Recumbent Rides

[a.twiddler]

2/1/24
Recumbent Ride
Shopping trip on the Grasshopper.

Last night I fitted the 34T chainring and 160mm crank which came with the Spirit before I raised its gearing, to the Grasshopper. It was a last gasp attempt to make the Grasshopper more suited to myself and the local hills.

I was requested to go to the town centre for some shopping so it was a good opportunity to take the Grasshopper for a test ride.

I slung one pannier on it before wheeling it across the road and launching in the direction of Swanlow Lane uphill traffic lights. I turned right here, then left downhill to the town centre. The lights where I’m usually stopped went green as I reached them, so I easily turned right then on to a painted cycle path, left up the pavement alongside a car park and had enough clear space to do a U turn to a barrier where I locked up. This was the only occasion today when I was aware of my heel contacting the front mudguard.

The ride to the town centre was mostly downhill and quite pleasant. Had my changes to the gearing and cranks been enough to make the Grasshopper more in harmony with my requirements? I pondered this and other things as I went in and did my shopping.

I came out and put a few items in the pannier, then took a stroll around the precinct in pursuit of some other items.
Coming back to the bike, I unlocked it, lined up with the car park between two bollards, and launched. I initially thought I’d come back via the long uphill to Over, and went across the car park, turned left at the exit roundabout, left at the next one then left along a wide pavement which went past the library then to a pedestrian crossing at the town centre lights.

I’d just missed the green so I turned left, intending to go into the next side road, turn round, and come out on to the road and turn right. There was some work going on and the road was barriered off so I followed a nice green cycle path

back to the library, to a service road and back the way I’d just come. I thought I might as well go back the way I’d gone the last time I went shopping on the Grasshopper, to get a direct comparison.

So I got on to Dingle Lane, straight through a roundabout, over the speed humps and then slowed right down as an old lady was walking through the gap ahead where I intended to hop across the pavement. Now that I’d ridden the Grasshopper a few miles today my confidence in its stability had returned and I found it easy to ride at a slow walking pace, do U turns and ride it almost to a standstill. Also I didn’t want to alarm the lady so gave her loads of room before crossing over.

I got on to Queensway, then left on to an estate road. Right on to another road where the road gradually steepened, feeling harder than it ought to be. I kept changing down but didn’t run out of gears on the middle range of the hub gear.

I came to a T junction, turned left on the level and changed up a few gears, then right uphill on Gladstone St and changed back down again. On to Townfields Road, up the last steep bit which still felt like unnecessarily hard work, where I had to change down again. On the bottom gear of the middle range, wondering if I might have to stop, breathing hard, which doesn’t happen here on the other two bikes.

Puffing along as the road levelled, and rolling towards a red light breather at the Swanlow Lane lights. There was the thump thump of a stereo from a car behind me. The lights changed and I dived to the left to gain speed for my uphill turn off. Of course the thump thump overtook me as I was signalling before the junction. I gave them the benefit of a couple of fingers as I turned off.

I got over the hump then took it easy through the lanes to my back gate.

The Grasshopper is definitely harder work on uphills than the other two recumbents, and so far its average speed on the flat is slower too. It’s surprising, as the other two bikes are not noted for speed, and climbing is not fast but is relatively easy on them.

Apart from any of that, all routes from the town centre are uphill, and it’s up and down to get across town. The Grasshopper is sub optimal for this sort of riding. Unless some major revelation occurs soon, It might have to go.

I found the Spirit a bit awkward when I first had it then one day, it just clicked, and it’s been good since. It was never a problem on hills for me though, as the Grasshopper has been.

Distance 3.2 miles. Max 19.2 mph. Average 6.4 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 136 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[recumbentpanda]

Been very interesting to read these comparisons between a variety of quite different recumbents. I would remark that I have heard the Grasshopper referred to by some as a ‘panzerfiets’. Although of great quality it is very heavily built even for a recumbent.

 

[a.twiddler]

Been very interesting to read these comparisons between a variety of quite different recumbents. I would remark that I have heard the Grasshopper referred to by some as a ‘panzerfiets’. Although of great quality it is very heavily built even for a recumbent.

