Jeanette Adams’s previously active and healthy life was turned upside down in 2010 when a serious skiing accident resulted in her having three inches of her tibia removed.
Over the next three and a half years - as well as being housebound in a wheelchair and suffering from pain and infections - she underwent countless operations and hospital appointments until doctors finally decided to amputate her leg below the knee.
However, just over three years ago she started cycling, which has revitalised her life.
She is now a Breeze Champion, as well as being a multiple sportive rider (up to and including 100-mile events) and a dedicated fundraiser for the LimbPower charity.
Cycling means everything to me. It is my exercise, my freedom, my way of coping with my struggles.
Jeanette Adams
Jeanette said: “Cycling means everything to me. It is my exercise, my freedom, my way of coping with my struggles. It wasn’t easy for me when I started cycling as I don’t have full bend on my knee and my balance wasn't that great, so I fell of over a lot but I never gave up.
"I still have challenges - my leg sweats then my prosthetic starts to fall off - but luckily for me, my ladies are very understanding when I have to call them to stop.
"Becoming a Breeze ride leader was the best thing I’ve ever done: to encourage other ladies to do what I can do is just an amazing feeling. I am not the strongest or the fastest rider but it’s what I can do that counts. My ladies are always telling me how amazing I am, but really I’m just another lady who loves to cycle.”
Jeanette was nominated for 100 Women in Cycling by several people including Katie Kingham of Redbridge Cycling Club. Katie said: “I met Jeanette when she came on one of my Breeze rides. She had started cycling to become fitter and cope with her life-changing accident.
"Over the years I have known her, she has worked so hard to improve her riding and despite ongoing problems with her leg, regularly rides distances of up to 100 miles, always with a smile on her face and huge amounts of determination.
"Since qualifying as a Breeze Champion, Jeanette has used her love of cycling to inspire other women to get on their bikes. She is building up some very successful rides in her local area in Essex. And with her involvement with the charity LimbPower, she wants to take her experience of riding with a disability further by helping others to get out and ride.”
Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling is an annual list celebrating inspirational women who are encouraging others to cycle.
