How Weak Are A Cyclist's Arms? | GCN Hand Cycling Challenge!

Cyclists usually have very strong legs, due to all that pedalling, but that's not the only type of cycling there is, there's also hand cycling! We got in touch with Luke Jones, a Team GB athlete, who's going to show us the ropes, and then race us, to see once and for all, how weak are cyclists arms?
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[@gcn]

Do you think you could beat Hank, Manon and Alex?

[@evelyndeleon7234]

no, 🤣

[@chrisprice5806]

yeah id give it a go.

[@filippopogacar]

I want to beat Manon

[@vipergtsrgt1]

They'd each destroy me on a bike, but I think I'd have a fair chance on a handcycle. As a shorter person, I have so much empathy for Manon doing her whole turn without her feet reaching all the way in the footrests.

[@araplagat_]

100%

[@cfalkner1012]

As a paraplegic, this is a wonderful bit of exposure for the SCI community and the sport of hand cycling. Thank you for this!

[@gcn]

Our pleasure!

[@yeahbuddy4712]

There's a guy in Portugal where I live. He rides one of these bikes everyday up Monchique..it amazing to see this all on arms. Really impressive

[@Alniemi]

Ive seen a few hand cycles around town when i ride, I always wanted to try one! it looks fun being so close to the ground. I was absolutly floored when we said some of the elite hand cyclists are making 700-1000W!!!

[@donmartin9567]

That turned out EXACTLY how I figured it would. One of my sons is a para and has done Ironman Triathlons (normal swim, handcycle for the biking part and racing chair for the "run"). So, I've gone out during some of his training sessions (along with his able bodied brother who is a cyclist). Anyway, on any kind of decline or level ground he is really hard to keep up to on our bikes - he generates no draft, well, except for our ankles. Going uphill we have no problems going around him but downhill you need to be on the drops with full power to keep up and even then with steep hills he is gone! You have to remember that the guys that do this are training a lot plus they are using similar muscles all day long in their chairs while all us able bodied folks do is walk around when we aren't biking. Oh, and the hand cyclists generally can't wear a regular cycling jersey, the tiny little arm holes are WAY too small for them!

[@lukejones2134]

Full IM as a para. Big respect

[@donmartin9567]

@@lukejones2134 including Roth!

[@esenel92]

Gotta give it to Hank for his enthusiasm. I mean, if he's gotta do something, he absolutely goes for it and gives it his all. And like a real cyclist, crashes, realizes he's not dead and has no broken bones, so gets back on and finishes what he set out to do. Great job from everybody there, a fun video to watch, and quite honestly it looks like a fun thing to do. (although I'd prefer better weather).

[@white630]

Okay I was going to call

[@redrocker1055]

Massive respect to hand cyclists. They're amazing athletes.

[@lukejones2134]

Thanks

[@kevin._.farren]

Hank never disappoints. Full throttle into everything!

[@gcn]

Always the same!

[@JoeBManco]

That didn't look near as painful as Hank's Penny Farthing experience.

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

The Hankinator pushing his boundaries as usual and causing him to be "rash" in a few places!

[@ayehtunohn]

As a handcyclist myself and an avid viewer of GCN, I appreciate that you are giving us some exposure. Keep up the good work.

[@lukejones2134]

Loved doing this with you all

[@djrlloyd]

Well done GCN for putting the spotlight on this amazing sport and these superb athletes. Also loved the way Manon’s welsh accent got more pronounced when she was talking with Luke. Same happens to me when I go home to Wales.

[@bubblesezblonde]

I noticed Manon's accent too. LOL

[@peternewton2200]

1000w through the arms is crazy. Also, Hank’s arse hanging out his leggings thought the debrief 😂😂

[@gcn]

😂

[@IceReef]

Should have asked me guys - I purposely ride a handcycle in the British Human Power Championship as an 'able' bodied rider, and I can tell you, most people would do well to not get lapped around 3 or 4 times in your average 30 minute race by the 'disabled' riders who compete. Those guys have arms of iron, but suffice to say it is one of the only forms of cardiovascular exercise which uses the arms as opposed to the legs, so is truly unique in that regard. Besides, I love building and riding all different types of HPVs/cycles, and handcycles are brilliant fun. Everybody should try one!

