by Larry Strattner Getting Bent or How I Learned to Love Riding a Recumbent

My long, winding journey to becoming the first time bought a road bicycle. I spent an automobile. Here’s how I made my pur- is getting used to a total change in how day-glow flag on a fiberglass pole to make power sliding my Specialized Roubaix road a recumbent cyclist began in the 1960s, several years riding long miles on the beau- chase decision. you ride a bike. I selected my favorites in me feel safe down near the asphalt in cell- bike, I have never been a lover of squirre- when I began endurance racing motor- tiful back roads of Wisconsin with these I first considered designs. Like it or not, this area and then got down to some more phone-talking, SUV-driving America. ly and harsh 700x23 high-pressure tires. cycles in the New England woods. Around folks until a couple of them moved away. as the car-market guys have known forever, tangible concerns. I didn’t like the look of a 26-inch or Something about steering at or below seat the early 1980s, I gave it up because I At the same time, I got a promotion at and this sex/image/expectation stew is a big I didn’t like the idea of being too low to 700cc wheel in the rear and a 20-inch wheel level just plain scared me. I know it’s com- moved to Minnesota. They aren’t kidding spent a year working a lot of hours. During piece of the decision. Some designs just the ground. This position is unquestion- in the front, or two 20-inches. I wanted to pletely irrational. about 10,000 lakes. When I moved again to this year of mostly work and little riding, looked a little weird or “off” to me. As I ably more aerodynamic, but it is also less sit “up,” not lay “down.” Two 26-inch or 700C wheels squashed Wisconsin, it was the same situation only my shoulders began to bother me, a result say, this is personal, and the first big hurdle visible and you can’t give me a big enough Although I am perfectly capable of together with me lying on top pedaling a you substituted 10,000 dairy farms for the of deterioration over 30 years of racing lakes. During these hiatus years, I sold off and rough treatment. I saw an orthopedic my woods motorcycles and played golf. doctor who said he’d be happy to put in Although I do believe golf is a sport, it’s new shoulder joints for me. “Screw that,” not very aerobic or exciting. Thankfully, I thought. I signed up for some physical another unexpected career move took me therapy and started trying to modify my to central Michigan and liberated me from behavior. the plaid set. Thus I came to recumbent bicycles. In central Michigan, I met some people You’ve seen those funny-looking things who rode mountain bikes. You know, with with a comfrotable person sitting in a chair the knobby tires and front and rear sus- pedaling down the street with his feet up in pension? Unbelievable! It was like I’d gone front of him. Once in a bike shop accompa- back in time 20 years. Central Michigan is nied by my bicyclist daughter, I had looked fairly flat, but just north of Saginaw where I at a recumbent. She quietly considered its lived you can enter the Michigan forest and geek quotient and then said she would not come out, except to cross a few roads, not be seen riding with me if I rode one. all the way to the Straits of Mackinac. We Cowed, I forgot about recumbents until rode in this forest several days every week the shoulders acted up, and I again stud- — spring, summer, autumn, and winter. It ied the riding positions. You didn’t have was flat, tight, fast, and long, and it wasn’t to be Chris Carmichael to figure out that unusual for us to ride 50 miles or more in recumbents have a more comfortable riding the woods. Except for having to pedal, and position, almost completely removing the the time it took to get to an acceptable level stress on your back and shoulders created of fitness, it was extraordinary. by upright riding. So I became what sales The people I discovered and rode with guys call a prospect. I was looking hard at were all cross-country racers, so eventu- their functionality but was unsure of the ally I too raced. My mountain-bike racing bike design I preferred. career was quite successful. The reason for Without putting too fine a point on this was simple — I came to the game late, it, I will note that the following is not an DENNIS COELLO/BRAG and most of the other