Quote:
Originally Posted by R1ffR4ff
I have Arthritis in one of the fingers on my left hand but I can easily operate the clutch with two fingers.
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Unfortunately, my years as a professional climber combined with a congenital medical condition that effects my joints, means that my hands are effed and getting worse.
When I was climbing, I was working through the E grades in trad and 6b/c in sport. I often used to hold with my left, while placing gear with my right and this is why my left hand is so damaged. I am looking at knuckle replacement in the future, combined with fusing my first finger joints in both hands and I am worried that this will put an end to my ability to ride, hence why I have been looking for alternatives to hand controls. Currently I have to tape my fingers and wrists before every ride and can only wear lightweight summer gloves due to the malformities in my finger joints. Heated grips are an absolute godsend that allow me to ride almost all year.
On a more fun note, so as not to sound so defeatist and depressing, my nieces find my hands hilarious and call them Witchy Fingers, because they are so crooked. I also have to eat with special cutlery that has bigger handles because I cannot hold normal knives and forks. My daughter has a very rude name for this set, which we shall not repeat here! Disability is just a part of life and I refuse to give up having fun while I still can. I could also make a very rude joke here about my choice of life partner, but we are all mature adults and shall not lower ourselves to such filth!
I am glad that you are still able to ride, I don't know what I will do when I can't ride anymore. The wife has suggested a side car, so I countered that by suggesting that she insert her head up her back passage.
