Would you be able to go downhill at full speed riding your bike with only one hand, without losing your balance? What seems like an impossible mission for many is just part of the daily routine for Thomas Bannister, a lover of mountain biking, right in the middle of the mountains. In 2007, a serious accident left his left arm paralyzed. However, that doesn't stop him from enjoying his rides with complete normality. Through effort, perseverance, and some technical modifications, he has managed to adapt and control his mountain bike with admirable skill.
His story is an example of overcoming adversity on two wheels. Although he only uses his right arm, his skill is superior to that of many cyclists who ride their mountain bikes with both arms. "The first time was not easy at all, but after six months of practice I eventually got used to it," he explains.
His bike is adapted: both brakes are on the right handlebar. "I press the front brake with my index finger and the rear brake with my middle finger," Bannister explains, who has also tried road routes with road bikes, although he confesses that he truly feels free when descending technical and demanding trails, where his balance control shines brightest.