Overcoming Adversity

[velofreak]

Hello, My name is Jeff.

I'am a freelance writer for magazine publications. I'am looking for individuals who have overcome adversity to start riding recumbents again. Also looking for individuals who cannot ride a normal bicycle, but are able to ride recumbents. Please don't be shy, step up and tell me your story. You can contact me directly at jwj@veloemail.com Thank-You for your time.

Jeff

[aikigreg]

*groan*

[Rogerinchrist]

*groan*

Is there something we should know about?

[truepeacenik]

I'm a real, employed writer and I can spell "I'm."
Thank you,
tpn

although I admit my interest in trikes was piqued by a local guy with a handcycle. It was a for-print deal.

[aikigreg]

Is there something we should know about?

I would like to stop pepetuating the stereotype that everyone on a bent in incapable of riding an upright bike. It's irritating and untrue. Therefore I'd like to see zero articles like this.

[BlazingPedals]

Same here, Greg. I still own and ride an upright, but only ride it under conditions for which it's better suited. In my case, that's riding on ice and snow, or off-road. Recumbents are more comfortable, and in the case of a very few, they can be faster, too.

[Chaco]

The adversity I've overcome is the pain in my butt, back, and neck from riding DF's. Does that count?

[Artkansas]

My journey to riding a recumbent has been one of joy. It started with Popular Mechanic's "GroundHugger" design that I saw in the '60s. It got further amped up when I got to attend the First and Second International Human Powered Speed Contests where recumbents kicked butt. Now the price has come down enough that I am able to afford my own and I enjoy riding it.

I have to admit, to me your solicitation sounds like an exploitation article and one that makes recumbents sound like bikes for the impaired. Your weak command of grammar makes me even more hesitant.

[BlazingPedals]

Hello, My name is Jeff.

I'am a freelance writer for magazine publications. I'am looking for individuals who have overcome adversity to start riding recumbents again. Also looking for individuals who cannot ride a normal bicycle, but are able to ride recumbents.

Jeff

I don't know about the others on this list, but I consider my recumbents to be 'normal bicycles.' Ordinaries and Safety Bicycles are old-fashioned bikes.

[cat0020]

I think he clearly stated that he is a freelance writer, not a rider, not a cyclist, not a recumbent rider.
Maybe he is able to help write something that could be published and help the recumbent bike be more friendly to "non-recumbent rider" or "new cyclists".

The way you guys responded to his request seems rather harsh to someone who is interested in recumbent riding but have never tried recumbent riding. That's hardly the way to help recumbent to become more popular among new riders, or less costly for future productions.

[BlazingPedals]

There was one groan. That hardly constitutes a flaming rebuke. The rest of us have merely stated that we didn't get into recumbency due to an inability to ride uprights. Granted, I've heard of a few stories like velofreak is looking for: paraplegics who use hand-powered trikes, someone with severe back problems, etc; but in this case I figure a few negative answers are better than getting the silent treatment.

As I've stated often, I'm not interested in increasing the number of recumbent riders beyond my circle of friends; and only then because I like to ride with other bents. But if you're of a different attitude, then you should realize that perpetuating stereotypes that they're for the elderly and infirm will only serve to limit ownership.

[SoonerBent]

Only adversity I had was getting tired of watching guys that I knew weren't in as good as shape as I was running off and leaving me on their high racers. I couldn't beat them so I joined them.

[Trsnrtr]

I'd share my tale of adversity (or make one up) for a 30% share and a by-line. :D

[Allister]

I can't ride a 'normal' bike any more. It hurts my arse.

[Dogbait]

I'd share my tale of adversity (or make one up) for a 30% share and a by-line. :D

In my case, it's a tail of adversity. :D

[aikigreg]

I don't care if recumbents ever get more popular, but I do want them to be more accepted among the fast roadies. Which is why I'd prefer fewer articles associating bents with handicaps.

[cat0020]

I don't care if recumbents ever get more popular, but I do want them to be more accepted among the fast roadies. Which is why I'd prefer fewer articles associating bents with handicaps.