It's not simply a weight problem though, as the HP Velotechnik Spirit is considered to be heavy yet has no problems on hills. It has the same SRAM dual drive set up as the Grasshopper so I've been able to directly compare the gearing. gradually lowering it on the Grasshopper.
Looks like the solution isn't that simple, being some combination of seat recline, BB height, hip angle, and dare I mention it, my lack of height. Since I can't do anything about all that I can only imagine that it's designed to hit some biomechanical sweet spot with someone of more average height, despite the manufacturer claiming that it's suitable for riders from 5'2" upwards.

The upside to all that is that I've come to appreciate the Linear and the Spirit more, both with medium to low BBs, fairly upright mesh seats and surprising versatility. I was looking for something to maybe replace one or both of them with something that might give me a couple of mph better average speed on a reasonable length ride, but I'm now beginning to wonder if that's even possible, given the limitations of the power unit.

 

[a.twiddler]

15/1/25 am
Recumbent Ride
Shopping on the Linear

A ride to the town centre for some vegetables. A mild, sunny day. I chose the Linear today.

Across the road and away in the direction of Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights. I soon reached the A54 roundabout and came to a stop at a red light. Once I got going again I was slowed by a red pedestrian crossing light, then stopped at the town centre lights. Having got through that, there was a wait at the filter lane at the next lights. Right at the next two roundabouts, into a supermarket car park to lock up at a barrier. I was soon out again, getting ready to go across the car park, left and left again at the next two roundabouts, across the dual carriageway at some lights then left on to a pavement cycle lane. I was struck by how wide the cycle lane was here, compared to the narrowness of the pedestrian part.

I continued to the town centre lights. The cycle path suddenly ends here, with a staggered pedestrian crossing with railings, and it’s awkward for cyclists to cross without going right on Grange Lane for a bit. Fortunately I was going to use Grange Lane, so got across and went that way.

I came to the sports complex car park, crossed it to a path between the playing fields and headed for the exit barrier. There was a bright low sun with a lot of contrast which caused problems for my phone camera, but I tried anyway.

It was so easy getting up the slope through the barrier. Perhaps the knowledge that I had a lot of lower gears (as well as a lot of higher ones) helped but however it was, it worked. Up the steep lane, right at the junction with an estate road, uphill to the junction with Delamere St, left then some easy rolling in high gear to the A54 roundabout. A nice big gap in the traffic let me go straight across and soon I was rolling easily along Swanlow Lane. A brief halt at the Townfields Rd traffic lights, a blast downhill before my uphill turn off, then once over the hump, a leisurely trundle through the lanes to my back gate.

Today’s ride was such a contrast to the struggle I had with the Grasshopper on my last ride. I’m really not cut out for the European style of well reclined recumbents. Something more upright like this Linear does the job so much better for me.

Distance 5.9 miles. Max speed 20.6 mph. Average speed 8.1 mph.
Ascent 144 ft.

 

[a.twiddler]

15/1/25 pm
Recumbent Ride
Linear Trip to Whitegate then Pick Up Takeaway.

This morning’s tiny ride had been so pleasant that I decided to do a longer ride this afternoon. I’d planned to go to Cotebrook via various lanes and bridleways to complete a ride I’d attempted before Christmas but ran out of time before it got dark. Mrs T had not been too well so the plan was to do the ride then get back about 5pm so she could cheer herself up with a takeaway. Off I went in the direction of Swanlow Lane, through the uphill traffic lights and to the A54 roundabout. I couldn’t help thinking how well the Linear was going, not fast but somehow pedalling so easily.

I went straight on to Delamere St, keeping pace with the slow moving traffic and soon came to the place where I needed to turn right. The traffic was busy in both directions and since I didn’t fancy waiting between two lanes of traffic for a space to turn I went a bit further, turned right into an entrance then came back and turned left. There was a nice bit of downhill before I needed to turn left into the lane that led through a barrier into the playing fields.

I usually come this way uphill so it was a pleasant change to roll carefully through the twigs and leaf debris that the recent rain and snow had washed over the tarmac surface before wriggling through the “A” frame barrier and letting the Linear run free downhill. This took me past most of the playing fields, up a short climb then through two right angle turns to the car park. Diagonally across the car park, then on to Grange Lane and gently downhill through an estate of houses.

As I was leaving the houses behind and starting to savour the ambience of the countryside my phone pinged several times. Expecting a shopping list, or instructions from Mrs T., I stopped under a tree to have a look at it.

