The Trailrider is a wheelbarrow like device, designed to transport a person with mobility impairment in wilderness settings. It has one tire, like those used on small aircraft, which sits directly under its passenger. Handles extend both forward and back from the frame where the pulling, pushing, balancing and steering are done. The right rear handle also has a drum brake. Brad sits upright with his legs extended in front of him with armrests to keep his torso supported and balanced. The Trailrider is owned and supplied by
The British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society. (BCMOS )
It is a bit of a bumpy ride when we are going over roots and rocks. At times, we needed as many as four people on the Trailrider to maneuver around large drops, steep inclines or tight corners. We had a few ideas that made the going a little easier and safer. For instance, there are many boardwalks along the trail which inevitably rot, sink unevenly into the wet ground and become slippery from moss. In the same way that motorists attach chains around the tires of their cars for driving in snow, we attached a cable around the tire, which proved very effective in gripping slippery rocks and boardwalks. We also had two tethers extending forward from the front of the Trailrider. This meant that two other hikers could tie themselves in and add a significant amount of pulling power. This came in particularly handy when crossing pools of deep mud, or traveling on beaches where the tire sank deep into the sand and progress was slow and cumbersome. Although heavy, the Trailrider was perfect for transporting Brad along the rough and technical trail.
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The Trailrider has proven time and again that is the best design for people with disabilities to access ambitious wilderness destinations. For years now, teams of five including one member with a significant disability have used the Trailrider in the Access Challenge, a BCMOS event where participants are involved in an adventure race similar to the Eco-Challenge. In years past, the event has been run at Mount Garibaldi and Black Tusk Mountain in Garibaldi Provincial Park. BCMOS is based out of Vancouver. Their mission is to be "... an independent, charitable society dedicated to enriching the lives of people with significant |
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disabilities through challenging wilderness recreation activities ."
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