Reader of the Year.

At Wheelworks, customers came and customers go. Some stand out as special folk and the reason the bicycle business keeps me interested. They are the reason that keep me really enjoying my job.
Last August a women by the name of Kate came into the store. She needed a little help finding me, Mr Recumbent, but never any help with pulling the trigger on owning her new Recumbent.
Although she wasn't able to get a full 360 degrees of pedaling to move the bike forward, she was willing to learn and adapt to her new machine. Special straps would let her legs stay in line and a new brace for hew was discussed and planned to be ordered for the time of the bike delivery.
She made plans to pick up her new recumbent in a week and discussed having her crutches near by so she could walk after arriving at her destination with her new bicycle.
I have dealt with customers in the past that had problems moving. I have been the employee at will at all the bike shops I have worked to help people with special needs. Never before have I meet a gal with so much inner strength allowing herself to move along without allowing her physical disability to get in the way. You can hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes. Not ashamed of what she looks like but proud of who she is. Truly a very special person!
It was so refreshing to meet Kate. She sets the barrier as to what a real problem is and know they can be overcome with strength.
Hey Kate! Thanks for being you. I'm sure you touch many peoples hearts with your guts and how you insist that you can do it, no matter what.


Happy New Year Kate and Congratulations on becoming this years, "BOSRUG reader of the year!"

Winter Wonderland

Eighteen inch's of snow with 45 mile per hour winds are forecasted for here today. Wet, not fluffy.
When it snows that much here, things come to a stop. People stay in and things get quiet.
Wet snow causes trees to bend and sometimes break. Breaking limbs sometimes cause power outages and if you have a fireplace and if you have candles, its an adventure. A moment without electricity and without computers and television is different and a well needed change.
One can only hope to be snowed in here in New England. Its what is missed by friends that have moved to warmer climates. The all mention it and wish they were back to experience a "Blizzard."
Check back later for photos and stories of what just may turn out to be "The Blizzard of 2010!" One can only hope!

Looking Up!

Recumbent riding is looking up. Not just getting better all the time, but with the "Heads up" style of riding, things seen,
otherwise missed on any other style of bike, can be enjoined while under way.
Never before had I noticed as much as riding a Recumbent Bicycle.
Like a constant show and reminder of why I ride. The adventure brings me back and with new things to see all the time its like finding treasure.
The camera saves the images, but the eye, the ears, the nose and the brain captures everything otherwise lost.

Look up! You never know what you will find!

Consider This,

Consider the fact that modern bicycle design is based around the very first bicycles.
Resembling a horse, the first cyclist's could straddle the bicycle and with their feet push the machine as though running. Coasting for long sections could be enjoyed on down hills and sections of flat road with a good strong tail wind.

Two wheels of the same size was the style of choice and because of horse back riding being the normal position of the times and the length of a man's legs, Bone shakers or Hobby Horse cycling was excepted as the best way to achieve the job of cycling.
As time went on, drive trains of various designs including motors were employed to power the cycle at speeds greater then running. Although gear changing mechanisms and component materials have changed, the "Horse like" position for bicycles as well as motorcycles, has not.
Even though we would never design any other mode of transportation with the same sitting position. we still to this day as a whole favor the same riding style as first used back in the early 1800's with the Draisienne and other less famous home made bikes.
Sitting is usually done in a matter for comfort first. Our armchairs do not have a narrow seat as well as our cars.
Cycling requires the legs to move freely to pedal without any restriction. Wider seats cause resistance and loss of power and because of it, narrow seats are chosen for the position of having your pedals below you. By placing the pedals in front of you and the weight more on your lower back and up, allows full freedom of leg movement with less frontal area for the wind to see and cause wind resistance.
The question asked is: "If bicycles were fist designed as modern High Racer style recumbents, Would they ever go to the horse like riding at a later date?" Most likely not.
About a year ago I was escorting a customer outside the store for a recumbent test ride. Two young racer types at the door started laughing at the bicycle and my customer. I said to my customer, "Hold on." I asked the young cyclists, "After nearly 200 years of bicycle design, how come you guys are still riding bicycles that resemble a horse?

They stopped laughing.

Only seen by Recumbent

Some of the nicest spots I have ever seen were first noticed while riding a Recumbent. Never before had I experienced such a heads up style of riding and when I did, I felt as if I had arrived in a whole new world.
For years I rode many different style bicycles. Starting with the common kids bike in the 50's, a bicycle back then was not a BMX or mini Mountain Bike. Bikes were like a mini cruiser of sorts with 20" balloon tires and steel fenders. Training wheels in my family were removed as soon as the young rider could operate a wrench, because they were only for baby's. We dreamt of being in cars and jumping on wooden ramps like stunt drivers.
As years progressed, the style of bike were still mostly one speed up right and hand me down.
It wasn't until the early 60's that I first received my "New" bike. Christmas, under the tree. "Santa" That year brought me a white wall tired, candy apple red and white single speed with a rack and dual headlights built into the tank. It was mine and had never been ridden, until me.
Time passed and with every new year came a new modification to my bike. Banana seat, High rise handle bars, Mini chrome fenders, all resembling the motorcycle of my dreams that when I grew up, I would certainly be riding.
My next new bike was a Blue 10 speed that also arrived on Christmas morning this time from Mom and Dad. I was amazed how it shifted and how the chain would jump around as if falling off but stick to the selected gear and actually allow you to pedal the bike. It was like magic and how they did it I really wasn't sure.
At that time I was head down, in the drops and moving faster then I had ever traveled by myself. On a fast bike for the first time, I focused on going places and breaking records. No longer dreaming of a motorcycle as I rode, I felt as if I was on something totally different then what I had ever ridden before.
Besides my older brother, I was the only kid I knew on a 10 speed and when it came time to ride with friends, they just could not keep up. I remember really wanting a Sting Ray that year. All the kids had one and when I wanted to go into the woods, I would walk.
In the early 70's I started riding century's with the new cycling club, "The Charles River Wheelmen" 10 Speeds made long rides fun, but all heads down. Just about that time I discovered off road riding with trash picked English 3 speeds.
It was a time of life that the French 10 Speed was becoming popular and 3 speeds were being thrown out. Local dumps would sometimes have what looked like brand new, never ridden 3 speeds being tossed to make way for something new in the garage, My friend Chris thinks that they just found a better place to lean the rake and hang the garden hose so they got rid of the bike. It didn't hurt living in one of the most affluent towns in Metro West Boston.
Heads up riding of sorts was a much better way to read the trails. but for the most part, we rode heads down for speed and concentration.
BMX came into fashion and a whole new style of heavy duty bikes became available. Twenty six inch and 24" wheeled cruisers were the bicycle of choice for our off road machines and with our experience of working on 3 speed hubs, it wasn't long after that my "Two-Four", or 24" wheeled one speed became a 3 speed. Later a 5 speed.
In the late 70's Mountain bikes became the new thing and now 10 speeds racing bikes were being thrown out . I will never forget the evening in Harvard Square as I was locking up my off road specialty bike that a passing student asked, "Is that a Mountain Bike?" I said, well a suppose you could ride it in the mountains as I have, so I guess it is.
I didn't know what he was really talking about, but over the next 20years would figure it out.
Thanks to a few Californians and mostly the Japanese, The sport of Mountain Bicycling rose to heights I never expected. I never thought that riders wouldn't want to hurt so much and bleed so much to ride, especially Women, How wrong I was!
Recumbents started popping up here and there around Cambridge with the help of a few designers and Dr David Gordon Wilson. We would see "project" bikes come into the Bi Ex where I worked, from MIT. The Bi Ex was the only show in town for specialty bike and bike parts and when it came to needing something, that's where they would go. It was always like a show where people would come in with their pride and joy to show it off. There were some incredible bikes that would be brought into the Bicycle Exchange back then and with no "Internet" to buy parts, the shop was the source.
The moment I saw a Recumbent I wanted one. It wasn't until years later, that I finally bought a production model that I could finally afford.
It took a little while to get comfortable on my new style of bike. Riding something so different was the biggest hurdle and the looks from passer bys was more then from going from the "dropped handle bar" style of riding to up right Mountain Bike. The lawn chair on wheels is hard even today for people to look at.
After a short while different things caused me to realize that recumbent riding could be accomplished safely and one could accomplish riding without dieing.
Never before had I experienced more of a heads up ride. Starting off and stretching out in the seat was like settling down in front of the TV to watch a great movie. I remember realizing the feeling of total happiness with my new purchase. The heck with everyone else, this bike was great and it was like Danni says, "I Loved My Bike!"
I couldn't wait to be on it again and see "the next show."
After about 3 weeks of riding, I started to realize that there were things on my rides that I had never noticed before. Places where I had ridden hundreds of times, Eves of buildings, street signs, details that took artists hours to accomplish on building that I had never really seen.
The bike for the first time became a rolling tool to experience New England at it finest and not just a machine to go fast and get a good work out. Did I tell you that I loved my Bike? Yes Danni.
Things never seen before by me were new and a pleasant surprise to a New England that I thought I knew. Finding new things never gets old and will have me riding in the recumbent position for years to come.

Super Cold, Time to Ride?

