What I Like About Recumbent Trikes

[@terryp920]

We so enjoy our trikes for all the reasons you said.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Terry. Good! I'm glad to hear it. Thanks for watching!

[@1954shadow]

I use to be a motorcycle rider, one has to have their brain, constantly working to keep out of possible bad situations, it was a lot of work and started to suck the joy out of the whole experience. I sold it and bought an Electra Townie 21d, not an e-bike, it is just the name of the manufacturer. Hit the rails to trails and I felt so free and like a kid again, it is a decompression machine. You are quite a salesman for the recumbents, I may look into one in the future, ride safe.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Thanks! There is a lot to be said for that "liberating" factor of riding and not having to worry about a bunch of things simultaneously. This was something I didn't discover until I started riding the trike but it is one of my favorite parts of riding.

[@hawaiiantrike-surfkayak]

Yes, one of my favorite trike observations or advantage is the reaction by kids. I live in a very family centric community and kids are all around me, in strollers, playing on the yard, walking on the trails, at the beach, etc. I ring my tinkle bell repeatedly as I pass them as their eyes expand in wonderment. I also love the aloha strangers show me as I ride by, a nod, a Shaka sign 🤙🏽, a toot of the horn, and always a smile. As I sit in my recumbent position, they can see my face, my smile, not the top of my head as was the case when I rode an upright bike. Only a theory at this point, but I have not had a dog bark or chase me in the five months I’ve been riding a trike. I think it has to do with the low, less threatening position. Anyway, I think the greatest observation or advantage for riding a trike Is the aloha or love I receive by kids, adults and even dogs. Just a observation. Aloha.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Aloha Bob! All great observations by you and I agree with them completely. I think the uniqueness of seeing a trike triggers a positive response from strangers. And yes, kids' responses are great. Riding a trike isn't something I'd recommend for anyone wanting to melt into the crowd and not be noticed. Oh, I ordered Da Brim based on your recommendation and received it today! It arrived after today's ride but I'm sure I'll love it. Thanks!

[@douglastong3208]

Funniest reaction I see from most dogs is that they stare with a tilted head as if to wonder "what in the world is that?" 😄

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@douglastong3208 I've gotten that from horses too!

[@markfeldman6509]

@@DavidRidesaTrike ...the greatest number of animal encounters I have had have been with the rampant iguanas all over south Florida when I am there for the winter. They are just like pests and everywhere. They were not indigenous so they have no natural predators. They run away fast as hell when they see a biker or or walker. FYI....when we occasionally had frost or cold night and I rode early in the morning the frozen iguanas just fell out of the trees!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@markfeldman6509 man, frozen iguanas falling out of trees must be a sight!

[@jimvorderstrasse5180]

Thanks for sharing David! I bought my first two wheeled recumbent, a Tour Easy, in 1983. I bought it sight unseen and had it shipped to my folk's home in Oregon. I almost sent it back after I flew all the way down from Barrow, Alaska to put it together and ride it. I was intimidated by the steering and couldn't keep it going up a slight hill. Fortunately I rode it five miles to Lebanon, Oregon and about half way there I relaxed and it changed my life! That is the beauty of recumbent trikes...you are comfortable almost immediately! I bought an EZ3 when they first came out in the early 90's just so I could share recumbency with others. I still have it and was able to get another one off Craig's list that I electrified with a Bafang mid drive and use it all winter here in Anchorage, Alaska! I put some fat 20" tires on the rear and it's quite the snowmobile! Then we bought a Double Vision tandem recumbent with independent pedaling and I now have another way to share "recumbency" and have give over 6,000 people their first recumbent ride and often their first tandem ride. It is such a thrill for me to see my new riders transformation from scepticism to amazement!!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Thanks Jim! It is amazing how once you "discover" the bent world, you become a member and for me at least, I feel like it's our little secret.

[@stevesimek7588]

David, I also see a lot of people ask me the same things. I makes the rides even more fun when you get such positive interest!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Steve. Yep, the trikes and our manly good looks get us a lot of attention! 😎

[@stevesimek7588]

@@DavidRidesaTrike ha ha ha!!!

