My Speedy Lawn Chair

Yesterday... I picked up my new TerraTrike. also known as my "speedy lawn chair." I ordered it a week ago from Angletech in Woodland Park. As far as customer experience goes I really appreciate Kelvin's low-key "welcome you into the fold" style of salesmanship. He is a teacher at heart, I say this not because of anything he said to me but as a teacher myself I recognized this in him. The week I waited to get the trike was one of the longest week's of my adult life. It was worth the wait. The first ride I took on it was with Dawby on my lap. We drove it up the block and back, try doing that on a mountain bike. 

I have made a few minor adjustments to the trike since I got it, adjustments like switching from 1 small rear view mirrors to two larger ones. I have added a small aluminum rack to the rear of it and mounted a small set of waterproof panniers (bags, I know sounds like a funny name for underwear). 

My plan has been to commute from home to work on this bike 90% of the time this summer. i am realizing tow things though after about three nice rides on it so far this weekend. 

1) I am out of shape. 

2) I am out of shape. 

3) I am out of shape, but riding this thing is going to get me into better shape.

I am not sure exactly how long the commute will take me each day. My average speed seems to be around 11 MPH (unless I really get myself huffing and puffing).  My entire commute is 16.31 miles one way according to Google Maps Pedometer.  I have been watching the weather to see if I will be able to ride on Monday to work. I'd like to start my workday at about 7:30 and I think I should plan a worst-case-scenario commute duration (for this first ride) of 2 hours. So... I need to leave home by 5:30. I truly expect that as I get into better shape I will be able to do the commute in just over an hour. A co-worker of mine (Dale) rode his upwrong bicycle almost all summer last year and he lives in my area. He said that it takes about 1.5 hours for him to get to work and 1 to get home. Looking at the pedometer there seems to be a slight altitude increase to work. I am guessing that this accounts for the difference in duration for his commute.

I joined an online community for Recumbent cyclists called Bent Rider Online. I have already gotten a bunch of great advice related to rain gear and stuff for riding in wet weather.

Seems like a great resource so far.