Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Rides and Touring => Topic started by: mgrant on 16 June, 2020, 11:04:41 am
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I've been riding my recumbent around East London. Surprising that after months and months, I've not seen a single other 'bent. Are there ever any organised rides in and around London that are recumbent friendly or recumbent/trike specific?
Michael Grant
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The British Human Power Vehicle club has several races in and around London and other parts of the country. All suspended at the moment, of course. Their forum occasionally references non-racing. http://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forums.html
The Folding Society’s Origami Rides are generally fairly recumbent-friendly, slower, social events but trikes can run foul of Sustrans route obstructions. Check with the relevant organiser (moves around the country, mostly Midlands but at least one near London) but their rides are also currently suspended. http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/origami/
Recumbents are definitely part of Audax UK’s idiosyncratic mix of riders/machines doing distance but, you guessed it, their events are currently suspended. https://audax.uk/
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I've seen this chap around SE London a few times:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUvNtxEU89o
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The British Human Power Vehicle club has several races in and around London and other parts of the country. All suspended at the moment, of course. Their forum occasionally references non-racing. http://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forums.html
FWIW, the race meets calendar is at http://www.bhpc.org.uk/events.aspx and it's worth saying that a) we don't take the racing too seriously[1], anyone on a suitable[2] machine (human powered, a brake, no sharp bits, helmet) is welcome and b) even if you don't participate, the events are a good place to meet other recumbent enthusiasts.
We're cancelling the 2020 events as we become sure they definitely won't happen. There's hope that we may be able to do something at Hillingdon at the end of the season, at least, even if it's not mass-start racing.
[1] Unless it looks like the upwrongs are going to win, of course.
[2] In best comedy cycling tradition, completely unsuitable machines that meet the safety requirements are also acceptable.
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As someone who sometimes races a completely unsuitable machine (upright trike) at BHPV events, I endorse these remarks.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V4hAJxqL9ZI might be fun to watch.
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Thanks, I have registered on the BHPV form. I admit I'm not so good at monitoring these sort of forums.
Well yes, it's not surprising that everything is canceled this year.
A few years ago, it seemed like I was seeing more and more recumbents but now, like none. I'm surprised really. Had a chat with someone at one of the local bike shops and he said they were a passing fad, that nobody wants them anymore! Such a shame!
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I'm the only trike rider in my area :D
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Thanks, I have registered on the BHPV form. I admit I'm not so good at monitoring these sort of forums.
You can subscribe to it by RSS, which works well given the low volume of posts.
A few years ago, it seemed like I was seeing more and more recumbents but now, like none. I'm surprised really. Had a chat with someone at one of the local bike shops and he said they were a passing fad, that nobody wants them anymore! Such a shame!
Many years ago, I had someone in a local electronics shop tell me that computers were getting out of date because [games consoles like the Super Nintendo] were faster and better.
AIUI the recumbent market is expanding massively in the direction of tadpole trikes, often with electric assist. I suspect this is mostly capturing a different demographic to the traditional recumbent enthusiasts.
Realistically, recumbents are particularly good for about three things:
a) recumbent-permitted sporting events
b) touring
c) making cycling accessible to those who struggle with a conventional bike
I think what's happening is that (c) is overtaking (b). (a) will always be niche.
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There’s a few of us up in Hertfordshire but I haven’t ventured into London on my recumbent. Maybe I should have done whilst the roads were empty. I’ve seen about six other recumbent riders in the lanes round here during lockdown.
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I've just joined the FB page of 'The London Recumbent Club' , may be of use ( I and at least 2 other members live in N Kent) happy to meet up in better times
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Hi Blodwyn Pig
Yes, I saw this group too. I contacted London Recumbents, I believe Oliver. He responded to me that his "specialism is special needs cycling" and they were really more focused on trikes.
I did not know there was also a facebook group but it looks related to London Recumbents. In the search, I turned up The Greater London Recumbent Club which I just joined. But I'm not a heavy facebook user. Will see where it leads I guess.
Anyway, thanks, good lead on the facebook group, and definitely, ping me if you come into the Stratford London area when times improve!
Michael
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I saw far more around London during lockdown than during normal times, when they're very rare indeed.
There is/was a rental place in Battersea Park that only/mostly did recumbent trikes.
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Yes yes, this is London Recumbents as I just mentioned.
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My bad, yes it was the " greater London recumbent club"
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I'm based in slough and and am happy to do rides in and around London :)
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I'm based in slough and and am happy to do rides in and around London :)
My bad, yes it was the " greater London recumbent club"
I've been riding my recumbent around East London. Surprising that after months and months, I've not seen a single other 'bent. Are there ever any organised rides in and around London that are recumbent friendly or recumbent/trike specific?
Michael Grant
Hi
Just found this site and joined! I’m in Bromley and I ride a recumbent and I too feel like I’m only bloke on a strange looking bike! I love recumbents but haven’t been out for a while because fed up with being a loner! I’d meet up with other recumbents definitely! I actually prefer London tours rather than peddling frantically round the big country A roads feeling more nervous the longer the ride goes on! Having said that I’d do any trips but company would make things better I reckon. London tours are fab despite more cars but I feel safer. Happy to meet other bent riders
Send a message 👍
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Aways happy to ride with other recumbents ,but I am slow 🐌