada. Looks like I fitted good new wheels at some point! Really good over long or short distances. Going for £75. Medium frame.

29/09/2024

Another sturdy hybrid on offer. Raleigh Strada which I've fitted with carrier and mudguards. Also popped Schwalbe Marathon on back wheel for durability. Been kept well in storage. Large frame going for £75..

26/09/2024

Another big bike available. Trek hybrid with XL frame. The usual quality you'd expect from Trek. In good condition, just needing a sponge down and l**e. Feeling generous so going for offers over £60.

22/09/2024

Have a load of bikes returned after being stored by kind Islay folk. I'm offering this one for sale. I built it for one guy 6foot and 7 inches tall on a classic Raleigh Record frame. He used it for a few happy days. It's very large, a 25" frame with all new modern components, Rigida Flyer wheels with robust 28mm Continental Contact tyres and a forgiving saddle. With classic friction shift gears, you get none of the fiddly problems with modern systems. A fast, comfy ride for the very tall over 6' 3". Just needs a wee sponge and l**e. Hard to put a price on it so open to offers of £105 or more.

22/09/2024

I'm still working hard on my rehab. I'm aiming to re-open sometime next year in a limited way. Here's me looking better, with big screws in my skull.