Electric Cranks
I recently cycled the 100 miles from Berwick upon Tweed to Newcastle with this group of cyclists, most living with LVAD devices (see below if you would like to know more) , what impressed me most was their positivity. I say most, Luca, the guy at the top of the stairs had a heart transplant just one month before this image was taken, he completed the ride with gusto and he never stopped smiling. Kudos to all.
Background of the Electric Cranks Cycling Club
The Electric Cranks Cycling Club is a remarkable and inspiring community of cyclists who share a powerful bond: every member is living with acute heart failure and relies on a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) to support their heart function. Formed out of resilience, hope, and a shared passion for life on two wheels, the club represents a pioneering step in redefining what’s possible for those living with advanced heart conditions.
LVADs are mechanical devices that help pump blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body, often used in patients with severe heart failure—either as a bridge to transplant or as a long-term solution. For many, the presence of an LVAD can feel like the end of physical ambition. But the Electric Cranks prove otherwise.
Founded by patients, supported by healthcare professionals, and united by determination, the club offers its members more than exercise—it offers freedom, camaraderie, and a sense of control in the face of chronic illness. The “crank” in the name refers not just to the bicycle crankset, but also to the inner drive of each rider—powered not just by electricity, but by sheer will and collective strength.
Cycling with an LVAD presents unique challenges—equipment adaptations, battery management, and constant medical awareness—but the Electric Cranks tackle these together. They ride not only to improve physical health and cardiovascular endurance, but also to break stigma, raise awareness, and inspire others living with heart failure to pursue active and meaningful lives.
The club rides regularly, supports new members with peer mentoring, and partners with cardiologists, physiotherapists, and transplant units to ensure all activity is safe and empowering. Their motto: “Powered by Heart and Electricity” perfectly captures the spirit of the Electric Cranks—a club that refuses to be defined by limitation and instead rides toward hope, health, and community.
Electric Cranks
I recently cycled the 100 miles from Berwick upon Tweed to Newcastle with this group of cyclists, most living with LVAD devices (see below if you would like to know more) , what impressed me most was their positivity. I say most, Luca, the guy at the top of the stairs had a heart transplant just one month before this image was taken, he completed the ride with gusto and he never stopped smiling. Kudos to all.
Background of the Electric Cranks Cycling Club
The Electric Cranks Cycling Club is a remarkable and inspiring community of cyclists who share a powerful bond: every member is living with acute heart failure and relies on a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) to support their heart function. Formed out of resilience, hope, and a shared passion for life on two wheels, the club represents a pioneering step in redefining what’s possible for those living with advanced heart conditions.
LVADs are mechanical devices that help pump blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body, often used in patients with severe heart failure—either as a bridge to transplant or as a long-term solution. For many, the presence of an LVAD can feel like the end of physical ambition. But the Electric Cranks prove otherwise.
Founded by patients, supported by healthcare professionals, and united by determination, the club offers its members more than exercise—it offers freedom, camaraderie, and a sense of control in the face of chronic illness. The “crank” in the name refers not just to the bicycle crankset, but also to the inner drive of each rider—powered not just by electricity, but by sheer will and collective strength.
Cycling with an LVAD presents unique challenges—equipment adaptations, battery management, and constant medical awareness—but the Electric Cranks tackle these together. They ride not only to improve physical health and cardiovascular endurance, but also to break stigma, raise awareness, and inspire others living with heart failure to pursue active and meaningful lives.
The club rides regularly, supports new members with peer mentoring, and partners with cardiologists, physiotherapists, and transplant units to ensure all activity is safe and empowering. Their motto: “Powered by Heart and Electricity” perfectly captures the spirit of the Electric Cranks—a club that refuses to be defined by limitation and instead rides toward hope, health, and community.