A squeaking and barking sound worked its way into my consciousness as I was looking at my phone. Was there a dog nearby? It seemed to come from above. Were two birds having an altercation? I looked up and saw a squirrel not far above me, making quite a lot of noise. Had it just seen off a rival? Perhaps I was the threat. The squirrel equivalent to “Come over ‘ere if you think you’re ‘ard enough, yer slaag!”

Since I had my phone out, I took a rather fuzzy picture before it jumped to another branch.

A passer by commented on the squirrel before continuing to er, pass by.

I went back to my messages. I’d planned to get to Cotebrook and get home by 5 but Mrs T had found a kebab place that opened at 2:30. In my mind a balloon with Cotebrook on it went “pop”. Working out the time and my position led to another balloon slowly inflating with Whitegate Station on it. OK then. A ride to Whitegate Station, which was on my original route, and call in at the kebab place on the way home.

I got under way again, gaining speed down an increasing slope, hoping to rush up the other side of a dip, but had to slow down for an oncoming dog walker in the middle of the road. Well, no problem, I rolled steadily up the other side. I swung out at the barrier at the entrance to the Whitegate Way then went straight up the access ramp. This was so easy. The climb levelled into a gentle uphill. Even though it was damp underwheel with puddles in places the going was still good.

Groups of walkers, dog walkers, cyclists, the mild weather had brought them all out. Bare trees, low angled but bright sun. There were still remnants of ice in ponds in the shaded fields below but up on the embankment it was mild and sunny.

It didn’t take long to reach Whitegate Station car park where I made the acquaintance of my old mate Huw. Huw who, you might ask? Well, Huw Rinal of course. Never miss the chance to take a leak, you never know where the next opportunity might be.

Having reached the zenith of this trip I set off back towards the access at Grange Lane. As I started off I was passed by a couple of mountain bikers who I was tempted to chase as I was going well today, but then, I wanted to stretch this all too short ride out a bit, if not in terms of miles, at least in time.

Before long, despite my leisurely freewheeling, I was at the ramp down to the road. I wiggled through the narrow access, turned right, and was soon passing the spot where the irate squirrel episode occurred. Soon afterwards I rolled up outside the kebab place on time, but they actually opened at 3. I waited, made my order, then once served, packed my stuff and set off for home. I’d hoped to get away sooner, as the schools traffic was on the move.

Once on Delamere St. the traffic was slow moving to the A54 roundabout. There was a wait as the traffic was intense, then into a gap and across to Swanlow Lane, Townfields Road lights then having taken my turn off came to a standstill behind traffic as the school rush was on. I got through then freewheeled with my food delivery to my back gate through the lanes.

I would have liked to have had time to have gone further, but it was a pleasant ride, and the temperature was very mild for the time of year.

Distance 8.8 miles. Max 21.1mph. Average 7.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Elevation 260ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[a.twiddler]

27/1/25
Recumbent Ride
Shopping on the Linear

Last week was quite something weatherwise, not much opportunity for cycling, and the stressful business of trying to sell the Grasshopper on that well known auction site. It’s always nice to buy a new (to me) bike but I’d forgotten what a strain it was waiting to see what prospective buyers might do when you come to sell one.

Anyhow, the Grasshopper sold over the weekend to someone who I think will appreciate it, and the weather was a bit more settled today.

Only a short trip for some shopping, nice in the sun but an unpredictable wind which was cold when the sun randomly disappeared. Once I got going en route to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights I found the wind was behind me. I thought I’d suffer on the way back, but made the most of the easy rolling through the lights and along Swanlow Lane to the A54 roundabout.

Here the traffic was free flowing, and I managed to get on to the roundabout just as the traffic got moving, round to the right and down the long downhill dual carriageway. I feared for my cap but it stayed on. I stopped at the first set of lights then rode easily to the right hand filter lane at the next one. Right here, right at the next two roundabouts then into a supermarket car park to lock up at a barrier.

I was soon in and out again. There seemed to be more elderly people about than usual so I held back for a while until the coast was clear, then launched on the path alongside the car park, downhill to the road where I turned right on to the pavement and on to a painted cycle lane. Following the cycle lane round a corner to the right, I nipped across the road on a pedestrian crossing, right along the road to the town centre lights.

