Can You Keep Your Recumbent Trike Legs While Training on a Road Bike?

After spending a month trying to get back in shape to comfortably ride the road bikes on a long flat 60-mile ride, Rich and Joe go back to the trikes and see if they still have their "recumbent legs".
Music: Saving the World, In the Temple Garden, Roundup on the Prairie, English Country Garden- all by Aaron Kenny.
Come With Us- by Nat Keefe and Hot Buttered Rum.

[@kelvinwilsonpoet3200]

Thanks. I especially like the music as well as the info

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, Kelvin!

[@EZSteve]

When I had my Catrike 700, chipseal was a real nemesis. If I rested my neck against the neckrest and made a sound with my voice, the sound would be very shaky as I was being incessantly beaten to death by those miniature irregularities, and on the VTX rigs, it is exactly the same. You two are exceptionally fortunate to have such an amazing cycling path like that! Nothing of the sort exists anywhere close to where I live, in a rural coastal community. I think just large cities actually have the means to construct non-motorized paths like you are riding (there are advantages to living in larger population areas! The neck craning you spoke of is definitely a consideration on race trikes like the 700 and VTX, with their extreme 25 degree seat angles.I like the super reclined seat however for comfort most of the time. On my Scorpion, the seat is much more vertical than your trikes, so the neck thing is not even on my radar. On 700s and VTXs, neck rests are an essential component, but on my current trike, I do not even have one, and so far, I have not thought that I need a neck rest. One thing I do NOT envy you two for is the 101 degree heat! Makes me feel lethargic at those temps ... ahh, my coastal cool air is always perfect for pedaling! The temp here today on my trike ride was about 60. Yep, gotta' luv it! Oh, nice musical score too (sounds like a big screen movie track). See ya' ... 😆 steve

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Steve! Yep, we're pretty lucky to have the AR Trail close by. It was built in the 70's when there weren't too many folks in the area and I'm kind of surprised they even built it considering the roads were pretty traffic free in the 70's around here. There is no escaping the summer heat if you stay in the valley and I envy you your cool coastal weather! I lived in the SF bay area back in the early 90's and it was always nice (except when the fog came in). I like a fairly reclined seat, but that can be overdone. I've got a Reynolds T-Bone two-wheel recumbent and the design of the bike lets you recline the seat about as far back as you want to. A few years ago, I slammed it wwaaayyy back (virtually horizontal) for the Davis "Foxy's Fall Century", didn't build my neck up, and after about 60 miles, my neck turned to jelly. I could barely hold my head up and eventually didn't see a large gravel pile in the road and wiped out at 18 mph. So kids, keep those seats up! :)

[@markfeldman6509]

My lesson learned at age 70 is road bike Diamond frames are just murder on my body. When I want a change of pace from my two Catrikes I jump on my LWB Sun EZ Sport bent for the two wheel fast experience. I can ride recumbent forever and ip and down any hills. Living in New England I don’t have to mess too much with extreme heat! Great video. Thanks

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Mark! Yeah, there does always seem to be a price to be paid for riding a diamond frame. You reminded me when you mentioned your LWB Sun- I have a Tour Easy I haven't taken out in a long time. I should dust it off and use it in some videos. :)

[@markfeldman6509]

@@bikestrikesrazors …I am motivated to take mine out and ride it tomorrow. I have been home from Florida for two months and just ridden my trikes. It will get an “airing” tomorrow. I will fill you in!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@markfeldman6509 Your weather there has to be better than our heat wave. :)

[@Olyphoto7]

We finally dried out and now it’s way too hot. I may have to opt for a night ride. Happy riding!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Dan! Usually it’s cool enough in the mornings here that if I get a very early start, I can avoid some of the heat. Isn’t working out that way this year. Even early in the morning it’s nasty hot. Maybe a night ride would be a good idea!

[@100PercentAllAmericanMan]

I am out in the K.C. area. Sure wish I could hang with you fellas for some rides. Someday!!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Lawrence! Let us know if you’re ever traveling out to California!

[@garyseckel295]

Informative and interesting. Real world comparison of actually riding both diamond frame bicycles and recumbent trikes. Enforces value of BOTH full recumbent support and lack of any needed balance! FWIW: If 101 degrees inland, one would be literally shower-dripping wet and wringing out a worn head band sponge every 15 minutes maximum. Thinking 20-25% humidity there. Sweat-free faces in 101-degree weather! WOW! Humidity level MUCH, much more debilitating than actual temperature!

