Rain gear for touring on a bent - Q & A

On Thu, November 10, 2011 8:57 am, Wylie G___ wrote:
> Do you use a large poncho that covers you and much of the bike to ride in
> the rain so that the bike doesn't get as wet?
> A guy I just met who biked to NY from Toronto used one he got in Niagara
> Falls to ride in the rain but he was on a regular bike.
> Just curious what your strategy is to keep the seat dry and keep
> components from getting wet if possible.
> Best,
> Wylie
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Hi Wylie,

Generally, rain won't hurt the bike, though fine grit and salt spray can (e.g., volcanic dust/mud and water from the sea or salted roads).  On a bent, a poncho blows up over one's face.  In cold rain or cold wind, I'll wear a rain coat and rain pants whether it's a standard frame bike or bent.  If it's a cool rain, I'll wear wool or fleece to stay "warm wet."  In a warm rain I'll just wear my standard riding clothes since if it's too warm, I'll simply get soaked with sweat in the waterproof rain gear.  For me, I can get wet from sweat regardless of how good the rain barrier is -- Gortex, eVent, etc.

Equally important are hand and foot protection -- I use rain shell mittens and water proof socks.
http://www.rei.com/category/40005934
http://www.rei.com/category/4501322

Or visit EMS or Tents and Trails in the city.

For me, the feet are the biggest challenge.  Some bent riders prefer cleated sandals instead of bike shoes to allow diverse foot coverings - waterproof socks, multiple thick socks, barefeet, etc.

All this said, nothing teaches like time spent on the road.

Hope that helps.

Best,

Robert
------------
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2011 Robert Matson

Multi-day ride: New York City to Martha's Vinyard

Recumbent rider Shelly Mossey leads a multi-day trip from New York City to Martha's Vinyard. He piggy-backs it onto the "Ride to Montauk," which is a nice idea because the Ride to Montauk folks will carry your panniers to Montauk.  More than anything, it sounds like a nice ride for bent riders who prefer flat terrain.

Vinyard Ride
http://www.urbanmobilityproject.com/vineyard/

Ride to Montauk 2012
http://www.ridetomontauk.com/Ride_to_Montauk_2012/Home_Page.html

Best,
Robert
------------
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2011 Robert Matson

New Greenspeed Magnum - 2012

Had the privilege of building and riding the new Greenspeed Magnum.  What a cool trike!

Rode the "Mag" for about 15 miles and, as with all Greenspeeds, nothing but smiles, tight turns and smooth handling at speed.

Most immediately impressive -- because it's unusual -- are the three 20" x 2.35" Schwalbe BIG Apple tires.  Results in a wonderful fast smooth shock-absorbin' ride.  Also kind of neat to see a GS w/ 20" wheels in front instead of 16's.  Still has that great Greenspeed cornering though and good front-to-rear and side-to-side stability.  By my measurements, has 28" track (width at the front wheels), 42 1/2" wheelbase and 13" seat height at lowest setting.  So, this is a large trike.  Has drum brakes, as usual for GS (love them).  And, of course, it has high quality indirect steering.



Seat is height adjustable.  Now THAT'S cool!  13" is lowest.  Can be raised another 2" - 2 1/2".  So this is could be a great trike in traffic.  Seat back is angle adjustable, so you get a very versatile machine.

Get this: the front wheel axles have single push button releases.  Wheels can be removed with a single button, so...seat comes off, wheels come off, bike folds up in a tiny package...all in about 30 seconds if you're taking your time.  The production version of the axle will probably be even more refined.

This is a prototype and components will probably change for the production model, so no point mentioning specs and weight.  Anticipate good specs though and a price in the mid-2K's.

The ChroMo prototype here, colored dark glossy purple with chrome boom and steering rods, reminds me of a Harley Davidson -- I kid you not -- especially with these massive 20x2.35" tires.  I like what they're doing here.  Will be interesting to see what colors they settle on.  But purple and chrome is good.

The height adjustable seat makes this a particularly good trike for riders who are mobility impaired.  I also think it's a neat extension of the Greenspeed line, like they're adding to their classically nimble and fast trikes with a more "every dude" model.

Watch for it.

Best,
Robert
------------
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2011 Robert Matson