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Comment by kcindric | Hacker News Reader

I commuted everyday using my bicycle and did a few tours in my 20s here in Europe. Those were the best travel experiences I had in my life, especially when my partner joined me on one of my tours. But few months into my 30s I hurt my back (two herniated discs) and although I'm mostly fine now I can't ride a bicycle for longer periods. This depresses me quite a bit. I miss the freedom, views and the community.

I started to think about buying a recumbent bike for touring but there's no one around me who owns or sells one to try it.

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I have never ridden a recumbent. But for 7 years I had a regular cycling partner who rode one, for similar reasons. He was also an ultra cyclist (think 300 miles or more a ride). We did many centuries in the mountain West. Very hard to draft on the long downhill grades, but slow on the up. No big deal. The thing is the poser cyclists who sport the carbon and the kit and the electronics are almost entirely squares and will give you shade... but you just ignore them. It's the people riding across the country, enjoying themselves, not caring what other people think, that's the people I want to ride with.

As for trying one out, I would recommend talking to your LBS with the best mechanical reputation. Every recumbent rider I've seen was the only one around, and because their rigs are non-standard they tend to have a very good relationship with their competent LBS. I suspect the local recumbent person would be delighted to introduce you to their ride.

Thanks for the encouragement! Yeah, I didn't bother about the lycra warrior culture when I was touring, just bringing so much competition and rigidness in such a (to me) anxiety free environment was off-putting to me.

My friend, who worked in a bike shop, told me that recumbents require a knowledgeable mechanic but if I find one he/she will be more than happy to work on such a different build.

> I started to think about buying a recumbent bike for touring but there's no one around me who owns or sells one to try it.

My mother used to have one. As long as you're not crossing the Alpes it is great for tours (the riding tends to be significantly easier due to less wind resistance), but not so great for commuting in the city (you're seen less, have less maneuverability, need more space for parking ...). I highly recommend searching out a place and maybe do a weekend trip to a city near you where there is a job to try it out, however be aware it takes a while to really feel comfortable on them.

I heard riding up-hill is more challenging but it's still better than not riding at all. I'll probably have to ride 300-400 km to a more bike-centric place to find a shop that sells recumbents but there's no other option. These types of bikes are expensive though.

In addition to other comments: They also are safer, at least in one significant way: Most accidents on upright bikes involve people flying over the handlebars.

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