competitors in my advertisement for anyone or anything. It is class were in nursing homes. But, hey, you a recounting of a decision similar to want- win any way you can. ing to go fast in an automobile and then Early in 2003, my career returned me trying to determine if the BMW M series, to Wisconsin, and my mountain-bike life an Mercedes AMG, or a Saleen Mustang is again bumped up against the dairy farms. the optimal ride for you. The upside was that, during this stint All recumbent bicycles fulfill their func- in Wisconsin, I reconnected with some tion relatively well and the choice becomes friends who were longtime roadies and for as personal as it would if you were buying

Laid back attack. A recumbent cyclist (not the author) cruises the backroads of Georgia. crank out in front of me put me way too far mechanical disc brakes are the best per- contact with will be nice and helpful. the long wheelbase. It’s possible to wiggle off the ground with a short crumple zone formers in their class. The Lightfoot offer- A week after Lightfoot and I completed the front wheel all over the place and that, to me, clearly see included my feet. ing also included low-pressure tires, which our transaction, the bike showed up in a still track fairly straightly, but my brain After sifting through all these irrational, result in a significant speed penalty but a UPS box and I put it together one evening couldn’t process this initially. A wiggle rational, and strictly personal fears and corresponding jump in comfort both while in my basement. I might note here that goes to a wobble and then to some random concerns, I narrowed my brands of inter- rolling and in their ability to handle any Lightfoot has no dealers. But if you can do swoops — the bike was all over the place, est down to a long-wheel–base RANS, a minor work on your bike you can assemble and it’s difficult not to watch the front Sun, a Cycle Genius, and various Lightfoot one easily. This may exclude them from con- wheel while you are trying to control it. models. I found and researched all of these sideration, though if you’ds like to buy from Thus you exacerbate the problem. After builders on the Internet. All of their model a local dealer. Conversely, any dealer can a few rides, I learned to look out at the lineups included a bike with my basic work on a Lightfoot bike. None of the com- road ahead and not at the front wheel, just requirements: an upright seating position; ponents are exotic, which is true of many of as if I were racing a mountain bike, and I we believe in the a long wheelbase; standard handlebar the other recumbent choices as well. smoothed out a bit. (I would also note that power of the bicycle steering; 26-inch wheels front and back; The day after I completed assembly was it is really a blast learning to ride a bike to get you where you need to auto-driver, eye-level riding height; and a the day I rode a recumbent for the first time. again after all these years.) go. Whether you’re out for a decent component package. I mounted my shiny new bike in my Getting under way on a long-wheelbase casual ride or going for the long Protect your ess entials A secondary but important consider- The author and his beloved Lightfoot. slightly downsloped driveway and pushed machine is a major challenge. You are told haul, our line of bicycleP y g m y p r o d u c t s ... ation was disc brakes to finally free me off for the street. Let’s be perfectly clear to launch yourself using a power stroke of accessories help you expand your horizons by keeping you safe, dry, from wet weather concerns. However, at off-the-road and into-the-weeds situations. about one thing here. If you hear people the pedal. This is easier said than done. You comfortable, and prepared. Protects your drivetrain this point I would be remiss if I didn’t On the emotional and arbitrary front, say they’ve “gotten right on a new recum- have to get situated correctly in the right from the elements when note that I run Dura Ace caliper brakes on I must also admit to being influenced by bent and learned to ride after a very short gear with a pedal at the top of its stroke, transporting your bike my Roubaix and they are nothing short Lightfoot’s unique idea that you should be time,” either they aren’t telling the whole and then when you want to go, fire! By the Keeps grease off of car’s upholstery