Posted by Peter Signorini on 02/28/06 13:34

"NYC XYZ" wrote:
>
> Peter Signorini wrote:
>>
>>
>> Well, personally I don't rate recumbents, but that's just my pov.
>
> What does it mean to "rate" a recumbent?

Abbreviated comment. I do not rate recumbents very highly for remote
touring.

> Thanks for the ref! Thing is, such a journey should be comfortable,
> too. If a 'bent is more comfortable, then it can only help.

Agreed. I'm very comfortable on my MTB tourer. Brooks leather saddle - mmmm!

> So, yes, I agree with Tom Sherman that a trike would have been a better
> choice of vehicle. Definitely not an upwrong!

Well we'll have to agree to differ. My personal experience, even on good
roads on a number of supported tours, is that an average rider on a
recumbent trike is considerably slower than an upright. This was over
varying terrain, mainly undulating hills. My touring, only in Australia, on
rough bush tracks is not something I would find comfortable on a recumbent,
let alone a trike. I'm talking about stuff like this:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/462265657/1462290006074746151ZluHgk
http://community.webshots.com/photo/402832674/1402867659074746151FLlCuS

A trike may have more traction for this type of descent, but it would be
very skatey. Climbing however, in this sort of conditions (grades of up to
20%), would be intolerable with a trike. Then there's the river crossings!!

You can try it, I'll skip it. But this is the sort of backtrack touring that
we love to do.

Cheers
Peter

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