My response to rising gas prices…Start pedaling!

I’ve been cycling on and off for the past 4 years, more for fun and exercise than for practicality. However, rising energy costs and such provides me with a great excuse to ride more often.

I no longer ride a bike, haven’t ridden one for over 2 years.

“What? You just said you’re riding more often, you lying bastard!”

I might be a bastard (sometimes), but I’m not lying. I’m a big guy, so riding on a bike saddle (no matter how much gel padding one uses) is not a comfortable experience. So a couple years ago, I bought a recumbent trike.

Unmodified Sun EZ3-USX

Recumbents don’t have little saddles. They have a SEAT. Heck, it’s an actual chair. I chose a trike instead of a recumbent bike because of the increased stability of three wheels. I chose the Sun EZ3-USX as it’s an “entry level” model. Still not cheap (about $1,000), but much less that other trikes. I paid more for under-seat steering, but I thought that’d be more comfortable. Is it ever. It’s more like pedaling an easy chair instead of a bike. Mind you, with all of the modifications I’ve made, it weighs over 100 lbs. So it’s a little slow on the hills, but once you get used to it, it’s not so bad. You just gotta get your “‘bent legs.” You can’t use your weight like you can on a bike, but you’re braced against the seat back, so you can use your leg muscles more effectively.

Speaking of modifications…

1. Primo Comet Kevlar-belt tires. Yes, I have bullet-proof material in my tires. I can’t recommend them enough if you’re riding on city streets. I had a lot of flats until I upgraded to these. I also use thorn-resistant tubes and tire liners as well, but nothing has yet to get through the belt.

2. Lights! Visibility is a good thing. You sit lower to the ground (about the same as a car) than on a bike, so you want people in cars to see you. So I have headlights on the front, and red blinky lights on the back. During the day, I’m hard to miss since I might be the only person in the city riding a ‘bent trike. It tends to get a lot of attention.

3. Bike computer. It’s nice to know how fast you’re going and to keep track of your distance rode.

4. Electric assist motor. There are days when you’re not feeling up to a 7-mile or more trek, or you’re really getting killed by a hill. That’s where the electric assist comes in. Note I said “assist.” I only use it occasionally, and I pedal when it’s in use. I can maintain 12-15 MPH on the trike by myself, but I can maintain 18-20 easily with the pedal/motor combo. When I get to my destination, I disconnect the battery pack and carry it elsewhere to recharge. It also comes in handy for an acceleration boost when traffic lights turn green, so motorists behind me don’t have to wait for me as long for me to get about 370 lbs (me and trike) moving. I picked Wilderness Energy because they’re inexpensive and reliable.

5. Rain gear (pants, jacket, helmet cover) stowed on the trike, just in case.

6. Toe clips. Allows you to “pull” as well as “push” on the pedals, and makes sure your feet don’t fly off when you hit bumps. Not quite as good as clipless pedals, but far cheaper, and don’t require special shoes.

7. Other than that, the typical bike equipment. Portable tire pump, tool kit, spare tubes, bike bag, pedals with toe clips, etc etc.

8. Modified a cargo carrier to carry my trike. I have a small 4-door sedan – it won’t fit inside or on top, so I added a trailer hitch and did some welding.

I am currently committed to triking to work (about 7 miles each way) at least every other day until weather gets below 40 degrees. With the right gear and attitude, it’s definitely a realistic goal, even in Ohio. There are people that ride in far WORSE weather (for FUN), so I can rely on their tips to advise me.

So, if you like riding, but get a bit saddle-sore… Recumbents (trikes/bikes) are a good way to go.