Pedal to a Healthy lifestyle in comfort on a recumbent

Energy on wheels was part of the title of an article recently about a 95 year old lady that goes to the gym twice a week to participate in a "Spinning" class. Dorothy, the 95 year old, still drives herself to class. The class is packed with seniors with an age rage from 70 - 90 years old. The class not only provides health benefits but opens the doors to socializing with others to ward off the loneliness.

Dorothy has chosen to do the indoor spinning class because she feels "safer" riding indoors even though the seat and positioning is uncomfortable for her and others. Most in the class had knee, back or shoulder problems when they started taking the class and Pettett has osteoporosis. The last time she was on a “regular” bicycle was 10 to 15 years ago, she recalls. The effort ended in disaster — she and a passenger crashed into a wall!

Okay, several items jumped out at me. First, she and a passenger! Was she on a tandem bike, riding on the handlebars or what? Also, where were they riding that they "crashed" into a wall?
Recommendation: receive qualified bicycle, recumbent or recumbent trike training before going out for a ride. Even though a "recumbent trike" looks safe because you have three wheels, there is still a learning curve that takes place. Most importantly, your in a different riding position now and when turning, your body positioning is crucial to safe cornering. Braking, learn how to apply the brakes for different road, traffic and braking conditions. When riding, choose safe trails that do not have walls or obstacles that pose a riding challenge.

Second, knee problems, back, shoulder and the list goes on, so why are they riding in the up-right positioning? Comfort and recumbent bikes/trikes were designed primarily from the need of older riders along with those with injuries an option for safe and comfortable riding outdoors. Recumbent trikes have been described as a lounge chair on wheels. Quite often we have first time riders ask if they could take a nap because it is so comfortable. Additionally, Sidewinder Cycle is one of the leaders in adapting trikes to riders special needs. For example, braking and control levers fitted to one side of the trike because some riders have better use of one side of their body.

Lastly, she does not stand up to pedal on the bike when the class is asked to "kick it" because she gets dizzy, so she sits. How safe is this? This is crazy! It is still not safe even though they are indoors because of the height of the stationary bikes the class is using. This is another reason why we have so many riders switching to recumbent trikes because if the do get dizzy, they are already sitting in a reclined position with all three wheels on the ground. We have fitted Sidewinder trikes to those that have balance and dizziness challenges.

So please, what we are sometimes convinced what is safe is sometimes the complete opposite. After 15 years of building recumbents we have received numerous letters and feedback all thanking us for making a safe, comfortable and durable riding option.

Bicycling & Walking statistics in the United States:

The Alliance for Walking and Biking just released their 2010 Benchmarking report that covers statistics for bicycling and walking in the United States. Statistics that jumped out were:


Bicycling and Walking Levels
• 9.6% of all trips are by bicycle (0.9%) or foot (8.7%).
• 3.3% of commuters nationwide are bicyclists (0.5%) or pedestrians (2.8%).
• Residents of the largest U.S. cities are 1.8 times more likely to walk or bicycle to work than the national average.
• From 2000 to 2007, the number of commuters who bicycle to work increased by 42%.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
• 13.1% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. are bicyclists (1.8%) or pedestrians (11.3%).
• In the 51 largest U.S. cities, 4.8% of trips are by foot and 0.8% are by bicycle, yet 26.5% of traffic fatalities are pedestrians and 3.0% are bicyclists.
• Seniors are the most vulnerable age group comprising 9% of walking trips and 4% of bicycling trips, yet accounting for 19% of pedestrian fatalities and 9% of bicyclist fatalities.

Funding for Bicycling and Walking
• States spend just 1.2% of their federal transportation dollars on bicycling and walking. This
amounts to just $1.29 per capita.

Public Health and Bicycling and Walking
• While bicycling and walking levels fell 67% between 1960 and 2000, obesity levels increased by 241%.
• Between 1966 and 2001, the number of children who bicycled or walked to school fell 68%, while the percentage of obese children rose 367%.
• In general, states with the highest levels of bicycling and walking have the lowest levels of obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), and diabetes and have the greatest percentage of adults who meet the recommended 30-plus minutes a day of physical activity.

