perfect weekend
08-12-07, 05:16 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Western Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 196
Bikes: Catrike Trail (fixed frame) tadpole trike recumbent
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perfect weekend
The weather was beautiful this weekend. Massive thunderstorms woke us up at 3:30 am Saturday morning. The rain didn't hit for another half hour, but the lightning show was phenomenal. This was a classic upper-midwestern "bow-echo" storm: the downdraft behind the core of the storm is so strong it delivers 70+ mph winds and literally pushes the storm front into a bowed shape.
Errands kept me off the bike until the afternoon, when the Domestic Associate and I rode into town for dinner. I set up the recumbent for her: adjusted the seat and handlebars forward and removed the SPD pedals. I was back on the Walmart suspension mt bike. Me no likey: 2 miles and my back is singing, and the hands are numb. That's okay, it's just a short ride anyways. After some subs, we rode down to the falls that lend River Falls its oh-so-clever name, then went for a swim at the muni pool.
By then the popcorn clouds drifting overhead were growing larger and darker, so we toodled our way back home. While watching a good movie on dvd with popcorn, we were treated to another lightning show, but with less damaging winds this time.
Sunday dawned clear and mild, so the recumbike went on the rack for a nice long ride on the Cannon Valley trail. I started just west of Red Wing, and rode through Welch all the way to Cannon Falls, where I stopped for lunch. While my bike isn't large, that tree is a HUGE cottonwood. I managed to perform only my second-ever 0-mph fall as I clipped in while still on the grass. No one was around to see except for the tree and Crazy Frog, and he ain't talking.
I wasn't out for any speed records, but I managed to set a new high average speed for this 32 mile round trip: 14.5 mph. The legs are getting used to this, barely any fatigue after the ride. The temp stayed around 85° and the trail is mostly a shady, green tunnel through the river valley. Where it opened up, the sun was tempered by a pleasant breeze. The most popular questions I get when out riding the trail on the weekend are always, "Is that bike as comfortable as it looks?" followed by "Is it hard to ride?" I got several of each of these questions this weekend. Yes it's very comfortable, and no, it's not hard to ride, though it's not as maneuverable at low speeds as a conventional bike.
The icing on the cake on the way home is that gas prices have fallen to $2.65 a gallon. Life is sweet!
Errands kept me off the bike until the afternoon, when the Domestic Associate and I rode into town for dinner. I set up the recumbent for her: adjusted the seat and handlebars forward and removed the SPD pedals. I was back on the Walmart suspension mt bike. Me no likey: 2 miles and my back is singing, and the hands are numb. That's okay, it's just a short ride anyways. After some subs, we rode down to the falls that lend River Falls its oh-so-clever name, then went for a swim at the muni pool.
By then the popcorn clouds drifting overhead were growing larger and darker, so we toodled our way back home. While watching a good movie on dvd with popcorn, we were treated to another lightning show, but with less damaging winds this time.
Sunday dawned clear and mild, so the recumbike went on the rack for a nice long ride on the Cannon Valley trail. I started just west of Red Wing, and rode through Welch all the way to Cannon Falls, where I stopped for lunch. While my bike isn't large, that tree is a HUGE cottonwood. I managed to perform only my second-ever 0-mph fall as I clipped in while still on the grass. No one was around to see except for the tree and Crazy Frog, and he ain't talking.
I wasn't out for any speed records, but I managed to set a new high average speed for this 32 mile round trip: 14.5 mph. The legs are getting used to this, barely any fatigue after the ride. The temp stayed around 85° and the trail is mostly a shady, green tunnel through the river valley. Where it opened up, the sun was tempered by a pleasant breeze. The most popular questions I get when out riding the trail on the weekend are always, "Is that bike as comfortable as it looks?" followed by "Is it hard to ride?" I got several of each of these questions this weekend. Yes it's very comfortable, and no, it's not hard to ride, though it's not as maneuverable at low speeds as a conventional bike.
The icing on the cake on the way home is that gas prices have fallen to $2.65 a gallon. Life is sweet!
08-13-07, 04:57 AM
#2
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The weather was beautiful this weekend. Massive thunderstorms woke us up at 3:30 am Saturday morning. The rain didn't hit for another half hour, but the lightning show was phenomenal. This was a classic upper-midwestern "bow-echo" storm: the downdraft behind the core of the storm is so strong it delivers 70+ mph winds and literally pushes the storm front into a bowed shape.