Sometimes as cyclists we have no choice. Suiting up for the ride for a super cold day take a little more consideration then if its only 30.
Its nine degrees here in Dover this morning and although the sun has not come up enough to see it, It most likely wont get above the mid twenty's at the highest point today.
Total skin coverage will be important on today's ride. Places on the face exposed can be covered with a thin coat of Vaseline and prevent wind burn and frost bite.
I love the moment of first going outside realizing that there is no turning back. Oh My Its Cold! Clipping in and heading off here in Dover is usually at least 5 degrees colder then the temperature in Boston and what they report on the weather. You learn at a early age that its so.
The first mile of my ride is down hill to the lowest place in town. Trout Brook drops very little to the Charles River one and a half miles away. The temp drops 2 more degrees by the time you get to Chris Yoder's Field and with the wind, tearing of the eyes makes it hard to see. Ski goggles make it hard to look over your shoulder and see cars catching up to pass. A rear view mirror works well to solve that problem and with a recumbent, there is one already installed.
Things have changed as to the way it was when I first started riding in the winter. The wide eyed looks from drivers wondering what exactly was I trying to prove, has tamed and its now not uncommon to come across another rider with a look of surprise that their not the only fool on a bicycle.
The days of "Destination Rides" return. Find a place with a warm seat to enjoy the warmth and get the blood flowing again.
Arriving home is all the better after a bitter cold ride. Food tastes better and is well deserved after battling the elements and having done a simple adventure.
Or just throw another log on the fire and remember warmer days from the past and plan for warmer days in the future!

Cold Days, Warm Hearts

Cold days can bring out the best in people. You see it everywhere.
Something in common causes conversation. A connect of sorts to strangers that you might never otherwise talk to.
Everyone has a different way of dealing with the cold. Some simply avoid it and others embrace it with open arms.
One thing is for sure, a 19 degree day makes a 35 degree day feel warm and people come outdoors as if the it was the first day of spring. Fifty degrees and watch out! lets go to the beach!
Yesterday, after two days of bitter cold, the weather warmed to a balmy 45 degrees. I saw people riding in shorts. At least 3 riders as if it was 70!
Shorter days make for early evenings. Fires to gather around and warm the body and soul. Get out, even if for a while. Enjoy the difference. Late Fall is like Winter and longer days began in less then 10 days. Yes!

Happy Birthday, Scott!!!

posted by Danni

It's funny how things work out in life sometimes. I mean who knew that back when I was buying my recumbent that I was also meeting somebody who would grow to be a very dear friend? A friend who accepts his friends just as they are - flaws and all (about those he'll just say, "That's just human nature!") A friend who sticks by you no matter what!

I KNOW you've all heard me say time and again how much I love my recumbent. Today I would also like to say how much I love the guy who sold me my recumbent. He's that special sort of person that makes this world a much better place in which to live. I'm glad to have him in my life.

I’m guessing that there are many of you reading this that feel the same. Join me in wishing our dear friend, Scott Chamberlain, a VERY happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, my friend!!!

Next Stop, Christmas!

The next couple of months will prove to you and others how much you love cycling. Riding every day will be more of a consideration.
Bundling up in warm clothing takes time and makes movement difficult. Cold winds have you in shock during the first moments as you "Hit the Road" and get your "Winter Head" on straight.
Holiday riding as we start into the colder months,with the Holiday lights are like a gift and assure you that we are doing the right thing. Speeding by in a car, looking out the window. although warm, doesn't give you the full view.
The Recumbent is easy on the neck and the perfect tool for looking up to see the tops of the trees where a crane was needed to trim the crown. A view otherwise only seen while walking.
Leafless trees and big sky's! Views missed over the green months. Like being in another part of the world!
Colder days mean shorter rides. The neighborhood stroll to find that home that went overboard with lights is like finding treasure! The type of family that gets a Christmas card and a Thank You from the Electric Company!
Destination riding come back into play. Head out to find something new.

The Holiday Ride

For Years, any holiday would not be complete without the "Holiday Ride."
Wether it be long or short, just to get out and experience the outdoors make the special day, better.
On road or off, the adventure of being away from the house and gather memories to bring back to the Holiday diner table makes the ride an important part of the day.
Friends recognize the importance of the Holiday Ride and gather for the adventure.
The Recumbent is the perfect tool for the job. Heads up riding allow the pilot to see and enjoy the view that could be otherwise missed with any other style of bicycle.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Cooper is an avid reader of the Blog. We always get great comments from him about the postings and look forward to his clever wit. Things would not be the same without him.
Today is Chris's Birthday.
Hey Chris! Thanks for Being Born!

Suiting Up for the Cold

Getting set to ride on a cold day take a couple of things. Not just a closet of warm clothing.
Thirty eight years ago I would put my bicycle away for the winter months. Having no car to get around, it meant traveling by thumb to go anywhere. I made a folding cardboard sign that had all the destinations that I would ever need to travel to, lettered with reflector tape for early Winter sunsets and dark streets. I would have people pick me up just because they loved the sign idea, It worked well! It was a differnt time of life here in New England and drivers would stop just to have a chat and company with their drive to work or home.
Walking was big with me and a good pair of winter boots were as important as my now winter bike. Fabiano made a beautiful pair of blue suede boots called Fabiano Blues. They sold at EMS for about $25.00 and lasted for the season.
It wasn't until I was confronted by an older fellow by the name of Ted Faller at Windslows Greenhouses in Needham,the place I worked with the question of, Where is your bike. It was followed with the question of "What the hell is wrong with you? That's why they make warm clothing!"
That man changed my life and ever since I have ridden through the Winter.
It didn't take long to figure out that it is a real good Idea to not take your good bike out on salty streets. I'm not one for cleaning my bike and being a dump picker at heart found the perfect bike for the job. The nice thing about shopping for a bike at the dump is that if it doesn't work out, at anytime you can return it!
The bicycle of choice was the Raleigh Sports 3 Speed. They became our 'Mobile Units" and what we used for camping and riding into the woods around Southern New England. On any weekend one could find a good 3 speed being thrown away because of the new 10 speed fad. Lighter faster bikes were popular and the old black Raleigh were being left at the dump.
Riding in the cold is a mind set. A Life Style of sorts and a great way to go. You always get a good parking spot and with the right clothing, a rider can be comfortable on a cold winter day. Of course we have days when its just best to stay inside, but for the most part winter riding can be enjoyable as long as you are well suited for the job.

Stupidity Defined

posted by Danni

I am a firm believer that the anniversary of one's arrival on this planet should not be restricted to a single day but should, instead, be at least a week long celebration. So, despite the fact that my birthday was this past Wednesday, the powers of the universe gave me my birthday present yesterday - a gorgeous, warm, sunny November day on which to enjoy a beautiful bike ride.

Susie and I set out yesterday afternoon from Maynard Center to take a 23 mile ride that I had done previously with the Sudbury upright cyclists. The ride took us through Maynard, Acton, Carlisle, Concord, and Littleton. It was a lovely ride through some nice neighborhoods, by some orchards and rolling farmland, and past Nagog Pond (where I believe I saw a mated pair of Buffleheads swimming in the pond - a new bird species for me which is yet another birthday gift from the gods!) While watching the Buffleheads, the helicopter I flew a couple of weeks ago flew overhead. It was fun to turn to Susie and say, “Hey, I flew that helicopter!” We had a great ride!!

And amazingly, despite my extreme talent for getting lost and the fact that my GPS kept crashing, we actually navigated the ride successfully. I went out of my way to ensure that we didn’t get lost this time. My guess is that the reason we got off track on the Concord ride was because I was so preoccupied chatting with Susie (I know, go figure ;-), that I wasn't paying attention to the GPS when it was telling me to take a turn and I missed it. To that end, I programmed my GPS to beep when a turn was coming up this time and, although it was quite annoying, it was definitely effective. I also printed the directions on paper and had Susie tape them to her handlebars so she could verify that we were following the route accurately.

During the ride Susie and I had a discussion about the new navigation precautions. She told me that her definition of stupidity was making the same mistake twice. She was extremely happy that I had learned from my previous navigational errors. So I am excited to say that, at least by Susie's definition, I can state with confidence that I am not stupid. However, I know that there are many out there that would definitely debate that assessment;-)

I hope you, too, had the opportunity to get out and ride yesterday on such a beautiful November day.

Danni

15,000 Hits!

Thanks for reading BOSRUG!

Only 1 year old and we have had 15,000 hits! WOW!


Actually its one year and two days old!

Insatiable Curiosity

posted by Danni

In the spring when I was considering what type of bike to purchase, I was directed to a series of articles on recumbents to aid in my decision-making process. One such article had an extremely unique yet, for most people, completely useless comparison. The author compared the touch on a Bacchetta's handlebars to the touch on the controls of a helicopter. This comparison really bugged me. I mean how many people actually know how to fly a helicopter? Then take that small number and factor in how many of those helicopter pilots are interested in riding a recumbent and the percentage must be extremely low. So why would somebody use this as a comparison on a recumbent review? This is just the sort of thing that piques my curiosity to unbearable measures. I just had to know!! So what did I do? I signed up for helicopter flying lessons, of course.

