Out into nature—and suddenly right in the middle of a competition

I’ve been paraplegic for three years and therefore use a wheelchair. These days, however, I’m managing quite well again in my daily life despite the limitations that this serious injury unfortunately brings.

To get back to being physically active in my free time, I’ve had a great handbike for over a year now. I use it to get out into nature regularly and can explore the area around my hometown on my own. It does me a world of good and keeps giving me strength and motivation for everyday life.

The Engelhartszell to Stadl mountain sprint took place recently right near where I live.  (Mountainsprint) On a whim, I just signed up—and that meant my first real competition since my accident was just around the corner.

Of course, I was curious to see how well I’d handle the race situation. But in the end, I just wanted to give it a try.

“I just signed up—and that meant my first real competition since my accident was just around the corner.“

Race day was a great experience for me. Being back in the thick of a real competitive situation for the first time since my accident was incredibly fun. For me, it wasn’t about racing at the very front at all. What was much more important was just being there and discovering what’s possible again. The cycling fans and spectators cheering us hand cyclists on along the course also really motivated me. For me, this mountain sprint was therefore more than just a race: it was about just getting out there, believing in myself, and gaining new experiences.