[@davidheath1179]

My name is also David and my wife and I have always ridden tandems. Age and health has led to us ordering a BamBuk recumbent tandem trike and all your points are the ones that led to our decision. Very much looking forward to riding this tandem.

[@mohdsabreeyacob348]

Great video and very nice view to. Hi Sri David, hope you have a great health. Keep on riding. From Malaysia.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Thank you Mohid! I hope you are doing well!

[@amberplimmer3534]

Cool, thanks for sharing.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Thanks for watching!

[@markfeldman6509]

Great video and advice. We all get the same questions from interested spectators. After the funny looks they ask us all the same stuff. We are attention getters and people enjoy seeing us go by. Riding a trike is a life changing experience. I have educated a lot of folks on the trikes and how they work and become quite the salesman for my local shop......who can’t keep product in stock!.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Mark. Thanks! Yeah, it really is fun to see some of the looks on people's faces. And yeah, delays in production are crazy right now. I ordered my new trike in March and I'm probably not going to have it until August.

[@markfeldman6509]

@@DavidRidesaTrike I spoke to,the folks at Catrike about a new 700 model the first week in April and they are hoping for october....told me to go on internet and find a vendor who actually has an unsold one in inventory.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@markfeldman6509 ha, yeah. Good luck with that. I'd be shocked if you found one.

[@SFCRambo60]

I couldn't find any dealers around Central Illinois so I had already bought 2 trikes. The first one was a front wheel power that was a problem with my heavy ass. The second one was too rough a ride. Mine you I bought all 3 trikes un tested and even my 3rd and last trike. It was a Catrike Dumont and thank God it was love at first sight, yes, it was expensive but it was so comfortable. Because of my age and medical problems, MAC Disease, diabetes, blood pressure, blood infection that caused Afib. I have had my share of medical issues. I been in and out of the hospital 3 times in 5 years. The first time was for 3 week (MAC) over medicated on the 2nd and 3rd visit to the hospital. David how do you keep from not having a companion ride with you? My years in Scouting and Military, they both teach to double up to watch over each other. I just hit 72 today and realize the importance of having someone ride with you. To do several things: to motivate me, to keep an eye on each other, to make time fly by talking, to have fun even bullshitting having a good time.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Well, it certainly sounds like you've had your share of medical challenges. But I'm glad you found a trike you like and you're getting out to ride. I do sometimes ride with others. Part of why I ride alone is because I do often enjoy it but it's also because I can't always find someone to ride with. However, even when I'm alone I feel pretty safe. If something should happen there are plenty of people on the trail and I'm confident that someone would stop and get help. Also, my wife can always see where I am and get help to me. While the trail appears remote in most of my videos, it really is not as a major road runs parallel to it and there are many busy cross streets along the way so help can get there quite eaisly.

[@douglastong3208]

Only real problems I've experienced on the trike are making tight turns on some parts of the trail... mostly pedestrian bridges and walkways... too narrow. Another problem is getting traction on steep gravel or dirt sections... but luckily that's an infrequent problem. Otherwise, everything you said, David, I've also experienced and have enjoyed on my trike. And I've already doubled my average riding time because the trike is so much more comfortable.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Douglas. yeah, the turning radius of a trike is far from small, but balanced against all the positives it doesn't bother me when I have to occasionally make three-point turn or have to turn, back up, turn again to negotiate a turn. And thanks!

[@gmaneis]

Another great video, David. Even though I've heard these things before, and thought of them as I'm riding my trike, it's nice to hear you say them, and also really nice to see your wonderful trail. Sometime you should just do an episode on the trail, showing its most scenic parts, rest areas if any, etc. I'm always looking for good trails to watch on the computer screen while the trike is on the rollers during those long winter months. Thanks again and stay safe.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Thanks! I have done one video about my trail. I don't know whether or not you've seen it (here's the link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHSxaZeshbilg9E) but the trail is long and I could definitely do another one. When my new trike arrives one of the things I want to do is do some videos from areas on the trial where I haven't been for a while.