Introductory helicopter lessons start with four hours of ground school. During these four hours you learn a fair deal about aerodynamics and how lift is created as well as the three main types of energy a helicopter uses in flight; potential energy (height), kinetic energy (speed), and rotational kinetic energy (blade rotation/power). Given that the amount of energy used in flight is a constant divided between these three types of energy, you learn how to balance these in flight by using the three helicopter flight controls. The three controls are the collective which controls the altitude of the craft, the cyclic that controls the attitude (or direction) of the craft, and the anti-torque pedals which control the heading of the craft by countering the blade rotation. You spend the majority of time in class learning how to use the controls in relation to each other to perform lift, turns and descent. On paper the operations seem extremely complex.

On Monday I had my first flight. I am happy to report that with a strong grasp of the theory on how the controls work together, if you just relax and keep your eye on the horizon, working the controls isn't anywhere near as complex as it seems on paper. You can easily see and feel what needs to be done while flying - even when the wind is playing with you and pushing you around any which way it chooses. The key is to just relax and work the controls gently while using the horizon as a visual cue.

So once the flight concluded, I started thinking about how flying a helicopter relates to steering a Bacchetta. It is true that using the cyclic control, the directional control of the helicopter, requires a light touch (as do the handlebars on the Bacchetta) which is the point the author makes in his review. I agree completely. However, that is where the comparison ends for me. In a helicopter, you control the direction of the craft by making small, gentle movements with the cyclic control on a horizontal plane by using hand/arm movements. When I ride my bike, I keep a light touch on the handle bars to keep the front wheel aligned with the frame of the bike, but most of the actual steering is done by leaning my body into the turns - very little, if any, is done by moving the handlebars with my hands. And from my limited experience, leaning into the turns in a helicopter, as I do on my bike, just doesn't seem like a wise idea!!

Since this revelation, I've been racking my brain to find a better analogy for the gentle touch needed on the handlebars of a Bacchetta. Alas, much to my chagrin, I have yet to come up with a better description than the light touch required on the helicopter controls that the author describes in his review. This is now bugging me even more. Now, not only is there one person using an obscure analogy for the light touch needed on the handlebars of a Bacchetta, there are two! There must be a more mainstream way to describe the feel of steering a Bacchetta! I look to you, dear reader, to help me out on this one. How would you describe the feel of steering a Bacchetta? And PLEASE give me less expensive analogies than the touch on the controls of a helicopter. If I need to go test a number of theories equally as expensive as helicopter lessons, I'm going to go broke!!

In the meantime, when I was asked in class why I was taking helicopter lessons I responded that, "I wanted to see if a Bacchetta really did steer like a helicopter." My fellow classmates decided that after they learned how to fly the helicopter, they would need to see if a helicopter really did steer like a Bacchetta. To that end, I hope Scott is going to be very busy in the next several weeks teaching my fellow flight students how to ride a recumbent!

Smooth-flying-(oops,-I-mean-riding!)'ly yours,

Danni

Indian Summer

According to Webster, Indian Summer is any day after the first frost, but before the first snow, where the temperature comes above 70 degrees.
I like to think that any day after the first frost that is warm enough to enjoy being outside and not cold, is Indian Summer.
People come from all over the world to New England at this time of year to experience the beauty. New England at its finest, Cool and crisp days are perfect to enjoy a sit outdoors and just to be.
The "Heads Up" style of riding is especially enjoyable at this time of year. Recumbents offer just that and if you have never experienced an Indian Summer Day on our favorite style of bike, The today is a perfect day to try.
November is only a day away. Days like today wont last for long. Get out and enjoy the air. Even for a moment. You will be happy you did!

Bicycle Fairings

Bicycle Fairings are those clear plastic windshields you use to see on Recumbents years ago to reduce aerodynamic drag.
Made from polycarbonate film, the fairing is heated and then blown into shape forming into a bubble. As hard as the polycarbonate is, they scratch almost immediately and are not good as a windshield to look through.
The Fairing will keep you dry in the rain, but properly set up, You need to be looking over the top so your face gets wet. Water builds up in beads on the surface of the fairing and when you go over a bump. it comes free and you get it all in the face. Like a glass of water
Cold days seem warmer with a fairing. You don't have the wind on you so you stay warmer. The bicycle becomes more cumbersome because of its increased size.
Fairings give the Recumbent a totally different look. The clear bubble make the bike look more like a flying machine then a bicycle.
The bicycle becomes noisy because of the fairings parabolic reflector effect. Noise from the road and from the gears are amplified and sent at the rider. Noise from cars coming from the rear are amplified also on some setups.
Fairings are best attached to the frame of the bicycle and not the handlebars. Having a large sail like device attached to your steering in gusting winds can take the bars out of your hands and cause a crash.
Fairings are expensive. The failure rate while making them is considered in the price. Sometimes the bubble will be too thin to sell so the builder has to start over. Expect to spend around $300 on average. Mounting brackets are different on different bike and some can raise the cost.
I was talking to Mike at Bacchetta the other day and asked if they had noticed any improvements with dealing with the wind and less drag with their bikes with fairings. He said that the short wheel based bikes were not as effected as the long wheel based bikes except for keeping you warmer and out of the wind. Reason enough to have one for the winter months alone.
I use to use a fairing. I have had two different styles that I used on 3 different bikes. Fun to use and cool looking, I tend to want to ride a lighter, smaller sized bike and go without now a days.
I love riding different style bicycles and a fairing is different. It gives the bike a whole new feel.
No test rides, You need to commit to owning one to ride one. Once they are set up, they can be removed easily and return your recumbent to its original shape. Something more to buy!

Check these out:


http://www.zzipper.com/

http://muellerfairing.com/index.html

Belgium

posted by Danni

And you thought I was kidding about Belgium being scarier than Honduras!!!

http://www.vimeo.com/15239617

A Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear.

It just can't be done. Like a Snow Suit from a Sun Dress. There are times that when the real thing is needed there is just no substitute, period.
At this time of year we have customers come to the store getting suited up for Winter and colder riding. Hands and Feet come to mind first and there is a large selection at the store I work at to choose from.
When it comes to gloves, there are all types. I like to think that we have them all but I'm sure even the thickest biggest glove may not be warm enough for some riders.
When it comes to cold feet, Things get confusing. We have a good selection of Winter cycling boots, but many customers think that a Boote will serve the purpose. Not wanting to spend the money on another pair of shoes, they choose to put a cover on there Summer shoe to do the job. First place the shoe usually is too small to put on a heaver sock needed for extra warmth.
I love the customer's look on their face when I answer the question, "Are these waterproof" by looking through the hole for the cleat from the inside and ask, "Would you use these as a boat?"
Bootes for the most part are good for moderate temperatures. Great to reduce wind resistance,they wear out quickly unless you don't walk on them. Simply put, trying to turn a shoe that's good for Summer riding into a shoe for winter use is a bad idea.
The cost of warm feet is cheap as long as you understand a few things. Winters here are not very long, so new boots will last for years with normal use. Cleaning road salt and dirt of of your boots once a week and letting them dry in a good place without high heat will prolong there life. Shoe polish works well too, It has worked for years on all types of foot wear and is no different with cycling boots.
Check out what is out there and try on a few. They all look heaver then they are and when properly sized, feel great.
With the proper foot wear and a nice day Recumbent Cycling with warm feet can be enjoyed long into the colder months.

Quitting

posted by Danni

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of seeing Scott for the first time since his return from Spain. We discussed his trip at great length, including talking about the 'rocky' start. (You read the blog - bad trails, bad weather, too many flies, etc.) I commented that after the 3rd or 4th day of such bad conditions, I would have decided to ship the bike back, do the route via public transportation, and take more time to see the sights in each of the villages. His response to me was, "We're not quitters!" OUCH!! Since then, this comment has been weighing heavily on my mind. I mean, I normally don't think of myself as a quitter.

However, the very next day I dropped out of the weekly upright group ride. I wasn't feeling 100% that morning and I had a lot of studying to do for a class on Saturday, so I called to say I wasn't going to join the ride. Afterwards, while driving my daughter to school in Concord, I was so completely struck by the beauty of the vibrant fall colors against the cloudy, gray sky that I changed my mind. I called the ride leader to say I would be joining the ride after all.

The ride was extremely hilly with a lot of very intense uphill climbs. I found that I was working so hard that I wasn't really looking at the beauty around me, which was my primary objective for doing the ride. I started to get more and more grumpy as I realized that, for the first time ever, I wasn't having fun on my bike. So, 10 miles into the 24 mile ride when I got to a major street that I knew, I made the decision to find my own way back to the start of the ride. I informed the ride leader and set off on my own.

I turned the corner, reprogrammed my GPS, turned on my music (I'm not allowed to listen with headphones on the group rides) and started off in my new direction. Immediately my experience changed. The road was only moderately hilly, the scenery was gorgeous, the music was energizing, and I was able to ride as fast or as slow as I pleased. I was having a WONDERFUL ride.

Later that day I had the chance to download the data from my GPS to my computer. I compared the original route to the route I ended up taking. It turns out my ride took me through much more conservation land than the original ride plan. I believe I had the prettier ride!

After this experience I reconsidered the question of quitting. Should deviating from the original plan always be considered quitting? I think I've decided that it has everything to do with the original goal of the endeavor. In the case of my aborted upright ride, my goal was to see beautiful scenery. My deviation from the original plan was not quitting but, instead, changing the plan to fulfill my personal goal for the endeavor. As for Scott and Barb in Spain, they set off with the goal of doing the pilgrimage. If they had given up it would, indeed, have been quitting.