Here I turned left uphill on to a short painted roadside cycle lane. When it ended I went up on to the pavement and continued up the hill. I tinged my bell coming up behind a man seemingly deep in thought. He stepped to one side and I raised a hand in acknowledgement.

While rolling uphill I thought about my experience with the Grasshopper. Within a week of buying it I’d gone down with pericarditis. The day after I sold it, I was contacted by my cardiologist to give me the all clear.

There are some that might link these unrelated events together. Synchronicity? The connectedness of the Universe? The Curse of the Grasshopper? Meh. It’s a nice idea but probably more to do with me having Covid a month before the pericarditis, and since the last scan was several weeks ago, it’s just taken a while for them to tell me the results, since they weren’t urgent.

It was reassuring to be riding along in the knowledge that I probably wasn’t going to depart this existence just yet. I was more worried about my cap blowing off in the fitful wind, so I took it off and stuffed it inside my body warmer.

I crossed over a minor road, and an oncoming woman walked to one side of the path, so I rode on the other. I said, “thank you” and carried on.

I reached the top of the hill and turned left on to the road again at Swanlow Lane. Here I had the wind and dazzling low sun in my face. I was still going well enough, but after half a mile or so I turned right through some bollards on to a sheltered lane which cut through on to an estate road.

It’s a bit difficult to keep finding new things to photograph when doing a regular route but I found a new spot to take a few.

I followed a road through an older but rather nice estate to a T junction, then went left a short distance until after winding about a bit, I reached my back gate.

Distance 3.93 miles. Max 23.2 miles. Average 7.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 135 ft. According to Bikehike,

 

[grldtnr]

Glad you sold the grasshopper ,I'll stop stressing about weather to buy it, but to be honest it's a long way up country.
Best of to ever has it now.

 

[a.twiddler]

28/1/25
Recumbent Ride
Trip to the Library on the Spirit

Cloudy, damp underwheel, but not actually raining. Very little wind, too. I decided to take the Spirit as I just needed to return a library book and the seat back bag had plenty of room for bits and pieces like that. Just an excuse for a ride, really. The Arkel panniers were awaiting refitting ex the Grasshopper but I’d noticed that when fitted they made slight contact with the rear suspension arm of the Spirit so I was waiting for a warmer day so I could attach some protective plastic film to it.

So, out through the gate, right on to the road and away towards Swanlow Lane and the uphill lights. The Spirit rolled easily though I noticed that some road vibration was getting through to the bars. Perhaps a hint to lower the front tyre pressure a smidge.

The BB is noticeably higher on the Spirit than the Linear but the expected contact of my legs with my abdomen wasn’t there. Perhaps the Christmas flabfest hasn’t had such a fattening effect this time round.

I carried on to the A54 roundabout where I stopped at the lights before going downhill to the right. I was going quite well, and was allowed by following traffic to move across to the right hand filter lane where traffic was stopped for quite a while before getting going again. Once I’d turned right I went left up a lowered kerb then along a broad pavement before turning in to arrive outside the Library. I locked up to a lamp post.

Having dropped off my book I was soon out again and along a cycle path,

then right on the road to the town centre lights. I turned left up the kerb en route to the long hill to Over roundabout.
I took some photos of the curious abbreviated painted cycle lane here. A truck obligingly hurtled past as I pressed the shutter, emphasising how it is not a pleasant place to be.

I’ve never seen a cyclist using it. They tend to hop straight on to the pavement at the lights. It seems part of the cyclists’ advance stop line set up on the other side of the lights, as there is one on the downhill side of the lights too. There’s nowhere to go but to stay on the road for that one where it ends, though it’s easier to keep some speed up in the downhill direction.

I steadily rolled up the hill meeting no one until I reached the top and turned left on to Swanlow Lane.

There was little wind though there was threatening dark cloud. I rolled along well enough along here. I noticed that there was a traffic island at the point that I’d turned right yesterday so I guessed there’d be another turning at the next one too. Sure enough, there was, with a staggered barrier which was easily accessible from this direction so I turned right and went through it. If I’d wanted to go through it from the other direction I’d have had to do a U turn, even though turning left.

It came out at almost the same point as the lane I’d taken yesterday on a road in a rather nice estate. I followed the road through to the same T junction as yesterday, went left, and after some winding about came to my back gate.

If the weather stays like this, maybe with less threat of rain, I might get a longer ride in before the end of January.

