The Commute - how to cycle a recumbent trike to work - terratrike

[AdrenalFueled]

Why are you riding on the sidewalk? People like you make cyclists look bad.

[dregerclock]

@AdrenalFueled - Thanks for that commment. Actually this is from 2 years ago when that stretch of road was intimidating to me. See my updated videos of my commute. I dont ride the sidewalk anymore.

[luvyesmusic]

You seem very fortunate to be able to commute this way with the trails, paths and bikelanes. I'm jealous.

[dregerclock]

@luvyesmusic - yeah, although there are some areas around here that are not the best for riding... there really is a lot of good routes and trails here. Just so happens that one of the longest best trails (the Santa Ana River Trail - SART) is not only the easiest and safest route for me from home to work... it is literally the shortest and fastest too. I have tried to see if I can find other shorter route... just to change up my route. but it really is the best. ;-)

[XRayCam]

Thanks Man...enjoyed your ride :-)

Looking into getting a "Tour" Model Terra Trike this Spring unless I can't wait. Winters come early here in Iowa.

[shonenarts23]

can u sleep on it?

[dregerclock]

@shonenarts23 - ha... welll i have relaxed on it at breaks... never actually fell asleep... but...

[w3bguru]

great video - love the music!

[va3ks]

Oh, that looks like fun! Thanks for sharing your commute.

[darkeyce02]

are these good for long distance rides?

[dregerclock]

@darkeyce02 - Oh yeah, Several people do long distace, even cross country tours on trikes. They are no as fast as high end road bikes, but are great for comfort and endurance of long rides. Check out two of my most recent videos... I and several of my friends and I just did a century (100 mile) ride on our trikes.

[CullyJ]

Wow. Thanks for pointing me to your site. I'll be transfixed, waiting for the snow to melt, thanks to you!

[dregerclock]

@CullyJ - ha! Enjoy! I think I have 60+ videos that I have uploaded now. More recent ones in HD video.

[CullyJ]

By the way, great video.

[dregerclock]

@CullyJ - thanks! this is my commute video from a year and a half ago. Check my other videos.. I have an two HD newer versions now.. one going to work: "The Cold Commute - How to cycle a recumbent trike to work" and riding home in the evening: "Race the Sun Home - how to commute on a recumbent trike at sunset"

[CullyJ]

Shave those legs, man! You won't regret it...

[dregerclock]

@CullyJ - HAaa.. naa.. I did enough leg shaving when I was on the swim team in high school! Besides... I think my wife would have something to say about it!

[Xbellatri50]

awesome...a trike my next purshase!!!!!

[Fwuzeem]

Are these things faster than bikes?

[dregerclock]

@Fwuzeem - no, not necessarily. Generally a trike is heavier than a bike just because of its size, extra wheel and frame. A trike does have a bit of an aerodynamic advantage and does great into a headwind and for that matter can also make good time with a tail wind. Downhill the extra weight and aerodynamics make it faster... uphill.. a trike is generally slower. All that said... it all evens out and depends on the rider more than that bike/trike.

[Fwuzeem]

@dregerclock Yeah, good to know. I thought I'd ask as the trike sites so much lower to the ground. But of course, the rider is the engine at the end of the day :-)

[James3zs]

@dregerclock plus: steep uphills- you don't have to try and balance at low speeds.

[dregerclock]

Where do you live? (Generally, no need to get specific.) Just wondering where it is that is so cycle unfriendly.

[hypnos315]

I would love to ride a bike to work but where i live you'd be taking your life into your own hands

[Oilbeefooked]

cool ! what do you say about the garmin (gps?). any new models to recommend?

[dregerclock]

@Oilbeefooked - The only one I have is the old 305, which works well enough for what I need... although it has a glitch where I charge it and sometimes it thinks it is still on even if the display is off and it burns through its charge, so that it is dead when I am ready to go ride! Darn frustrating. It did that to me this morning on the way to work. But when it works it is great. I haven't tried any of the newer/expensive models.

[forestfairness]

hey nice video and music....good editing and teaching....happy trails.....aloha, forest

[roadworms]

00:19 "bike lanes are always nice" ... for motorists :-(

[dregerclock]

@roadworms - yeah this commute video was shot a year and a half ago and I have different opinions about some bike lanes now. Ones that are wide enough and where tehre is no car parking to the right of the lane are not bad... bike lanes along parked car areas are useless and dangerous! See my newer videos on my commute and see how my riding style has changed.

[ralphkramden1954]

I live in Idaho now, but I have such fond memories of the Yorba Linda to the beach ride down the SA Trail. Thanks for sharing this.