So I've decided that I am not a quitter - it’s just that my typical vacation goals vary quite a bit from Scott's vacation goals. I, like Scott, tend to take outdoor adventure vacations. I travel to atypical, non-touristy places like Honduras and, even scarier, Belgium! However, for me, vacations are sacred. My goal for vacations is always the same; enjoy myself as much as is humanly possible, pretty much 100% of the time. To that end, although I love my friend Scott dearly, I don't think we will be taking vacations together any time soon ;-)

Happy Travels,

Danni

Getting Ready for Winter

Two of my favorite sayings about dealing with the winter and the cold days ahead are, "To ride through the winter, you need to ride into the winter."
My other is I think a Russian saying that "There is no such thing as bad weather, There is just bad clothing.
Of course pedaling bundled up is hard, but it has never been easier to stay warm and move freely.
The first saying states that to be comfortable during the winter months, you need to ride every day into the Winter and become acclimated over time. As with heat and hotter days, you can become use to the cold and learn what works best to keep you right and nether under dressed or whats worse, over dressed.
Remembering that the body warms up over the first 15 minutes or so is important. I have always gone with the simple rule that if when you first go out and your comfortably warm, then your over dressed.
Years ago, I use to warm up on Rollers and when I was just starting to break a sweat, head out. The first 15 minutes were refreshing and I was then ready to ride.
I now carry a Space Blanket for emergencies. Simple and light, it could save your life.
The Winter months are about to begin. With a little planing and proper gear, You can enjoy the bicycle sport we all love to do here in New England, Recumbent Cycling.

Pizza Ride Report

Nice ride, Beautiful day. 3 Riders, Great roads.
The ride started around 10:00 with a mechanical issue right off the start. I couldn't clip into my left pedal, so we went back and switched to another.

We did a back road ride though Medfield Center and over to Norfolk to "Jane and Paul's" Farm and farm stand for Eggs.
Back roads again through Millis, and onto Holliston to "Casey's" for our lunch stop.

The Pizza was good, not the best, We will do another taste test ride next month to another spot.

Short but Sweet, we were back at the start at exactly 2:00.

We all hoped for more riders to show, but the 3 of us had a blast and are looking forward to next weeks ride focusing on "Stuffy's" More on that later,

Reporter: Scott

Pizza Ride, Wednesday, 10-20-10

Come on now, who doesn't like pizza? Even bad pizza is good for at least one slice, just to take the taste test.

Tomorrow we will be doing a Pizza Ride to a place that you can do the taste test and judge for yourself if that this isnt the very best in its area. That's says nothing of course because if there isn't anything in the exact same spot then it wins! Yea!

The ride will be starting at 9:30 in Dover, Ma at 5 Main Street. Bosrug rides stay together so don't be afraid. The ride will be around 20 miles to lunch and another 9 miles back to the start. Of course the last 9 miles will really prove how good the Pizza was and how good an idea a Pizza Ride is!

We plan to be back around 2:00 so long distance travelers can make it back home before rush hours.

This is going to be a great ride. We are are almost at peak color and the temp should be perfect.
Any questions. email me at the address to the right.
Hope to see you all there.

Scott

p.s. Since Scott will be leading the ride, chances are highly likely that we will actually find the pizza place. It's so good to have him home!!! Hope to see you tomorrow. -Danni

Way,Way Over The Top!

Have fun with this one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GWp2_-aogc

Everyone is Different and . . .

Different is Good!

If you hang around my house often enough you will eventually hear that being said. When my now 9-year-old daughter was born, I decided that I didn't want her growing up with any type of prejudice. I wanted her to grow up knowing that we are all different in some way or another and it's best to make the decision whether to like/respect somebody based on how a person behaves and not on what they look like, where they come from, or what they believe in, etc. (Right about now Scott is out there reading this and singing Kumbaya ;-)

I'm guessing you are asking yourself what the f#@k does this have to do with a bike blog. Well, I know it's going to shock you to hear this but, I ride a recumbent. I LOVE my recumbent. My recumbent is fast, my recumbent is comfy, and my recumbent is different. However, the recumbent world is a small one. So when one friend leaves the country and another gets busy making wine or doing some other equally interesting thing, there aren't many other people with whom to ride. So, when I saw in the local community education booklet that there was a series of 24-mile rides being offered to those who had road bikes or hybrids, I was faced with a dilemma. I wanted to meet some local cyclists to ride with, but I am different - I ride a recumbent!

Well, I'm guessing you've figured out by now that I don't let little things like that get in my way. So, I wrote an email to the ride leader asking what the average pace of the rides would be and why it was only being offered to road bikes or hybrids. (I kinda forgot to mention that I had a recumbent ;-) She wrote back that the rides typically break into groups to accommodate different speeds and that the only reason they requested road bikes or hybrids is because the bikes need to be comfortable for the ‘long distances,’ but I could ride whatever bike I had. So, I signed up!

On the day of the first ride I did, indeed, show up with the bike I had! I am extremely happy to report that, at least from what I could outwardly see, nobody had an issue with the fact that I had a recumbent. On the contrary, I found people to be extremely intrigued by my bike. This reaction was in extreme contrast to what I was given to expect from recumbent riders who had previous experience riding with upright cyclists. As a matter of fact, when I told one recumbent-riding friend that I had signed up for this series of rides without disclosing that I had a recumbent, he said, "They are going to love that . . . NOT!" But it turns out, it's been great!

My guess is that this open-minded attitude has everything to do with the type of riding these people do. They are people like me. They aren't competitive. They just want to get outside and get some exercise while enjoying the world around them. So they aren't even a little bit intimidated by the fact that, with very little effort, I speed out in front with my friend Bob and we don't see them for the rest of the ride (more on that later.) Or maybe, they've met my daughter who has told them that, "Everyone is different and different is good," so they are judging me by how I treat them and not by the fact that I am one of those evil recumbent riders.

To that end, I have done my best to just be friendly and not say too much about what I see as the benefits of a recumbent over an upright bike. (After all I am trying to make friends here.) However, after the first ride when one of the women was complaining that her butt was killing her and that she needed to buy a new seat, I couldn't resist recommending that she try one like mine!

And now, I'm going out to ride on this beautiful day. I hope you are out enjoying it, too!

Danni

Columbus Day Weekend

It looks like it is going to be a gorgeous fall weekend. My plan is to get out and ride as much as possible. I'll probably do some local rides and maybe head out to a coastal town for a ride by the sea at some point. If you would like to join me for a ride, send me an email. We can plan something that works for your schedule.

If we get some formal plans together, I'll post them to the blog and see if we can get others to join us.

Enjoy the weekend,

Danni
danni.emriss@gmail.com

No Concord Ride on Wednesday

Given the weather forecast and the fact that I have some other plans that have come up, I will not be doing the ride in Concord on Wednesday (10/6). However, if you are inclined to do the ride on your own, you can find the link to the directions in the original post below. If you do get a chance to do the ride, let me know how it goes. I would love to know how the ride turns out for somebody who can actually follow the directions ;-)

I just love rainy fall days. I hope you do, too! Enjoy them!

Danni

Am I a cyclist?

So, several weeks ago a dear friend who knew I had recently gotten into cycling bought me a book entitled, "Bike Snob - Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling." It's an irreverent, laugh-out-loud funny book. At first I was offended by the author's view of recumbent riders until I realized that he was pretty rough on every type of cyclist just for the fun of it. At that point, I just relaxed and went along for the ride, so to speak.

At one point in the book he attempts to define a cyclist. His initial definition is, "One who rides a bicycle, even when he or she doesn't have to do so." I would beg to differ with this definition. My definition would be more like, "One who rides a bicycle because they really, REALLY need to do so!!" I mean if I don't ride a certain number of miles during the week, things get ugly!!! So I guess by my modified definition I certainly qualify as a cyclist. He then amends the definition to include the caveat that the person "must value the act of riding the bicycle over the tools one needs in order to do so." In other words, if you are so worried about your bike that you won't ride it because you might scratch the paint - you really aren't a cyclist. Well, by this definition I am DEFINITELY a cyclist. A good friend likes to tease me that my bike should have come with the gallon-sized jug of touch-up paint as opposed to the small vial provided.

However, yesterday morning I was scheduled to go for a ride with a local group of upright riders (more on that group later.) As I was driving my daughter to school with the rain pelting down on the car, I kept hoping that the ride would be cancelled because I just didn't want to ride in the wet weather. This attitude doesn't strike me as the attitude of a true cyclist. On the flipside, I was walking with a friend this week and talking about how I really needed to figure out how to ride my bike through the winter. I voiced my concern about the cold but decided I'd be able to figure out how to dress appropriately to make it work. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with a solution for how to ride in the snow and ice. When she recommended that I try cross-country skiing when I couldn't get out on my bike, I answered so despondently, "I guess I could do that," that she laughed uproariously.

So on this first day of October I find myself looking forward to riding during this beautiful time of the year, but at the same time I find that I am apprehensive about the fast approaching winter. I will be looking to you, my bike riding friends, to help me get through my first winter of riding. And I can tell you one thing for certain, whether you consider me a cyclist or not, NOBODY is going to want to spend much time with me this winter if we end up getting a lot of snow!!