[@gmaneis]

@@DavidRidesaTrike Thanks for the link. I'll for sure click on it. (Edit) Just clicked and watched and remembered I had watched it before and enjoyed it. The price of being old. It's called CRS disease, as you've probably heard. "Can't remember stuff" (cleaned up version)!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@gmaneis yes, I know it well. I'll get halfway through a book sometimes before I remember I had already read it!

[@gmaneis]

@@DavidRidesaTrike My wife says that's really a benefit, 'cause you can enjoy it twice, or at least 1.5 times! When you start talking to the people on your TV screen, well, that's a different story....

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@gmaneis Agreed and both points!

[@PedalPushinAK]

I would also add that I ride longer which means more miles and no special cycling apparel is really needed. You literally can sit down and go.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Pedal Pushin. Two goo points! I was hoping to hear other riders' comments about what they like, so thanks!

[@debbieschwartz3132]

Super helpful...I shared it with friend who hadn't considered a trike for balance issues

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Debbie. I know quite a few people with mild to major balance issues who have purchased trikes and all love them. There truly is no balance involved whatsoever when it comes to riding a trike.

[@debbieschwartz3132]

@@DavidRidesaTrike I just told her that. She was very inspired by your story

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@debbieschwartz3132 Tell her thanks but don't be too nice about me. We don't want any compliments going to my head. 😉

[@debbieschwartz3132]

@@DavidRidesaTrike lol David you have so many fans...you know it 😅

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@debbieschwartz3132 hmm, I know I have a handful of viewers, but fans? I think that's a stretch.

[@rareseason]

Your dry humor slays me. “I’m not among them”, referring to those would could build a trike. How does the camera stay at a distance while you are filming? Show that in a future video please. That slow speed with mellow music is so relaxing when I ride. Keep riding and enjoying!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi and thanks! And yeah, the odds of me building a trike are about the same as me building a rocket with a luxury hotel that makes regular runs to Mars. And those odds are pretty pretty low. As for the camera, I don't know if you saw this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKSyfHVpqMabn7s. In it I explain how I ended up using the camera I use. As far as keeping it at distance, I literally just hold the camera in one hand (it's extremely small and lightweight) and it tracks my face. I would make a video showing that but it would be difficult because I'd have to be holding that camera out away from me as it's filming me while holding another camera somewhere to show that happening. Not quite sure how I can manage that.

[@rareseason]

@@DavidRidesaTrike Thanks, David! Much joy to you!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@rareseason thanks, and the same to you!

[@charlybeagrie1119]

In Britain many people ride from Land's End in the southwest of England to John O'Groats in the north of Scotland ( known sometimes as LEJOG or the End to End). The record on a conventional bicycle is 43 hours 25 mins 13 seconds. The fastest time to date of 41 hours 11 minutes was set by a rider using a Windcheetah recumbent trike which was designed by Mike Burrows who designed the Lotus bike that Chris Boardman rode to victory in the 4000 metres pursuit at 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Mr Burrows also designed the Giant TCR and basically invented thew compact racing cycle. So recumbents can also go fast.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Yes, recumbnet trikes can be very fast. But most of the mainstream models aren't as they're built more for comfort. Even so, those can be ridden fast as well. But most people coming over to the recumbent trike world from the diamond frame world do find them slower than what they were used to on a bike.

[@SusanBessette]

David, you have us convinced but we are having troubles FINDING A DEALER so we can try them out! Is there a trick, like special words, to surfing the web? We are near Fredericksburg VA and found a place in Vienna (near DC) and a place near Norfolk, each direction is a day's commute. Suggestions? We REALLY ENJOY your videos and you have given us hope for new adventures in our senior senior years (80 and 73). Blessings to you and your wife, and thank you.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Susan! Unfortunately, the only thing I can suggest is to go to the websites of each Recumbent trike dealer (TerraTrike, Catrike, ICE,Hase (more for adaptive cycling but some nice trikes, HP Velotechnik) use the "find a retailer" feature that I believe they all have. Recumbent trikes aren't anywhere near as popular as regular bikes and therefore there are fewer dealers. If one of the dealers that involve a day trip for you carries several of these brands it may be worth it to make a couple day trip of it. Be sure to call the shops in advance and see if they are open or open by appointment only as some shops currently are due to both COVID and/or the sudden popularity of recumbents. Thanks and the same to you and your husband! Please let me know what happens!