of amazing. The disc-brake cut left me able to easily ride a recumbent in mild to truth or they haven’t ridden it anywhere way, it’s very easy to choose the wrong gear, better bicycle products ™ with RANS, Cycle Genius, and Lightfoot, middling mountain-bike terrain. except around their block. I almost crashed either high or low. Either wrong choice for a better world. keeps grease off of bike boxes when and then a personal preference for Avid At this point I contacted Lightfoot. They just getting out of my own driveway, and causes the clown circle wobble. My daugh- you’re shipping your bikes mechanical disc brakes as standard equip- were very helpful and downright nice. My my left turn onto my untraveled street ter laughed when I talked about this and ment steered me toward a particular guess is that because this is still a relatively would have been a hit in the clown circle allowed that she had almost been rammed Pygmy pack: $44.99 + s&H I-800-281-0197 www.pygmypack.com Pygmy pack 2: $69.95 +s&h model by Lightfoot. My mountain-bike small market at both the supplier and con- at a circus. by a recumbent at an intersection while background had convinced me that Avid sumer ends, almost everybody you come in Why would this happen? One reason is the rider wobbled and swooped toward her trying to get going. I would suggest extensive practice in an empty parking lot GOODBYE DESK. HELLO PATAGONIA. getting started from a dead stop. I already P y g m y p r o d u c t s ... Protect your ess entials find myself cheating as I approach intersec- Protects your drivetrain from the tions so that I arrive when they are clear elements when transporting your bike and I don’t have to deal with this, which is very stupid. There’s an old saying, “Pay me Keeps grease off of car’s upholstery now or pay me later.” Learn this skill at the outset or it may cost you. Keeps grease off of bike boxes when Gear selection is critical when riding you’re shipping your bikes a recumbent. More than on an upright bike, a lot of your stability comes from the 1-800-281-0197 www.pygmypack.net dynamics of spinning in the correct gear — you can hold a very tight line under power. Protect your ess entials pygmy pack $69.95 +S&H I-800-281-0197 www.pygmypack.com PYGMY PACK 2: $89.95 +S&H Bleakney Photography by Gregg P yPgy mg my yp pr or od du uc tcst...s ... Protect your ess entials An upright bike allows you to make gear- ing mistakes and recover a lot more easily. 2010 Pangea Protects your drivetrain A recumbent is not nearly as forgiving. Protects your drivetrain I also notice much more severe effects Whether exploring Argentina, the Great Lakes, fromfrom the elementsthe elements when when or Zanzibar, the Pangea will take you there transportingtransporting your yourbike bike when riding in crosswinds. In my area, with unmatched ruggedness, stability springtime is quite windy, and concentra- and capacity. With the right bike, your horizons are limitless. KeepsKeeps grease grease off of off car’s of car’s upholstery upholstery tion is required to steer a straight course Toll Free (866) 282-6336 when the wind is coming from either side. [email protected] keepskeeps grease grease off of off bike of bikeboxes boxes when when you’re shipping your bikes SINGULAR FOCUS FOR A SUPERIOR PRODUCT I should also note the bent I choose to ride www.co-motion.com you’re shipping your bikes is taller than some, and I would expect Pygmy pack: $44.99 + s&H Customize with text or logos a closer-to-the-ground, more aerodynamic Pygmy pack: $44.99 + s&H I-800-281-0197I-800-281-0197 www.pygmypack.com www.pygmypack.com PygmyPygmy pack pack 2: $69.95 2: $69.95 +s&h +s&h Great selection of wool, cotton and bent would be less affected. But, remem- other unique fabrics ber, we are talking crosswinds here, and in Eugene Oregon, USA We’ll build one for you! Club and volume discounts available spring in open farmland, it’s not often you get underneath them. www.walzcaps.com I piddle along into a strong headwind at five to nine miles an hour, again partially

