What I did this weekend (long)

[MomOnBike]

After years of nagging, I finally convinced DH that he needs a bike that is not old enough to vote. (I'm not sure I approve of the politics of his old Schwinn 10 speed.)

So, after cruising the forums, and watching for used bikes for sale, we finally found a bike that he was interested in. It's just like mine, but red. So far, so good.

The only catch is that it is in Minnesota, and we live in Nebraska. Well, actually, that's OK, because Elder Daughter lives in Minneapolis MN, and we could visit her.

So the plan was for me to get a Saturday off, drive up, visit Daughter, pick up bike, and drive home in time for me to make it to work Sunday.

The best laid plans of mice and men...

We took an unfamiliar route up and managed to miss the City. (It takes talent!)

The visit was wonderful, though the air mattress sprung a leak, and we didn't sleep as well as we would have liked.

The next morning, we were off bright and early to find the guy's place, and get the bike.

He'd already sold it.

We didn't yell or scream or anything, but did make our dissappointment known. Anyway, he felt bad and called a shop that was kind of nearby and kind of on the way home that carries recumbents.

So off we went along the Root River Trail to, um, a small MN town that starts with "L" to find a bike.

THEY HAD ONE! In blue, like mine. But for a good price, and accessories were 20% off with the purchase. So we bought it.

We did take a test ride, and I got to try out a recumbent trike. (I didn't like it as much as I thought I would, but I can't quite say why.) I'd sure like to ride more - well, all - of the Root River Trail some time.

We loaded up the bike and drove home through a pretty impressive thunder storm, getting home in time for me to grab about 4 hours sleep and stumble off to work.

So now, if you are in Lincoln, and see a couple on pretty close to identicle blue LWB recumbents, that us. Stop and say Hi.

We're ready for our Katy Trail (across Missouri) trip now. Well, mostly. And then, well, who knows?

[Nanci]

That's cool you found a bike anyway! (I'm from MN) I was actually thinking about you this weekend, especially Sunday, after 27 hours in the saddle...Wondering what kind of bent you had, and how you came to pick that one. They seem so confusing, how do you know which type? Test drive them all??

Nanci

[MomOnBike]

Yeah, 'bents are confusing. As you said, there are just so many types. Long/short wheelbase, high/low racers, tourers, racers, even a tandem where the stoker rides backward, called, unsurprisingly, a Janus tandem. And then there are the trikes...

Choosing just the right one can induce a serious case of head-spin.

My process was to read as many reviews as I could, watching for such code phrases as "twitchy steering" or "not for smaller riders," you get the idea. I pretty much discarded the idea of a high BB bike, but that's just me. I don't like riding down the road with my feet that high - I'd keep expecting someone to say "Push Honey" and then I'd be a mother again. {shudder} Sometimes the thing that was praised to the skies was the reason I didn't want the bike.

The standard advice is to ride as many as you can. So yes, you do test drive them all. This can present logistical difficulties, however.

I didn't test drive them all. As soon as I got on William I had this sense of rightness. The bike just fit. It was very much like falling in love. Of course, he was whispering promises of long tours in lovely weather through beautiful countryside. (long tour - check. lovely weather - not yet. beautiful country - check.) I didn't need more test rides.

DH just wanted one just like mine, but red. I think he should have test ridden more, but, well, it's his bike, if he's happy, so am I.

People are doing ultra long distances on 'bents. I've heard of a few on the PBP. RAAM had two teams last year and might have a team or two and at least one soloist this year. The bikes they do those on tend to have ~racer in their names and tend to be very expensive, FWIW.

[sydney_b]

Can't wait to see you two out and about on those 'bents. I think I would have wanted to strangle that guy who sold the first one out from under you. I bet you were cool, tho.

/s

[Nanci]

There are a ton of them around here. _Lots_ in every Century, and probably 6-10 at any Brevet.

Hmmm. I think I might want that more than a carbon frame diamond bike.

Nanci

[yellow]

MOB, that's an ADVENTURE! I love adventures! I'm sure it was not fun at all at the time, but I'm sure it'll live on in your memory as an adventure. Especially now that you have hers & his bikes! Congratulations on the successful outcome.