Story posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A Trike Built For 2
Stephanie and Hap Holly can be seen riding their double "trike" in this Saturday's Des Plaines Fourth of July parade.
Following Accident and Broken Bones, Local Duo Hits the Streets Again On Specially Made Bike
By DENISE FLEISCHER Lifestyle Editor
Hap and Stephanie Holly have put their own spin on riding bikes together.
They ride a pair of "trikes", coupled together through design, because Hap has been blind since age 7.
"Bike riding is something I, as a blind husband, can do with my sighted wife for recreation," said Hap. "She sits in the lead trike and we ride mainly in town. We haven't ventured too far from home yet."
They haven't traveled far because they first must build up endurance. The fact they are even riding today is because of determination.
On July 12, 2003, the Hollys were riding a traditional two- wheel tandem in front of Trinity Lutheran Church. Stephanie lost control of the tandem and attempted to jump off thinking Hap wouldn't be injured.
"But instead she got her feet tangled in the bike," explained Hap. "I was thrown clear and landed on the grass without a scratch. She broke her left arm below the elbow and left leg below the knee and knocked out a couple of teeth."
Stephanie was in Ballard Nursing Home until mid-November of that year. Hap was amazed and grateful with the support he received from his network of friends at a time when he really needed help. They provided him with transportation to the train so he could get to and from work, provided meals, went through his mail and were instrumental in helping him visit Stephanie several times a week at Ballard.
According to her husband, Stephanie didn't even think of getting back on a bike until spring 2008. It wasn't until a co-worker of her's wanted to buy her bike, did she change her mind. She took down her own 3-speed bike, filled up the tires and took it out for a ride in front of the house.
"Gingerly she climbed on it and was grateful her arm and leg still worked the way they did five years earlier," said Hap. "Okay, so now we wanted to see if we could get a tandem that would be safer."
The new Hass trikes are coupled together to create the 5-wheel Hass tandem. Each trike has its own pedals and 8-speed gear hub, meaning that the Hollys can individually pedal and shift gears as needed when they're moving or motionless. They have "topped out" at 12 m.p.h.
During this Saturday's Des Plaines' Fourth of July parade, you'll see Stephanie and Hap pedaling along proudly on their bicycle made for two. The Des Plaines Historical Society will be sponsoring them in the parade to promote the society's Ice Cream Social.
Hap is employed as an audio engineer and monitor for Horizons for the Blind in Crystal Lake since 2000. He is active in the Des Plaines Lions and Des Plaines Toastmasters clubs. He produces a weekly audio, Ham radio feature magazine called the RAIN Report on http://www.therainreport.com.
Stephanie has worked as an administrative billing clerk for the past 15 years.
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