Sandy and anyone else interested in trying a recumbent,

The reason I suggested the Mid West Recumbent Rally in another message to someone who doesn’t yet have a recumbent is most recumbent rallies have a component not found in most other bike events. They usually include a “demo” time with lots of recumbents to try. For example the schedule for the Mid West Recumbent Rally shows demo time both Saturday AM & PM. Based on reports from other forums there are people who go to these events just to attend the demo time.

Go and try one or more.

Ive thought about a recumbent trike. Local shop got one in, but it was a cheapie and the gears didn't shift. I have friend that rides them--he rode from New Mexico to Georgia. He said don't get that brand. It's the only one I've had a chance to try and I didn't like it.

I went cheap!...Bell brand from Walmartl...it's held up well so far and very comfortable on the sometimes "not so smooth" pavement...

Ride three today and the seat I bought (a discontinued Bontrager) works fine.

New question. Although the trails I've sought are for the most part concrete and asphalt there are stretches of compacted gravel. It's crushed granite and the edges of the stones are razor sharp. My 90psi 32mm tires are all over the place they're so firm. Any idea (anyone) how wide a tire I can go with to lessen the pressure and widen the track? Even the seams in the asphalt are painful to go over. Still I'm really enjoying myself. This trail is tree covered and the temperature was in the low 80s..what grand time!

reduce your tire pressure. 90psi is too high.

^^^ I agree.

I also agree with the tire pressure comments. However, in case you do consider wider tires, you will find that the limit on width is usually determined by the design of your bike, or more specifically the width at the front of the chainstays where you obviously need clearance. The "racier" bike models are usually too tight to go much above 700x25.

My Specialized Sequoia came with 700x25 tires and I managed to put a set of 700x32s on it, which greatly improved the ride smoothness at 80-85psi, only to find that the brake shoes wouldn't open wide enough to remove a wheel unless I deflated the tire! Fortunately I found some Tektro long-reach calipers that solved this problem.

Today's Detroit News (7/24) had an article about older riders on trikes. The ones they showed in the photos were the ones with two wheels in front, one in back, and the pedals out beyond the front wheels.

I absolutely agree.

There are several different recumbent bike & trike designs. They all ride a little differently and they all present a little different set of transport and storage issues. There is no substitute for being able to see and ride the various different designs and there is no better way of doing that than attending an event like the Midwest Recumbent Rally.

I encountered the same problem with the 700x32mm tires I put on my Trek. The LBS rep showed me how to temporarily remove the brake cable from the caliper. Perhaps you can do the same with your bike?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=330790

That's why I got a seat with memory foam & springs...cushions the ride!

Thanks, Rich, but those are a completely different type of caliper from what's found on a full "road bike." I was able to find replacement calipers designed for wider tires. IMO, the best solution for the whole situation is disc brakes: easy off and on without having to mess around with calipers and cables at all. And how many of us have made the mistake of riding off without putting the cable back, only to discover that we had no brakes the first time we tried to use them?

Fourth ride today. Actually got the cadence sensor to work (Bontrager...they use zip ties to mount it!) Did 40 minutes. Boy these hills in northern Virginia are killing me. The change in grip and adjustable stem made the ride more comfortable. Fingers still get numb at the tips. I used some fingertip-less Home Depot gloves; maybe I'll try some dedicated riding gloves. My eldest son gave me a bike rack for the car. I may drive to a bike path; they seem to be along the streams, flatter.

Per the suggestions in another thread I lowered the tire pressure from 90psi to 50/70 front /back. Made quite a difference. I bought a pair of 35mm and tubes but I'll take them back.

Riding is so exhilarating. I just don't feel 71.

That is fine for shorter rides. For longer rides - i.e., several hours, most of us find all that foam, etc., irritates our bottoms.

The theory behind saddles is to have your "sit bones" - ischeal tuberosities - support your weight, which is why seats are narrow, as your IT's are not too far apart.

