HPV: Winter riding & Indoor trainers

[Falco Frank]

As my first winter of recumbent ownership approaches, I hope to keep riding as much as possible so am keen to hear any tips from hardy owners to enable safe and enjoyable rides.

I have some waterpoof bib tights already as I'm really not struck on the idea of sitting in a pool of water even though I was told the ventipad seats are quite good, there are no drain holes in the CF seat base on my bike...

Next. Indoor trainers, since a deluge of snow is predicted already I might just invest in a trainer to use in the garage. The Gent I bought Toxy from had indoor rollers but the type with two sets so the front wheel also receives drive.

Will a weighty recumbent even stay vertical using a standard trainer and what other delights are there to watch out for please?

Happy riding

 

[stuee147]

iv ridden my trike in most weather exept snow but im looking forward to trying it in the snow this year lol
anyway if you havent got them already i would sujest front mudgards i have mine on all year round now i got feed up of small sticks and stones from the road whacking my nuckels and they save my hands from cold icy road spray in the wet (and it can spray up your sleves if your not careful) i know a lot of folk remove the mudgards in good weather but the few grams it would save dosent concern me id rather protect my hands and fingers my setup has the handlbars close to the wheels and i have touched the wheels a few times before i fitted the mudgards.
also when i go for a ride in bad weather i take a minuet or two when i sit on the trike to sort out my jacket and wtaerproof trousers your right about the risk of sitting in a puddle but you may also find you get a bit of a puddle in your lap or worse still as happened to me the water finds a way to get up under you jacket i did a 5 mile ride in heavey rain and strong winds a few weeks back and i didnt set my jacket right (normaly pulled down and tucked between my legs and under my bum a bit to prevent it blowing up at the bottom) when i got home 15 min later i was all dry apart from a very wet belly where the water was blowen up under my coat lol

another trick i used to use in the building trade was forget these thermal longjohns in the winter a pair of womens tights under your normal gear it works just as well and is so much cheaper and more comfey when riding
them snood thinggys are great to i use one round my neck and when it gets really cold i can pullit up to cover my nose and mouth too

as for trainers i have on that i used last winter it was just a cheapy off ebay about £30 its a roller type and it ajustable with a frictong gera leaver that can be positioned on the handle bars it worked really well but remember you will need to buy an extra front wheel stand bit as the trainers only normaly come with one.
i used to sit there peddeling away for an hour or two while i read a book or listened to the radio.
personaly i didnt like the trainer that much i would prefer to be out on the road but they do work and can be useful

i hope iv helped a bit happy triking
stuee

 

[andytheflyer]

Hi,

I rode my Performer all through last winter - no snow but some cold days. I found it less cold on the recumbent because your back is always insulated by the seat, and since you are reclined there's less wind chill effect. All you need is some ordinary gloves - don't need the gel pads that I need for a DF bike.

I think you'll find riding a recumbent much less arduous weather-wise than a DF bike. Others may disagree though if they are much faster than me!

 

[Pikey]

I've bought a set of rollers, two front wheel stands and a bumper Netflix subscription.

Planning on triking in the lounge, in front of the telly drinking brews. Feck outdoor riding in winter

 

[Scoosh]

I've bought a set of rollers, two front wheel stands and a bumper Netflix subscription.

Planning on triking in the lounge, in front of the telly drinking brews. Feck outdoor riding in winter

The rest of us can but dream …

 

[Pikey]

The rest of us can but dream …

You're welcome to come round, bring your rollers

 

[markg0vbr]

Rain gear, any zip front jacket put it on back to front and don't do the back up, keeps you dry and stops you over heating.

 

[DaddyPaddey]

What were the front wheel stands you bought?

 

[Pikey]

What were the front wheel stands you bought?

I think I've got the cycle ops riser blocks for using on the turbo. Luckily in my pre laid back days I ordered two by mistake.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I think I've got the cycle ops riser blocks for using on the turbo. Luckily in my pre laid back days I ordered two by mistake.

I use a couple of books under the front wheels. Both have a picture of Lance Armstrong's head on the front cover.

Pity it isn't his remaining bollock, but the head will do.