12 adventure cyclist june 2010 adventurecycling.org adventure cyclist june 2010 adventurecycling.org 13 because my choice of bent and my fitness pedals used by many BMX riders. I prefer and get in better shape. (There’s a company non-wedgie BIKES FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION level. I had no doubt the lower and more them because I wear all-around shoes. If called Bionex that makes a rechargeable, We’ve been keeping a database of recumbents, folders, or other non-stan- Resources: rtrmag.com, recumbents.com, errcmagazine.com, reclined my position became, the faster I it weren’t for the shoe issue, I would use partial-assist electric motor that will fit my dard bikes for some time, but it’s a work in progress. If you know of any recumbentjournal.com, recumbentcycling.blogspot.com, would go. There’s a reason European Cycle clipless pedals because they are tops in bike. Really sweet technology. However, brands or models missing from this table that are specifically designed for e-bent.com, bicycleman.com/history, biketcba.org/TRICORR/compare. touring or light bike travel, email us at [email protected]. html, recumbentbicyclesource.com, bikeroute.com/Recumbents, Racing officialdom banned recumbents efficiency — and spinning efficiency defi- both my daughter and my local bike shop -Mike Deme foldingcyclist.com, foldsoc.co.uk, atob.org.uk/Buyers’_Guide.html from racing: consistently dominant speed. nitely pays off with these machines. have now announced they will not speak If you just want to go very fast on a bicycle, Another little set-up trick involves cargo. to me anymore if I go to electric assist.) an aerodynamic recumbent with a good Recumbents are very capable of carrying as Climbing on a recumbent seems to require RECUMBENTS, Touring: M5 m5recumbents.com, +31 Zöhrer zohrer.com.br, + 55-21- Velokraft velokraft.com, +48 rider will leave Lance Armstrong scratch- many panniers, seat bags, and handlebar spinning rather than mashing. If you are a (0)118 - 628759. Offers the 8828-2694. Offers the Extra 504 140 424. Bacchetta bacchettabikes.com, Shock Proof, Cargon High and Distance. ing his head in a time trial. bags as any bicycle. Before I made any good spinner, you will not suffer as much 866-364-9677. Offers the Giro Medium Racers. Whike whike.com, +316 5478 I snickered at the first recumbent I saw decision on a rear seat bag, I bought a Bell on hills. I’ve already seen on small inclines and Bella touring lines. Zox zoxbikes.com, +49 09131- 3068. Pedals and a sail! with a Plexiglas fairing but, after my first handlebar basket I found in Wal-Mart for that spinning is the answer to many recum- Maff maafbikes.com, 6165668. Offers the Kettwiesel. Barcroft barcroftcycles.com, +49(0)17048 66060. Offers the Woodside woodsidecycles.com, ride in the wind, I fabricated one of my less then 20 dollars and attached it to the bent challenges. If you’re a road rider, you 818-994-4171. Offers the Cruising, Sporting, and Viper. Recumbents, Non-Touring: 937-514-7556. own to cut the headwind in front of my seat-brace bar. The beauty of this basket might already be adept at the technique. Dakota. upper body. It definitely increased my is it snaps on and off, can be used (or not) All in all, I am pleased with my choice MR Components mrrecumbent ActionBent www.actionbent. Recumbents, Build-Your-Own: Calfee calfeedesign.com, 800- trikes.com, +61 3 59835886. com, 425-444-0034. speed three to four miles per hour in head- very easily, and comes in black mesh that and would recommend a recumbent to Bentech bentechbikes.com. Sets 965-2171. Offers the Stiletto. Offers the Swift Touring. winds. I constructed the fairing flat and blends it in with the seat. Nothing beats it anyone. It really is a more comfortable way AVD Windcheetah www.wind include three 22” x 34” blueprints mounted it to my handlebars under tension for going to the market or bringing some to ride over long distances, and if nothing Catrike catrike.com, 407-905- Nazca Ligfietsen nazca-ligfiet cheetah.co.uk, +44 (0)161 969 and a fully illustrated, step-by- 0626. Offers the Expedition. sen.nl, +31-522-490266. Offers 9692. step construction guide. to give it a curve. You can buy a much bet- books back to the library. else, I’m a long-distance cyclist. Last year a the Explorer and Pioneer. ter quarter faring than I made and I would I estimate I have picked up speed over guy I know completed 10 century rides on Challenge challengebikes.com, Azub www.azub.eu, +420 774 FOLDING BIKES now feel comfortable employing one. The my upright bikes in average situations, his recumbent. Even if you’re hardcore, this +31 55 521 24 05. Offers the Optima optima-cycles.nl, 2982 29. Airnimal airnimal.com, +44 (0) Sieran, Mistral, and Ventus. +31(0)251-261222. Offers the large, full fairings are awesome, but I drew and there is no doubt the ’bent is much is an impressive number. I know him well Backsafer backsafer.com, 800- 1954-782020. Offers the Joey, Condor, Dragon, Orca, and the line at looking like a bicycle guy in a more comfortable than my upright bikes. enough to also know he could never have Cycle Genius cyclegenius. 