Happy October,

Danni

My Special Talent

We all have innate talents. For most people, their innate talents are fairly moderate. However, for a rare few their innate talents are so extreme that they rise above all the rest. Now typically I am not one to brag about such things, but today I must admit that I am one of the rare few with an extreme talent. Yes I know it's hard to believe, especially if you've met me, but it's true - it really is true. So what is this extreme talent, you ask? Here it is!! I can get lost more quickly, more easily, and more completely than anyone else on the planet. I know! It's hard to believe I can be so talented, but there you have it. It really is true.

Take today for instance. Susie and I went for our ride in Concord. I did this ride with a bike group just last week AND I had it programmed in my GPS. (It's an absolutely gorgeous ride, by the way. That is if you can find it.) All was great! I was just following the pretty purple line on my GPS that was telling me where to go, chatting with Susie, and watching the scenery (but obviously not very closely) when Susie says to me, "Danni, I think we've been here before but going in the other direction." And, damn, if she wasn't right!!! We WERE on the same road going in the opposite direction. How in the hell did that happen?!!!!!

Luckily my talent is so extreme, that even though we followed the wrong route and never made it to the most beautiful part of the ride, we still got our mileage in since we had to ride around for miles figuring out where the hell we were!! Thankfully Susie was in such awe of my amazing talent, that even though we didn't manage to get to the right place, she still had fun just basking in the aura of my greatness.

We will be attempting this ride again next Wednesday at 1:00pm. If you feel you have the strength of character to withstand being in the presence of such extreme talent, it would be great to pedal around aimlessly with you somewhere (anywhere) in and around Concord!!

Danni

Concord Ride - Wednesday 9/29

Weather permitting my friend, Susie, and I will be doing a ride in Concord on Wednesday, September 29th at 12:30pm. We will be meeting in the parking lot behind the cemetery on Keyes Road in Concord Center. We will do a relaxed paced 21 mile ride. After the ride we will have a drink at the Walden Grill. If you would like to join two attractive, intelligent, witty, athletic, outgoing, charming, competent, (yet humble) women, we would love to take you for a ride. No wait. That's not it. Let me try that one again. How about this? We would really enjoy riding with you. Yea, that's it. I'm sure that's what I meant to say. No, really . . .

The route can be found at:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/concord/280128550734993006

I hope to see you on Wednesday,

Danni

Hello From Spain

Scott Calling,

Finally, internet access!
Lets make this short. The riding here is tougher then tough. Everything you can imagine and then some. The colors in the rocks are unlike anything I have ever seen.Some have 5 differnt colors and look as if someone has painted them.
The trail changes constantly. From mud to sand, Clay to stone. Baby head sized rocks to deep holes that make you need to bring the bike down in speed so we dont crash.
We did however crash yesterday, Slipped on clay in the rain and down we went. Barb cracked her helmet, but is fine.
The food has been great for the most part. We has a 8 fish dish yesterday for lunch with frys and mayo. The beers could be bigger, but we have learned to just order another.
We miss you all. I only hope to be able to add to the blog as we go along but if you dont see any new postings, please know it just because we are indeed in the middle of no where. True.

My Favorite Mailbox

On this first day of Autumn, I went on a ride to visit a good friend of mine. I met this friend in the Spring when I first started getting back into cycling. At the time, I was on my old hybrid. I was seeking an ever growing bike route around my home as my leg muscles strengthened and allowed me to ride further and further. During one such route extension, I encountered the hill on Morse Road in Sudbury for the first time. It is a deceptive hill. The first part is not very steep but goes on for a good distance, at the time, completely taking my breath away. After a very short flat section, nowhere near enough to catch my breath, there is a short but (at the time for me) extremely steep section which absolutely killed me. The first several times I did this route I had to walk my bike up the hill. Eventually, I got strong enough to ride up the hill. It was then that I met my good friend - the mailbox at 135 Morse Road. Once I got to this mailbox - I knew I made it.

I then decided I was enjoying cycling enough to buy a 'real' bike. I talked to a friend who recommended getting a recumbent. I did my research and decided that a recumbent was definitely the right choice for me. However, with my new recumbent, I was once again walking up to my favorite mailbox. I eventually became brave enough to try clipless pedals for the first time ever. Determined that I could make it up the Morse Road hill now that I had so much more pedal power, I refused to 'unclip' before the hill. I got most of the way up before losing momentum. It was in the process of trying to unclip when I jerked the bike too hard and fell, splat, onto the pavement. (I think this was the second time I broke my mirror. There have been several other times but that will be a story for another post.) It took a while for me to get up that hill confidently and the mailbox at 135 Morse Road was always the goal.

Today I did my ride again after having been riding my recumbent for over four months. I no longer give even a little bit of a thought about whether or not I am going to be able to pedal up to my favorite mailbox. Instead, I make bets with myself on how fast I can do it and in which gear I'll do it in. (It's amazing what a season of a lot of riding will do.) But still, when I get to the top of that hill, I always smile fondly at what has become my favorite mailbox of all time.

If you ever do my route, and I hope that you will, give a nod to the mail box at 135 Morse Road as you ride by. And then, I wish you no cars in either direction and enough chutzpah to take the steep S-curve that follows without hitting your brakes.

Woooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooo!!!

On to a new season of biking adventure.

Happy Fall!!

Play Ball!!

A more virtuous person would be writing today about the amazing ride she had yesterday. Unfortunately, as those who know me best will most certainly attest, virtue is not my strong suit. So I had just decided, while reclining on my recumbent at the Grist Mill, that nobody was going to be joining me for my ride and I'd be going it alone when my phone rang. My friend asked, "Danni, I have box seats for today's Sox game. Would you like to join me?" Now given that my goal for the next three weeks is to channel Scott Chamberlain as best as I can while managing the blog in his absence, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that there was only one appropriate answer to give to this question . . .F#@k Yea!!!!!

I can't imagine a better day to have gone to a ball game. The weather was perfect, the seats AMAZING, the people around us were very friendly, the peanuts had just the right amount of salt, the beer was the perfect compliment to the salty peanuts (though, alas, not Belgian), the Sox hit two home runs in a shutout game, and I had 100% faith in the two young boys sitting next to me to be able to catch any of the frequent foul balls that came our way before the balls could connect with my person. It doesn't get much better than that even for somebody like me who isn't much of a baseball fan.

I hope your Sunday was as wonderful as mine!!

Happy riding!

New Blog Site Launched.

Follow Barb and Scott as they travel North through Spain, off road by Tandem Bicycle.

The trip starts this Sunday and postings will be done where there is internet access.

http://caminoadventure2010.blogspot.com/

Sudbury Area Ride on Sunday 9/19

It's me, Danni. The gal with the gall to take over the blog!

Fall is here and it's a beautiful time of the year to ride. However, just as we are all ready to enjoy the cooler temperatures, the fall colors, and the wonderful smells of the season - our esteemed leader decides to leave the country for a three week trip abroad. Acceptable? I think not!

So what's a girl to do - ride alone during this lovely time of the year or take over the blog while Scott slacks off? Obviously, I am not the sort to sit idly by while somebody else is having all of the fun. So since Scott didn't invite us to join him in Spain, I say we should just ride without him while he is away.

To that end, I will be doing my standard 28-ish mile Sudbury area ride this Sunday, September 19th, starting at the Wayside Inn Grist Mill at 10:00am. (The Grist Mill is just west of the inn itself. For more info go to http://www.wayside.org/) Anyone who would like to join me would be more than welcome. After the ride we could enjoy a beer together at the Wayside Inn pub.

The route I take can be found at http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/sudbury/489128473050991468. If you think you are interested in joining me you can reply here, email me at danni.emriss@gmail.com or, as is typically the case with Mr. Chamberlain, just show up! (However, if you opt to just show up and you are running late - I won't know to wait for you.)

Hope to see you on Sunday!

The Gal in the Photo Above

I got a letter the other day asking if I would like some help with the Blog.
My friend Danni is a super person, No one I know would have asked to take the torch and run with it. She will be working along with me to add content and organize rides in the beautiful time of year. I'm sure here work will be GREAT! Thank You Danni!

The Recumbent Rider, Part Seven, Rich Pinto

Rich is a blast, Its hard to not smile when your around him. A wealth of information and a huge lelmet to hold it all. The man has a huge brain and is the man the "Brain Box" was inspired by.
Rich is a designer for Bacchetta and a wonderful story teller. His 'Talent" at Foosball is something to see! I find myself laughing out loud just thinking about it!You know any length ride is going to be great when you see his truck pull in to the parking lot.

Here is how he answered the questions:

Q: First attracted you to Recumbents and when did you first see one?


A: My wife Ann tells me I saw my first one in a Harvard Square bike shop back in the 70's or early 80's. I have a faint (OK, senior moment) memory of a wide mesh seat hanging from the ceiling, attached to a bizzarre looking bike. IIRC, I later heard it may have been an early Lightning P-38 owned by one of the shops managers.
The real tipping point was when a friend told me in late '89 he ran into an "old guy, on a long lawn chair with wheels" on a ride he was on in NH. They spoke for a while about his bike and then the recumbent rider told him he leave him to beat the dark and finish his 115 mile ride. I later heard from Dick Ryan (one of the pioneers of recumbent manufacturers whose bike he was riding) the guy was probably a retired ringer customer of his who did 20K miles a year.

Q: How long did it take you after you first wanted one to own one?

A: I wanted it immediately after hearing my friends story, but it took me a while (pre www) to locate one.

