Catrike Hand rests

The new Catrike hand rests are simple but very effective. Resting my hand on the soft pad of the hand rest is much more comfortable then on the metal handlebar. While I was looking for comfort I also discovered that these little rests helped with maintaining a light touch on the handlebar grips by allowing the lower part of the hand to help stabilize the handlebar.

Pics of the Day - Catrike 700

Maria Parker and Recumbent Cycle-Con

Maria Parker to be at Recumbent Cycle-Con in November.

"Dork Factor"

In Byran Ball's article in the Adventure Cyclist magazine Byran says, "I also hear a lot of  talk about the dork factor" in regards to the perception of recumbents  Let's take the word "dork", Wikipedia defines dork as "a slang word for a stupid or inept person." Stupid and inept defines Wikipedia so lets move on. I find that the Urban Dictionary defines "dork" quite well, "Someone who has odd interests, and is often silly at times." It goes on, "A dork is also someone who can be themselves and not care what anyone thinks." Bingo! I'm a dork!

I'm not looking to blend in, I've spent to many stressful years trying to blend in and to be "normal" as defined by a "civilized" society and my ex wife. I drove the proper cars, wore the proper clothes and socialized with the proper people. Back in the early 1990"s that all changed with a divorce (the ex was enjoying her business trips a little to much) and meeting Carrie and eventually getting married, putting aside the expectations of others and living our own life.

I know that just about everyone out on the road is looking at me ride my recumbent trike and they all have opinions guided by what is "normal." I'm enjoying my self to much to care about what is "normal." How many of the gawkers wish they could be riding along with me but are to busy trying to be "normal" and "fit in." I've seen folks, closer to my age, riding a traditional bike and looking absolutely miserable. How long can they keep that up, trying to fit in by riding a crotch rocket?

With some exception it seems to me that everything about riding a recumbent makes more sense for the average recreational cyclist then riding a traditional diamond frame bike. But what bicycle racers ride drives the market and racers ride what the UCI (International Cycling Union) tells them to ride thus the traditional diamond frame bicycle based on a UCI formula from the 1930's. 

I digress.

Suffice it to say that dorks "someone who can be themselves and not care what anyone thinks" have more fun. We're not govern by someone else's standard. We're living life, we're living smart and we're living our way. Let the others play follow leader from pasture to pasture.

Trikers Aren't Cyclists?

In the latest "recumbent" edition of Adventure Cyclist magazine Mark Colliton of Bacchetta bicycles said of recumbent trikes in relation to his recumbent bicycles "We're cyclists, not tricyclists." In my book there are bicyclists, tricyclists and a few quadcyclists  but we're all "cyclists".

In the article Colliton acknowledges that he underestimated the growth of the recumbent trike market. He then goes on to, what seems to me, disparage trike riders, "Here's the deal - baby boomers with time and money to come back to cycling are finding they just want to be able to ride and not think about it." He goes on, "They don't have to worry about balance or shifting. Most of them use internal hubs."

Colliton seems to talk down recumbent trikes in the same manner some traditional cyclists talk down all recumbent cycles.

Read the article in Adventure Cycling Magazine and decide for yourself if Mark Colliton of Bacchetta bicycles is less then enthusiastic about trikes.

I got some time on my hands so I'm going to hop on my expensive trike and not think about being on the road with 3000 pound cars buzzing by or worry about leaning into a tight downhill turn at 45 miles an hour. Where's my internal hub!!??

Adventure Cycling Magazine 7/13

It's that time of year, the Adventure Cycling Magazine recumbent edition.

Bryan Ball's (bentrideronline.com guru) contribution, a must read for any cyclist who is thinking of getting bent.

Ditch the Air Brakes

I finally said goodbye to wearing shorts when riding the 700. The only effective way to keep cycling shorts and pants from ballooning and becoming an effective air brake is to keep them in the closet and wear lycra cycling shorts. Problem, you can't go into your LBS (local bike shop) and try them on. The LBS's sell lycra shorts with padding. Online is the best option for finding recumbent lycra cycling shorts but it's a hit or miss option. I  finally hit.

Like the Hummvee shorts I just bought and will still use on slower rides on my Expedition you get what you pay for. Over time I've looked at different lycra riding shorts. After recently returning a pair of lycra shorts that felt more like glorified underwear I decided to spend a little more money, $90 to be exact, to see if paying more can make a difference. It made a difference Boure men's Pro bent shorts  are worth the money.