Clarion goes to the Dark Side

[clarion]

So, following on from this thread, Cycleman very kindly lent me his Anthrotech.

I have to point out quickly that, as he has an ICE Q and a Thorn semirecumbent bike, he is still firmly on the darkside, but, for the moment, I am mobile again.

Funny that I've wanted to ride recumbents since reading Richard Ballantine in about 1987, but it has taken an accident to get me to a position where I can do more than just have a quick play with a bent.

I'm off for a short test ride tomorrow.  I've put my SPDs on and my light fittings, and pumped up the tyres.  Hopefully I shan't be left too far behind by the tandem pair.

Monday, I am hoping (fingers as crossed as they can be, which isn't much) to commute by Anthrotech.   Though I must say that my usual bike parking place will be left empty, as I'm not carrying a trike up the stairs!  

The Anthrotech is pretty well set up for my condition.  The right brake lever operates both riding brakes (the left is the parking brake), so I shan't have to squeeze with my bad hand.  And the SRAM 3x7 set up means that I shall do almost all my changing with my right hand.

I do need to put more chain on, though, to allow for the difference in leg length.  I'm sure that won't be difficult to sort.  Till then, I'll have a limited range of gears.

I'm really indebted to Cycleman's great kindness, and I shall keep you all posted.  Who knows?  Maybe I shall be selling my upwrongs and buying myself a trike before the end of the year...?

[RichForrest]

    found them.

[xpc316e]

Welcome to the Dark Side!  I too started on 'bents because of injury problems, but they were arthritic injuries that were never going to get better.  I have gone from someone who could literally ride no more than a mile and a half into town without serious pain, to someone who can jump on a 'bent and ride 20+ miles without turning a hair.

When you take the sheer fun of 'bent riding into account along with the pain-free aspect, they simply cannot be beaten.  Hopefully, there'll be no turning back when you are recovered.

[Wendy]

Oooh, I know how you must feel frustrated without cycling, and then now so chuffed that you have a trike to ride!!!  Cycleman is a superstar!!

Can't wait to hear how your first commute goes, please post asap!

[Pedaldog.]

Enjoy Clarion. Good of Cycleman to step into the picture, he's a good bloke, and I hope you'll take the next step and do the decent thing!!!!

[clarion]

Cycleman is a superstar!!

Absolutely!

Can't wait to hear how your first commute goes, please post asap!

Trying to think through the differences.  I don't think I can get the trike through a couple of the gaps on my normal route, and I can't filter past all the traffic on the road to Mitcham.

Not having 'recumbent legs', I think that, should I be commuting by trike on Monday, I'll be completely knackered at the end of it

[RichForrest]

Have you seen the ICE trike on the for sale bit 

[clarion]

Yes, but so has my bank manager, and he is currently holding me in a half-nelson

[RichForrest]

Yes, but so has my bank manager, and he Butterfly is currently holding me in a half-nelson

Yes been there myself 

[clarion]

No, no, Butterfly showed me the ad when I wasn't at my PC cause of Superstoker watching a DVD.  he really wants us to explore the dark side.  After my first loop on the Anthrotech, I got back to Cycleman's house to find that Butterfly was setting off on the ICE Q.

[alan]

Tis a slippery slope

[cycleman]

the force is strong  , feel the force 

[bottlemasher]

Clarion

The Dark-Side has got you now

There's no escaping the force

But go front wheel drive

[clarion]

Front wheel drive wouldn't have helped me today in the mud of Oaks Park

Sorry, Cycleman - I promise I won't do too much off road, and I'll clean it before I give it back

We did a good loop today - essentially the same as we walked earlier in the week.  Up over the hill to Oaks Park, then back along the main road.

Positives:
I got to try out the gears
It's fun!
I found my wrist isn't in agony after (though it does hurt)

Negatives:
I'd have liked the lowest gears available - must get more chain!
I'm not as fit as I was a few weeks back
Hilly & a bit of mild roughstuff - not exactly the same as my commute (flat & tarmac)

So - should I risk it?

[RichForrest]

So - should I risk it?

Today's "Silly question on a cycling forum" award goes to Clarion 

[diapsaon0]

Go for it, Clarion.  I'd buy that Trice like a shot, for much the same reason - my back, neck and wrist are in agony after only a few miles on my Thorn.  Unfortunately, the Building Society wouldn't be amused if I spent the mortgage (and rather more besides) on a trike 

N

[clarion]

So - should I risk it?

Today's "Silly question on a cycling forum" award goes to Clarion 

I know - bit like 'Should I fix it?' on Velo Fixe

[cycleman]

you would only need one brake then  , the parking brake !!!!!!!!!!  .
if i had known you were going offroad i would have fitted the bmx knobblys ! 
you will find you can fit though most cycle barriers . you might need to practice your 3 point turns   

[Wendy]

Clarion

The Dark-Side has got you now

There's no escaping the force

But go front wheel drive

Funnily enough I think I've ridden your bike before it was yours.  Lovely!

[clarion]

Well, I did it!

Took me longer than expected, so I was ten minutes late getting to my desk, but it worked.

Taking stock:
Only one complete arsehole driver, but he didn't put me in danger
I'm even less fit than I thought I was
I need to work hard to get my recumbent legs
I had to reroute to avoid hills, cause the hub wouldn't go into the lowest setting until it had warmed up (by which time I was almost in Camberwell)
It was fun
It was hard
It was fun.

Can I go lie down & sleep till it's time to go home?

EDIT:

Ow!  My thighs hurt!

[Butterfly]

 

[Wendy]

Well done!  The more you ride the less your legs will hurt with that bent specialness.

[annie]

Well done Clarion.

I had to re-read your post as I thought you said

"by which time I was almost in Cornwall"

now where did I put my glasses?

[clarion]

"...almost in Cornwall"

Felt like it...

[nobby]

No, no, Butterfly showed me the ad when I wasn't at my PC cause of Superstoker watching a DVD.  he really wants us to explore the dark side.  After my first loop on the Anthrotech, I got back to Cycleman's house to find that Butterfly was setting off on the ICE Q.

If you are both interested - do you know of this guy and his missus?
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=13260&v=0&term=django&context=all

Also rides a two wheel 'bent. All his logs are worth a read.
Hope that helps. Being as Cycleman got me on a 'bent I feel all should share the uphill pain. 
Literida was/is out and about on a borrowed trike as well.