[Whirl] hello, and questions about riding recumbents in this area

Tue Jan 3 11:07:49 CST 2017

Thanks so much for all the responses everyone. Hope to meet all of you on a
Saturday ride someday soon!

On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 10:07 AM, larry black <bikelarry at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sorry Whirlers, my note flew away before editing and completing
> Here's the full note:
>
>
> Thanks for the inquiry, interest, and mentions from our past and present
> parishioners.
> Though trikes have outsold two wheel 'bents sixfold going on a decade,
> they are not the solution for everyone in every situation.
>
> Despite coaching and disclaimer, a number of trikers tune out their
> anticipated real world riding when they turn our parking lot into a skidpad
> and our no traffic rural roads into a rally course.
>
> Some return days, weeks, or months later noting their real world
> experiences - they have encountered people enjoying two wheelers that
> provide the same benefits of comfort and freedom from pain.
>
> They have also noticed their limited  field of vision among motor vehicles
> with their head inconveniently below the average vehicle fender - these
> days a pick up, SUV, or minivan.
>
> Even flagged and lighted, the low head position leaves a narrowed
> 'wedge'of vision instead of a safe  hemisphere afforded when your viewpoint
> is above a fender.
>
> Some get this wrong as the 'anti-trike' but lo, that's not our point.
> There are many who simply cannot afford to risk a fall, who cannot balance
> a two wheeler, and people like us that just enjoy triking.
>
> We have some great places here and in Florida to enjoy ours, but riding
> them  out here in the sticks on the hilly, windy, shoulder-compromised
> roadways is a no go.
> We're fortunate to be able to enjoy our Easyracers for places we are not
> comfortable triking.
>
> We like group riding very much, and when triking it's awkward when there
> are so many on uprights. The dynamic does not lend itself to as easy a mix,
> and too many of our (deprived) upright friends find it awkward having us
> along.
>
> When a customer arrives and asks about trikes we usually put out a bike as
> well if it appears they are able to operate one. We provide lessons on both.
>
> Invariably, after a spin 'round the 3 acre parking lot (which often
> becomes a skidpad), the trike is hands-down the winner in the thrill
> category.
> The trike is the go-kart or sports car they always loved , It's as
> thrilling as a roller coaster in turns since it generates side thrusts with
> a slight turn of a wrist.
>
> Of course like anything that has such an exciting initial thrill, the body
> gets accustomed to much of that aspect and after a real world experience,
> thrills can diminish though the comfort remains.
>
> Sensibly, we encourage and allow trikes to go on extended test rides - to
> the home neighborhood, to the favorite trail, even on weekend group rides.
>
> For many like us, the solution is the bike and the trike.Change is good.n
> We ride our trikes in the trike-friendly areas and on trike-centric rides
> with other trikers.
>
> The bikes, which fit easily and quickly on our compact car, go other
> places.
>
>
> Hopefully this is not a political rant but a real world take on what we
> have done thousands of times for 30 years with our trikes and 40 with our
> 'bents.
>
> Happy New Year!
>
> Larry and Linda
>
> On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 6:24 AM, Larry Black <bikelarry at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the inquiry, interest, and mentions from our past and present
>> parishioners.
>> Though trikes have outsold two wheel 'bents sixfold going on a decade,
>> they are not the solution for everyone in every situation.
>>
>> Despite coaching and disclaimer, a number of trikers tune out their
>> anticipated real world riding when they turn our parking lot into a skidpad
>> and our no traffic rural roads into a rally course.
>>
>> Many return days, weeks, or months later noting their real world
>> experiences - they have encountered people enjoying two wheelers that
>> provide the same benefits of comfort and freedom from pain.
>>
>> They have also noticed their limited  field of vision among motor
>> vehicles with their head inconveniently below the average vehicle fender -
>> these days a pick up, SUV, or minivan.
>>
>> Even flagged and lighted, the low head position leaves a narrowed
>> 'wedge'of vision instead of a safe  hemisphere.
>>
>> Larry Black
>> larry at bike123.com
>> www.bike123.com
>> 410.795.2929 <(410)%20795-2929>
>> 301.864.2211 <(301)%20864-2211>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 3, 2017, at 1:35 AM, Eric Rosenberg <wd3q at starpower.net> wrote:
>>
>> Forgot to answer your second question.
>>
>> Bikes at Vienna (Virginia) and Mt. Airy Bikes (Maryland) are the two
>> recumbent dealers in the area. I've purchased from and had work done at
>> both. I bought RANS V-REX and Rocket at Mt. Airy, the TerraTrike at
>> Bikes at Vienna.
>>
>> You can't go wrong at either one.
>>
>> Eric
>>
>> On 1/2/2017 8:55 PM, Suzanne Ito wrote:
>>
>> Hi everyone. Does anyone on this list ride a recumbent trike in DC? I'm
>> wondering if you feel safe doing so. I just moved from NYC where it was
>> decidedly NOT a good idea, but now that i'm close to so many great bike
>> trails and paths, I'd love to finally buy one for my commute between Falls
>> Church and the Shaw area.
>>
>> I'd also love to know if there's any shops in the area that specialize in
>> recumbent trikes. I've demo'd the HP Gekko and Scorpion FS and a
>> TerraTrike, and definitely liked the HP better, but would love to try the
>> new Azub Ti-Fly before I make a final decision.
>>
>> Many thanks for any insight you can provide,
>> Suzanne
>>
>>
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>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> Larry Black
> Mt Airy Bicycle
> College Park Bicycle
> Maryland, USA
> www.bike123.com
> larry at bike123.com
>

-- 
suzanne.
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