Learning To Ride A Recumbent Tricycle

By Martha Murray


Summer days excite many people with the opportunities to get out and have some fun in the sun. A great way to stay fit is to ride a bike. There a number of people that enjoy moving around but have trouble riding because it is not easy to lean over the handlebars due to back pain or other issues. Using a recumbent tricycle is a great way to enjoy the summer fun without the pain that a traditional bike may cause.

One question people have is why they should use a vehicle with 3 wheels instead of 2. The history for the 3-wheeled nonpowered vehicle goes way back beyond the two-wheeled bicycles. The early days showed people having difficulty balancing the new vehicle and therefore a three-wheeled vehicle was created. Having a trike is a great way of riding without having to lean forward over the handlebar part of the bike.

Others ask what the advantages of the recumbent type have over the traditional bike. The biggest advantage is that you do not have to lean forward over the handlebars. You can see the scenery and not be in an awkward position. Sitting back in a relaxing pose also lets you go farther distances without tiring while traveling.

The first thing to learn is how to enter and exit the trike. It can be intimidating but it doesn't have to be. Start with locking the brakes. This step is important so the trike doesn't roll away while you try to sit down. Then you straddle the bar and lean back into the seat. Exiting is just the opposite. Lock the brakes, lean forward, stand up and step out of the trike.

Pedaling the trike can be difficult at first. One of the recommendations is that you use pedals that have some sort of strap or device to keep your foot from slipping off. If your foot does slip off it could easily hit the ground and be pulled underneath the bike which can cause a lot of pain. Since you're riding a trike you don't have to worry about the bike tipping over when you stop so it is not a problem to have your feet clipped in.

There are a couple of types of configurations for steering. The linkage type may seem strange at first, but it has a big advantage in that you can steer with just one hand. The direct type is two handles and is more like driving a sports car.

Gear changing is very simple. It is pretty much the same as the traditional 10-speed bike. Some will have just one set of gears, while others will have the combination gears to achieve more torque when you're going uphill. Change it as needed and don't worry about what gear you are in.

There's no reason to not get out in the sun and have fun in the summertime. Riding a bike is not something that some people are comfortable with but using a recumbent trike helps those who have a hard time bending over the handlebars of regular two-wheeled vehicles. These kinds of options make it easy for anyone to ride and enjoy the summertime weather and get the exercise that will help them get fit.




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