machine NRE

[baratron]

Oh my God, I am in lust...

The object of my lust has three wheels, two handlebars, and a chain. I sit on it, and it takes me places.

Yes, I have a tricycle. And it's quite possibly the most life-changing machine I've ever used, the breadmaker and ice cream maker not withstanding.

Suddenly I can ride a cycle like a normal person, which after many years of being abnormal and collecting new and exotic diagnoses is rather like coming out of... fog, into bright sunlight. Or something. I've never been very good at analogies.

It goes faster than I have ever been able to move in my life. The fastest I felt comfortable pedaling last night was faster than Richard could run. It can go even faster than that, if I wanted to.

I'm surprised how quickly it stops - how short the stopping distance is, even on a wet road. I only have to use one of the brakes to stop completely, which could be useful in an emergency. I'm surprised how small its turning circle is - for something so wide, it can get through narrow gaps and round obstacles. It's stable enough that I could ride it on two of the three wheels without falling off.

I'm going back out with my new partner. See you later.

Comments

[ceno.livejournal.com]

Wheeeeeee :)

[boxofdelights]

Joy!

[erik]

Hooray!

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

Yay! Go you!

[judiff]

that's very cool

[taimatsu]

That sounds marvellous. Is it worrying zooming around among all the cars and things? That's what scares me.

[nitoda]

Deeeelighted for you!

[fluffymormegil.livejournal.com]

Eeee! *happybounce*!

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Wow, that sounds great. Congratulations!

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Literally :)

[okoshun.livejournal.com]

That's so cool! Pictures of said tricycle are in order, you know. :)

[baratron.livejournal.com]

I don't know yet. As I'm not a complete idiot, so far I have only ridden on the quiet residential roads near to my house. Their level of traffic is ~1 car every 3 minutes. As they're residential roads, the speed limit is 30 or even 20 mph, and it's difficult for cars to break this because of the speed humps. Actually, these then form the main hazard. I have discovered the technique for going over speed humps safely, and a bit about how to deal with road camber and potholes.

I am going to get specialist cyclist training from somewhere to teach me how to cycle on roads that actually have reasonable levels of traffic. More about that in my next post.

Next time you're likely to be near London, feel free to drop by. We can go into Wickes' car park (when it's closed) or down to the river, and you can try my tricycle off the road. You may find that with the seat properly adjusted and in a low gear, that it's not actually that terrifying. I was surprised!

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Hmm, well, it's not the nicest looking cycle in the world. It's a Pashley Picador, which is the design aimed more at elderly people than at young disabled people, and it's a bit old and a bit rusty, but... here's the eBay auction (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7166848355). I'm trying to decide now whether to strip it down and get it repainted (~£50) or just leave it as is. A lot depends on whether this is going to be My Trike forever, or just for a few months - I am interested in the folding frame options, as that makes the trike suitable for carriage on trains (including Eurostar!), but that will mean custom ordering, which also means I can choose my colour.

I want pink or purple :)

[okoshun.livejournal.com]

That's very nifty. I like the basket and I could see not wanting to paint it until you really know for sure. The folding frame options would be very useful for travel for sure.

I guess give it time and you'll know for sure. It sounds like you like it so far. :)

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

Yay!

I am very pleased to read this.

[xlerb.livejournal.com]

Wheeeeeeeeee!

[skibbley.livejournal.com]

Happy pedalling!

[damerell.livejournal.com]

Practice leaning in corners now, so when you get fast enough to lift the inside wheel in tight corners you'll know what to do, I suggest.

[epi-lj.livejournal.com]

Yayy!! You're more bike-enabled than I am right now! (Mine is in the shop... AGAIN. :( )

If you have the means, could you take some pictures? I'm curious as to what exactly you got. It sounds pretty neat.

[memevector.livejournal.com]

Hurrah!
what a lovely story to read on my LJ this morning :-)