It takes a bit for a "skinny" saddle to feel confortable, but onse it does - and one maay have to try several - it is the best.

YMMV

73 yo, been riding narrow for 15 years, now.

Exactly so, DnvrFox. The saddle that feels really nice when you take it out and ride around the parking lot is the same one that gives you that monkey-butt feeling after a couple of hours. Even if you're not a Brooks convert like myself...

[QUOTE=DnvrFox;15888626]That is fine for shorter rides. For longer rides - i.e., several hours, most of us find all that foam, etc., irritates our bottoms.

The theory behind saddles is to have your "sit bones" - ischeal tuberosities - support your weight, which is why seats are narrow, as your IT's are not too far apart.

It takes a bit for a "skinny" saddle to feel confortable, but onse it does - and one maay have to try several - it is the best.

Each to his own!!...I'll let you "serious, professional" cyclists ride the rail!!!...I found the narrow piece of crap that came of my FX 7.4 to be cruel & unusual punishment!...I've put 280 miles on my Trek in the last 3 weeks so i ride a little bit...with the only "suspension" on the 7.4 the carbon fiber front fork, I found the stock "seat" (more like a rail) totally unacceptable!...Kansas has one of the best road systems in the nation but it's not perfectly smooth!...far too much jarring & vibration transferred to the rider with the stock seat & 700x32 tires...I put my 280 miles on with padded biker shorts & a memory foam seat (with springs)...much less vibration transferred to the rider...280 miles and no monkey butt...I'll stick with my smooth cruise!...

My 5th ride, 52 minutes; I'll discontinue reporting from now on. I exchanged the 38mm tires for a pair of MTB pedals (Wellgo) Nice! On the one which came with the Trek I had the cages removed and unfortunately they flop over upside down if my foot goes off the pedal. I also bought a pair of gel gloves....they didn't help a bit. My finger and thumb tips still go numb if I grip the bars even slightly for more than four or five minutes. Continue experimenting with my hand position. Still a lot of fun.

Rich

Hey Rich,

You can post your rides here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-today/page481

:lol:

In this business - whatever works.

We also have a recumbent rally in Michigan. I'll have to do a google to get the date, but I'll definitely be going to that. You can try out recumbants there too.

I just checked, and here's the info for anyone in my area:
Date correction:
Ann Arbor Recumbent Jamboree
24 Aug 2013
At: Midwest Bike & Tandem
1691 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI
Group ride from shop: 9 AM
Recumbent Jamboree: 11 AM-2 PM
11 AM: Buying your first recumbent talk.

I took a look at the Sun EZ and the upright seat is also the one that would work best for me as I also have a neck and back problem with nerve involvement. The laid back position puts too much strain on my neck. I like to do distance riding and a sore neck will put the brakes on distance achievement.
http://forums.adventurecycling.org/T...es/post/xx.gif
Michigan Recumbent Rallies (wrong date, sorry)

« on: April 13, 2008, 03:31:41 pm »


Beyond a doubt, many recumbent bikes were made for long-distance touring. In you live around lower Michigan, check out recumbents at the Michigan Recumbent Rally East (May 10th), Central (June 28th) or West (September 6th). All three events run from 10am until 3pm, have recumbent dealers, displays, test-rides and used recumbents for sale. For more information, visit www.wolverbents.org/events.
Sept 6th is my last chance this year.

What a grand day out today. Low eighties and very low humidity (rare for Washington DC this time of year). I'm beginning to see the benefits of riding over the elliptic already. I entered a short dirt trail which is slightly uphill. I reduced the gear to keep the revs up and hit it...I pulled the front wheels off the ground!:p I even crossed a difficult bridge NOT in the lowest gear. Still fun but I can't wait till my new Selle PMD TRK arrives. After a half-hour my butt begins to hurt.

I live in the desert, so my rides are early in the day out of necessity. I usually leave the house around 5:00am, and I'm back in the barn by 7:00. That pretty much limits me to whatever distance I can cover in two hours --- around 25 miles, but I am doing that daily, so I'm still getting the miles in. Riding in the dark is a little problematic, but there's very little traffic here, and I have a good headlight.

