N
NYC XYZ
Guest
Well, I took the SWB out for a twelve-mile spin...I was riding on the
Grand Concourse in the Bronx, then went over the Tri-Boro into Astoria
Park...and I have these further observations, for those who may be --
in the future -- looking into a recumbent for urban riding:
1) Cars are so much more respectful! Of course, this was Sunday, but
the Grand Concourse is still, as its name suggests, a major
thoroughfare. Even the bus drivers were extremely respectful! But
being the former NYC messenger that I am, I was never in any danger --
though it was very nice for a change not to get cut off or honked at.
Amazing!!! Everybody kept their distance, slowed down even though it
cost them the light, etc.
2) I don't need no rear-view mirror! I could turn my head just about
as easily and nearly as much as I always do on an upright! 'Matter of
fact, I was zipping along as fast as I ever did on my upright! Or,
rather, I should say, with as much effort as I typically do, which
brings me to my next observation...
3) I'm 5 mph slower!!!!! At least!!!!!!!! The amount of pedalling I
did would have been a good ~27mph, but the most I was able to manage
was a measly ~21!!! I hope this is just a matter of not having had the
right gears (due to the chain issue mentioned in another post, which,
unfortunately, seems unresolved) and 'bent muscles still
developing...which brings me to my next point...
4) I'm really feeling it! Not sore the next day, thankfully, but wow,
'benting is like them leg exercise machines in the gym! I really
worked my glutes, my quads (mainly above the knees), and hamstrings.
5) Also, this reminds me of kayaking! Yes! Insofar as you've got to
keep the shoulders relaxed to make it work...with kayaking, you'd think
that it was about hacking away at the water with your manly arms on the
paddle, but it ain't, it's about relaxing the upper body enough to
coordinate its movement with the rest of the torso in order to paddle
efficiently! Likewise, at least on an SWB like the HP Velo SMGTe,
you'd think it was about maintaining firm control of the handlebars --
but it ain't! It's about relaxing your shoulders, arms, everything,
really...cool!
6) The headrest is a nice addition to the already very comfy BodyLink
hardshell seat. Actually, you'll definitely need the Airflow Cushion,
which costs $$$. Actually, every damned thing on this machine costs $$
-- can you believe the little two-inch computer mount is US$16??? But
it's a very fine ride..."magic carpet," as RCN said a couple of times.
I don't know how any other SWB maker stays in bid'ness!
7) It's fun going over bumps and potholes with the fully-suspended
SMGTe! At least with my Swiss Air DT air shock...though it seems to be
bottoming-out more than it should, so I'll need to adjust it. It's fun
going over speed bumps and jumping a few inches off the ground!
Hmm...maybe I should get a seat belt? Or a parachute!
8) Which segues again into this other note: the much lower vantage
point seem to make spotting potholes slightly harder! A couple of
times I'd been sort of surprised by a pothole that materialized as the
lay of the land suddenly came into sight. But this is not a major
issue, and now I can enjoy girls' plump pear posteriors without craning
my neck!
9) Speaking of whom...wow, this is more eye-catching than a car! You
know how females enjoy novelty...and the girls in Astoria Park were
really intrigued! I actually started getting shy...then wondered if
all they were interested in was my 'bent! But I did some chin-ups and
pull-ups to distract them...hehe....
WOOHOO!!!!
Grand Concourse in the Bronx, then went over the Tri-Boro into Astoria
Park...and I have these further observations, for those who may be --
in the future -- looking into a recumbent for urban riding:
1) Cars are so much more respectful! Of course, this was Sunday, but
the Grand Concourse is still, as its name suggests, a major
thoroughfare. Even the bus drivers were extremely respectful! But
being the former NYC messenger that I am, I was never in any danger --
though it was very nice for a change not to get cut off or honked at.
Amazing!!! Everybody kept their distance, slowed down even though it
cost them the light, etc.
2) I don't need no rear-view mirror! I could turn my head just about
as easily and nearly as much as I always do on an upright! 'Matter of
fact, I was zipping along as fast as I ever did on my upright! Or,
rather, I should say, with as much effort as I typically do, which
brings me to my next observation...
3) I'm 5 mph slower!!!!! At least!!!!!!!! The amount of pedalling I
did would have been a good ~27mph, but the most I was able to manage
was a measly ~21!!! I hope this is just a matter of not having had the
right gears (due to the chain issue mentioned in another post, which,
unfortunately, seems unresolved) and 'bent muscles still
developing...which brings me to my next point...
4) I'm really feeling it! Not sore the next day, thankfully, but wow,
'benting is like them leg exercise machines in the gym! I really
worked my glutes, my quads (mainly above the knees), and hamstrings.
5) Also, this reminds me of kayaking! Yes! Insofar as you've got to
keep the shoulders relaxed to make it work...with kayaking, you'd think
that it was about hacking away at the water with your manly arms on the
paddle, but it ain't, it's about relaxing the upper body enough to
coordinate its movement with the rest of the torso in order to paddle
efficiently! Likewise, at least on an SWB like the HP Velo SMGTe,
you'd think it was about maintaining firm control of the handlebars --
but it ain't! It's about relaxing your shoulders, arms, everything,
really...cool!
6) The headrest is a nice addition to the already very comfy BodyLink
hardshell seat. Actually, you'll definitely need the Airflow Cushion,
which costs $$$. Actually, every damned thing on this machine costs $$
-- can you believe the little two-inch computer mount is US$16??? But
it's a very fine ride..."magic carpet," as RCN said a couple of times.
I don't know how any other SWB maker stays in bid'ness!
7) It's fun going over bumps and potholes with the fully-suspended
SMGTe! At least with my Swiss Air DT air shock...though it seems to be
bottoming-out more than it should, so I'll need to adjust it. It's fun
going over speed bumps and jumping a few inches off the ground!
Hmm...maybe I should get a seat belt? Or a parachute!
8) Which segues again into this other note: the much lower vantage
point seem to make spotting potholes slightly harder! A couple of
times I'd been sort of surprised by a pothole that materialized as the
lay of the land suddenly came into sight. But this is not a major
issue, and now I can enjoy girls' plump pear posteriors without craning
my neck!
9) Speaking of whom...wow, this is more eye-catching than a car! You
know how females enjoy novelty...and the girls in Astoria Park were
really intrigued! I actually started getting shy...then wondered if
all they were interested in was my 'bent! But I did some chin-ups and
pull-ups to distract them...hehe....
WOOHOO!!!!