Unbelievable!
Here' we are, not even CLOSE to winter yet, and I'm gazing out the window of my loft, happy that the grass is green... yet just slightly ticked that, according to the local news, my daily Trikke ride will not resume until Wednesday (tomorrow). It's a flurry of liquid trying to squelch my routine.
That said, let me share what I've learned about Trikking in the rain:
1) Being a cambering vehicle, the Trikke 12 Roadster prefers sticky pavement. You want to lean and push, and that means, unless the pavement is pretty clean, you'll be sliding the front end around a bit.
• Gildo, can we get a sticky rain tire one of these days? Something like a Goodyear Bluestreak racing
tire, where you can almost pull the rubber off with your fingernail?
2) Yes, you can still have a good ride on the Trikke 12 Roadster in the rain. But it means you get to slightly modify your riding style to accomodate the obvious slippery nature of the tarmac.
3) Things to keep in mind are:
• Keep the front end more upright than normal. You can feel where it wants to break-away... upright will help to alleviate most of that issue. Fist-time Trikke riders do this instictively... it's not the best technique for dry land.. but in the rain, it works.
• Don't press as hard... use the same energy in doing "pullups and pushups" on the handlebars. The added momentum of your body rocking fore and aft will get you speed, and still keep all 3 wheels in contact with the ground.
• Ride more level ground. Tackling hills in the rain, though very doable, isn't as fun for a guy like me who likes to really push the limits of adhesion (you should have seen Gildo attack the hills in Mexico at Rosarito-Ensenada in the April rains... I understand it was absolutely amazing!)
• Find new push-off techniques for your outside foot. Whern you're at the apex of your swerve, take it easy and instead of pressing so hard, push or kick forward with your knee. It adds to the momentum, but without pussing too much pressure on the outside rear tire.
To condense all of this: if you've ever driven a car in water and come up on a corner a bit too fast, you know the feeling of being somewhat out of control. Now, the Trikke is not a car, and you're not in a life-threatening position. But it IS important to remember two critical issues: Gravity and CamberThrust.
The former wants to pull you to the ground. The latter is what both moves the Trikke, and what makes it want to break loose on a slick surface. Obey both of those laws, and you'll rock.
And roll.
More later. I've gotta' get some work done so I can play tomorrow.
Trikke-on!,
ME
Is there an active Trikke group in Portland? Where's the best trails/roads to ride?
Posted by: CM | October 21, 2009 at 02:32 AM