[@renegadetenor]

Honest question-- Is it OK to acquire one primarily so someone like me could actually have an upper body?

[@RudiDwiHartanto]

This is proper content this. Awesome, know someone who competed in last year UCI paralympic, theyre absolutely strong. Love it

[@gcn]

Thanks Rudi!

[@petewillmot]

Hank is one “Power, More Speed” shout away from turning full Clarkson!

[@Seppster58]

We need to see Hank take on Martyn from GMBN on these hand-cycles. Would be a great cross-over show down. Well done GCN for the great video. Never disappoints for sure.

[@user-yx1qk4sk5t]

I've seen Si do "pushups"before so...James is built like an mma fighter though. So it's all over the spectrum.

[@Kimberly_Sparkles]

Si can do a push-up? I’m impressed.

[@satori4183]

You sure he did an actual pushup? No trick footage?

[@neilsimkin7409]

After watching this I found the documentary about Andrew Paddison on GCN+ 1000 miles in 10 days on a hand bike!! There is so much more to cycling and thanks to GCN for opening our eyes to what is out there!

[@RoScFan]

I hope the next gcn tech video is gonna be an in depth look at how that thing works. If ever there was a need for a tech video on a bicycle it's for the first ever on screen portrayal of a handcycle... looks amazing! Would love to use one myself.

[@robbybeauchamp]

I used to wrench at a shop and I did the maintenance and prep on a hand cycle for a girl who was nationally competitive. When I would go out on a shake down ride on her cycle before giving it back to her, I would gain more respect for her every time. Sooooo much harder than a traditional bike.

[@rigierish3807]

Such a design is very aerodynamic, I'm sure if there is a system where you can use your legs while still being in an horizontal position, you can explode the world record in terms of speed

[@imperialspy3457]

Cough cough... recumbent.

[@karlaldinger3017]

Thanks for always working towards more inclusive coverage. I think a video on what it's like traversing Bath (or London) on a hand cycle is another video you should do. This time choose a more conventional handcycle (non-racer) used for mobility, and leave the hand cycling to the person who normally does it. I think that would help shed light on good and the bad street and cycle path designs, the benefits of e-assist, and also how important it is for people's options of how to get around in their community.

[@CheeseyWotsit]

More, more, more hand cycling. Content like this is what GCN is all about. Brilliant!

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

The Hankinator gets rash again! Well done and thanks Manon, Hank, Alex and Luke for sharing more new biking experiences on yet another British beautiful weather day!

[@nemesiswrath928]

Manon Always does better than expected :) :) :)

[@kstethespokes1051]

Thought we’d seen pretty much all of Hank we were ever going to but I was wrong! Can Castelli make him some kevlar kit perhaps?

[@peterlawless6435]

I’m not sure if you read these (but I hope you do). Thank you. This was both totally awesome as a way of demonstrating para cycling to the world and (critically) normalizing a hand cycle. Huge chapeau. I hope you do more.

[@matthewlewis2072]

Every year I do an event raising money for Wheelpower, a charity supporting disabled people in sport. There are always some handcyclists, so massive respect to them. PS you should see them descending 😲

[@4745jay]

I do at least 400 miles (ca. 644 km) a month on mine. been riding for 3 years now and love it. I'm an H-4 paracycliest

[@TheBigfoot88]

I really like the peeks into other cycling related topics which are not as mainstream as road racing. Looking forward to Municycling and Audax documentations!

[@ThisIsJoe07]

Great content GCN team and for giving some great focus to this cycling discipline - long overdue I think. I’d love to give this a try, but I’m worried about the clear space between the chainring and stomach… 😅

[@matthewbaynham6286]

So you do a sport that requires massive upper body power and you left Si out of it. If you had Si on your team I'm sure you would have had a very different result.