If recumbents do not become popular, how are fast rider suppose to know about the capabilities of recumbents? Unfortunately, there are more handicap people than fast riders in the world, unless the handicapped know about the recumbent capabilities, the fast people will not likely give notice to recumbents. The more exposure the public have to recumbent the more likely that the public would discover the capabilities of recumbents themselves, and who knows, maybe the fast riders would get more exposure to recumbents, too.. because they are among the population.

[Recumbomatic]

A writer who knows nothing about recumbents, writing an article for those who know nothing about recumbents. Woohoo! Gotta find an angle to sell this baby...

Look, forget about riders for a while. Study the machines...then circle back and ask "What kind of people ride these things?"

[gcottay]

Hello, My name is Jeff.

I'am a freelance writer for magazine publications . . .

Jeff

You would likely get a much better response if you included a list of your recent placements.

George

[BlazingPedals]

If recumbents do not become popular, how are fast rider suppose to know about the capabilities of recumbents?

As I said before, I don't want to swell the ranks. I'd rather the strong guys stayed on slow platforms.

[cat0020]

As I said before, I don't want to swell the ranks. I'd rather the strong guys stayed on slow platforms.

Recumbents are far from swelling the ranks... I can't even think of a rank for recumbents..

Strong guys stayed on slow platforms, how about going back to using heavier solid tube frame materials, natural rubber tires, leather straps and platform pedals or wooden rims?

[SoonerBent]

As I said before, I don't want to swell the ranks. I'd rather the strong guys stayed on slow platforms.
Ooh! Good point. If some of the hammerheads I ride with got high or low racers I'd be back to watching backs ride away from me.

Seriously though, there are enough bents in the area that I'm far from unique, just a bit of a novelty. I like it that way.

[bobkat]

yeah sure, I could give you a nice sob story about having extensive back surgeries, a fusion and a stroke and graduating from a wheelchair to a walker to a bent! But like a lot of the others on this thread, I hate to have recumbents considered to be bikes for handicapped persons, or people who are unable to ride a "real" bike anymore, especially when I pass most of the upright riders in my age group and down to 20 years younger! Something I doubt I ever could have done on the most expensive gee-whiz upright bike! I maitain that one can buy the most expensive, fanciest bike in the world, but if it isn't comfortable, it won't get ridden! Period!!
Too many people consider recumbents as "bike compromises" for handicapped people and old gray bearded (I don't even have a beard!) guys who consistently bring up the rear and manage to have fun despite their infirmity or age!
Having said that, I do highly recommend bent bikes to a variety of people, especially to people who have conditions that make riding a "real" bike uncomfortable! Which, from the perusal of a lot of web sites, is a considerable number! But yes, I do know of several people who ride bents because they are comfortable doing so, and would be uncomforable or unable to ride any traditional bike for any significant amount!
But bents are not just for old or infirm or handicapped people. If the stigma or being "different" were somehow removed, the entry level prices came down, or more people trying to ride uncomfortable upright bikes (with many ultimately quitting biking altogether) were educated about recumbent advantages, they would be commonplace and quite possibly upright bikes would be in the minority.
Feel free to pm me, Velofreak, but don't expect a sob story with a "saved by the bent" ending!

[truepeacenik]

y'know, this guy could be pulling your info/ comments for his (probably lame) article.

now the guy I had the pleasure of meeting (and he let me play with his bike toys--giving me 'bent fever) is one fast bad a** cyclist.
He smokes a lot of foot peddlers on road races.

my article had some safety, and perceptions, some of how the accident has realigned his life as far as employment and sports but not a bunch of "poor widdle cripple."
I kind of wonder who would read that.
it was my way of covering Bike to Work day.
(and anyone with ideas on angles for next year, please share...since I cannot see the cycle for the 'bents)

[Leigh_caines]

I don't know...
When I rode a road bike the roadies talked to me...
then I got a bad back [from work] and had to put high bars on... most stopped talking to me.
Got a MTB[they talked to me but not after I put high bars on that]
Went recumbent and now I had a new crowd talking to me.
But then I built a bike that could be riden both up or down...
That's when I got heaps of flax from Recumbent riders... like somehow I'd let them down by riding both up and down.
Now I ride...
A road bike with high bars
A MTB with High bars.
A folding bike with high bars
A Long recumbent with under seat bars.
A short recumbent that can be riden both ways.
And.... I've built 4 recumbent bikes for people with disabilities.

