Originally Posted by
DeadGrandpa
I'd like to address the most recent posters who either have had a crash or know someone who had a crash, resulting in major alterations to their cycling habits.
I'm 72 and I was forced (by health issues) to convert from riding two wheels to three wheels about 3+1/2 years ago. It was either that, or quit riding altogether. I can't afford to crash, but life without pedaling is not worth living. I have e-assist on my trike and it helps me keep up with my wife on her traditional bike. Since my conversion, I have put just under 11k miles on my trike odometer.
Honestly, I never thought I would ride a trike or need e-assist, but the money I've spent on my trike has been the best money I've ever spent. I normally ride paved roads, but changing my tires to knobbys and lowering the pressure let's me ride the more civilized gravel on Forest Service Roads and rail trails without much discomfort. There are trikes with more sophisticated suspension than mine has, for those who need it.
I'm guessing that most members of this forum would reject the need to get e-assist or convert to three wheels, but if your life situation changes, you may find a solution on the path that I've followed. I find the experience remarkably similar to pedaling a bike, and it's definitely better than not riding at all. That's just my opinion.
My experience is very similar to yours with the result being absolutely positive. My osteoarthritis became much more an issue as I approached 70 and now at 75 I am managing things well thanks to a recumbent trike joining my bikes 3 years ago. Knees need extra care, as they are still critical to keeping my milage up but back, hip, wrists and hands are much less an issue and I am keeping my milage up thanks to the trike. Rather than being a distraction my time on the trike is pleasurable in differing and similar ways to two wheels. I have no doubt that an e-assist may be in my future with 2 and/or 3 wheels but am not dreading it at all.