Distance 3.46 miles. Max speed 24.8 mph. Average 8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 113 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[FrankCrank]

28/1/25
Recumbent Ride
Trip to the Library on the Spirit

Cloudy, damp underwheel, but not actually raining. Very little wind, too. I decided to take the Spirit as I just needed to return a library book and the seat back bag had plenty of room for bits and pieces like that. Just an excuse for a ride, really. The Arkel panniers were awaiting refitting ex the Grasshopper but I’d noticed that when fitted they made slight contact with the rear suspension arm of the Spirit so I was waiting for a warmer day so I could attach some protective plastic film to it.

So, out through the gate, right on to the road and away towards Swanlow Lane and the uphill lights. The Spirit rolled easily though I noticed that some road vibration was getting through to the bars. Perhaps a hint to lower the front tyre pressure a smidge.

The BB is noticeably higher on the Spirit than the Linear but the expected contact of my legs with my abdomen wasn’t there. Perhaps the Christmas flabfest hasn’t had such a fattening effect this time round.

I carried on to the A54 roundabout where I stopped at the lights before going downhill to the right. I was going quite well, and was allowed by following traffic to move across to the right hand filter lane where traffic was stopped for quite a while before getting going again. Once I’d turned right I went left up a lowered kerb then along a broad pavement before turning in to arrive outside the Library. I locked up to a lamp post.



View attachment 760450
Having dropped off my book I was soon out again and along a cycle path,
View attachment 760451
then right on the road to the town centre lights. I turned left up the kerb en route to the long hill to Over roundabout.
I took some photos of the curious abbreviated painted cycle lane here. A truck obligingly hurtled past as I pressed the shutter, emphasising how it is not a pleasant place to be.
View attachment 760452
View attachment 760453
View attachment 760454
I’ve never seen a cyclist using it. They tend to hop straight on to the pavement at the lights. It seems part of the cyclists’ advance stop line set up on the other side of the lights, as there is one on the downhill side of the lights too. There’s nowhere to go but to stay on the road for that one where it ends, though it’s easier to keep some speed up in the downhill direction.

I steadily rolled up the hill meeting no one until I reached the top and turned left on to Swanlow Lane.

There was little wind though there was threatening dark cloud. I rolled along well enough along here. I noticed that there was a traffic island at the point that I’d turned right yesterday so I guessed there’d be another turning at the next one too. Sure enough, there was, with a staggered barrier which was easily accessible from this direction so I turned right and went through it. If I’d wanted to go through it from the other direction I’d have had to do a U turn, even though turning left.

It came out at almost the same point as the lane I’d taken yesterday on a road in a rather nice estate. I followed the road through to the same T junction as yesterday, went left, and after some winding about came to my back gate.

If the weather stays like this, maybe with less threat of rain, I might get a longer ride in before the end of January.

Distance 3.46 miles. Max speed 24.8 mph. Average 8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 113 ft. According to Bikehike.

You're braver than me, venturing out on those roads on a 'bent.
I'm fortunate here having a canal just up the road, I cycle along that mostly.
Trucks and bikes are never a good mix - careful how you go

 

[a.twiddler]

1/2/25
Recumbent Ride
Trip Round the Lanes on the Linear via Oulton Park.

It was cloudy but dry today, though a bit chillier than I’d have liked. I put on an extra layer and my windproof jacket. I had a hankering to try my previously planned route to Cotebrook again, though with the recent rain I was prepared to change my route from the bridleway section if it was too claggy.

So, out through the gate I went, across the road and got on board. As soon as I got rolling I felt the wind behind me. I sailed effortlessly to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights where I turned right for the town centre. Following wind and downhill? I was probably going to suffer for my pleasure later, but ah well, I’d deal with that as it came. I was at the town centre traffic lights in no time, ready to be held up with the rest of the traffic.

Rolling again, straight across to Grange Lane. The face of a teenage girl on a pink bike riding on the pavement in the opposite direction lit up in an expression of delight as I went past. Done my good deed for the day, by the look of it.

I turned right where Grange Lane heads off into the countryside, freewheeling easily until I came across a family group of all ages with kids and dogs all over the road. I slowed right down and inched my way past them. This Linear can still surprise me. Is it just that I’ve been riding it so long or is it just so incredibly stable at very low speed? Perhaps a bit of both. I found the Grasshopper pretty good in such situations, too.

