This was originally written for publication in the Courier Journal's The Best column, which appears in the Saturday Scene.  It was never published there, and has been modified somewhat to recognize the different audience here.

It started as a function of curiosity, really. I had read Steve Roberts’ book Computing Across America. The book is a travelogue detailing Roberts’ travels across the country on a recumbent bicycle he named the Winnebiko. In addition to himself, he was hauling all his camping gear, a computer with radiotelephone modem, and a CD player.

A few years later I was in Virginia visiting friends, and I saw it in a bike shop window: a real, honest-to-Pete recumbent bicycle. When the store opened that day I asked to test-ride it. From the first successful stroke of the pedals, I was hooked! I soon found that the claims were true: no neck pain from trying to see where I was going, no numb fingers, no tired elbows and shoulders from supporting my weight, and no crotch pain from a narrow saddle! Being one of those Different Drummer types, I had to have this bike! I gathered the money and bought it soon after.

What is a recumbent? Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary gives a definition of recumbent as "suggestive of repose." Picture yourself pedaling a chaise lounge down the street. Is it any wonder it is so much more comfortable than one of those other things that folks call bicycles?

The more I rode my bike, the more I wanted to know about recumbents. I subscribed to Recumbent Cyclist News (RCN, PO Box 58755, Renton WA 98058-1755, e-mail: DrRecumbent@aol.com), a magazine devoted to recumbent cyclists and their bikes, and learned about other recumbent bicycles. As I read, I found that I was not the only one who knew that recumbents (bents to their fans) were the best bikes to ride.

In my travels I am often asked about the bike. The first thing most cyclists ask is how it is going up hills. My response is that I do quite well, considering that I am a big person with a lot of weight to push up the hill. I cannot stand on the pedals, so I must spin to gain elevation. I am just a bit slower than I might be on a diamond-framed bike, but it gets better with practice and attitude As a runner friend of mine tells me, "Hills are our friends!" The best part is going down the hill. I compare it to having one’s own roller coaster. I am stable, I typically coast faster than those on wedgies, and with my lower center of gravity and better visibility, well…ZOOM!

Other questions people often ask include: "How do you steer that?" "How much did that cost?" "Did you make that?" and my favorite, "Where can I get one?"

Recumbent bicycles come in several different designs.  Some are classified by steering style--under or above seat steering. Mine has under seat steering, which means that my handlebars are below my seat, and are connected to the front fork with a rod. Another difference is wheelbase--short or long.  Short wheelbase bikes typically have the front wheel under the rider's knees.  Long wheelbase bikes have the front wheel in front of the pedals.

Recumbent bicycles can be pricey compared to more popular styles, mostly a result of economies of scale. Expect to pay more than the cost of a comparably equipped wedgie bike in some cases. Few local shops carry them, so test rides are often by contact with an established rider. Some manufacturers only sell directly, but most will ship your bike to a local shop for assembly.  Tom Armstrong, at Scheller's Fitness and Cycling's Middletown location (502-245-1955), has more than one line available on a special-order basis, or you can leave a note for one of the other ‘bent minds to contact you for a test ride of other styles.

Some of the folks in the local bicycle club know me and have referred curious people to me for recumbent answers, especially now that I work for a bike shop. I have met new friends this way, and some of us have begun an informal recumbent riders' group. We meet on the second Sunday and last Saturday of each month, and ride for two to four hours. I know of more than fifty recumbent riders in the area, which is pretty good for a style that represents about three percent of bicycle sales nation-wide and an area that is not the most bicycle friendly in the country. (Another plus about ’bents is that we often get more room from passing motorists than we did on our "wedgie" bikes. This just keeps getting better!)

Contact us here if you want to try for yourself the joys of comfortable cycling!