[dregerclock]

@ralphkramden1954 - Thanks! I'm glad it brought back good memories. I have a number of other videos on my channel that show other parts of the Santa Ana River Trail... and other local trails around here if you are interested in seeing more. ;-)

[dregerclock]

@ralphkramden1954 - Thanks! I'm glad it brought back good memories. I have a number of other videos on my channel that show other parts of the Santa Ana River Trail... and other local trails around here if you are interested in seeing more. ;-)

[zimus]

I am considering buying one of these bikes some time in the future. I absolutely love this video. Thanks for sharing sir.

[dregerclock]

@zimus - Thanks... yeah they are a lot of fun and practical too. I just published a new video of my commute. Check it out too on my channel.

[dregerclock]

I just uploaded a new video of my commute since this one was a year old... new gear on the trike, new street route that I take now... and in HD! Check my channel.

[treeefrogUK]

Wow, that's certainly a great route to ride, it makes me wish the terrain round here was a little more recumbent-friendly. Love the 'secret entrance' to the SART - it's the great advantage of a bike/trike IMHO :D

[sr5813]

wow, you must love your work to commute 13 miles every day, well done eco-friendly man, I envy You

[dregerclock]

@sr5813 - eh... I don't do it every day... twice a week usually. and I don't do it to be "eco-friendly"... just cause it is fun, good exercise and saves me on traffic agitation and gasoline. ;-)

[Boodieman72]

Which Terra Trike model are you riding in the video?

[dregerclock]

@Boodieman72 It is a TerraTrike "TOUR".

[TheDocGary]

fantastic video. gives my inspiration to get/build one myself

[dregerclock]

@TheDocGary - I have had my trike for almost a year an a half now, and I love it. I have permanently retired my two wheeler.

[Tommot3000]

Great video. I notice you are useing what looks like Powerstrap pedals. Do you have any foot slippage? I'm thinking of getting a set my self, and was wondering if they hold and protect from the dreaded heel suck.

[dregerclock]

@Tommot3000 - I shot this video almost a year ago. I was using the Power grips... They wer ok for me for a few months, but I did have a few times when my shoe came out and I did heal-strike. I have since switched to SPD clipless pedals and shoes. Check out some of my newer videos and you can see them. While Power Grips are better than nothing to keep your feet on the pedals (my wife uses my old ones, she is not as intense as I) I personally would recommend the investment in clipless pedals.

[goranca]

the first time, I enjoy the way to work!  :)

[MegaDumbdog]

Great video

[dregerclock]

@MegaDumbdog -Thanks. I just took my new HD camera with me on my ride to work this morning. Plan to shoot a sequel to The Commute soon. ;-)

[Firecaptn15]

Nice Video, due to a neck injury am in the process of shopping for a trike. I commute 25 mi. each way, was curious if you have ever had any major problems with traffic etc.

[dregerclock]

@Firecaptn15 - welll, you will always have idiot drivers not paying attention, but so far nothing too scary - no actual accidents. I need to re-make this video soon since I ride much more "vehicularly" now... if the lane is too narrow for my comfort of letting a car pass, I take the lane and make drivers change lanes around me. The width and "strange" factor a trike makes drivers notice you. I also have a super bright headlight and taillight (400 lumen) and a more noticeable flag.

[1whitespeed]

Very interesting route and good filming. Could be condensed even more, in my opinion. (At least for YouTube where people are impatient ;-) )

I will try different angles and fixed camera too on my next video.

[dregerclock]

@1whitespeed - Thanks. Yeah it could be cut a bit more. I have been thinking of re-doing my commute video to bring it up to date with the current items on my trike (new clipless pedals, 200 lumin headlights and taillights) and my riding style (Ride a slightly different route now -- and ride in a more "vehicular" manner - taking the lane when it is safer to do on areas that are narrow and/or broken glass in the bike lane!) thinking of getting an HD cam too.

[nirvanarock93]

this is great :) good filming from various angles during the journey :)

it looks like you get some speed from that recumbent..

I'm from Northern Ireland and we have even fewer cycle paths than you guys, so count yourself lucky haha..

[sneakybeaver13V2]

I have a great idea for your next big ride. OK so here it is.

You and any of your biking group take a ride over here to Mobile Alabama and pick me up. Then we will ride over to Florida and hit up the beaches!

Sounds like fun doesn't it. So I will get my trike ready and I will wait for you.

[dregerclock]

@sneakybeaver13V2 - maybe some day I will have the time to do a cross country tour.... HA! But not counting on it.

[sneakybeaver13V2]

@dregerclock Well then. I guess when I visit some friends in California I will have to find you because I really would love to ride with you guys.

[dregerclock]

@sneakybeaver13V2 That would be great! We would love to show you the trails

[Dach101]

great vid, seems a dry place to live most of the time, Do you have showers at work :)

[dregerclock]

@Dach101 no showers at work, but in the mornings it is cool enough that I don't get too sweaty... water and papertowels in the bathroom and into the clean clothes I bring for work is all that is needed. I take a shower after I get home - warmer on the way home.

