I had a bit of a slow start on my new trike. It arrived at RBM the day we were leaving to go on vacation. While on vacation, we got word of a death in the family so, although I picked it up, I didn't get to ride it due to funeral arrangements and traveling. Then we had to move my daughter back to college. When I finally got my big chance to take it out on my street for the first time, a neighbor almost hit me head-on with his Suburban. He was in a hurry to get home and when he turned onto the street, he decided to drive down the wrong side intending to park at the curb. He finally saw me and swerved back across the street and into the opposite curb, missing me by about 8 to 10 feet. Undeterred, I have continued to ride almost daily, but have discovered that there is a lot of hostility on the streets. One morning I had three different guys yelling variations of "get your (insert expletive of choice here)  out of the road". Ironically, none of them were even on my side of the road but they felt compelled to whine nonetheless. Last weekend, I went to White Rock and almost had a guy back over me at a stop sign. He got impatient with the driver in front of him and decided to go around. I realize a trike is harder to see but I could see this guy in both of his mirrors before he started backing up. He just didn't look. Guess I'll need to get a horn as that "reverse" on my trike is not responsive enough for my liking.
 
In spite of these little incidents, most of my rides have been great fun for me. I ride to work most days and find that it makes my whole day more enjoyable. Each time I ride, my safety checklist gets a bit longer as I try to anticipate common hazards as well as the dumb stuff people do while driving. The trike is way more fun than my bike ever was but does require more vigilance on my part.

Patti,
 
For me it is a given that the driving public, in general, are not watching out for you. That being said, you can ride quite safely if you just get into that defensive state of mind. In addition, there are enough people hanging out the window waving "cool bike" and kids jumping up and down screaming with delight at your approach, that it more than balances out.
 
RichardC

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Aug 30^th, 2008, 11:58am:

 
I have a nice flag from Soundwinds in Seattle, but I'm considering a custom Catrike flag because they are slightly larger.
Definitely riding defensively. If I hadn't been, I would already be squashed like a june bug! Its the crazy things that are hard to anticipate...  
I'm afraid both my husband and I failed in our efforts to post pics. As soon as I figure that out, I'll post some.

Quote from irodguy on Aug 30^th, 2008, 3:05pm:

 
Airzound is on my "to be purchased" list. As a temporary, I have one of those little air horns that will fit in my pocket. We bought it for a trip to Yellowstone (bears don't care for that sound very much) but never needed to use it. I was just about to throw it away but now it has a new purpose in life.  
 
How do you like the Dinotte lights? I got a inexpensive flashing tail light today but want to upgrade to something more substantial eventually. Dinotte and Cateye seem to be the most popular brands for bike/trike lights.

Quote from Lrodshy57 on Sep 7^th, 2008, 8:08am:

 
True, I could make a flag but I really like the one I'm using as a temporary until my Catrike custom flag comes in. Jerry is making it for me and it will have reflective fabric as part of the design. Jerry's flags are really nice but he is just a little backed up with orders right now. Catrike has sold a lot of trikes this summer!

Thanks for the info. Looks like I need to check out the Dinotte site asap.
 
 
Patti

Mark, that's how I feel when you're pulling me around our Wednesday Flower Mound club ride.  You have both Dinotte rear lights turned on, and I'm sucking your wheel.  The the next several days, I see red dots.

Quote from irodguy on Sep 12^th, 2008, 9:37am:

 
 
Rodney I started a thread in the technical forum about lights.  I would like to hear about your findings.

Quote from bent_eagle on Sep 16^th, 2008, 9:51pm:

 
 
I bought a red Catrike Road which has acquired the name "Red Ryder" Not sure why, exactly, but it just seemed to need a name. Pics can be found here:
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30307459@N02/

Quote from bent_eagle on Sep 18^th, 2008, 12:29pm:

 
 
Yes, you really have to smile. First, there is something slightly comical about them when you first see one, then you sit on it for the first time and you start to feel like the "Joker" in Batman. The smile becomes a permanent fixture. I'm hoping to get "Red" back this afternoon. It had a sleepover at RBM last night. I've felt totally lost without my trike yesterday and today.

Patti --  
   Will you be making it to the DFW Airport ride get-together on Oct 5th?

Quote from Patti on Sep 24^th, 2008, 11:33am:

 
There will certainly be other riders who aren't speed demons at this ride too, Patti. My wife Rose has been off her bike almost three months due to a broken foot, so if she rides her bike, it will be at an easy pace.

If am able to make it I'll be riding pretty slow. I'll probably ride down there and will need energy to ride back.
 
I wish I was riding a trike on my first recumbent commute. Just did a trackstand and scaned my badge at the gate at work like I do everyday on my road bike and it didn't go so well on the Giro26.  
Thankfully I learned how not to put my arm out to break a fall long ago.

Hello, All!
I've just gotten a Catrike 700 about a week ago.  It's had its virgin cruise, but no group rides yet.  The folks I normally ride with are df'ers, so they're not feeling bents at all.  Time for a change.  Can't wait for the DFW ride to see other bent trikes and bikes rolling around in real life, instead of on YouTube!  
 
Key
Catrike 700
"Thunder & Lightning"

Boy, uma givit it a shot!
I am a former DF commuter during the school year ~18 one way.  During the summer I was too busy to ride, so the fitness is off somewhat.  Since I got the trike, almost two weeks ago, I have been slowly, patiently getting the recumbent muscle groups online, so by ride time, we'll see.  I just can't wait to see everyone!
 
Key
Catrike 700
"Thunder & Lightning"