Long rides

[LittleBigMan]

Now that I'm getting "bent," I'm looking forward to some longer rides. Will I have an easier time going for longer on my bent?

Will I need to look at LWB bents for long distance rides, or is my SWB ok?

[jeff-o]

The SWB is fine. Just make sure you can carry enough supplies on the bike to keep you sustained...

[bentrox!]

Either will be fine for distance riding. I've seen touring bents of both persuasions. Some of the LWB seats, typically more upright than SWB seats, can produce "recumbutt" pressure over a long ride but not everyone experiences this problem. A LWB's longer frame allows mounting space for bags, bottles, etc. to support your ride and also dampens road vibrations over that length. A SWB has a more compact length, generally handling better than LWB at low speeds and being able to turn in a smaller radius, but also it is more likely to subject you to a harsher ride on rough roads unless it has suspension built-in.

[BlazingPedals]

I seem to remember a picture posted a couple of years ago, of someone who did the Paris-Brest-Paris on a Barcroft (SWB). I don't think I'd want to try big miles on a heavy, clunky model, though - not because of comfort, but because of effort required.

[bent-not-broken]

When I got back into road biking, I found I was beat after a couple hours in the saddle. Neck, wrists and butt couldn't take it. I picked up a used vision VR-45 SWB a couple years ago and finished my first centry last summer. A SWB is typically lighter than a LWB abd there is no reason it cant be as comfortable. This bike is set up for touring with the suspension front fork. The previous owner did the Paris Brevet in under 70 hrs on this bike so the only limit is the engine. Go for it!

Bent

[LittleBigMan]

All I do now is commute to work, about 30 miles round-trip, from 90 to 150 miles/week. But I've always wanted to try the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG,) which I think is about 500 miles over a week. I'll have to get my leg muscles up to par, though!! :D

[Floyd]

With the riding you are doing you will have no problem on the BRAG. I did the BAK, Bike Across Kansas in 2001 and hardly did any training cept 3 or 4 days of a 30+ mile ride. That was added to my normal of only 10 miles 3 or 4 times a week. So you should have no problem.
Peace and keep on enjoying...

[Paul L.]

I find the Recumbent to be a lot friendlier long rides after training lapses than the upright. Probably because it is more comfortable.

[LittleBigMan]

I met a man a couple of years ago on my ride home from work. At first, as I spotted him in the road ahead, I thought he was on a wheelchair. But as I got closer, I saw he was on a recumbent.

We talked for a few moments about his bent. He said he had ridden his bent all the way across the country from Arizona to Atlanta. One thing he said he liked about his USS was he could easily eat as he rode. :) I've never tried that, but he inspired me.

[Dchiefransom]

You should be able to find a rear rack that fits your bike. Then you can just put a trunk rack on it to carry the stuff you need. The Actionbent luggage bag for your seat doesn't look much bigger than a seat bag. It looks like Actionbent sells a nice rack that will fit your bike. The nice thing about a rack and trunk bag on a bent is there's no loss of aerodynamics.

[LittleBigMan]

You should be able to find a rear rack that fits your bike. Then you can just put a trunk rack on it to carry the stuff you need. The Actionbent luggage bag for your seat doesn't look much bigger than a seat bag. It looks like Actionbent sells a nice rack that will fit your bike. The nice thing about a rack and trunk bag on a bent is there's no loss of aerodynamics.
Since you mention it, Dave, I did pay for the rack from Actionbent, but it was on back order. It's due on the 13th. In the meantime, I strapped my backpack to the back of the seat. It conveniently attaches using a nylon strap through it's handle, threaded through the vent in the seat-back and down through the frame. No problem with instability, I guess it's pretty close to where I'm sitting anyway.

When the rack comes, I'll be moving some things around a bit. :)