Fifty Plus (50+) - Verrrry Interesting! - Arte Johnson

Today, I rode my recumbent bike on the street for the first real ride. I got the bike in late November and we have been pretty much snow bound here until a few days ago. (In fact, I did try it out for a very short ride in December, but, that only lasted about 5 minutes, so I am not counting that.)

I have had the bike in a wind trainer for the last several weeks, but, actually riding it started today and, as Arte Johnson said many years ago, verrrry interesting. It is a short wheel base, under seat steering bike which is nothing like anything I have ever been on. I was able to start and ride around the block a couple of times without too much drama and then, with brave heart, set off down the street.

Not long later, I saw a friend standing at the end of his driveway talking to a neighbour and decide to stop to show off the new toy. After gliding to a graceful stop, I promptly fell over sideways just like Arte Johnson on Laugh-in. And, laughing was the only thing to do:o . After getting up and explaining how it was my first ride and receiving some kind "advice", I headed off for a few more turns around the local streets. On arriving back in my driveway, I came to my second full stop of the day with the same result:rolleyes: . Anyway, I think I am going to enjoy this bike and would recomment that you give one a try if you have the opportunity. My road bike is not going anywhere soon though, even if it ends up as wall art.

I know that some of you will wonder why I didn't post this in the Recumbent forum, but, this is the part of the forum I come to first and enjoy the most, so here it is.

You will quickly learn to downshift before any stop, when you make your first uphill start in too high a gear also. Since you can't stand on a bent, getting started can be a wobbly challenge. I used BMX pedals for the first few hundred miles on mine so I didn't have to worry about clicking in in addition to steering and getting up speed.
Steve

Yes, sch, I think I will be leaving the clipless pedals in the tool box for a while. On thinking about my falls, I realize that when I came to a stop, the bike leaned to the side away from the one I was expecting. I will have to practice leaning to one side as I come to a full stop. Other than that, I was able to do U-turns in the road and avoid the potholes and stuff. I have done so much reading on the various forums about learning to ride a recumbent that most of what I experienced was not unexpected.

Well, the good news is that you don't have quite as far to fall.

Especially with a SWB understeering bike I'd leave the clipless off for the first few hundred miles. When I first read your post I thought "great - here's someone old enough to remember Rowen and Martin's laugh in!" Then I remembered it was the 50 plus section! Ha! I've felt like Arte several times when learning clipless on my bent, but sure like them now, especially with a high BB.
The SWB, high BB, understeering bikes have a definite learning curve, but once you get the hang of them you'll probably love it.

By the bye - what make and model did you choose and why? Thanks!

By the bye - what make and model did you choose and why? Thanks!

I'm curious about this answer also. I'm looking at the longer wheel base Burleys, because it seems like an easier transition, and then the whole family could ride it more readily.