Commuting - Commuting on a New Bike

It's been a while since I've posted here, but that's because I'm getting used to my new Rans Stratus recumbant bicycle for commuting. It has been a pleasure too, as it gives me the visibility and stability I didn't have with either of my upright bicycles. I brought it home about two weeks ago, and started riding it to work that week. My first ride home was 16 miles, and even though it rained, snowed and sleeted, I had a very enjoyable, and fast, ride home. Now, riding to work is a lot of fun, sometimes the highlight of my day.

Today, it didn't rain, but started out pretty cool (low 40s F), and cloudy. The roads were good, however, and the cars not too aggressive. I'm still riding partially on road, partially on a bicycle path, but the road seems friendlier than it did before. People do see me, and they do smile too. One little girl with her mother pointed to me, and I waved back (made her mother smile too!).

I'm keeping both my upright bicycles, but I put my Schwinn LeTour in the shop because I couldn't figure out what was causing the "whooshing" sound when I peddled hard. One bike shop thought it was my derailure, so I took it in to the LBS I got the Stratus from, and the mechanics found out what was the matter. I had been riding on a broken rear axle! I'm sure glad I got it to the shop!

'Good day today. Here's a photo of me riding my Stratus.

John

The Stratus looks fun and like a definite smile-getter! Thanks for showing it off. I hope the LeTour recovers. :)

Keep me informed, John. I really wanted a Rans recumbent, but could never afford a new bike. Then, I talked myself out of it, thinking that a recumbent, though comfortable, would be inefficient for my hilly commute.

But I really want updates, if you care to provide them.

--Pete

Today was a rainy, windy, interesting day to be on the Stratus. It was very windy, with gusts to 20-25 mph. I was surprised at how stable the Stratus was in the wind. I had thought the faring would have made it "tippy," but that was not the case. The wind seemed simply to go over the Windwrap faring that I have on the Stratus. It catches the wind when it is at my back, and when it is dead on, head on, the wind simply goes over the faring. It does hit my face, and I had to take my safety glasses off in the rain at night, but that was very managable. The rain only affects me from about the shoulders up, so all I need to wear is a rain jacket with a hood (I wear the hood under my helmet, because its been fairly cold--low 40s F and high 30s F).

Pete, I do have a hill to climb on my route to work, and do it fairly easily in the lowest middle gear (I haven't figured out the gear/inches yet). I had to climb the Portland Hills on my first trip from the bicycle shop, and that was no problem either. It's different from a regular (diamond) bicycle, in that you need to keep the rpms up, and stay in a low gear. But it is quite manageable. I've included a photo of me going over Portland's West Hills.

I do find turning with the rans much different, and something I haven't fully learned yet. I guess that is the difference between my 18 foot canoe, and a kayak, on the water; the Rans Stratus will not be able to turn inside the regular bicycle, but it does do other things better.

John

I do find turning with the rans much different, and something I haven't fully learned yet. I guess that is the difference between my 18 foot canoe, and a kayak, on the water; the Rans Stratus will not be able to turn inside the regular bicycle, but it does do other things better.

Perhaps it's the long wheel base. I wonder if the short wheel base turns any more sharply?

John, you're going to have to visit the recumbent forum more, now!

;)