I have saddle problems, though. I noticed my relatively new saddle is wearing through the finish on the nose of the saddle, which suggests I might be having an inappropriate relationship with the thing. I might try change it to a slightly more nose-down attitude, but that has it's own problems, i.e. forward creep.

I'm seriously thinking of trying my Brooks B-17, which is the honey color, and looks awful on my black/red bike, but it does seem to have better spacing for my sit bones.

Looking for OC Seniors
 

Just found this great thread. 67 and 250 lbs, planning on 210 by end of year. Starting Gran Fondos at 25-30 mile mark. Anyone in or near Orange County, California interested in weekday rides? Would love some company and inspiration.

Welcome - Check out the So Cal regional forum for ride partners.

Thankful for what I can still do
 

I rode the Marin 100K yesterday which for the San Francisco Bay area is a medium hard ride (3800' of climbing). My immediate post-ride reaction was "When am I going to be able to finish one of these things feeling stronger" followed by "What will I need to do to get ready for a Century?".

Upon later reflection I decided that I'm darn thankful I am to be healthy enough to be active and able to keep my weight down to something reasonable. My perspective is that life is a "use it or loose it" game, physical and mental and I'm really heartened by the stories of those who are experience physical challenges but still get out there and ride.

I've ridden about 9,000 miles on my SPYDERFLEX seat and that has really made it possible for me to ride - before that every conventional type seat I tried made my "crotchal-groinal areas go numb. Like has been said before, whatever works but don'tquit trying different seats if the one you have isn't working for you. I'm 70 and that seat made it possibe for me to enjoy biking again. Any money you spend on a bike to get it right for you is still a lot cheaper than not riding and letting your health go bad on you for lack of exercise. I never get bored when riding but I sure do just walking. Have a good one and remember to keep that RUBBER SIDE D-O-W-N! 8-) Oh, yeah, the Spyderflex seat is composed of two pads with no center section so there is not pressure on your NETHER REGIONS. Hey, it works for me. 8-)

I turned 68 this year and new to the BF. I try to ride 10 to 15 miles every morning here in the NV desert. I ride a Sun delta trike with a real good padded seat and have no problems with sore or numb butt. However I do sometimes have problems with my hands going numb. When I rode a DF bike I had that numb butt etc and did not like that feeling. Much better riding a recumbent for me.

Update on my status: Just got my mother out of rehab and I'm locked into this house taking care of her like it's a prison! She can't be left alone for any length of time, and until I get home health aides to come in give me some time off, I won't be on the bike much unless I start doing major time on the trainer. It is affecting my health. Stress is a killer and I have plenty of that. The bike is supposed to be my destressor, but if I can't get on it and ride, it's not going to be anything for me but a wish sitting in the garage! I did ride every day, a minimum of 20 miles maintenance. I miss it so much. Be so glad you can get out on the road and keep yourself healthy. I'm 69 and already know the lesson about use it or lose it. Right now, I'm gradually losing it. Actually, I probably will end up putting my mother in a residential faciltiy or I'm going to end up in the hospital myself. Enjoy your rides. Wish I were out there with you!

I would suggest "meet up.com". They have lists by area. ALSO....you might consider trying the American Diabetes Association "Tour de Cure" on Nov 2 this year. It is at Rancho Santa Margarita. You'll find it online at "diabetes.org" look for Tour de Cure and sign up. You could not ride for a better cause! I'll be there ridding the 66 mile course.

Sandy---My heart goes out to you. I wish I had something to say that would be of help/inspiration/comfort/support/anything to you, but it seems I just don't have anything to offer that runs that deep. I went through a similarly abysmal period a while ago. It was a real "Mission:Hopeless" scenario, it developed a mind, will and life of its own, it ran its own course and it finally came to an end. Hang in there. With luck and time, I expect that things will improve for you. Best of luck with it...