The joy of recumbent biking
Have had a bicycle for most of my life and was a particularly avid biker as a teen - taking out my Sekine 10 speed and doing 40 miles just for the heck of it was a regular weekend ritual.
And then middle age and family intruded. Still had a bike but it got pretty dusty in the garage.
But last year I saw a classic recumbent in the local ads. I've tried a recumbent trike and absolutely loved it, but where I live, riding a trike with your head only a couple of feet above the road is a sure fire way to get run over by a lifted truck that didnt see you. So I bought the bike, a RANS Stratus XL for a mere $300. With an aluminum frame, its surprisingly light for a long bike.
The only real con is that this bike is a bit unstable at really slow speeds, but once you get rolling its very comfortable and stable. The frame absorbs some of the worst road bumps so its smooth and the long wheelbase is great for my tall frame, I can really stretch out.
But the best part is that Im laying back in a sweet lounge chair, as God intended, instead of bent forward with a kinked neck, sitting on a tiny seat that is certified torture device after an hour of riding.
Its still early in the year and Im still outta shape but riding a recumbent has brought back the joy of biking. And I havent even been run over once.
A tip from a friend who rides a semi-recumbent trike (lower than what you linked, but not as low as a standard rebumbent bike), put a tall "antenna" on the back of your bike with a high-vis flag on top. I think he just uses a part of a high-vis vest. No idea if the antenna is something he made (it's possible, he's a DIY guy) or something that's sold as is, but it helps for this exact issue.
What I enjoyed about his trike is that being close to the ground makes it feel like you're riding faster than when you go the same speed on a normal tall bike. But it did feel like all the bumps in the road would go straight into my back, did not hurt, but felt like it could after some time.
Yeah, those flags are pretty much a necessity on a recumbent. I just dont trust the average iPhone distracted coal rolling trucker to notice it.
Feeling speedy on a trike is definitely one of the benefits - and since they're so low taking corners much faster than you could on a bike is thrilling. And having two front brakes means you can stop on a dime. Its the sports car of biking. Would love to still get one some day.
Make sure to bring a gas mask in case of those pickups. I would imagine there are some nice, long trails along old railways near you? Western Canada seems like it would be a prime spot for that. (That's where you are, right?)
There are trails but this is definitely not a bike that likes anything other than asphalt. The tires are super skinny and at 100 psi, they dont absorb rocks and pebbles. She's a pavement only machine.
I flew down a hill last year and bounced over some railway tracks at the bottom of a hill. Blew both tires instantly and I got extremely lucky managing to keep it upright on two flat tires. But the bike gods were smiling at me and the ONLY bike shop in town that carries that odd size front wheel was directly across the street. They fixed me up in no time.
In the US, "Rails to Trails" trails are usually paved; I would imagine it's similar in Canada. After a couple years in my last town, I discovered an extensive network of these trails around the area and they were really quite nice.
Oh, that reminds me—Google Maps has a bike overlay that shows roads with bike lanes, "bike-friendly" roads, paved trails, and unpaved trails. You may be able to find something that way that is within an easy distance to transport your bike. Not ideal, but it's a workaround, at least.
And here I thought that this was an ode to recumbent exercise bikes, for which I hold a very positive opinion.
Get a workout and churn through your favorite SRPG. It's the perfect mix. You won't even know that you were exercising for that whole 2 hour battle.
Hey, could you elaborate a bit on your recumbent exercise bike opinions? I've been thinking of getting an exercise bike for at home to make it easier to get a bit of cardio during bad weather, and I'd be interested to hear the merits of this particular kind.
Sure. It's not particularly complex technology so my main recommendation would be something that you enjoy sitting in for long periods and has a place for your tablet/book.
Personally, I just turn the difficulty up to the point that I'll break a sweat within 5 minutes, turn on a game Where I don't have to move in 3D space and I'll sit there for 30 to an hour.
My other lazy workout idea is the mini exercise bike for your arms. Again, crank up the resistance and do 30 reps with palms facing up and then down. It's amazing for grip, arms, shoulder rotation and your traps.
https://www.amazon.com/MagneTrainer-ER-Mini-Exercise-Bike-Exerciser/dp/B000V53KD8