12 Strategies to Increasing Your Speed, Recumbent Trike

[@karlInSanDiego]

Your trail doesn't suck, George. Thanks for another great video.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Thanks Karlin

[@tomboyd9053]

As a disabled recumbent trike rider, I gleam information from your videos that can help me succeed. TMR inspires and that's what I am seeking... Motivation and Inspiration!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Go get Tom!

[@LtPessimist]

Great video, keep them coming. thanks

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Thanks Jay

[@markfeldman6509]

Great video with tons of great advice. I ride in New England where it obviously gets quite cold BUT....proper clothing makes it easy and very pleasant . Avoid cotton undergarments in cold weather as one will perspire and stay wet and get much colder. Wear Lycra in layers or Under Armor type clothing which wicks moisture. Not to name drop...but on Amazon...I have bought a lot of great clothing for warm and cold weather ..the Arsuxeo brand has fabulous fleece lined /water proof clothing at a super price...tops, bottoms and gloves. Must buy one size up as it is Asian made. Also...must wear calf length padded compression socks to keep the feet warm. Lixada also makes fabulous stuff also available on Amazon. Clips are mandatory for safety and efficiency...studies have shown 30-35% increase in efficiency while clipped in. The pullback motion while clipped in gives forward propulsion. Weight reduction....rider and trike is also essential. We all probably have a few extra pounds of junk in panniers that accumulates....like in our golf bags. Get rid of it. Also...as noted on your video....lots of debris on trails now.....clean the chain for safety and efficiency and get the junk out and lubricate it frequently. Building leg strength with longer rides eventually allows for riding in the highest gears more easily which translates into much greater speeds if you can keep the same cadence at a high gear. And finally...you..like me... ride nice paved segregated trails or rail trails with minimal grades..... e bikes add 15-20 pounds to trike weight and make pedaling obviously easier but minus that weight and on a flat trail one can go much faster without the entire mechanism and heavy battery. Good work...stay safe and warm. Mark

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Thanks Mark, very, very helpful. Great reinforcements and reminders. I need to clean my chain. Thank you for the feedback - always appreciated.

[@markfeldman6509]

@@themotivatedrider3840 we can all learn quite a bit from one another’s experience. Hopefully we get to ride together one of these days when the craziness ends and we can travel. Watching Mookie Betts win World Series with Dodgers. It kills me that the Red Sox traded him. He’s the next Willie Mays.

[@carriagehousecycleworksllc6643]

Beautiful colors! Tip #7 and number #12 can really make the difference, also riding a VTX has to have some positive effect!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Definitely right now VTX has its advantages I’m sure

[@hectorqlucero]

Excelent video, just keep them coming!!!

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks T.M.R. These are great points so far, I'm only 7 mins in, but loving the video at this point.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Thanks Greg

[@roberttengler7100]

Winter is a tough time to ride. Doesn’t snow (Houston) but 40 and drizzle still isn’t a lot of fun. One problem recumbent riders have is finding technical clothing to keep us warm and dry that’s affordable. Great stuff. I like that music!

[@themotivatedrider3840]

You are so right, I'm trying to find cold weather clothing currently. I would much rather see it and touch it before purchasing it.

[@scottschultz9572]

I’m a big fan of using Patagonia’s Capilene long underwear in cold weather as a base layer. It comes in different weights (thicknesses). It’s not cheap but taken care of it will last a lifetime.

[@MishaDaBear]

Here we have a few problems, speed limits on trails 15kph (9.5 mph) for bikes and trikes, 8kph for running and walking. Plus runners and walkers are fined if they are not keeping left and bikers are to keep right. RTR speed limits are 18 mph or 30 kph! #13 use a narrower chain than that which is required by your drivetrain. Narrower chains flex more side to side and use less energy to move. #14. Ultrasonic clean your drive components then use a hot wax teflon soak, on your chain no dirt and premium lubrication. Use a paraffin - teflon lube for daily touchups. Keep on with the great videos

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Great points Misha

[@stevemullin1195]

Love your video....would love to see your camera setup that gives such a smooth video. I ride a gekko 26

[@karlInSanDiego]

Clipless shoes and pedals are also a safety imperative. The hurt you can cause running over your own leg when riding fast is serious. Trikes can be safer than bikes, but get your leg caught under a trike at speed, and I'd guess you would have a lasting fear of trikes.

[@TheaterMonkee]

I've always heard the most important thing to work on for speed is the engine - love the suggestions for alternate exercises. Do you also find cadence to be a factor when you ride? (I find I spin faster if I'm trying to keep up with someone slightly faster than me.)

[@themotivatedrider3840]

I do find that cadence is important in maintaining speed. The engine, The engine, The engine!

[@MishaDaBear]

Speed is not everything, slower rides with a load are a great growth method as the rider gain strength that way as well

[@scottschultz9572]

That’s one of my favorite sections of trail from Falls Lake down to Buffaloe Park. I had to go back and look at the trike rider with the yellow shirt that you passed going the other way. I thought that it might have been me. If you’re riding one way on these trails how are you shuttling? I have a neighbor that drops me off up north on occasion (though I hate asking him) and I ride back south towards my home. I’ve thought about Ubering but it would probably have to be an SUV since I prefer not to fold my Dumont if I don’t have to.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

Scott, I got on at anderson point and rode to the damm and what you are seeing is the return trip. My camera malfunctioned on the ride up. So this was a 34 miler. But I had not thought about shuttling that’s a good idea.

[@TheaterMonkee]

And isn't it amazing how relatively common trikes are becoming on the Neuse Trail? Years ago it was pretty much my wife and me, but recently it's rare we don't see at least one other trike on even short jaunts.

[@scottschultz9572]

@@themotivatedrider3840 Thanks for the reply George. Now it makes sense. I’m not sure why though it’s the same trail but I prefer the view riding north to south as seen in your video vs. heading the other way.

[@LtPessimist]

Have you tried an Oval chainrings? Also Power straps are meant be good if you don't like SPD clips.

[@themotivatedrider3840]

I had power straps on my terra trike, and I found them to be very helpful. One thing to consider is your safety with ones foot falling of the pedal and getting caught under the trike. Not that familiar with an oval chainring. How does those work Jay?

[@MishaDaBear]

I used to use Biopace but they were too warped especially on the grannies, is there an affordable option and no, Rotor is not affordable!