The Road Les Pedaled

October 5, 2009

I have a bad back, so I've been riding a recumbent for years.  I used to be jealous of DF riders, but now I realize how fortunate I am just to be able to get out there at all and I'm loving every minute on my bent.

My first recumbent was a beginner bent, the EZ-1, a long-wheel base (LWB).  That was back in 2002.  I used it for five years before I upgraded, just tootling around on the local trails and in the hood.  After a while I got tired of spinning and spinning and not really getting anywhere.  An upgrade was essential!

So in 2007 I purchased my current recumbent, this time a short-wheel base (SWB).  Here's me on my Bacchetta Strada!



There isn't a local Orlando recumbent shop, so I've traveled to several Central Florida recumbent shops over the years to test ride.  They include Power On Cycling in Plant City and Hampton's Edge in Floral City and Riverside Recumbents in Cocoa.

http://poweroncycling.com/
 http://www.hamptonsedge.com/
http://www.riversiderecumbent.com/


I've been wanting a recumbent trike for several years now and decided that's going to be my commuting and/or touring vehicle.  After test-riding multiple trikes, I fell in love with the Trice Q made by ICE (Inspired Cycle Engineering).  They are quite expensive, but finally a few weeks ago I found a 30% sale and bit the bullet and got one!  It had to be ordered and I don't have it yet, but I'll be picking it up this coming Saturday.  That gives me a piddly two weeks to break it in before my tour!