Once past, I gave it the beans (such that I have) down a dip then up the other side before swinging out and spinning easily leftwards up the ramp to the Whitegate way. I stopped at the top to try to take some selfies. Never a good idea when you have all your winter layers on. My God! Who is this great bloater! I judiciously deleted them and carried on.

I continued up the rail trail which hadn’t become too waterlogged apart from a few puddles which the Linear carved through, tracking true.

Plenty of dogs and walkers, many of the dogs being off leads. I was soon at the Whitegate Station car park, popped in to inspect the plumbing then out on to Clay Lane, left on a gradual downill. A white van came uphill then a couple of minutes passed me in the other direction. Was he just delivering something or did he come back for another look? It didn’t look like a delivery van. I didn’t see it again.

Across Shays Lane Brook, right into Shays Lane then a muddy climb. As I was climbing the narrowest, muddiest, steepest part I saw a car turn into Shays Lane, In my mirror, way behind. Well tough titty, bub, I’m not pulling over so you can squeeze past, I thought, and kept on going. The car hung back until the lane opened out then passed with plenty of room.

Once over the top I eased off. The rear derailleur jumped a couple of times, perhaps muck or debris on the chain, but before I had a chance to stop and look at it it seems to have cleared. It didn’t happen again. I came to the T junction with Longstone Lane.

A cyclist came from the left uphill so I turned right to the Long Stone before he reached me, and stopped to take a picture of the Linear near it. Since I’ve found it, it’s a landmark if I come this way. I leaned it on a fence post.

My time with the Grasshopper has changed my habits. I used to park it and the Linear on the stand whenever I stopped but in the last month or so I’ve just been leaning them on walls or posts, and now the Grasshopper has gone, I’m continuing to do that with the Linear. It’s just easier to get on and off. Maybe I’m just getting less flexible as I get older.

Anyway, the cyclist went past without comment, I took a photo then did a U turn past the junction and headed off downhill. Down a dip, up the other side then right on to a lane which led to the A54. Straight across, then first right down Beech Lane to a junction with Coach Road.

Directly opposite the junction is a Bridleway which leads in a pretty straight line to Cotebrook. I could see straight away that it was full of mud and large puddles. No doubt I could have ridden it with a bit of determination but it would be hard work on road tyres and I didn’t fancy the mammoth operation of cleaning out all the mud when I got home.

I turned left on Coach Road. There was woodland in all directions as I headed towards the original main entrance to Oulton Park. I turned right at the junction here, passing the modern entrance to the motor racing circuit, surrounded by woodland still.

I turned left onto Rushton Lane which follows the old wall surrounding Oulton Park. Down a steep dip, up the other side then on to Dogmore Lane and left into Kings Lane. The wind was against me here but the trend was downhill so it balanced out. I was going surprisingly well today. Left at a T junction on to Hickhurst Lane. After another couple of miles, left on to Hall Lane then before long a brief photo stop at Darnhall Village Hall.

Then, a slow approach to Darnhall Bridge, before a car passed me and triggered the lights. I got into high gear and crossed the bridge at a good speed, getting a fair way up the other side of the dip before having to change down. I have been going unusually well today. I was soon over the summit and getting up to cruising speed again.

It didn’t take long to get to the last T junction before home. As I’d done just over 14 miles at this point, I took a right turn to go the longer way round to push it up to over 15 miles.

Despite the cold, this was a good ride today. I felt strong, and the bike went well. This promises well for longer trips once the weather warms up a bit.

Distance 15.14 miles. Max speed 24.7 mph. Average speed 7.8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 372 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[404 Not Found Anywhere]

I don’t take selfies. Each time I do some old fat guy gets in the picture instead, it’s really offputting.

Do you think the front panniers help with the Linear’s low speed stability? My Recycled Recumbent Mk1 (Tour Easy wannabe) is really secure at speed but definitely not at low speed, I don’t know if a bit of weight up front would help it balance a bit better.

 

[a.twiddler]

I don’t take selfies. Each time I do some old fat guy gets in the picture instead, it’s really offputting.

Do you think the front panniers help with the Linear’s low speed stability? My Recycled Recumbent Mk1 (Tour Easy wannabe) is really secure at speed but definitely not at low speed, I don’t know if a bit of weight up front would help it balance a bit better.

