Talking of 'bents.

[Colin Blackburn]

When I was on my hols I was chatting to three fit, experienced cyclists. two of the three regularly
cycle in London. All three do long road rides, Bordeaux to Barcelona, C2C, E2E, etc. All three
dismissed recumbents outright as not for them as they would not feel safe.

As someone who has not ridden a 'bent but has the parts for one in his workshop I did not feel my
second hand arguments would carry much weight. Next year maybe. If I'm still alive!

Colin

[Peter Clinch]

Colin Blackburn wrote:
> When I was on my hols I was chatting to three fit, experienced cyclists. two of the three
> regularly cycle in London. All three do long road rides, Bordeaux to Barcelona, C2C, E2E, etc. All
> three dismissed recumbents outright as not for them as they would not feel safe.

This seems to be a common reaction. I am not asked if I feel vulnerable, I am *told* that I *must*
feel vulnerable!

Yet those of us who ride them don't have a problem.

I think it's down to people being naturally (and understandably) conservative. If 'bents had been
the General Standard then suggest to anyone that they might be adequately safe on a machine where
the setup compromises braking performance and what braking you do have has a tendency to throw you
over the handlebars to do a face-plant on the road and they'd think the idea preposterous!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/