[KrunchyJD]

How do you find your visability to cars. In a car dominated society (argh) do they see you if you are low to the ground?

[dregerclock]

@KrunchyJD - Actually, as long as I stay where I can be seen - such as stay in the lane when approaching parked cars and driveways, not going between cars and the curb if they might be waiting at a light and I don't know if they are turning... I am very visible to drivers. Drivers see things (even low things) if they are where they expect to be looking such as in the lane or line of sight at intersections. In my rear view mirrors I can see cars moving over to give me more room than on my bike.

[KrunchyJD]

@dregerclock Cool, How do you find the speed of your trike compared to say a road bike (bicycle)?

Sorry for the questions, I actually think that bikes are the future of commuting (peak oil etc). I ride a road bike, but I think all types of bikes are good. I have thought about getting a trike, velomobile if my finances allow it. It would be fun, being low to the ground. :)

[dregerclock]

@KrunchyJD - the higher end (expensive) trikes are light & efficient. the same rider can probably do about the same speed on them as a road bike on flats, maybe a little slower. Mine is a little above a low end trike - I can do at least the speed I was doing on my mountain bike, and can keep up with some of the road bikers in my recreational group. but the speedy high end riders are faster than me. Every once in a while I get to tail a road bike and surprise them that I am still back there. ;-)

[dregerclock]

@PacnymuH I have never tried one... but There is a fairly new trike maker called Trident that makes a folding trike called the "Stowaway" (there is a version 2 of the stowaway that is a really great deal for the features you get for the price). Check out utahtrikes C O M . they have a great online catalog and the owner Ashely Guy, he can make a great recommendation. But I would suggest the Stowaway 2!

[skspara]

I've been interested in a recumbent.I know it doesnt happen too often but

instead of having a dog go after your leg or ankle on a regular bike it can now come after your face.I've had a coupl'a close calls with dogs in the past.

Not trying to be funny but just something I've pondered about when looking at purchasing a recumbent.Ever had that problem?

[dregerclock]

@skspara - I did come up on a dog once that was not with a person... and I was not sure what he would do, but he did not make a move at me and I zoomed past him fast. I have had some dogs with their owners try to come see what I am all about, but no contact. I have an "Airzound" bike air-horn that I have used on dogs and on drivers who are not paying attention. It works great for both. Startles dogs, stops them and you can get away. but like I said, never had any real close calls.

[elviswilson]

Good for you man!

[exceptionthrown]

Great video! I was curious about one thing though; what do you do with the trike when you get to work? Does it lock up to a normal bike rack or do you take it inside?

[dregerclock]

@exceptionthrown I lock it up to a post or a tree right outside the window where my desk is at the office. I can keep an eye on it the whole day at work. One time when I forgot my lock I did bring it in and leave it in the office.

[exceptionthrown]

@dregerclock Ah, good to know. I just have a regular road bike and usually just take it into my office so I was curious if that would be difficult with the increased size. At some point I'll pick one of these up...they look like a ton of fun and way more comfortable than my bike....

[dregerclock]

@exceptionthrown It is a bit more of a challenge to take it indoors but can be done. Plus it will take up more floorspace than a roadbike of course. but if you have a place to put it indoors, you could take it inside. I have been riding this trike for a little over a year now. Before it I was commuting on a mountain bike with more road-friendly tires, but the riding into the wind was getting to me. It is nice going UNDER the wind on the trike!

[calldrin]

I notice you are using Power Grips.

Do you have any problems keeping your feet on the pedals?

Would you recommend them instead of the clips on the bottom of the shoes?

BTW .. great video ;-)

Chuck

[dregerclock]

Hi Chuck,

I was using Power Grips at the time. I did not have too much trouble with them, although I did have a few times when I hit a bump in a trail or street and my foot did slip out and bounced my heal on the ground. Thankfully no major injury! I have since switched to SPD clipless shoes and pedals which I like a lot more. My wife did not want SPD shoes so she has the power grip pedals on her trike now. She does not go fast like me so they are great for her.

[dregerclock]

See some of my newer videos from the past few months and you can see I switched to the SPD shoes and pedals. I liked the Power Grips when I first got the trike... but I love the shoes better! The ability to push and pull without fear of slipping out of the powergrips is great.

[TheRUSSIA69]

I don't know if i could ever get used to riding that. lol but 13.5 miles in an hour? Thats good time!

[dregerclock]

Thanks... I could do it faster if I did not have to stop for all those lights and stop signs on he street portion. I cruise at 15 - 18 mph when I am on the straight and level parts of the river trail! It is great fun.