They started off as an experiment but they seem to work well. They are standard Carradice front panniers, about 40 years old. I just leave them on attached to a universal lowrider rack. Despite being originally meant for 26" or 700C wheels they work fine with the 20" wheel of the Linear. I use them for odd bits of shopping so they can carry a bit of weight at times, though I try to balance the load either side. There might be some air brake effect but I don't often get up to the sort of speeds that might make that a big issue.

With the original rather worn tyre on the front when I first had the Linear it was a bit squirrelly at times. I put a 50 -406 Big Apple on the front as I had one in the garage and surprisingly it worked well. That was an experiment, too as the rear was a 42 -700 but having a slightly wider tyre on the front has made it feel really planted so I've kept it on. When I bought the HPV Spirit it had a rather worn Schwalbe City Jet on the front and the front end felt very light with the 16" front wheel. I managed to find a Big Apple in the appropriate size and fitted it. The rear on the Spirit is a 47 -406 Marathon so the front is only a little wider than the rear. I can ride both of them down to a standstill before putting a foot down, and they are both steady at low speed. That might be down to the bike design, but for me the wider front tyres feel reassuring, and it works for me.

 

[a.twiddler]

5/2/25
Recumbent Ride
Shopping on the Linear

Cold but sunny today. Needed to get a few items from the town centre so as the Linear had the tools and gear aboard from my last ride I rode that. Out through the gate, right towards Swanlow Lane to the uphill traffic lights. The light was green as I approached, and from past experience I expected it to change any second but no, straight through and still on green as I reached the other side. Someone must have complained, as the phases now seem to have been extended.

The wind was in my face as I carried on along Swanlow Lane but it wasn’t holding me back much. I was soon at the A54 roundabout waiting at a red light, then straight on down Delamere St to extend the ride a bit. It didn’t take long to reach the point where I turned right downhill to get to the town centre. A rider on an MTB coming uphill on the pavement unexpectedly said, “Hey! Great bike, mate!”. I nodded and smiled in acknowledgement.

A little further on I turned left into a rather steep muddy lane which led to the sports complex playing fields. Nothing the Linear couldn’t manage even with one hand on the bars, one finger on the back brake lever and the other hand holding the camera.

Down through an A frame barrier, a whiz down the path between the playing fields. Out on to the road leading to Grange Lane then along Grange Lane to the town centre traffic lights. As I approached the lights I slowed down. Would they change to green? Plan A, continue to the lights and turn left. Would they remain at red? Plan B, turn left on to pavement cycle path. Still red, so plan B it was.

Some may wonder how difficult it might be to ride a LWB bike along a pavement cycle path but certainly here there is no problem. It winds about a bit but it’s easy to negotiate. Pedestrians seem aware of the separation and keep to their side.

I came to the junction at the next set of lights. The cycle path stops at the road, then continues on the other side. Cyclists have to cross in front of the lights, which seems a bit odd. I went left here, did a U turn then stopped at the lights. When they changed, I went across the dual carriageway then right at a roundabout, right at the next one then into a supermarket car park and locked up at a barrier.

As I was getting my bag out a spry looking grey haired man stopped and said “that looks comfortable”. I said that it was. “Where are the bars -oh, they’re under the seat.” I moved the bars to demonstrate the steering rod. He said, “last time I saw something like this, it had enormous chopper handlebars sprouting from the front!”. He went away looking pleased.

I went in to do some shopping. When I came out the pavement was quite crowded. After unlocking and loading up, I sat and waited for the congestion to clear. When it didn’t, I decided to leave via the car park since it was clear. Left at the exit roundabout, right at the next on Dingle Lane, over some speed humps. Across the pavement at the end into Queensway, then through some estate roads on to uphill Gladstone St. and Townfields Road.

I noted the readings on the Garmin gave me about 4 mph here yet the bike tracked straight. Not for the first time I wondered how accurate the Garmin was at low speeds on hills. My speed felt higher than that, and in pre Garmin times with a wheel driven bike computer at 4 mph or below the bike would tend to be hard to keep in a straight line uphill. I can only conclude that either I’m better at riding it slowly now, or the reading is inaccurate compared with a bike computer in these situations, or a combination of both.

