[BlazingPedals]

When I got my first recumbent, it was primarily due to hand pain. I weighed 185 lbs at the time, which was about 5% body fat. I was a coach for high school diving and I competed myself in Masters Swimming and Diving. In short, conditioning, strength, and flexibility were not an issue. I was, and still am, a bit top-heavy, which may have been part of my problem. I'm built more like a swimmer than a cyclist.

[kneedrachen]

Originally Posted by Nigal

I find any type of activity is better when lying down.

that's what she said.

[bikemad]

Recumbents are much more comfortable to ride than regular diamond frame bikes because you have a full seat as apposed to a little triangular pad and your posture in a recumbent is reclined instead of hunched over. For long distance riding it is much more comfortable and the aerodynamics can improve your times. It's a totally different riding experience tho and for some people it takes a while to get used to. Once you get into it tho they can be a lot of fun.

Steve

Intrepid Cycles - Handcycles and Recumbents

[twowheelnut]

I too have been using cross-conditioning to supplement my riding. I am extremely tawt in the muscles. Been working on a lot of stretching and bodyweight stuff centered around the core. It's already helping, and I've got a long way to go...but if I ever have to switch, I'll have to have the lightest one there is 'cause I hate climbing slow.
Had a guy on a recumbent almost catch me the other morning, but I managed to hold him off until the road turned up. Those things are fast in the flats! How are they for running behind? I've seen them heading pacelines out there...

[digitalmouse]

Originally Posted by twowheelnut

Had a guy on a recumbent almost catch me the other morning, but I managed to hold him off until the road turned up.
.

He must have been not trying to hard! Or just playing with you until the flats. :-)

Originally Posted by twowheelnut

Those things are fast in the flats! How are they for running behind? I've seen them heading pacelines out there...

Upright roadies don't really get much benefit tailing a recumbent or velomobile - they are too low and trikes tend to have rough air behind them and velomobiles tend to clean up the air behind them (depending on the model).

In either case, a recumbent is just a slap in the face if the rider is strong enough to lead a roadie or group of roadies (while using a bit less energy for the same output on flat terrain).

[BlazingPedals]

Originally Posted by twowheelnut

I too have been using cross-conditioning to supplement my riding. I am extremely tawt in the muscles. Been working on a lot of stretching and bodyweight stuff centered around the core. It's already helping, and I've got a long way to go...but if I ever have to switch, I'll have to have the lightest one there is 'cause I hate climbing slow.
Had a guy on a recumbent almost catch me the other morning, but I managed to hold him off until the road turned up. Those things are fast in the flats! How are they for running behind? I've seen them heading pacelines out there...

I think the lightest recumbents available are highracers -- the Carbent and the Bacchetta Carbon Aero2. Both can be built under 20 pounds, which feels every bit as light as a 16-pound upright for some reason. The Carbent is the one with the reputation for climbing. A few others with good climbing credentials but a bit more weight are the M5 Carbon Highracer, like I have, and the Metabikes Metaphysic. Lowracers can be faster on the flats, but their swoopy, serpentine frames tend to weigh a bit more and are more flexy, leading to a bit less prowess on climbs.

Highracers are marginal in a paceline. It takes a short rider on the drops to catch a draft off from me on my highracer, and on my lowracer... they can feel a bit on their ankles, but that's it. I can get about half the normal draft when I'm behind an upright; but OTOH I don't need a lot. The other day I did a ride with my normal group of 8 uprights. The wind was atrocious, 30 mph with higher gusts. I led the entire headwind part of the ride, not because they were drafting me but because I was riding at my normal exertion level and just walked away from the paceline. I had to stop and wait up for the group three times, and one of those was at the top of a hill.