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Gary! Yep, I think the humidity was around 30%. Riding at speed (18-20mph) the heat plus wind really seems to dry most of the sweat off. You really don't even feel the heat that much until you stop, and suddenly you're in an oven. Although, going down some of the big hills felt like somebody had a hair dryer in your face. :)

[@jhendrix2159]

I like the music.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Thanks very much for watching, J! It's all Aaron Kenny- The guy's an amazing composer.

[@TrikeSquadron]

I used to switch up riding a mountain bike (but on roads and trails) and the trike... but my moutain bike has hung silently in my garage for years and I pretty much only ride the trike now.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Well, that's a sad story, Glenn! Take that thing down and give it some love! :)

[@kmccarr]

I was about to write the very same thing 😂. Every time I’m on 2 wheels I dream about my trike. I hung my mountain bike in the garage today! Love my trike.

[@MSSmith1022]

One thing I have noticed about your trikes is the lack of headlights or front reflectors, that is one item I have on every bike I ride.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Mike, We have attachable lights we put on (and flags) when riding on real roads. When we're on a bike trail, we usually leave them at home. We don't have front lights and that's probably something we should have.

[@cebruthius]

@@bikestrikesrazorsI like the Lumintop B01 on my Flevobike Greenmachine

[@evanking920]

I am not clear on your riding days but I would alternate Bike/ Trike days. Ride the Road Bike 3 days in a week and the Trike Two. The following week ride the Trike 3 days and the Road Bike 2. You probably know this, but just in case..a. BTW a year round weight lifting program helps as well. I would even do1 or 2 Combo days ,Bike-Weights / Trike-Weights. Just a thought...

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hey, Evan! I've been meaning to try and work in some weight training days. I've heard it does wonders for leg strength, especially squats with weight (if it doesn't kill me first). :)

[@evanking920]

@@bikestrikesrazors Due to many a crash when I raced, my shoulders prevent me from doing the Olympic Squat. I get by with Front Sqauts, but the "Bang for your buck" exercise is the Deadlift. You will experience benefits in a short amount of time. Just make sure you employ a 4 to 6 week transitional period to get your ligaments and tendons conditioned. Low weight, high reps, 3 sets 2 times a week. This has worked for me, but go online and the different opinions will astound you. I would like see you guys do a longitudinal study on this, in relation to your riding.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@evanking920 I tried doing the squats, but not the deadlift. I'll give it a shot. It's so hard for me to keep up any kind of regular exercise program. Bike/triking is fun so it doesn't count. :)

[@evanking920]

@@bikestrikesrazors I understand completely. Once you associate the weight training with gains on the road weight work becomes more palatable. Off season is the best time for strength work. You don't feel so guilty not going out in the cold and dark.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@evanking920 Yes, I think if I can see some real gains on the bike that would be highly motivating!

[@DemiGod..]

Have you tried touring bikes for cruising in comfort?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

I have a touring style bike that I do take out occasionally, but for comfort, you can't beat a trike.

[@tomprentice6935]

⚔️💪😎😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿(stroke)

[@sylvain65]

Do you ever have problems with perspiration and sunscreen in your eyes?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Yes! I now try not to put the sunscreen any higher than the top of my nose and I try and keep it away from my eyes. I also wear cycling gloves that have soft fabric over my thumb area which I use to wipe my eyes when the sweat runs in them. That stuff stings!

[@stevemullin1195]

Are you guys twins.

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Hi Steve, Yep, we are. :)

[@anim8ted923]

@@bikestrikesrazors Who's faster?

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@anim8ted923 It depends on the day, but most of the time Joe is faster! :)

[@palmvictory]

@@bikestrikesrazorsI can’t tell the difference between your two voices! 😂

[@bikestrikesrazors]

@@palmvictory Yep, it's hard for me to tell when I'm watching a video. :)

[@acamparargentina]

Short answer: doubtful!!! road bikers are a great way for weaklings to have the sensation of being powerful

[@acamparargentina]

just to make it clear, i usually ride on MTB and everytime i switch bikes with my (few) roadies friends they simply can't keep up, they don't have legs enough

[@bikestrikesrazors]

Ha! Yep, I'll bet you wind up a much stronger rider on the MTB!

[@acamparargentina]

@@bikestrikesrazors indeed

[@chiprock804]

Driving a mtb on the Road is like driving a ATV on the highway... It sucks.

[@acamparargentina]

@@chiprock804 it sucks much more to drive a ferrari offroad!