I don't know....

What I'm trying to say [in a long winded way] is we are all "Bike Riders" and shouldn't we be trying to get as many people onto bikes and out of their cars as we can?
Can't we all have fun riding what ever we can lay our hands on?

[countersTrike]

put high bars on... most stopped talking to me.
Got a MTB[they talked to me but not after I put high bars on that]
A road bike with high bars
A MTB with High bars.
A folding bike with high bars
A Long recumbent with under seat bars.
A short recumbent that can be riden both ways.

Can't we all have fun riding what ever we can lay our hands on?

And the moral is: don't you dare put high bars on the recumbent!!! :D

countersTrike

[sch]

The OP seems to have melted away, good job guys.

As an aside to Artkansas, where you riding in LR back when William Sanders
was there, (early '70s)? Sort of a redneck type then with a touch of cornpone.
He mutated into 'Sundown Slim' writing a column in Competitive Cycling and then
in the '80s et seq he wrote a series of semi fantasy semi SF novels, at least 9-10
of them and bunches of short stories. I enjoy them when I find them.

[mcjabos]

I was going to post a new thread, but saw your statement about building bikes, so thought i'd start here.
i switched to a bachetta last year and love it, and immediately saw that it would save the life of my buddy, a past outdoor instructor who's battling MS -- the greenspeed trike, with little modifications, has changed his world.

now, my neighbor, a 50 year old that finished a 100 mile race (also a triathlete) has just been hit with a stroke. i know she will need an outlet for her great energy--- she is able to walk assisted at this time, but may never use her left arm.

have you built a trike for someone that can only use one arm? i think she'd be able to strap her slower leg in and build that strength -- but steering could be an issue.

molly

[Leigh_caines]

Yes
Have built one for one arm
If the person has one good arm the stering will be ok [not at 100mph but at normal speed ok]
All the gearing can be put on one side and both brakes working off one lever.
Hear a pic of 2 mates of mine,,,
front is a Greenspeed [rider has the use of only one arm and he can't walk but can peddle]
back rider is on home builthttp://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee220/Leigh_caines/WithGraham015.jpg

[wink]

I was going to post a new thread, but saw your statement about building bikes, so thought i'd start here.
i switched to a bachetta last year and love it, and immediately saw that it would save the life of my buddy, a past outdoor instructor who's battling MS -- the greenspeed trike, with little modifications, has changed his world.

now, my neighbor, a 50 year old that finished a 100 mile race (also a triathlete) has just been hit with a stroke. i know she will need an outlet for her great energy--- she is able to walk assisted at this time, but may never use her left arm.

have you built a trike for someone that can only use one arm? i think she'd be able to strap her slower leg in and build that strength -- but steering could be an issue.

molly

You have my interest as I have a friend that has had a stroke and is trying to ride a regular DF.He is riding down to a little store about a half mile from home but said he is always afraid of his left leg giving out on him.
Wink

[wink]

I was going to post a new thread, but saw your statement about building bikes, so thought i'd start here.
i switched to a bachetta last year and love it, and immediately saw that it would save the life of my buddy, a past outdoor instructor who's battling MS -- the greenspeed trike, with little modifications, has changed his world.

now, my neighbor, a 50 year old that finished a 100 mile race (also a triathlete) has just been hit with a stroke. i know she will need an outlet for her great energy--- she is able to walk assisted at this time, but may never use her left arm.

have you built a trike for someone that can only use one arm? i think she'd be able to strap her slower leg in and build that strength -- but steering could be an issue.

