3-wheeled Newbie says hello

[Auntie Helen]

Hello all,

I've lurked here for a bit but thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm absolutely loving being back on the bike. I have an arm disability which means I can't cycle a normal bike without pain after about 5 minutes so for the last 15 years I haven't cycled. We moved house to a village in North Essex (mostly flat) and I realised I'd have to use the car loads unless I got round the non-cycling problem. After an amusing afternoon having hired a tandem (even worse for my bad arm) I came across recumbent tricycles, went to D-Tek in Thetford to try some out, ordered one, had a lie down for a while to overcome the shock at the cost, had it delivered and... zoom.

I've now been riding my Trice Q for about 3 months and have done 980 miles so far. It's definitely getting easier and hills aren't such an issue as my muscles learn to adapt and I learn techniques to make as much headway up the hill as I can before I run out of steam. I've explored all the country lanes around where we live, had some 25 mile rides further afield, and have now fitted a daily hour's cycle ride into my routine (I work from home so this is fairly easy).

Thing is, today I'm sitting at the computer looking out of the window and it's raining. It's not very good fun cycling in the rain. The water gets splashed up from the tadpole wheels onto my thighs and backside (I do have mudguards but they can't do much about it) and I'm reluctant to wear waterproofs as I do get very sweaty when cycling. Does anyone have any recommendations? Should I just cycle through the rain and not worry about it?

Anyway, I'm thrilled that I've found an excellent bike for me with my disability, an alternative to the car (I do my grocery shopping on the Trice), a way to meet other people (I've been on a few cycle rides in Colchester with a cycling group there) and something to help me increase my fitness. I've registered to go to the London Freewheel thingie later this month although I'm not sure what the train company will say about my Trice...

If anyone else in the Colchester/Manningtree area knows of good cycling groups (that don't go too fast - I average 14-15mph) I'd be glad to hear about them!

 

[RedBike]

I can't answer any of your questions, sorry. Just wanted to post up 'well done'. It would of been all to easy to have just given up on the idea of cycling all together.

 

[Auntie Helen]

I can't answer any of your questions, sorry. Just wanted to post up 'well done'. It would of been all to easy to have just given up on the idea of cycling all together.

Well I don't think I would have bought one if I wasn't moving to a rural village. Two grand seemed ridiculously expensive for a bike when you can get one for £100 in Halfords; however, since owning the Trice I realise it's excellent value for money, it's really well made and such fun to use. If it got nicked I'd buy another one tomorrow.

I recently had a bill for £1,500 to repair the automatic gearbox on my car and I just paid up because cars can cost that kind of money to repair - but it did make the Trice seem even better value for money.

 

[4F]

Hi and welcome, nice trice

 

[HLaB]

Sorry I can't do much about the weather but I just wanted to say well done Auntie Helen and wish you all the luck for the future .

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Hello from another newbie. Much respect to you for getting on with it. And spending all that money!!

 

[Auntie Helen]

Hello from another newbie. Much respect to you for getting on with it. And spending all that money!!

It's easy to spend money, just hard not to feel guilty about it afterwards.

Problem is, I cycle much faster than my husband (he's on a normal bike) and that makes doing rides together a bit frustrating. He's toying with the idea of getting a recumbent trike himself...

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

It's easy to spend money, just hard not to feel guilty about it afterwards.

Ain't that the truth !!?

 

[Scoosh]

Problem is, I cycle much faster than my husband (he's on a normal bike) and that makes doing rides together a bit frustrating. He's toying with the idea of getting a recumbent trike himself...

Is this a Forum First ?

.... and Second



Oh and

 

[Paulus]

Welcome and good morning to you Auntie Helen. I can't help with your mudguard problem, but try posting in recumbent and hpv, the more specialised recumbent riders there may be able to help.

 

[GrahamG]

Welcome and good morning to you Auntie Helen. I can't help with your mudguard problem, but try posting in recumbent and hpv, the more specialised recumbent riders there may be able to help.

I'd agree here, although there may just be a need for some mudflaps.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Is this a Forum First ?

.... and Second

I only cycle faster than him because of the speed of the Trice. On normal bikes he's way faster than me.

 

[xpc316e]

Hi,

I had to give up riding conventional bikes following an arm disability too: I had one shoulder replaced, and the other one has severe osteoarthritis in it, so I cannot take any weight on my arms. I tried making my riding position as upright as possible, but it still did not work for me and I was in serious pain after only one, or two, miles. I also had numbness in the hands after only short distances despite decent grips, padded mitts, and an upright riding position. I decided to try an underseat steered recumbent, and bought a secondhand Radius C4 for £500. After learning how to ride it, which was interesting to say the least, I can state that it has solved my problems entirely. It's just so good to be back on a bike again and pain-free.

Glad to hear you solved your problem Auntie Helen.

 

[Auntie Helen]

I had to give up riding conventional bikes following an arm disability too: I had one shoulder replaced, and the other one has severe osteoarthritis in it, so I cannot take any weight on my arms. I tried making my riding position as upright as possible, but it still did not work for me and I was in serious pain after only one, or two, miles. I also had numbness in the hands after only short distances despite decent grips, padded mitts, and an upright riding position. I decided to try an underseat steered recumbent, and bought a secondhand Radius C4 for £500. After learning how to ride it, which was interesting to say the least, I can state that it has solved my problems entirely. It's just so good to be back on a bike again and pain-free.

A very similar case to me as I have a replacement humerus and elbow! In fact D-Tek, who supplied the Trice to me, said they have a lot of people with disabilities investigating recumbents and tricycles, but also lots of dentists who have back problems from standing up all day.