Larry’s RX for Happy Cycling

My recumbent bike is a Rans Rocket (on the right in the photo) and I’m in my fifth happy year with it, about 6,500 miles under the wheels.

Like Niña’s bike, it has a comfortable sit-down seat with a ventilated back, so riding for an entire day isn’t a big problem. The three gears in front plus the eight on the back axle give 24 speeds, a wide enough range to allow over-the-road cruising at speeds equal to those of conventional bikes, plus some phenomenal hill-climbing abilities.

Niña and I both bought some additional equipment for our recumbents at the time of purchase:
-- Speedometer / odometer / clocks, also known as bike computers. For those who want to follow a structured exercise program, these are great.
-- Very good electronic headlights with rechargeable batteries. They give about four hours of light on a charging, enough for an evening ride.
-- Flashing front and rear lights.
-- Heart monitors, for as much exercise as we (and our doctor) want, but not too much at a time, and not too little.

Along the way we have added some other things that seemed appropriate:
-- Backpack canteens strapped to the seat backs, with over-the-shoulder tubes for a drink of water whenever we get thirsty on the road.
-- Assorted small saddlebags for goodies and necessities which hang very well from the seat braces.
-- A small tool kit that I have never had to use on the road.
-- This year I added clipless pedals, the kind that take cleats on the shoes. I can’t say enough about the improvement in my riding.

So far we have ridden our bikes within about 30 miles of home. We have belonged to cycling clubs, but presently are "at liberty." Our main event is the 150-mile ride from Cherry Hill to Ocean City and back each fall to help raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research. More on that later.

For us, the biggest advantage to recumbent bikes is that they are so comfortable that getting out and riding is no longer a matter of duty, or of doctor’s orders, or of making ourselves get out the door in order to justify the expense.

We ride because, on our bikes, we love riding.