Mark B
Zen MBB Master
Tonight I went out with my friends on the climbing ride I spoke of. This ride is a climb and recover ride used by a lot of local racers and racer wannabees. In fact, on any given evening, you will encounter cyclists pounding up and down the hills. It's also very scenic with many multi-million dollar homes, tree covered lanes and scenic views of San Timoteo Canyon and the orange groves below.
I was running late and decided to load the bike up and drive to the ride. This was something I had not attempted before. I drive a Toyota Matrix, which is fairly roomy for a small car, but I was unsure how the Silvio would fit inside. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that by removing the rear wheel and folding the front end over onto the seat, it slid in very easily. Easy in and easy out, I was pleased!
I arrived at the meeting location, unloaded and we were off. Not much chance to warm up, the climbing started straight off. I was kind of amazed with the ease in climbing the first initial not-so-tough streets. When we got to the first of the steeper streets, I had my doubts. I had an easy out with my knee being sore, but I decided to give it a good try. Again, I was amazed with the ease in which I went right up. The only thing that really held me back was my heaving lungs and pounding heart. Undaunted, one of my friends and I pulled way ahead of the other two and up the first long climb of probably six percent. I pulled away from my friend and spun right on up the hill. When I got within about 50 yards of the top, I wandered too close to the curb and probably would have hit it had I not unclipped and stopped. I don't know why I did that, but it allowed my friend to get the upper hand on the climb. As I took off, I spun the wheel a little, which was kind of disconcerting, but I caught my friend pretty easily after cresting the climb. From there on out, I stayed ahead of him until one particularly steep, but thankfully short climb, where he stood up and powered past me. I was wishing I had another gear or two a few times, but as it was, I slipped the wheel on a couple occasions. I'm thinking if I had lower gears, it probably would have been just that much easier to spin the wheel. It was no big deal, really and I suspect as I lose weight, the balance will shift more to the front wheel and I won't be so likely to spin the front wheel. I also ordered up some 25c Continental Gatorskins, which should also help in the traction area. At one point in the ride, I got way ahead of my entire group and eased up to let them catch back on. Another roadie, who I thought was one of my friends, passed by me, so I got right back on that horse and eased up beside him. He was zoned out on his ipod, so I freaked him out when he saw churning feet come by on his left! The last grade of any significance, it occured to me to try John's pulling yourself up in the seat for a more closed position trick.. Boy, this REALLY works! I can see this has huge potential for getting me back to riding with the big boys in short order!
The descent back down off the hill was scary fast. The bike handled really well, though and I zipped right back to the starting location where I loaded up and headed home. I was pumped when I got back! The last time I did this ride on the Bachetta was really hard, but this time it seemed much easier. I'm believing the Silvio is easily the best climbing recumbent I've ever ridden. So it seems, anyway. I'm enthused to give it another go, anyway!
Mark
I was running late and decided to load the bike up and drive to the ride. This was something I had not attempted before. I drive a Toyota Matrix, which is fairly roomy for a small car, but I was unsure how the Silvio would fit inside. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that by removing the rear wheel and folding the front end over onto the seat, it slid in very easily. Easy in and easy out, I was pleased!
I arrived at the meeting location, unloaded and we were off. Not much chance to warm up, the climbing started straight off. I was kind of amazed with the ease in climbing the first initial not-so-tough streets. When we got to the first of the steeper streets, I had my doubts. I had an easy out with my knee being sore, but I decided to give it a good try. Again, I was amazed with the ease in which I went right up. The only thing that really held me back was my heaving lungs and pounding heart. Undaunted, one of my friends and I pulled way ahead of the other two and up the first long climb of probably six percent. I pulled away from my friend and spun right on up the hill. When I got within about 50 yards of the top, I wandered too close to the curb and probably would have hit it had I not unclipped and stopped. I don't know why I did that, but it allowed my friend to get the upper hand on the climb. As I took off, I spun the wheel a little, which was kind of disconcerting, but I caught my friend pretty easily after cresting the climb. From there on out, I stayed ahead of him until one particularly steep, but thankfully short climb, where he stood up and powered past me. I was wishing I had another gear or two a few times, but as it was, I slipped the wheel on a couple occasions. I'm thinking if I had lower gears, it probably would have been just that much easier to spin the wheel. It was no big deal, really and I suspect as I lose weight, the balance will shift more to the front wheel and I won't be so likely to spin the front wheel. I also ordered up some 25c Continental Gatorskins, which should also help in the traction area. At one point in the ride, I got way ahead of my entire group and eased up to let them catch back on. Another roadie, who I thought was one of my friends, passed by me, so I got right back on that horse and eased up beside him. He was zoned out on his ipod, so I freaked him out when he saw churning feet come by on his left! The last grade of any significance, it occured to me to try John's pulling yourself up in the seat for a more closed position trick.. Boy, this REALLY works! I can see this has huge potential for getting me back to riding with the big boys in short order!
The descent back down off the hill was scary fast. The bike handled really well, though and I zipped right back to the starting location where I loaded up and headed home. I was pumped when I got back! The last time I did this ride on the Bachetta was really hard, but this time it seemed much easier. I'm believing the Silvio is easily the best climbing recumbent I've ever ridden. So it seems, anyway. I'm enthused to give it another go, anyway!
Mark