I had been having serious problems riding my uprights for the previous 10 or so years... back, neck, wrist, etc...so the thought of a "lawn chair on wheels" sounded pretty damn good to me, I still loved to ride. After much effort trying to track down ANY recumbent in New England, I finally plunked down 1,000 dollars for a foldable, under seat steered Linear long wheelbase recumbent in early 1990. I had only a few hours to make a plywood box to pack the folding frame to Sarasota Florida for a week of vacation, and took the 700C/20" wheels with us in a carry on.

Needless to say, the 1990 flight security inspectors wanted to have loooong talk with me about what type of pipe bomb I had in the box!!


Q: How long did it take for you to feel comfortable and safe riding on the street?

A: Hard to believe, but I bought that first 'bent with NO test ride, after watching a motorcyle guy with boots on give me a quick demo in the Chicester NH dealers parking lot. Within a few minutes of assembling it in a Sarasota Condo parking lot I headed out on the street, and never got off it all week. My guess is I put about 250-300 miles on that week...I was totally hooked on this new crack cocaine of recumbent cycling!

Q: What are you riding for a Recumbent these days?

A: A Bacchetta Carbon Aero 2.0. Previous SWB ASS rides in order include the Bacchetta Carbon Aero 1.0, Bacchetta Ti Aero, Aerocycle Ti Aero (the original Ti Aero) Steel Aerocycle dual 650C, Aerocycle dual 24", Aerocycle 700C/20", and finally the Infinity and Linear LWB USS's from 1990-94.

Q: What kind of riding do you find yourself doing most? Touring, commuting, group rides?

A: I love it all! Lately I've been drawn back into riding with some of the upright packs in my area, really lots of fun. But I'd say that 2/3's of my riding is still with old recumbent buds in NH and Flordia...its really nice when you don't have to tap your brakes or go coasting by upright packs on the downhills.

Q: What are your favorite things about riding a Recumbent?

A: For me, it's always been about the exponentially higher comfort, and since my first Aerocycle, more speed!! I love having a really good upright time trial bikes efficiency, without all the ergonomic drawbacks.

Q: How do you find the Recumbent riders as people? Do you notice any differences to other friends and riders of uprights?

A: I find they tend to be free thinking tech types generally, and have less of cycling's tribal "us vs them" mentality BS. My thinking has always been "ride whatever the hell YOU like!" We are all brothers in the human powered vehicle world...can I please get a "Kumbaya??"

Q: What are your other favorite hobbies?

A: I love winter/fall backpacking, and have not done enough in recent years. I've also been an audio/video geek for years, and really enjoy some of the lastest equipment advances.

Q: Do you see any difference in the ride compared to an upright style bicycle?

A: Maybe a bit more difficult to draft very closely in packs, but it's all good for me with (IMO) vastly increased safety with the feet first position. DId I mention the untouchable combination of comfort and speed??

Q: Do you find hill climbing a much bigger problem then an upright style of bicycle, if at all?

A: It's been so long since I've ridden any upright (about a 1 mile in 20 years) I honestly don't know!

Q: Do you feel invisible on your Recumbent then you do on an upright bicycle?


A: Not at all, because my head is about the same height as some (on the drops) smaller uprights I've ridden with. Since my first day on a recumbent, I realized I needed a mirror to see behind me, and quickly adapted to an eyeglass mirror so I can scan the road behind me a few times a minute.

Q: Would you take your Recumbent everywhere you would ride an upright?


A:YES!!

Q: What's the longest ride you have ever done in a day on your Recumbent?


Q: 130 miles. I am a total slacker compared to all of the Bacchetta race team members, who own some of the baddest all bike course records in the US. 49 YO Jim Kern's no draft 516 mile 24 hour NO draft Sebring record stands out, as do any of Bacchetta founder John Schlitter's waaaay too numerous to mention records, and his 2009 highest point total of ALL bikes in the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association World Cup competiion.

Q:Would you recommend a Recumbent bicycle to a friend?

A: YES!!

Q: What do your friends and family think about you riding a Recumbent?

A: They've known about my "problem" for 20 years now, and always nod approvingly, as least while I'm watching.

Q: Do you listen to music while riding a Recumbent and do you feel safer with this style of bicycle doing so?

A: No...but with all my great portable audiostuff I might try it soon! I'm pretty sure it never makes you safer, but I spend so much time looking for potential problems in my mirror and riding on mostly country-ish roads, I might get away with it.

Q: How has the Recumbent changed your life?

A: Recumbents have allowed me to continue my favorite sport, when it was mostly all over in the late 80's. My quest for more speed led me to create Aerocycle to make more efficient recumbent bikes in 1995, and later to join Bacchetta in 2001.
It has also led me to a great group of recumbent friends and customers all across the country (and world!) including Scott Chamberlain, who felt like a long lost brother from the first time I met him at his Boston Bent Rally in 1997. Scott's long time contribution to New England area recumbent cycling is unmatched, and we all owe him greatly for all his work!



Thanks Rich! Lets all get together soon!

The Recumbent Rider, Part Six, Doug Harris

Doug is a hoot. He is always fun to have around, Everyone agrees. He was I'm sure one of those students growing up that all the teachers loved as well as hated. Truth is, He never grew up!
Check out how he answered the questions, Warning, Its not all true. Actually. none of it is.

Q: What first attracted you to Recumbents and when did you first see one?

A: The fact that I could pedal while seated in a beach chair, snacking on crisps and quaffing down multiple pints of ale.
Back in 96..while vacationing in Bhutan

Q: How long did it take you after you first wanted one to own one?

A: Not long at all. I saw one parked on the street unattended, so I stole it.

Q: How long did it take for you to feel comfortable and safe riding on the street?

A: Never felt comfortable...still petrified, but I deal with it. Thank God for drugs

Q: What kind of riding do you find yourself doing most? Touring, commuting, group rides?

A: Jaunts to the neighborhood Sushi Bar for burgers and fries.

Q: What are your favorite things about riding a Recumbent?

A: That I appear handicapped and people will throw coins out of pity. I now have enough to buy a friggin Ferrari and no longer have to ride this stupid bike.

Q: How do you find the Recumbent riders as people? Do you notice any differences to other friends and riders of uprights?

A: I find them much like other cyclists only way more dorkier. I find my friends who ride uprights are, well... upright.and outstanding citizens. unlike those outlaws on recumbents...

Q: What are your other favorite hobbies?

A: Answering surveys

Q: Do you see any difference in the ride compared to an upright style bicycle?

A: Oh yes, my bloody feet are in the way and detract from my view, it'd be better if they could be tucked away under my body. Somebody should design a bike where you sit on a little wedge like seat and lean slightly forward while your arms grab onto a bar that steers the bike, all the while your legs and feet would just drop down under your body on to pedals...that would be fantastic if someone could design such a machine.

Q: Do you find hill climbing a much bigger problem then an upright style of bicycle, if at all?

A: No problem at all. If a hill is too big or too steep I usually call for a taxi,

Q: Do you feel more invisible on your Recumbent then you do on an upright bicycle?

A: Only when riding in my Desert Storm camo spandex

Q: Would you take your Recumbent everywhere you would ride an upright?

A: No definitely not, I would would never take it to Redbones...they refuse to valet park recumbents

Q:What's the longest ride you have ever done in a day on your Recumbent?

A: Probably 5 miles, and that was with multiple stops to apply Preparation H

Q: Would you recommend a Recumbent bicycle to a friend?

A: Not unless they had a death wish or wanted to attract the nerdiest people in the world. I would recommend that they lay in a stack of pocket protectors first.

Q: What do your friends and family think about you riding a Recumbent?

A: They've disowned me

Q: Do you listen to music while riding a Recumbent and do you feel safer with this style of bicycle doing so?

A: Absolutely! Love to pedal along to the tunes of The Fifth Dimension, "Last night I didn't get to sleep at all, no,no, the sleeping pill I took was just a waist of time, I couldn't close my eyes 'cause you were on my mind and last night I didn't get to sleep, no I didn't get to sleep at all"....God damn does it get any better ? I feel so safe and protected in my Bent...Bentley motorcar that is!

Q: How has the Recumbent changed your life?

A: Before the recumbent I was miserable, depressed, absolutely a shell of my former self. When I found recumbentcy I became a changed man. I suddenly had the urge to dance the tango, eat spicy szechuan dumplings and contemplate my navel...thank God recumbentcy came into my life. Hallelujah!


Thanks Doug, Sorta,,,

=

Good Bye July

Good Bye July, Its been great to know you, Every day has been real summer and not one of those so so overcast cool weather sort of summer times.
Hot during the day and cool at night. Perfect for riding selected distances that work well with the heat.The summer smells here in New England have been wonderful. Hard to keep your eyes open while riding with the enjoyment of the summer flowers in spots of wetland.
We can only hope that August will be as nice to enjoy the style of life we ultamatly choose. Embrace it all and live it to its best.

Thank You

Thank You everyone who made the Bacchetta 3 day event a total success.
Hot and humid but fun, Great roads, great food and great people.

Bacchetta Three Day, July 23rd, 24th, 25th New Info

Come join us this coming weekend for 3 days of recumbent fun.

Last nights was a wash out. We went as a group to the Watch City Brewery for a great dinner.