In conclusion, the number of people participating in cycling has increased but so has the number of incidents. Cycling Safety

• Lookout for them (drivers) before they look out for you.
• Recumbent cycling flags on your recumbent bike or trike
• Helmet
• Bright colors (clothing)
• Ride on bike paths when possible
• Obey the laws of the road

Have fun, be safe!

City of Los Angeles to study "How to Protect Cyclist"

The City of Los Angeles announced that they will be launching a study on how to better protect cyclist. Cyclist have been advocating for better laws to assist with their protection during commuting, training and leisure cycling. I hope this includes two wheel recumbent and recumbent trike riders as well.

More people are turning to alternative forms of transportation and cycling is one that is gaining in participation (along with recumbent riding). With this increase, roads are crowded with cars, buses and cyclist all vying for a share of the road. Sounds like the tour de France but with no barriers.

Los Angeles city council voted to pursue this study which is a major step for cycling advocates. Items of interest for the study include creating more bike lanes, road improvements, a cyclist bill of rights and increased protection by police officers.

This is all good news for cyclist but after reading the comments there is also a shared view that cyclist also need to be accountable for their actions. One of the most commented issue was "cyclist stopping at red lights". The second was following all the laws of the road. If cyclist are going to ask for a bill of rights, the laws must be followed by all in order for the all sides the ability to share the road.

Here are some behind the scenes pics of our new exclusive fairing that we are building for our Sponsored Adventure rider Harry Mueller. The pics show the basic frame layout with bottom welded aluminum panel that will protect and serve as storage.

Not shown is the front part of the fairing that is being built and side panels that will be retractable. This was hand designed by Chief recumbent trike design expert James Nunes.

Barber maybe thinking about Retirement at 94

At least once a month a story like this pops up and I jump for joy. This time the story is about 94 year old Elvie Lewis (love the name) of Los Angeles who reports to work 5 days a week at his Barbershop. Elvie as been cutting hair for over 58 years! Throughout the five decades of cutting hair Elvie's shop has endured the different styled cuts and decor.

What brings people back is the atmosphere and conversation. Several items jumped out at me from this article and they were reminders of what keeps us passionate and young:

Do something you are truly passionate about. Elvie has been doing this for 58 years and still does it.

Keep active. Elvie works 5 days a week from 7am to 5pm. That is very active for man in his 90's. Get out and walk, ride a recumbent, swim and breath some fresh air. This not only does the body wonders but the mind as well.

Have friends. The barbershop (or hairdresser, saloon ect...) is a place where conversation occurs and stimulates the mind. These conversations can now be extended and continued on Facebook (join Sidewinder here)

Smile. In the only picture of Elvie he is smiling but for some reason I know that from the article that this man is always laughing and smiling. So put a smile on that face :)

Click here for Article on Elvie

Monitoring your RPE (Rating of Percieved Exertion)

As the New Year begins and more people are getting out and exercising a main question arises, "how does one monitor your exercise tolerance"?

Exercise tolerance is defined: The RPE is a means of determining how hard you are exerting yourself, including physiological (how hard you are breathing, how fast your heart is beating) and muscular strain (how much you feel the exertion in your muscles). The scale measures your answer to the question: "How hard do you feel the exercise is?" The scale goes from 6 to 20.

RPE scale Rating number Perceived exertion
6 Very, very light
7
8 Very light
9
10 Light
11
12 Somewhat hard
13
14 Hard
15
16 Very hard
17
18
19 Very, very hard

To increase your cardio level it is recommended to vary your workout schedule with light days moderate and hard. Use the scale to evaluate your work outs and always have fun when out riding your recument.

You ask, how can Mileage bring joy to you.

As we so often do, we received an email note from a long time customer and fan of Sidewinder Cycle recumbent trikes, especially our SportZ recumbent, that was happy to share he's love for Sidewinder Cycles and most importantly, how many miles he has rode. With permission, here is the note:

Hi Jim & all-

Just a quick note to thank you for a great Bike! Everything is running well and I just passed the 1500 Mi. Mark on my "SideWinder Sport Z" (LOVE this machine!).

We are in our rainy season here in Oregon, however I'm still able to get a few miles most every day between showers! Best Regards Joe

Here's a snap of my bike computer.

Thanks to Joe for sharing with us.