Originally Posted by John Forester
NC, you must be a very clumsy cyclist to take that long to solo a recumbent on the road. Of course, I don't suppose that you see your words as admitting your clumsiness.
The first time I tried a recumbent, I just got on and rode it, because it handled just like I expected a recumbent to handle. For that matter, the first time I leaped onto an ordinary (that's the motion that is required), I just mounted and rode it, because it handled as I expected an ordinary to handle.
To emphasize the point, I never expected a recumbent to handle just like a diamond-frame bike. I am not so stupid.
Was it a long wheel base, or short wheel base recumbent? It can take a bit of time to get used to the extra-responsive steering of the short wheel base bikes. I switched to long wheel base because of that.
As for the steering, it's interesting that most folks on 'bent forums admit that they cannot ride hands free on their 'bents, so there are definitely differences.
SBHikes, you need to try a Lightfoot Ranger. Offroad 'bent.