[@CT37BN]

Great show and challenge there. So entertaining to watch!

[@Taoweiji]

Love these guys (and gal) so much!

[@trevejenkyn9888]

Really good video, nice to see you bring other forms to the public thanks

[@gcn]

Thanks for watching! You're welcome!

[@lucvandevenne5095]

I challenge you guys. 8 years ago, in one day, I climbed the Mont Ventoux, first on the bike (1h45) and then on a handbike (5h35). I’m 65 now but still in good shape. And yes, I crashed in the descent. Go for it Hank!

[@lukejones2134]

Wow. Big effort Luc

[@Bellerophon17]

Wow!

[@lucvandevenne5095]

???

[@imperialspy3457]

@@lucvandevenne5095 Just report as spam and ignore. It's probably a bot anyway.

[@abnerdonaldson6010]

What an amazing video...what a true powerhouse the pro is producing. Now hank lost the battle with the bike, but Manon lost the war with the tape measure...lol. you all need to bring hand cycle races to GCN+ that would be so cool...

[@gazonatrike7005]

I've raced ( and lost to) these athletes, fantastic!

[@manuelamichaela811]

Life is a competition, isn’t it? Even when you end up with a crash and a sore arse… This video was hilarious! Big thumbs up 👍

[@nerdexproject]

We need a custom recumbent bike mixed with a hand bike so you could use legs and arms together to propell yourself! Would be really interesting to see if you can put more watts down and get faster compared to a regular road bike!

[@aaronli1488]

Would be nice to get a POV shot from the rider's perspective. I always wondered how you're supposed to see anything while lying down with a giant block right in front of your face.

[@neilaquino5294]

here in the Philippines we call road rash, ''tocino'' 😅 Hank got a nasty tasty tocino 😂😂😂 get well soon

[@gcn]

Thanks! 😃

[@bubblesezblonde]

LOL such a good sport Hank is. Loved the vid.

[@kylianvraalte]

Very nice video! Nice to see cyclists ride a handbike. Perhaps another video like this?

[@kartoffelstranger9187]

Great content, thanks a lot~ :D

[@matthewbrumby5995]

super impressed you guys did this.. show how hard it is!!! just think Jetze has the hour records at 44.5kph i think it is

[@Techno-Universal]

What’s also really good is when these vehicles are also e-bikes and can carry the rider’s foldable wheelchair so the rider can use it as a real world method of transportation while also being able to possibly independently transfer to their wheelchair when they park their vehicle somewhere.

[@MonkeyKing1969]

I think Manon got even more Welsh when talking to Luke

[@gcn]

Haha it's brought out the welsh in her

[@Alniemi]

I'd love to see you tackle some kind of EPIC climb on a hand cycle, and I choose Manon!!!

[@jonwheelz]

Great content!

[@benbrown8258]

Biceps Barney and the team should have done one practice lap. Loved this episode. Wonder about a hand cycle velo...

[@vipergtsrgt1]

Being so close to the ground, the sensation of speed must be incredible.

[@chrisdavis8399]

Way to rock those buggy whips gents…..💪🏻💪🏻

[@rolandfletcher4044]

Great episode

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Hank's crash is far more exciting than the (old) Ollie getting dropped again. It should play often. My hat is off to Luke! May his future in racing be epic. I lost a leg 4 years ago so I have a slight glimpse into his world. To overcome that in such a strong competitive way is amazing. Way to go Luke. BTW: has Manon quit laughing yet?

[@jeffreywilliams3646]

I'd be interested to see how one of the GTN presenters would do - swimmers likely have decent arm strength/endurance.

[@Alphard_adventures]

😂 Hank is like a bull in a china shop 😂…. wait ….there’s the next challenge Hank vs bull in a china shop, which has the most power , which causes the most destruction 😂😂

[@Alphard_adventures]

More spam messages 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@kevin._.farren]

Presenters: Hank always seems so positive...It got me thinking, who were the riders (or type of riders/personalities) throughout your career that made for the best teammates? How about the worst?

