For the first time in 16 years, Renee Junga is considering a return to competitive downhill mountain biking.

In 2006, she suffered spinal injuries when she crashed at the Mountain Bike World Championships at Rotorua in New Zealand.

“I got a bit too keen, overshot a jump and fell on my head and sustained a spinal cord injury,” Junga said.

Now, finally bike technology has started to catch up, with adaptive three-wheeled bikes being produced where the riders can be strapped to their seats.

“It’s a game changer,” Junga said.

Junga travelled to South Australia from Queensland for the Downhill State Championships at Willunga last weekend to test out new bikes and trails.

“Seeing how much fun everyone is having riding just makes me want to give it a go again,” Junga said.

For Junga, who has been passionate about the sport since she was a child, the opportunity to ride again was long overdue.

“I didn’t ride any kind of bike until two or three years ago when I got my adaptive mountain bike,” Junga said.

“When I had my accident in 2006, the technology just wasn’t there.

Key points:

• Adaptive three-wheeled mountain bikes are giving people with spinal injuries the chance to compete again
• The Downhill State Championships were held at Willunga last weekend
• Enthusiasts are hoping adaptive cycling will be embraced on a national level

“Perhaps people who’ve never known how cool it is to ride a bike, just because they live with a disability it doesn’t mean they can’t experience it and enjoy it the same way an able-bodied person does”

“There are hopes it could even be embraced on an international level with a debut at the Commonwealth Games ”

“The more people we can get into the sport, and show the possibilities that would be great”

Source
Che Chorley
ABC News