This Cyclist With Cerebral Palsy Found Freedom on Her Tricycle
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Name: Lovepreet Deo
Age: 40
Hometown: Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
Occupation: Video Editor
Time Cycling: 28 years
Reason for Cycling: It’s my passion. I use a walker every day, and cycling gives me more freedom.
When I was one year old, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy that affects the mobility of my legs. Doctors told my family that I would not walk, and that I would never be able to do things by myself. And I proved them all wrong. When I was a kid, I was using a wheelchair. I went to school and had physical therapy every week.
When I was 12, my parents bought me a bike that I could ride outside; it was a large tricycle. I rode it back and forth down my street all summer long throughout middle school and high school. I thought it was the most fun thing ever, and I felt like I was getting stronger.
I started using a walker more after high school. I was sick of sitting in one spot and not being able to easily move around. And with a wheelchair, you can’t go everywhere. With a walker, you can go into smaller spaces and it’s a little bit easier in general. I continued to ride my tricycle outdoors, and would do a 5K charity ride every year with my friends and family for Cerebral Palsy Alberta.
About 7 years ago, I decided I wanted to start going to the gym. I had moved to a new city and needed something to do. I didn’t know anybody, and thought it would be a good way to meet people. I would walk around the track and would jump on the exercise bike for the first couple months.
Then I hired a personal trainer, Dawn Sorsdahl. She helped me start strength training, using the TRX, hand weights and other machines at the gym.
When my annual charity ride was around the corner in September 2015, I asked Dawn if she wanted to do it with me. Instead, she challenged me to do a 20K. The most I had ever done on my bike was a 10K. I looked at her and said, “You’re crazy!” And she responded, “What if we tried?”
So I started upping my training, and it was amazing. In 4 months, I did my first 20K. We did it in over 2 hours. I was exhausted, but the next day I did another 4K in honor of Canadian runner Terry Fox. I was thoroughly exhausted and super sore for a couple weeks, but I did it.
I continued to challenge myself. My brother challenged me to do a half marathon in 2016, and this time my response was, “I could do that.” Every day I was on the bike, training at the gym, and riding outside for a total of three hours while working two jobs.
In July 2016, I did the MEC Half Marathon in Calgary, Alberta, on my tricycle, and my trainer Dawn ran beside me. It took us 2.5 hours, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But I did it!
I started doing more 20K races for cerebral palsy, raising money for the Cerebral Palsy Alberta. During COVID, I wasn’t able to go to the gym due to lockdowns, but bought a Schwinn exercise bike to use at home to continue riding.
For my 40th birthday in 2021, I wanted to do something big, so I decided to climb the 11-story Memorial Stairs in north Calgary (without my walker). Everybody talks about how those are the hardest stairs to climb. It took me 40 minutes, but I showed everyone it was possible.
For 2022, I have set a new goal to log 2,000 kilometers (1242.742 miles) by the end of the year. I use Strava to keep track of how much I’ve done. It’s something I want to do to prove to myself that I can do it. I am on my bike 7 days a week. During the week I get up at 5:45 a.m., get dressed and jump on my bike and do 5-7km. Then I eat breakfast, go to the gym, train with my trainer Dawn, or get on the bike again and do another 7-10km. I bike 50km a week or more.
What Made My Cycling Journey a Success:
1. Follow your heart
If your heart’s not into it, you will never be able to accomplish anything. My soul is in cycling, and I love challenging myself.
2. Never give up
There are days where I want to give up, or I don’t want to go to the gym, or days I wonder why the heck I am doing this. But I have a big support group. Between my family, my trainer, and my gym friends, they all cheer me on.
3. Push your limits
If you don’t push your limits, you will never know what’s possible. I never thought I could do 20km, and today I could do it in a heartbeat. I want other cyclists to know that anything is possible! The sky’s the limit.
Lovepreet’s Must-Have Gear
→ Beats Solo 3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones: I always have music on when I ride. I love anything pop and R&B.
→ Spotify: I use Spotify to stream all my music and keep me motivated.
→ Fruit: After my workouts, I like to have an apple or banana to refuel.
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