The First Ride
Warning! Take it easy when riding your bike for the rst 2
months. Riding a recumbent hard straight away will easily
overload your knees, and there is nothing worse than having a
new bike… and being unable to ride it!
Now that you have checked the bicycles basic mechanisms, go out onto a quiet street or
alley, away from trafc and take your rst spin on the bike. So… how do you ride one of these
things? Just set your eyes on the horizon, and GO! Starting for the rst time on a recumbent
can be a hairy experience, but you will be surprised just how fast you get used to riding on
your new bike. Riding a recumbent for the rst time is all about commitment. In the words of
a well-known shoe manufacturer, Just do it!
The basic skills and feelings are exactly the same as on a traditional bike, just now you feel
like you are riding on a couch! We strongly advise that you wear a helmet if helmets are
not already compulsory for cyclists in the country where you live.
Put your preferred leg on the upper pedal, bent and ready to push as hard as you can. Just like
on a normal bike, the faster you go on a recumbent the easier it is to stay upright. ‘Just testing’
your bike slowly will generally lead to you not even being able to take your other foot off the
ground. This may require a little courage – but it is denitely courage that will be rewarded!
Relax your arms and body – a tense body makes even a normal bike hard to ride. Now that
you have the foot of your preferred leg on the pedal and other holding you upright (g. 24.1,
A), you will need to push rmly on that pedal. Don’t look around you and decide where you
will fall – that is setting yourself up for failure. Look into the distance, loosen up, (you should
be able to steer with your ngertips) put all your weight on the seat, swallow your adrenaline
and go! Once you are moving, quickly, yet smoothly, bring your other leg up from the ground
(B) and put it on the other pedal ready to deliver the second power stroke(C). It may take a
few tries to build up the courage to do this, but soon we will be able to say ‘Congratulations!
You are now riding your Optima!’
24
Fig
24.1
25
Travelling on your recumbent
Never thought of yourself as one to go on a bicycle holiday? Or maybe you have always
dreamed of a bicycle holiday? Optima bicycles are more than suited to travel on; almost all
Optima recumbents can be tted with bicycle pannier racks and special carrying bags to allow
for luggage transportation. You cannot however t any old bicycle rack to an Optima, you will
need to order the specially made Optima racks. These racks have been designed to carry
loads of up to 20 Kg on the Stinger and Baron, and 50Kg on all other models. Remember to
keep the weight as low as possible when packing your bike bags, as top-heavy bags will raise
the center of gravity and negatively inuence your bikes handling. Single wheeled baggage
trailers will have a greater inuence on the handling of your recumbent than a normal bike.
Be sure to pack them with the center of gravity as low as possible. Remember that loading
your bike will mean having to change suspension settings or even replacing the spring. (See
setting up your bicycle: suspension).
Please contact the dealer you purchased your Optima from for more details about bags and
racks .
Tip: Remember to shift to the lowest gear before you stop,
especially when you’re carrying extra luggage on the bike
Comfort and quality accessories for your
recumbent.
Optima manufactures a number of accessories for the improvement
of cycling comfort which can be ordered at any time from any sales
point. These accessories are, amongst others, a headrest, soft
handlebar grips, seat covers, a tailbox with luggage compartment
for the stinger and an adjustable stem for above steering models.
All these accessories are made of high quality durable materials,
are easy to install, and add to both the comfort and looks of your
recumbent.
The headrest is adjustable in height, with a hygienic breathing cover
which can easily be removed for machine washing. This headrest
is made with quality stainless steel rails and low prole bolts that
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