[@BillSprague]

Deer encounters: Motorcycle riders fear them, diamond frame riders say deer? What deer? Trike riders slow, stop and enjoy! I find little kids love my trike, because I’m at eye level with them. Most importantly, it’s just plain fun!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Bill, yep, it's about enjoying the ride!

[@charliebozzo9948]

Mention Dave every chance I can!

[@danlaw4067]

Hey David, wonderful video! I see you linked Amlings, are you in the Chicagoland area? If so would love to know your trails in the area you prefer. I am in the NW burbs. Liked and Subscribed!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi and thank you! I am also in the NW 'burbs. Buffalo Grove to be exact. I do almost all of my riding on the Des Plaines River Trail. I don't drive because my vision is so bad but fortunately, it is just a one mile ride from my home to where I get on the trail. Where do you ride?

[@danlaw4067]

@@DavidRidesaTrike I live near the Paul Douglas Preserve. I ride about 3 miles to get there. Then I'll do a lap around and come home. Looking for new places to ride.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@danlaw4067 Paul Douglas is out around Hoffman Estates? I know a lot of people ride at Busse Woods.

[@danlaw4067]

@@DavidRidesaTrike Yes it is. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@danlaw4067 👍

[@davidsutherland3466]

I build mine because I can't buy them easily down here

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

That's great that you can build them!

[@themilehightriker8500]

Looks cool in Chicago on your ride David. What was the temperature? Just wondering.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Greg. I think that day it was around 50° when I went out and warmed up to the mid 50s. Not too bad.

[@danielsmith8097]

David: my wife and I are eagerly awaiting our very first trikes from Amlings to arrive in June. I was wondering if you feel more or less vulnerable to a dog that decides to chase you. (One of your commentators is speculating that recumbent trikes don’t trigger the canine chase impulse as much.) Do have any thoughts? Do you carry any kind of protection (spray or whatever) against a surprise chase by a dog whose face could be at the same level as yours? Thanks.

[@markfeldman6509]

I’ve never had a bad dog interaction. Where I ride there are leash laws on all of the trails and I always give a very loud verbal alert when approaching and dog walkers always comply and retract leashes. Once you start triking you will love it.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

Hi Daniel. Like Mark says above, I too have never been chased by a dog. Now I do most of my riding on a trail where dogs are always leashed. When the trail is in bad shape due to rain or snow, I do have a road route but even then I've never been chased or even threatened by a dog. So no, I don't carry anything to ward them off. With all that said, I do know diamond framed bike riders who have been chased by dogs but usually they just want you off what they perceive to be their territory. I've been seriously riding for about 40 years and I don't know anyone who has ever been bitten or attacked by a dog.

[@douglastong3208]

So far, on the trails, the dog owners have been very considerate and usually pull their dogs close until I pass them. I have been hissed at by a Canada goose, however. 😄 There are trails by me that warn of black bears, but I haven't ridden any of those yet. Happy riding when your new trikes arrive!

[@danielsmith8097]

@@douglastong3208 Thanks! I am familiar with crazy Canadian geese, and a few years back we had a local flock of particularly aggressive wild turkeys that made the news. Bears are rare in northern Ohio, though we had one a couple years back an hour from here that waltzed right thru the drive-thru of a small town McDonalds! Yes, am really psyched about the trikes.

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

@@douglastong3208 We have those geese around here and they can be nasty! Where are you that you have black bears?

[@marcif7384]

What brand and model of trike do you ride?

[@DavidRidesaTrike]

I'm riding an ICE Sprint 26. No suspension or e-assist.

[@tomprentice6935]

⚔️💪😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👌(stroke)