My husband bought me a trike

[Tinaband]

Due to some back and shoulder problems, I've not been able to ride my mountain bike, and I am terrified of riding a road bike on the roads here in Florida(bad first experience). So my husband bought me a cat trike, called the speed.

I've tried falling in love with this bike, but I just don't enjoy it. Has anyone riden a trike? Does it get easier? I hate to say this, but riding it makes me feel like I'm 100 years old. What do you wear to ride these, my shorts blow back, and I don't need regular road shorts with padding.

Any thoughts, comments etc would really be appreciated.

Thanks!
Tinaband

[mimitabby]

Tina, welcome to TE
maybe you should wear road shorts, they won't blow back.

My sister got a trike too. She found it to be very heavy and ended up not riding it.

[Grog]

Welcome to TE!

I'm sorry that the trike is not working too well for you.

Have you tried or considered a Townie-style bike, with which you can put your foot flat on the ground when stopped? Maybe that would help you feel more secure while not-so-old?

[TsPoet]

I love love love my Greenspeed, which is very very much like the Catrike.
Go on over to bentrideronline.com (AKA BROL)
(specifically
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messa...splay.php?f=13
or http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/index.php? )

Give it a chance. These things are quick and fun to ride and I find climbing on them quite easy.
As for shorts, if you want the bike-style shorts, get rowing shorts, they are very similar but with only a modesty pad.
http://www.jlrowing.com/womensstuff.html
For more around town like shorts, try hiking shorts or "amphi" style shorts which often have cinches at the leg openings
e.g.
http://www.rei.com/product/761820

The thing with all recumbent-type bikes/trikes is to learn to spin. Try forcing yourself not to use the big chainring for a few hundred miles - you'll be amazezd at the difference in your riding pleasure and speed.
Feel freee to PM me. But, BROL is a wonderful resource

[rij73]

Where are you riding this recumbent? If you are scared on the road, I would think it would be even worse on the recumbent...

[TsPoet]

Where are you riding this recumbent? If you are scared on the road, I would think it would be even worse on the recumbent...

That's one of the misconceptions about 'bents. Once you start riding them, you realize how much better your vision is - you are looking out at a natural angle and done have to tilt your head up backwards to see. Being better able to see what's going on make it much easier to ride defensively.
Also, they are "unusual", so cars and people notice them, they really do. Even in my town, which is has a lot of recumbents.
That said, the cattrikes and greenspeed trikes are very low to the ground. I fly a small lawn sail flag. I've never had a problem on my trike with a car coming too close. I've had less problems with cars on my recumbent bikes than I ever have with my DFs.

[Tinaband]

I love love love my Greenspeed, which is very very much like the Catrike.
Go on over to bentrideronline.com (AKA BROL)
(specifically
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messa...splay.php?f=13
or http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/index.php? )

Give it a chance. These things are quick and fun to ride and I find climbing on them quite easy.
As for shorts, if you want the bike-style shorts, get rowing shorts, they are very similar but with only a modesty pad.
http://www.jlrowing.com/womensstuff.html
For more around town like shorts, try hiking shorts or "amphi" style shorts which often have cinches at the leg openings
e.g.
http://www.rei.com/product/761820

The thing with all recumbent-type bikes/trikes is to learn to spin. Try forcing yourself not to use the big chainring for a few hundred miles - you'll be amazezd at the difference in your riding pleasure and speed.
Feel freee to PM me. But, BROL is a wonderful resource

Thanks for the info. I'm going to check out the links you sent! I hope I will end up loving this bike, I'm just having a hard time getting use to being so low to the ground and it seems like I am working myself to death trying to get anywhere. I need more time on the bike, I've not had a lot of opportunity to really ride.

[Tinaband]

I appreciate your responses! I guess I need to spend more time on the bike, I guess I haven't given it enough of a chance!

[emily_in_nc]

Yes, do give it a fair trial! My neighbor has a high-end trike (with a flag on back) and loves it. She and her husband, who rides an upright bike, ride together and have a ball.

Emily

[MomOnBike]

. . . and don't forget, if you have troubles with clipless pedals, you will NOT fall over.

I hear fast curvy downhills are a gas on a trike, too.

I second what others have advised. Give it a chance, put a flag on it if you're worried about visibility (but ride as if you're invisible, anyway), and spend some time on BROL. There is a large and enthusiastic bunch of trike riders over there, they can answer any questions you may have - and if you really decide you don't like it, that's a good place to sell a trike.

I haven't tried a trike, BTW, 'cause I don't need another pedal-powered vehicle - yet.

[Trek420]

I hear fast curvy downhills are a gas on a trike, too.

Too bad she's in Fla Whoo whoooo, ripping down the side of the overpass!

JK.

Seriously now, give the bike a chance! Always a change with a new bike. Get out and ride that baby.

And welcome to TE

[ehirsch83]

Where in FL are you? I am in SE FL and I wold be scared to ride a recumbant down here!! I would feel much safer on a road bike on the road. curious to find out where you are!