Guide For Riding A Recumbent Tricycle

By Martha Murray


With the summer approaching it's important to get out and get some exercise in order to stay fit and healthy. Being able to ride a bicycle or tricycle is an excellent way to exercise without doing damage to your knees or spinal column. A popular way to exercise is by riding a recumbent tricycle or bicycle. Recumbent trikes are a new trend that has increased in popularity because of the way it rides for people who don't especially like riding bicycles while leaning over the front wheel.

Some may question why using a trike with three wheels. In the past, the tricycle actually came before bicycle. People had trouble balancing the bike and often reverted back to the more stable trike. It's an easy way to ride and be able to view the scenery without worrying about toppling over.

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 two types of steering mechanisms that are popular. The first is the linkage steering which feels more like power string for a bike. This type uses a sway bar and can be controlled with just one hand. The direct steering seems to be more like a sports car where you would need to use both hands.

Changing gears is as simple as it would be on the two-wheel bike. The advantage here is that you don't need to know what gear you are in. You just simply change the gears as you feel the need to when you're climbing a hill or going downhill. The most popular type of gear is similar to a 10-speed bike where you have two gear settings that can be adjusted to maximize the torque.

Summer is a great time to get out and enjoy exercise, fitness, and riding bikes. Not everyone can ride the traditional 2 wheel bike so using a recumbent version is helpful. Being able to look up and watch the landscape as you ride enhances the experience. With options like a trike that leans back, everyone can easily get out and enjoy the summer.




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