Saturday July 24th, Bacchetta Breakfast ride. Ride starts in Wellesley Center at the parking lot at the train station by the post office in the square. There is a coffee shop near by. Group around 7:30 We will wait until 8:00 and heads straight for breakfast first and then for a moderate paced 30 mile tour of Boston's Metro West. Finish around 10:00am.

Saturday July 24th, 11:00-5:00 Belmont Wheelworks, Test rides, Fittings, Riding instruction. Come test ride a recumbent for the first time or try something new. John Schliter and Rich Pinto from Bacchetta will be out on the street with Bacchetta's full line of recumbent bicycles, answering questions and signing autographs.

Sunday July 25th. Bacchetta Southern New England Tour. Meet at 9:00am 5 Main Street, Dover,Ma. Ride starts at 9:30. 66 mile 16mph average paced tour with 42 mile cut off at the house/start, of the roads and sights you have enjoyed reading about and seeing on this blog. Ride will be posted here for GPS file and to print map. No Q sheets or street arrows. This ride is not for the squeamish and will require your best road skills.
Copy and paste the URL below for downloading the ride to your GPS device:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41237600

Finish back in Dover for a Riders and Support Group BBQ, sponsored by Wheelworks, Bacchetta Bikes and Harpoon Brewery. Volunteers to help with the ride support will be greatly appreciated and welcome to the after event party.

The Recumbent Rider, Part Five, Me.

I thought it might be good to see how I would answer the questions, Here goes:

Q: What first attracted you to Recumbents and when did you first see one?

A: The moment I saw one I wanted one. Not because of pain, but it looked like a blast. That was about 1978 at the Bicycle Exchange in Harvard Square. There were a few that would come in from MIT students and the "Hobby Shop."
Dr. David Gordon Wilson was a customer as well as Dick Ryan. Bill Darby was building a torpedo like tandem that was used for the HPV Nationals.
It took years to actually have the money to put down and get one under me. But it was everything I expected and more.

Q:How long did it take you after you first wanted one to own one?

A: Twenty Years! I bought a second bike right after and two to play with.

Q:How long did it take for you to feel comfortable and safe riding on the street?

A:It took me about three days. It was only after riding in the woods that when I got back on the street I felt as if I was in total control.

Q:What are you riding for a Recumbent these days?

A: I'm riding a Bacchetta Corsa SS that I took the front derailleur off and ride as a 9 Speed. Its Great. When I'm riding alone, everything I see up ahead I catch up to, pass and totally drop. Not intentionally, but it just always seems to happen. My average speed when riding alone is 19mph.

Q:What kind of riding do you find yourself doing most? Touring, commuting, group rides?

A: I love doing the "Roll a coaster high speed blast" with friends. Forty miles seems to be the perfect distance and finish with a great lunch and cold beer, Lots of cold beer.
I also ride the bike into work on days that the roads are dry. Its 15 miles and can be done in about 45 minutes with all the stops.Its about 10 minutes faster then my fastest upright.


Q:What are your favorite things about riding a Recumbent?

A: The Heads up view. I love seeing the whole picture, from the ground to the sky. We live in a really beautiful part of the world and it wasn't until I started riding a recumbent that I could see it all. Its amazing the things you miss and I missed while on all my other bicycles.
I also love the rear view mirror. It gives me a view of everything and allows me to "Plan my future" by seeing where the car is and where it will pass me. It allows me to put the bike exactly where I need to be by seeing the cars coming.

Q:How do you find the Recumbent riders as people? Do you notice any differences to other friends and riders of uprights?

A: The Recumbents riders I have met are really fun folk. They understand a good joke and love the art of the ride. For the most part they are design conscious and love new things. Leaders and trend setters and not followers and trend followers for the sake of looking cool.

Q:What are your other favorite hobbies?

A: I love cooking, Music, Riding other styles of bicycles and watching movies. I try to see at least 4 a week.

Q:Do you see any difference in the ride compared to an upright style bicycle?

A: Recumbents are much faster with less work. There is a lot more coasting wich is wonderful when sitting back and looking up is what you do.
There is a lot less pain especially with your butt.

Q:Do you find hill climbing a much bigger problem then an upright style of bicycle, if at all?

A: Yes, I learned at a very early age how to rest while climbing hills on a upright by lifting your weight over the top of the crankset and falling over the top. Using the weight of your body to climb and your upper body to pull the frame like a lever to turn the cranks. It can not be done on a recumbent.

Q:Do you feel more invisible on your Recumbent then you do on an upright bicycle?

A: Some times. But I ride all bicycles as if I'm invisible and because of it, I'm still alive. People just don't see bicycles no matter what shape. Thinking that they do could be dangerous. Although once drivers see you, it seems as if they cant take there eyes off of you. You get cut off far less with a recumbent then a upright. I notice this when I get back on a upright after riding a recumbent for a long while.

Q: Would you take your Recumbent everywhere you would ride an upright?

A: Yes. Riding in the woods is a hoot and because the equal weight on the front and the rear wheel, less wheel worry. Its of course slower then a Mountain Bike or a Cyclo Cross bike of road, but when you need a break, it can be done and its wonderful.

Q:What's the longest ride you have ever done in a day on your Recumbent?

A: 164 miles, I was doing the B to B and went off course. By the time I had gotten back on, I had put on an extra 30 miles. It was about 90 degrees for most of the ride. I was fine.

Q:Would you recommend a Recumbent bicycle to a friend?

A: Yes, its my job. There are people that will never ride a recumbent that would love it, but that's them and their problem. I ride down some of the hills around here in Dover and think to myself, "Who wouldn't love that?" Sometimes I turn around and do the downhill again, Its that much fun!

Q:What do your friends and family think about you riding a Recumbent?

A: My good friend Barbara who has traveled across Spain and parts of France off road on a tandem with me on front, thinks there geeky. When were in her car on on the tandem and see a recumbent she says, "Geeky Guy! Geeky Guy" I always smile!
I like that there odd. I love passing even the fittest rider and totally smoking them. Lets put it this way: I wouldn't want to be on my upright and look over my shoulder and see a recumbent coming up. How humiliating!

Q: Do you listen to music while riding a Recumbent and do you feel safer with this style of bicycle doing so?

A: Yes, more so now because of a little speakered MP3 player the boys at Bacchetta gave me. I have it on top of the bag so its right in back of my head where I can hear it clearly without having it too loud.Having the rear view mirror allows me to see whats coming up so Recumbent riding I do listen, but upright on the road, I don't.

Q:How has the Recumbent changed your life?

A: Yes it has, but not as much as the great friends I have met riding them. I love to ride alone, but as a group, its better then any other style of riding. Really.

The Recumbent Rider, Part 3, Dave C

Dave an I have been riding together for about eight years now. I met Doug through Dave and together we have done a good amount of evening adventures. It seems as if when we are together we laugh more then usual. Always a good time.
Here is how Dave C answered the questions:

Q: What first attracted you to Recumbents and when did you first see one?

A: I moved close enough to my work to be able to ride my bike. About 10 miles.
I road an upright for 2 days, and I was so sore (and not my leg muscles, if you
know what I mean) that I knew I would not continue. I had heard about WheelWorks,
and that they sold recumbent bikes there. I had an R40 shortly thereafter.

I think the first bent I saw was on Nantucket, about 1994.

Q: How long did it take you after you first wanted one to own one?

A: I always had an interest, but from the time I knew where to actually buy one
to the time I had one was a matter of weeks.

Q: How long did it take for you to feel comfortable and safe riding on the street?

A: Good question! I was riding around on my local streets pretty much immediately.
It only takes 30 seconds to learn to ride one if you have a good teacher. (SRC!)
But, I rode on my local streets for about a week before commuting to work.

Q: What are you riding for a Recumbent these days?

A: I have two bents: My original R40 which I use in the cold 1/2 of the year, and
a Bachetta Strada I use the rest of the time.

Q: What kind of riding do you find yourself doing most? Touring, commuting, group rides?

A: These days I use my bikes to run errands around town, and to do longer rides of 40-50
miles several times a week -- usually riding into Boston for one reason or another.

Q: What are your favorite things about riding a Recumbent?

A: I am comfortable and can ride all day with no soreness at all.
I do rides of 4-5 hours or more on a regular basis, and my aging body feels
fine!

Q: How do you find the Recumbent riders as people? Do you notice any differences to other friends and riders of uprights?

A: I think bent riders tend to be more open minded, and don't worry about what other people think.
I know riders who ride uprights, and are in pain doing so, but refuse to even try a bent because
they think people will think they are weird. Sad really.

Q: What are your other favorite hobbies?

A: Learning to cook, wood working, dabble in music composition.

Q: Do you see any difference in the ride compared to an upright style bicycle?

A: Yes, definitely. My precious butt is 100% more comfortable, along with the rest of
my body. This is important -- as we age, our body parts can wear out, you need to
take care of them. I have a friend who is over 70 and still riding his bent long miles.

The only thing I tell people who ask, and many do ask... is that the big difference for
me is riding up hills. You can not stand up on the pedals, so you just have to grind it out.
I have dealt with this by using a reliable gear system (Rohloff) and just riding a lot.
You learn to deal with hills in one way or the other.

Q: Do you find hill climbing a much bigger problem then an upright style of bicycle, if at all?

A: See previous.

Q: Do you feel more invisible on your Recumbent then you do on an upright bicycle?