[radarbrew]

Man, I'm beat! That was a long commute. Thanks for the exercise. LOL good video, however.

[dregerclock]

HA! Thanks for coming along. The more people come along on my youtube commute the easier it seems to be! :-)

[MewFushisDad]

Thank You.

That was a great video.

It seems that you have some rather nice bicycle facilities in your neck of the woods.

I got my very first recumbent trike just 8 days ago.

It's a velomobile in the tadpole design in a monocoque structure.

I'm slowly building up my recumbent legs.....(-;

[dregerclock]

Thanks! Have fun with your new trike! I am sure you will enjoy it like I do!

[htial1]

Awesome vid...

I've been thinking of getting a two wheeler just for some fun... ...I need my car to transport clients... ...So sadly I can't use it to commute like you do...

[dregerclock]

on days I don't commute I usually take it in my car and ride at lunchtime... and ride on weekends. Lots of fun as long as you have a way and a place to wash up a little. Good luck with your bike! it is a lot of fun to ride.

[metro2002]

nice ride and Great video!

What's the song called ??

[dregerclock]

Thanks Metro2002, The music is called "Phoenix Blossom" by someone called TogoS. His credit for the music use is in the credits roll at the end of the video, and the url to his website where you can download his music. He lets you use his tunes as long as you credit him for its creation. I've used several of his compositions for my videos.

[cmgomes]

this is a great vid. I have a similar commute of about 12 miles on mostly bike trails with sidewalks where it gets a little crazy sometimes. I've been thinking of getting a TerraTrike Cruiser. How do they handle on moderate uphills? I have 6 miles up and 6 miles down both ways :-) so it's generally only 30 mins of work...

[dregerclock]

Thanks. I have taken my trike up 10% grades. Trikes will be slower climbing hills than an upright bike, but you just gear down and spin the pedals, and you climb (just not super fast). Good thing is you don't have to worry about tipover even it you stop to rest. But on moderate hills you can maintain a decent speed. and downhill... zoom! Great fun too! One of my riding friends has a Cruiser and he loves it. Do you know what the altitude change is on your 6 mile climb?

[cmgomes]

Hmm.. I tracked the path today with my Garmin and if my math serves me I'm looking at a max grade of 1.5% with the average of the peaks at about 1% and the overall uphill grade averaging at about 0.6%. Looking at it that way it doesn't look like much :-) especially compared to your 10% grade confirmation. This past weekend I had a local dealer order a Cruiser which should get here in a couple weeks (they had sold out of their stock in the last few days). Who knows maybe I'll get a vid up :-)

[dregerclock]

That is awesome! Let me know when you get your cruiser, and take time to get used to the trike before you take it out places where you also have to watch for traffic and all that. Sounds like your route will be a good one. My commute does not ever take me up any big hills. that 10% climb was a fun weekend ride. But it makes it! I am sure you will do great. Make sure you get mirrors for your trike and if you get a video online be sure to let me know!

[theaesthetics]

Nice! Thanks for taking us along on your commute!

[dregerclock]

You're welcome. With so many people riding to work with me... seems like a few more of the pedaling would help! ;-)

[BaganJermal]

nice.

[mbiraside]

great to have a nice duration ride to work on a trail no less. Good for you. Good vid

[dregerclock]

Yeah, 13.5 miles is a good distance because I can do it in about an hour (could do it faster if I didn't have to stop and wait at intersections!) Not too short and not too long.

[unknownunknowns]

So, how long did it take to go to work by car? Thanks.

[dregerclock]

By car, on the freeway... which is actually a few more miles... it takes me about 20 - 30 minutes.

[dregerclock]

OOPS... accidentally removed your comment! But you asked if that time was when there was traffic...

Genrally there is not too much freeway traffic going east on 22 to north on 55 freeway at that hour... some slowing on 22 durring different seasons. if traffic is light... 20 min. if it is heavier... 30 min or so.

[dregerclock]

by car on the freeway, if traffic is heavy it can take 30 minutes, if normal freeway traffic... 20 minutes.

[mrcranky01]

Nice commute. I have the same trike, and a commute of almost the same distance, but a lot less bike trail and more busy road riding. I do notice most motor vehicles give me lots of room though, except for the odd doofus in a one-ton pickup.

[dregerclock]

That's great. I would love to see it if you can shoot some video of your commute! I think the "weird factor" of the trike makes more drivers notice me, and if that keeps me safer... I am all for it! I think some of the drivers think I am handicapped or something and give me more room! HA! Whatever works!

[killianred01]

Nice ride.  What model TerraTrike you ride? I'm considering one myself.

[dregerclock]

This is a "Tour" model. I have had it about 6 months and ride it to work and at lunch break some days.. .as well as weekend rides. It is great fun.

[1958cyclist]

Brilliant, Ace