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Learning To Ride A Recumbent Tricycle

By Martha Murray


With the summer approaching it's important to get out and get some exercise in order to stay fit and healthy. Being able to ride a bicycle or tricycle is an excellent way to exercise without doing damage to your knees or spinal column. A popular way to exercise is by riding a recumbent tricycle or bicycle. Recumbent trikes are a new trend that has increased in popularity because of the way it rides for people who don't especially like riding bicycles while leaning over the front wheel.

Some may question why using a trike with three wheels. In the past, the tricycle actually came before bicycle. People had trouble balancing the bike and often reverted back to the more stable trike. It's an easy way to ride and be able to view the scenery without worrying about toppling over.

Another question that is often asked is why should they use a recumbent vehicle instead of a regular 10-speed bike or dirtbike. The advantage to having a recumbent trike is you are able to lean back and ride in a relaxed pose rather than leaning forward over the handlebars. Another advantage is by leaning back on the vehicle you're also able to see the scenery around you and ride for many more miles.

One issue some people are concerned about is how difficult it is to get in and out of the vehicle. It doesn't have to be difficult because you can start by making sure the brakes are locked. This keeps the vehicle from rolling away while you prepare to enter the vehicle. The initial step is to be sure to straddle the front section of the trike and leaned back into the seat as you sit down. Since the brakes will be locked you can sit down without worrying about the vehicle rolling when you do. Do not use the handlebars as they may become damaged because they're not designed to hold your weight but rather just to steer the vehicle. Exiting the vehicle is the reverse. Simply begin by locking the brakes and as you stand up you'll lean forward and then step to the side of the vehicle.

Pedaling can take some time to learn. It is recommended that you use the type of pedals that have a clip or strap so your feet don't slip out. If they do, they could slide under the bike and cause an injury. You won't have to worry about tipping over when you stop since you're on three wheels instead of two. This way, you can keep your feet strapped in until you come to a complete stop, lock the brakes and step out.

There are two different types of steering configurations. The linkage steering is like power steering for a bike. This type uses a sway bar under the trike and can easily be controlled with one hand. The direct steer seems more like a sports car with two handles.

Gear changing is very simple. It is pretty much the same as the traditional 10-speed bike. Some will have just one set of gears, while others will have the combination gears to achieve more torque when you're going uphill. Change it as needed and don't worry about what gear you are in.

There's no reason to avoid getting out in the sun and having fun in the summertime. Being able to ride a bike is not something that everyone can do so using something like recumbent trikes helps those who may have difficulty bending over the handlebars of a regular 10-speed bike. With these options, anyone can ride by choosing the type of trike or bike that will best fit their needs.




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