Errands kept me off the bike until the afternoon, when the Domestic Associate and I rode into town for dinner. I set up the recumbent for her: adjusted the seat and handlebars forward and removed the SPD pedals. I was back on the Walmart suspension mt bike. Me no likey: 2 miles and my back is singing, and the hands are numb. That's okay, it's just a short ride anyways. After some subs, we rode down to the falls that lend River Falls its oh-so-clever name, then went for a swim at the muni pool.
By then the popcorn clouds drifting overhead were growing larger and darker, so we toodled our way back home. While watching a good movie on dvd with popcorn, we were treated to another lightning show, but with less damaging winds this time.
Sunday dawned clear and mild, so the recumbike went on the rack for a nice long ride on the Cannon Valley trail. I started just west of Red Wing, and rode through Welch all the way to Cannon Falls, where I stopped for lunch. While my bike isn't large, that tree is a HUGE cottonwood. I managed to perform only my second-ever 0-mph fall as I clipped in while still on the grass. No one was around to see except for the tree and Crazy Frog, and he ain't talking.
I wasn't out for any speed records, but I managed to set a new high average speed for this 32 mile round trip: 14.5 mph. The legs are getting used to this, barely any fatigue after the ride. The temp stayed around 85° and the trail is mostly a shady, green tunnel through the river valley. Where it opened up, the sun was tempered by a pleasant breeze. The most popular questions I get when out riding the trail on the weekend are always, "Is that bike as comfortable as it looks?" followed by "Is it hard to ride?" I got several of each of these questions this weekend. Yes it's very comfortable, and no, it's not hard to ride, though it's not as maneuverable at low speeds as a conventional bike.
The icing on the cake on the way home is that gas prices have fallen to $2.65 a gallon. Life is sweet!
Errands kept me off the bike until the afternoon, when the Domestic Associate and I rode into town for dinner. I set up the recumbent for her: adjusted the seat and handlebars forward and removed the SPD pedals. I was back on the Walmart suspension mt bike. Me no likey: 2 miles and my back is singing, and the hands are numb. That's okay, it's just a short ride anyways. After some subs, we rode down to the falls that lend River Falls its oh-so-clever name, then went for a swim at the muni pool.
By then the popcorn clouds drifting overhead were growing larger and darker, so we toodled our way back home. While watching a good movie on dvd with popcorn, we were treated to another lightning show, but with less damaging winds this time.
Sunday dawned clear and mild, so the recumbike went on the rack for a nice long ride on the Cannon Valley trail. I started just west of Red Wing, and rode through Welch all the way to Cannon Falls, where I stopped for lunch. While my bike isn't large, that tree is a HUGE cottonwood. I managed to perform only my second-ever 0-mph fall as I clipped in while still on the grass. No one was around to see except for the tree and Crazy Frog, and he ain't talking.
I wasn't out for any speed records, but I managed to set a new high average speed for this 32 mile round trip: 14.5 mph. The legs are getting used to this, barely any fatigue after the ride. The temp stayed around 85° and the trail is mostly a shady, green tunnel through the river valley. Where it opened up, the sun was tempered by a pleasant breeze. The most popular questions I get when out riding the trail on the weekend are always, "Is that bike as comfortable as it looks?" followed by "Is it hard to ride?" I got several of each of these questions this weekend. Yes it's very comfortable, and no, it's not hard to ride, though it's not as maneuverable at low speeds as a conventional bike.
The icing on the cake on the way home is that gas prices have fallen to $2.65 a gallon. Life is sweet!
You probably could better fit the Wal-mart bike so it doesn't hurt you. Are the seatpost and stem adjustable?
08-13-07, 11:23 AM
#3
half fast
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Western Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 196
Bikes: Catrike Trail (fixed frame) tadpole trike recumbent
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I think it's plain too small. I had to get an extra long seat post, and find that I'm wayyyy above the handlebars. I replaced the cheap saddle with an old San Marco I used to ride. It gives a bit of pain on the seat bones but isn't too uncomfortable.
If the missus starts to join my obsession, she can have the recumbent and I'll get me a better one.
If the missus starts to join my obsession, she can have the recumbent and I'll get me a better one.