Speed increased as the road levelled, until I came to a halt at the Swanlow Lane lights. I set off left downhill and kept momentum up after my uphill turn off. I’m definitely going better on recent rides. I continued downhill through the lanes past my back gate then turned round in a side road to round up my mileage before returning to my back gate.

Distance 5.24 miles. Max speed 20.4 mph. Average speed 7.6 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 142 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[a.twiddler]

22/2/25
Recumbent Ride
Yet More Shopping on the Linear

Surprisingly mild this morning, sunny even, so I ventured out to the shops on the Linear. Out through the gate, across the road then right towards Swanlow Lane. The uphill lights turned green before I got there but stayed green until I’d got across. The timing has definitely been changed to give you more time from this direction.

I rolled in a relaxed manner along Swanlow Lane until I reached the A54 roundabout. There was a big gap in the traffic and the lights were green so I was able to keep on rolling straight on to Delamere St. I continued for a mile or so before my turn off appeared on the right. No traffic so I was able to turn without stopping. I rolled downhill for a spell before turning left into a steep, narrow, muddy lane that led to the sports fields via an A frame barrier.

I wanted to get a photo going through the barrier so I stopped at the top to get my camera out. An old lady with a small dog was slowly making her way up so I waited. Someone else passed me on the way down with another dog. Finally all was clear so I carried on.

There were many people about on the path beyond the barrier, as a ladies’, or girls’, football match had just finished and they were slowly heading back to the car park.

I tinged my bell as I came up behind a family group and a toddler on a tiny bike tinged enthusiastically back.

I gradually passed many of them and hoping to get away from the crowd headed for an exit that came out on a road. As I drew near I realised that the gate was shut so did a180 degree turn in an adjacent parking space and headed back up the path to where everyone was turning towards the car park. After a few more ting tings and “pardon me”s I came to a path that led directly to the road and was able to get under way again. Soon I was on Grange Lane, heading towards the town centre traffic lights.

I was quite pleased that I’d not put a foot down since I came through the barrier despite pedalling virtually to a standstill several times and doing a tight u turn, not to mention very slowly getting through some right angled nadgery bits on the path. Either the Linear is just very good for this sort of thing, or it’s me! The Spirit does well at this sort of thing, and the Grasshopper, for all its other quirks, enabled me to do this sort of thing too. Also the novelty of twiddling a thumb shift lever on the Linear handlebar to ring a bell attached way out in front never fails to make me smile.

I decided to follow the pavement cycle path rather than the road just so I could take some pictures. As you pass a bus shelter a lapse of concentration could lead to you hurtling downhill into an underpass with a tight right turn at the bottom and a steep flight of steps straight ahead to bring you to a halt if you didn’t brake in time, rather than following the level path.

As you come to a side road, there are traffic lights but no pedestrian buttons to help you cross. The cycle path stops at the road in front of the traffic lights, then starts again on the other side. I found this a bit odd.

I followed the pavement round to the left then U turned to come to a stop behind a car which had stopped at the lights. This was the first time I’d put a foot down since the A frame barrier at the entrance to the playing fields. Straight across on green, right at a roundabout, then right again into a supermarket car park to lock up at a barrier.

Once I’d rounded up my few items, herded them up and headed them out to my panniers I set off across the car park. I thought I might take a different route back but having turned left at the two roundabouts I was irritated by the amount of traffic so turned right into an entrance, turned round and went straight across the last roundabout into Dingle Lane.

The usual route back then, over the speed humps, across the pavement into Queensway and through some estate roads. Uphill on Gladstone St and Townfields Rd. Straight on at the Swanlow Lane lights. Past a group of girls one of whom shouted, “Hey mate, like your bike!”. Left at the next T junction swooping downhill then levelling off and left at another T junction. Before long I arrived at Swanlow Lane again to turn right in the Church Minshull direction.

After a mile or so I turned right into a lane. An oncoming car stopped and flashed his lights to go, as there was a queue of cars behind him.

Soon, after a bit of downhill then uphill, I passed my back gate. I thought I would round up the mileage to 7 miles or so, so I carried on beyond for a bit, then turned round and came back.

Whether it was because I hadn’t been out for a ride for two weeks or just that it had been a particularly nice ride today, I felt good for the rest of the day after that.

Distance 7.19 miles. Max Speed 16.4 mph. Average 7.6 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 213 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[blackrat]

My Vendetta. I no longer have it.