A: No, not in the least. I am much more visible. This old perception was created
by people riding low-rider bents. Really not a problem at all.

Q: Would you take your Recumbent everywhere you would ride an upright?

A: Yup!

Q: What's the longest ride you have ever done in a day on your Recumbent?

A: Not sure... over 100 miles.

Q: Would you recommend a Recumbent bicycle to a friend?

A: I would and I have!

Q: What do your friends and family think about you riding a Recumbent?

A: They think it is great!

Q: Do you listen to music while riding a Recumbent and do you feel safer with this style of bicycle doing so?

A: I used to listen to music, but don't any more.

Q:: How has the Recumbent changed your life?

A: It has changed it a great deal! I love riding, and it is a big part of my life.
I love not being tied down in a car, and all the people I have met because I
was riding. Doing so much riding has given me a healthy looking set of legs
too!

Thanks Dave! SRC

The Recumbent Rider, Part Two, Doug

Doug and I have been rideing together now for about the last 7 years. Most of our ride have been evening city rides around town for dinner and drink. Always an adventure.
Doug will be riding the Pan Mass Challange on a recumbent ths year as he always has.
Here is how he answered the questions

Q: What first attracted you to Recumbents and when did you first see one?

A:Wanted a recumbent ever since the first time I saw someone riding one.
It was in the movie "Brainstorm" with Christopher Walken and Natalie
Wood. (Natalie Wood drowned during the shooting of that movie,
incidentally, but they managed to edit/release it posthumously.) Walken
played some "professor" type and rode a recumbent bike in a couple of
scenes. Turns out it was a Dick Ryan "Avatar 2000". You can see a
clip of the movie at
http://ryanownersclub.com/scrapbook/avatar/brainstorm/

Q: How long did it take you after you first wanted one to own one?

A:About 25 years. :-/

Q: How long did it take for you to feel comfortable and safe riding on the
street?

A:I was probably "street safe" after a few hours worth of riding around my
neighborhood. Took me a little while longer to lose my fear of riding in
traffic.

Q: What are you riding for a Recumbent these days?

A:For commuting to work & winter riding, I ride my 2003 Vision R40
(under-seat steering). For fair weather, open-road riding, I ride my
2008 Bacchetta Corsa SS.

Q: What kind of riding do you find yourself doing most? Touring, commuting,
group rides?

A:I bike to/from work (pretty much daily), and mostly do longer
rides (50+mi) when weather/time permit.

Q: What are your favorite things about riding a Recumbent?

A:I can stay out on the bike and cruise for hours with no pain at all.
Kids always say "Cool bike, man". ;-)

Q: How do you find the Recumbent riders as people? Do you notice any
differences to other friends and riders of uprights?

A:By virtue of the fact that they're riding such an "unusual" bike
already, I think it's safe to say that bent riders tend to be open to
new experiences. This is *not* to say that upright riders are not,
however. The "sport" of (upright) bike riding seems to be fairly
"group-focused", with pacelines and pellotons and what-not; whereas
recumbent riders don't (at least not yet) seem have that going on.
I.e., you're *very* unlikely to see a paceline of 6-10 recumbents
racing down a back road on a weekend morning... (*That* would be a
sight!)

Q: What are your other favorite hobbies?

A:Filling out questionnaires.

Q: Do you see any difference in the ride compared to an upright style bicycle?

A:I have zero pain in neck, shoulders, back or ass.
I have an unobstructed of the road and scenery. (My face is upward and not bent over,
trying to maintain an 'aero' position...)

Q: Do you find hill climbing a much bigger problem then an upright style of
bicycle, if at all?

A:I always drop behind uprights on the uphills, but pass them on the
downhills. I'd be slow on an upright too, since at 230lb my
'power/weight' ratio is just not *that* good. :-) I just gear down,
spin and try to relax and enjoy the view, knowing that the downhill will
be here eventually. ;-)

Q: Do you feel more invisible on your Recumbent then you do on an upright
bicycle?

A:Are you kidding ? People and *animals* stop and stare. That whole
"you're so low; you need a flag" is bullshit, unless you're on a trike
or a low-racer. My "helment" height when I'm on either of my bents is
only maybe a *foot* lower than a normal adult upright rider -- and when
they're in a 'aero tuck' I'm about the *same*.

Q: Would you take your Recumbent everywhere you would ride an upright?

A:Sure.

Q: What's the longest ride you have ever done in a day on your Recumbent?

A:120 mi.

Q: Would you recommend a Recumbent bicycle to a friend?

A:Absolutely!

Q: What do your friends and family think about you riding a Recumbent?

A:They think I'm a little weird, but smart. ;-)

Q: Do you listen to music while riding a Recumbent and do you feel safer with
this style of bicycle doing so?

A:No. Never. I could *never* ride with earphones on. I want to be able to
hear *everything* that's going on around me (e.g., cars/trucks
approaching from rear, dog tags clinking when some unchained doberman
decides to launch a sneak attack, etc.) Also, I've found that my brain
works pretty much a like an iPod on crazy-shuffle: I start hearing music
in my head that lines up with the my cadence, scencery, state of mind
etc while I'm riding. Sometimes a song is triggered by something I
see/hear while riding, or something I overhear from a car that's passing
me, etc. I seem to have quite a large collection of tunes tucked away
in my gray matter -- how they get on my 'internal bike playlist' is a
happy mystery to me... ;-)

Q: How has the Recumbent changed your life?

A: Made new friends.
Got in better shape.
Got me involved in raising money for cancer research (PMC)
Made bike riding a ready source of enjoyment again
I bike more and use a car less (commuting, errands, etc)

Thanks Doug, SRC

The Recumbent Rider. Part One, Brad

Brad and I have been riding together for about 7 months now. Every ride has been great. Here are Brad's answers to the questions of the Recumbent Riders Survey:

Q: What first attracted you to Recumbents and when did you first see one?

A: I have been riding bikes for a long time and have seen recumbents just as long. It seems every year I see more and more. Though, I never got a really good look at one since they were moving by me so quickly. Perhaps it wasn't the speed but that my upright bike just offered me a limited field of view.

Q: How long did it take you after you first wanted one to own one?

A: Scott Chamerlain knew I wanted a recumbent before I did. Consequently, once he convinced me, which was only a test ride away, I wanted one too. It took me about 2 months to gather my funds for a new Bacchetta Corsa.

Q: How long did it take for you to feel comfortable and safe riding on the street?

A: Perhaps I have balance problems. One wouldn't think so as I manage to stay upright after copious amounts of beer and I practice that daily; however, it took me a bit to feel comfortable on my recumbent. I felt completely comfortable after 100 miles. That might be an unusually long time but I was learning to ride it in February in New England on the ice. I took it down Mass Ave in Cambridge on my first day. I must apologize to all the drives for swerving in front of them so many times. I now appear to be a completely sober rider holding my line just fine.

Q: What are you riding for a Recumbent these days?

A: I am riding my recumbent for fun, exercise, to see the outrageously beautiful scenery in New England, and to spend time with friends. Oh, sometimes I even use it to get to where I need to go.

Q: What kind of riding do you find yourself doing most? Touring, commuting, group rides?

A: Touring, group rides, and beer runs.

Q: What are your favorite things about riding a Recumbent?

A: I can ride the bike all day and my body feels fine the next. Nothing hurts. Also, the view is unbeatable. They are so fast and fun.

Q: How do you find the Recumbent riders as people? Do you notice any differences to other friends and riders of uprights?

A: Recumbent riders are great. They are more social than riders of uprights. In both upright and recumbent groups you find the fast, the racers, the ice cream run, and the social riders. In contrast though, the recumbent riders are always willing to let other "groups" go along and are way more fun after the rides.

Q: What are your other favorite hobbies?

A: Cooking

Q: Do you see any difference in the ride compared to an upright style bicycle?

A: A huge difference. On an upright you have a seat connected to a metal post pointed directly up your butt. In contrast, on a recumbent you sit on a long pole suspended between two wheels. On my recumbent my arms, shoulders, lower back and butt never get sore. Also, the view as I am riding along is far superior on my recumbent. My recumbent brings my Lazy-Boy with me on the rides and it is still a sportier machine than my racing upright.

Q: Do you find hill climbing a much bigger problem then an upright style of bicycle, if at all?

A: I find it the same.

Q: Do you feel more invisible on your Recumbent then you do on an upright bicycle?

A: No. People find recumbents more interesting and they attract their attention more. Plus, when I set my recumbent next to my upright, they are at the same height.

Q: Would you take your Recumbent everywhere you would ride an upright?

A: Yes.

Q: What's the longest ride you have ever done in a day on your Recumbent?

A: About 120 miles.

Q: Would you recommend a Recumbent bicycle to a friend?

A: Yes, Yes, and Yes. Why would I recommend any other bike?

Q: What do your friends and family think about you riding a Recumbent?

A: Well, my parents now each own one. Some of my friends think it is completely stupid, but the smarter ones are beginning to consider a recumbent for themselves.

Q: Do you listen to music while riding a Recumbent and do you feel safer with this style of bicycle doing so?

A: I don't like to listen to music while I ride. I want to be able to hear the traffic and wind.

Q: How has the Recumbent changed your life?

A: I enjoy riding more. I have met amazing people and had great times that I cannot stop telling stories about.