Bizman

Hi Randy,
I had rode mountain bikes for years, then got a road bike in 2011 to cover more distance and do it faster. I then got an E-bike and started commuting full time May 2013. Being self employed I made the committment to go "GREEN" and conduct as much business as possible by bicycle. May 2014 I found out about Velomobiles and ordered one without ever seeing one let alone riding one. While I was waiting I went to the local recumbent shop to check out trikes as the Velomobile would have 3 wheels like a trike. I test rode a tadpole model (2 wheels in front 1 in the rear) in the parking lot to get a feel for what the Velomobile would feel like as it was also the tadpole configuration. The trike was so much fun!

It was a 6 month wait to get the Velomobile so I ordered a Catrike Road with specs as close as possible to the Velomobile to help be get a feel for what it would be like, and get me in shape for riding the Velomobile in the recumbent position. The trike was just a pleasure to ride, so comfortable, with a COOL FACTOR, and eventually I was able to travel very fast in comparison to my road bikes, even the E-bike, as I would not use the motor much. I became so fast that I believe it was the fastest human power bike I had rode. I was not riding the DF bikes anymore as the comfort was just not there or the speed! Once the Velomobile got here it is now the fastest bike I have ever rode, with daily speeds of well over 40 mph and speeds as high as 55mph.

I tell people the trike was really nice but the Velomobile is awesome! Since getting the Velomobile I have never rode the trike again (not even once)! Although, my wife likes to ride it when we ride together and I am in the Velomobile. I realize this thread is about switching from DF to trike and not Velomobiles but it is very similar. I have not completely switched as my wife and I still enjoy riding our mountain and road bikes together, I just don't do it nearly as much as I ride the Velomobile. Since August 2014 when my trike got here and I started riding the recumbent position, then my Velomobile Nov 2014 to date is well over 10,000 recumbent miles, during that time on DF bikes is well under 1,000 miles.

I am 56 years old, 130 lbs and in the best shape I have ever been. For the calander year 2015 I will have logged around 8300-8400 miles (all my bikes). Sometimes it is hard to get started and get out there to do it but my wife and I ALWAY'S SAY "we are glad we did". It is a life style change not just temporary. I ride a bike everyday of the year, January 9th 2016 will be 5 years since I missed a day! A new year is starting, set a goal for yourself and stick to it. I would not make it a habit, but even if you only ride a 1/4 mile (once and a while) at least you did it! This is my experience, go ride a trike and maybe it will give you enthusiasm to build yours!