Maiden voyage
Originally published at Disjunction. You can comment here or there.
The Speedmachine and I spent a lovely day on the Lower Trail, biking 32 miles in what can only be described as the heat that might drip from the testicles of Mephistopheles. Or would those be testopheles? No, I guess not. Apparently testopheles is the name of a half blind cat with big nuts.
Big nuts notwithstanding, the ride went well overall though it did start off shakily. This was my first ride on the Speedmachine and first extended ride on a two-wheeled recumbent. It took me about 15 miles to get used to starting, stopping, and steering. Aye, she’s a twitchy bitch. Once I loosened my death grip on the handles, things got much better.
I was hoping the more reclined angle of the seat would reduce the numbness problems I’ve had with the Catrike. After 15 miles, my toes go all tingly and require a rest stop to restore blood flow. Same thing with the Speedmachine, though since I wasn’t clipped in, I was able to adjust my foot position to move pressure to a new area. Doing so usually resulted in thigh cramps after a few miles.
My average speed was about 12MPH, which isn’t stellar, but I wasn’t expecting fireworks for my first long ride of the season on a bike lacking familiarity. On the paved portions of the trail, I was easily pulling 15-16MPH.
So the two big questions are: do I like it; will I ride it in the rally. Yes and yes. I still need to get it out this week for some rides up and down hills. I need to know what my climbing performance is like before I try to take it on a 33 mile road route this Sunday.