[@skilllessbeast7416]

Luke gave a proper assessment on Hank there.

[@lukejones2134]

Now I feel bad 🙈😂

[@KaffeKorn]

Great video, but at some point we're gonna need a special of Hank crashing stuff. Hope he didn't injure himself.

[@gcn]

Haha, it would be quite a compilation

[@dsarcevic]

Beautiful British weather!

[@bennetthasty7886]

Incredible

[@kentgill]

Thanks for this. -Northern Californian hand cyclist

[@marksIItimewarps]

That looks fun!

[@gizmobytes]

I'd have loved to see power/speed graphs for each rider, but it really showed how much less power can be provided by hand cranking versus leg cranking by experienced cyclists. Also how handcycles can be tipped without it being a radical turn.

[@andreemurray7039]

Awesome 👌 bring back the water bike ?

[@gcn]

Thanks Andree! Maybe one day :)

[@Jacksirrom]

Great camera shot on the crash lol.

[@MrCfredrickson]

SUPER FUN!

[@jlboynton]

I am recovering from being hit by a truck while riding my bike. Happy to be alive and can’t wait to get cycling again. Some of the minor injuries sustain were caused by my clothing. The zippers on my cycling pants cut into my ankles. The zipper on my back pocket of the shorts caused a very painful deep bruise. I was wondering if clothing makers should design kits that are more safe in case of a crash. #askgcn

[@jlboynton]

Ollie - Look - another scammer!

[@BernardManansala]

9:56 Hank giving us the GUN SHOW 😆

[@nerdexproject]

You should have invited Freddie for this challenge! Such a missed opportunity! 😩

[@gcn]

Haha maybe Next time! Freddie sure did have guns!

[@hptfalcon1683]

As with all recumbents, that incudes hand cycles, the key is to smile.. dont forget to smile..

[@ericmarcus_]

I would love to see you make a video "Mountain Bike vs Road bike head to head on the road".

[@jordangraves57]

New series, how many cyclists does it take to beat a pro hand cyclist lol

[@anttitapio4145]

This. Was. Amazing 😂

[@AirSpace]

Would like to know about the arm dynamics. Is the rider pushing forward, pulling back, full circle power, full core engaged?

[@feedbackzaloop]

yeah, the dynamics doesn't look very much ergonomic. You can also see Hank flexing the abs on the downstroke, but looks like it's the most the core can help with

[@curtvaughan2836]

Will look back to see if I missed it, but why do both left and right arms crank at the same time, rather than at 180 degrees apart, as with leg powered bicycle (and tricycle) cranks?

[@ThisIsJoe07]

What about getting the GTN (Triathlon) team in the mix with a challenge like this? The swimming may provide some additional power and ability?

[@gcn]

Yeah that could be intersting!

[@marbaca]

Thank God Hank “The Crash Man” gets all his gear free! Lol that had to have hurt his ass…noticed the tear in your leggings. Hahaha i was expecting to come out in the very end of this video in a sling hahaha

[@larter_larter]

I think Luke was falling asleep for a short period during the race.

[@TheBR1NE]

Would be pretty interesting to see martyn ashton racing on one of these vs the pros

[@lukejones2134]

I’m a big fan of Martyn’s so Let’s get it booked

[@Vokunos]

Commenting till Hank or anyone else from GCN does an Epic ride on a fixie, day 11... No Fixie content but your riding an Handbike! That's outrageous! That's not fair! (jokes aside, cool video, I like it)

[@taufikabidin412]

Hank did do the fixie racing, 2 times

[@All4Grogg]

There is a ton of track bike content and they have done a few videos riding on vintage tour bikes as well with flip hubs. Not the mention the penny farthing content that a certain rider is very unlikely to be willing to repeat. Si also competed in a very serious fixie race. How about seeing Hank compete in an uphill bike race on a unicycle? They have actually have a designated category in a local uphill race in the Adirondacks, NY. Same weekend as the Black Fly challenge... Hmm Mannon racing a gravel bike vs Hank on a unicycle would be entertaining and most unicycles are indeed fixed gear.