molly

Hey Molly these folks have offended me talking about gray hair, old folks and the like.I do have a lot of gray and I am 63 but I ride my EZ Sport cause my butt likes it and I have the attention of a lot of people a lot younger than me.I do between 30 and 60 miles at 4 or 5 times a week.I don`t have any takers young or old that want to ride with me.We do have some roadies that will smoke me but they are in there twenties so I don`t feel bad and they do talk to me.I also still ride my DF on some rides.
Wink

[sch]

I have also seen a rider in Huntsville AL who rides a trike (Catrike)
equipped as described for one handed operation with both
brakes and shifter on one side of the steerer. Not sure how
the second shifter was controlled (or if there was one for
that matter) but both times the rider was starting a century
though likely not doing the full century. He had an injury while
riding a regular bike resulting in paralysis of the R arm and has
been on the trike for several yrs. I have been led to believe
Catrike set the bike up for him. A google on the Huntsville
bike club (Spring City CC) should generate some contacts
to track further info down.

[neilcooper]

Hello, My name is Jeff.

I'am looking for individuals who have overcome adversity to start riding recumbents again.

Jeff

Do you mean individuals who have overcome adversity to be able to ride again (but constrained to recumbents)?

[mcjabos]

Thanks for all of these thoughts. I did find a recumbent dealer in greenvile, south carolina, who said he can fix a catrike to control with one hand. the challenge for my friend will be getting down on it, but we'll work on that. i figure if she can peddle even with one strong leg and control it with her good arm, she'll kick butt -- and have much needed freedom back. i'll post what we come up with.

my buddy with ms (25 years, can't feel his feet, but a paddler and very strong upper body) has been riding a greenspeed for 6 months and he is addicted. jeff-- i'll give hiim this information about your article. he doesn't type well, so maybe a phone call.
mols

[cranky old dude]

Groan

There. Now we've got two groans.
I've already got one local LBS that I don't frequent anymore due to smug
comments about old farts and recumbents. I too ride both DF's and 'bents.
My god man, they're just machines. Each style of bike, each differently
outfitted bike has it's own purpose for the enjoyment and utilization of it's
owner, period. I own road bikes and mountain bikes, tandems and trikes, comfort
bikes and 'bents but I'm not a Roadie or handicapped or an off-road enthusiast.
I just like the different bikes and use whichever one suits my mood and or
destination at the time. The last thing I want to do is to read a biased article
pigeon-holing riders based on the machine they've chosen to use on any
particular day, or daily for that matter.

[Leigh_caines]

<Each style of bike, each differently
outfitted bike has it's own purpose for the enjoyment and utilization of it's
owner, period. I own road bikes and mountain bikes, tandems and trikes, comfort
bikes and 'bents but I'm not a Roadie or handicapped or an off-road enthusiast.>>

While I agree and have much the same line up of bikes as you
What if you were handicapped

[Leigh_caines]

would yyou not want someone like me helping you get a bike that you could ride?

[countersTrike]

would yyou not want someone like me helping you get a bike that you could ride?

I meant that wisecrack about high handlebars as a joke; this thread seems to be wandering! Startingwith a small stereotype! Where the old rider quote came from, I do not know.

I started riding recumbent trikes in my

[countersTrike]

oops- wrong key..... to continue..... I started in my 20s (before the white beard/aerobelly stereotype was even known).

I like to move all controls to one side, for me that is preference. I would not like hearing "you need this...... " or "you need that...... " Ideas are helpful, but I often go right back to whatever works.

countersTrike

[Leigh_caines]

.>>I meant that wisecrack about high handlebars as a joke<<
:) and that's how I took it

[BlazingPedals]

The OP seems to have melted away, good job guys.


The OP joined on BF 9/01, made a bunch of posts to the Classic forum, then after a month and a half of acquiescence, made one post here. He made no further posts in any forum since then. I doubt that we chased him away; in fact I doubt if he ever checked back here to see any responses. Heck, we might cooperate more if he'd handled it better - or at all. Painting recumbents as a last choice to physical activity just didn't strike a chord with me; it was more like subtle insult.