815-2225. the Rhino, the Chameleon, and Rider. com, 866-901-2453. Offers the custom models for touring. snow globe. If you want to ride a recum- Climbing efficiency is one area where done it on an upright bike. This year I’ll be Berserker berserkercycledesign. Falcon. Oracle oraclecycleworks.com, bent across the country, I would definitely recumbents are at a supposed disadvan- right in his draft on every ride. com, 805.441.0975. Suspension Bike Friday bikefriday.com, 800- 416-804-9321. Offers the look at a full fairing. tage. On the minor hills I have climbed so Easy Racers www.easyracers. trike. 777-0258. Offers a variety of Omega. Larry Strattner lives in Wisconsin and is currently com, 831-722-9797. Offers the folding bikes and accessories Although my bent came with very ser- far, this seems to be true. Long wheelbase Brike freedomryder.com, 800- viceable pedals, I mounted a set of Odyssey recumbents will probably always be poor writing a novel about a young female motorcycle racer. Tour Easy. RANS ransbikes.com, 785-625- for touring including the Family 800-5828. 6346. Offers the Stratus LE and Tandem Traveler. flats. These are the wider and deeper flat climbers — I just have to buckle down Flevobike flevobike.nl, +31 VRex LE. 321-337200. Offers the Cruzbike cruzbike.com, 888- Birdy offers a variety of folding 225-CRUZ. Offers the folding Greenmachine with bags and RecumbentUSA recumbentusa. bikes and accessories for touring. Quest. trailer. com, 800-486-8820. Offers the birdybike.com, 503-391-7602. Trike X. Hase hasebikes.com, +49 23 09 Edge edgerecumbents.com, Brompton bromptonbicycle. 865-982-2555. 93 77 0. Offers the Kettwiesel Slyway slywayprojects.com, +39 co.uk, +44 (0)20 8232-8484. Tour. Offers the P6R and P6R-X. 0372 29589. Offers the Explorer. Greenspeed greenspeed.com. au, 866-314-4323. Offers stan- HP Velotechnik hpvelotechnik. SteinTrikes steintrikes.com. Moulton moultonbicycles.co.uk, dard, tandems, and folders. com, +49 61 92 97 99 2 0. Offers the Nomad and Explorer. +44 (0) 1225 865895. Offers the Offers the Street Machine and TSR-27, TSR-30, the AM Esprit, Human Powered Machines foldable Grasshopper. TerraTrike terratrike.com, 800- hpm.catoregon.org, 800-343- and the AM GT for touring. 945-9910. Offers the Tour and 5568. Ice icetrikes.co.uk, +44-1326- tandems. Dahon dahon.com, 800-442- 378848. Offers the B1 and B2. KMX Trikes kmxus.com, 866 299 3511. Offers the 700C-wheel Toxy toxy.de, +49 4127 922 83. 8473. Tournado. Just Two Bikes justtwobikes. Offers the Miles & Motion and com, 651-426-1548. Offers the Rotation. Maxarya maxarya.com, 416-737- TANDEMS Tricumbent. 5745. Trident tridenttrikes.com, 704- Co-Motion co-motion.com, 866- Lightfoot lightfootcycles.com, 968-7143. Offers the Stowaway MetaBikes meta-bikes.com, +34 282-6336. Offers the Mocha and 406-821-475. Offers the Ranger and Chameleon. 937 547 378. Primera. and Greenway. TriSled trisled.com.au, +61 3 Organic Engines organicengines da Vinci davincitandems.com, Lightning Cycle Dynamics light- 5981 0337. Offers the Gizmo. .com, 850-443-3284. 800-873-3214. Offers the Joint ningbikes.com, 805-736-0700. AdVenture. offers the P-38. Turner www.turnerrecumbents. RaptoBike raptobike.com, +31 com, 520-290-5646.Offers the (0) 297 525 330. Dawes dawescycles.com, +44 Linear linearrecumbent.com, Transport. 0121-748-8050. Offers the Duet, 607-587-8835. Offers the Limo. Sun sunbicycles.com, 305-238- Galaxy Twin, and Double Edge.  Volae volaerecumbents.com, 1866. LoGo logotrikes.com, +61 8941 715-340-1133. Offers the Santana santanatandem.com, 82757. Offers the Sport Touring. Expedition, Expedition Pro, and Tripendo tripendo.com, +49 800-334-6136. All tandems suit- the Tour. (0)7142 - 91 99 60. able for self-supported touring Longbikes longbikes.com, 303- (48-spoke wheel option recom- 986-9300. Offers the Eliminator mended). and the Slipstream tandem. 

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