[@Vokunos]

@@taufikabidin412 an Epic ride, not a race

[@Vokunos]

@@All4Grogg hill climb championship on a Penny farthing... That would be mad.

[@outtyoutdoors]

So is the water getting flung up by the front tire get blocjed by the chainring and stuff or is it all just getting sprayed right inti ur face?

[@markstone722]

Hank, the only GCN presenter that loses more skin than time ! and still finishes.

[@filippopogacar]

Perfect weather

[@inz_uzi]

I wish we could see close up of Hank's face during the crash. In a loop. 😂

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

This is what I love most about GCN content across the channels: inclusivity. 😊 You certainly picked a nice day for your first go! ☔☔ ☔😂 This made me want get back to handcycling after quite a long break, thank you. 😊

[@lukejones2134]

This is the impact I was hoping the video would have. Happy cycling

[@DanielS-db9xh]

Hank Challenge: In celebration of adding the hand cycle to zwift and as a redemption for Hank's hand cycle crash, Hank should climb Alp De Zwift on a hand cycle.

[@hellopsp180]

Do an FTP test on hand cycle :) which GCN presenter has the bigger arms

[@rebeccawebster7483]

That was grand. I assume a hill seems bigger because you are relying on pure muscle whereas on a bike you can use your weight to help force pedals down (not to mention longer levers and bigger muscle group)?

[@Queenmania2007]

Yes, but also because the ratios of power generation for weight are on average so much lower for hand cyclists. They still have their whole bodyweight + bike weight (11-12kg for the lightest bikes) and it's front wheel drive. FTP of the best hand cyclists is 200-230W so for most people holding even 150W average on a hill is hard, so it's a long slow grind and struggle to hold your momentum

[@danielpspersonal]

you can really see this is a British channel when no one bats an eye about rain when filming.

[@williamboike7276]

Would a shorter crank bringing the arms closer (more compact) offer more leverage? I'm relating this to an example of a seat being too high. Does the crank assembly adjust forward and back for different arm lengths?

[@gizmobytes]

Handcycles are customised to riders for seat sizes, back angles and crank positions. Regarding crank width, racing cranks are narrower for drag but more power is possibly generated by wider crank widths. It is very much a personal thing of power, drag, experience steering along with seating setups. Most cranks are around 160-170mm long.

[@markusseppala6547]

Awesome. Curious why are they using a rim brake instead of disc? Especially when there's only one brake. Can't be the price with all the other expensive parts.

[@All4Grogg]

I would guess for wheel changes, especially taking into account riders without the use of their legs.

[@MC-gf7nt]

Looks cold

[@hot_pink_bitch_8896]

Also by the looks of it, you ride one of these in a similar position to how I am laying on my couch right now.

[@Queenmania2007]

Has Hank paid for that damage yet? ;) I'm up in Inverness with my hand cycle if you ever fancy doing a Scottish Highlands hand cycle video! Maybe Etape Lochness on a hand bike?

[@lukejones2134]

Just seen this 😂, Hank never paid as he’s a tight ass

[@leewarburton2487]

Evening GCN , I have sent you an Email on your website Regarding My Hand cycle event Blackpool tower 2 Eiffel Tower on the 08 August 2022. All in aid of Help for Heroes. I was badly injured in the Military and trying to raise awareness on the importance and benefits cycling can have on your mental health. Please respond to me about this. Thank-you for shedding some light on a sport that saved my life.

[@lukejones2134]

Best of luck with your challenge Lee

[@hedleykerr3564]

Do they make a smart trainer that works with a handcycle for doing Zwift?

[@broccoli7406]

that must’ve really hurt

[@egm01egm]

10:12 your face when you prefer style over safety

[@laptopcat6673]

Wouldn't it be more efficient to have the pedals opposite to each other just like a normal bicycle pedals?

[@marte3198]

Handcyclist H3 self too👍