#22 - Going to the test track
What seemed a far reached dream a couple of weeks ago, became more and more realistic over the past week.
A little while ago, a fellow recumbent rider told me about an event on the Ford Proving Grounds near Lommel in Belgium. It’s a day where they open the track for a free ride for all cyclists. Where usually, the track is off limits to the public, they open the gates for all to discover around 29 km of the 80 km in total the grounds have to offer. Including the 25 % incline that is. I’m pretty sure I won’t make it to the top, since that’s even 8 % steeper then the famous Raidillon climb I barely climbed at the circuit of Spa Francorchamps a couple of weeks ago. Just to give you a visual idea: 25 % means climbing 1 meter for every 4 meters you move forward. That’s a challenge in any gear, on any bike if you ask me.
That brings me to a big difference between a regular bike and a recumbent trike. I never thought about it before Spa, but while climbing, the only force you put on the pedals, is generated by your muscles. No help from gravity by standing on the pedals like on a regular bike. That’s why I started thinking about oval gears. I had them on my all terrain bike 25 years ago, so I know they make a difference. They actually give you a longer leverage, what makes you put down more force with the same input. Simple physics. I hated the stuff in school, but
when it starts being usefull, it’s the best friend I have. Probably I won’t be able to find the right gears and put them on the trike before this event, but it’s on the to do list for future climbs.
Besides considering going to the event, and attempting to climb the hill, I’m also considering going there by trike. A couple of days ago I set my distance record at 122 km in one day. Counting the road to and from, and the ride on the proving grounds, this day would take me well over that. Even with some rain showers predicted on the day, and the longer distance, I feel it should be possible to get there on the trike. Only when the forecast turns for the worst, I may think about transporting the trike and just ride the proving grounds. While the distance doesn’t scare me any more, a day with heavy wind and rain could make it out of reach for now. Cold temperatures aren’t my muscles best friend just yet. And I would hate having to wait for a next opportunity to ride these hallowed grounds. But for now, I’m planning the ride.
To wrap things up, let me make another bald statement: I’m going for my first real tour in a very short time. Late next week, I expect a HUGE shipment with some gear I need to travel. Extra gear from Ortlieb waterproof to name one, Some extra lights, camping gear and first aid pack to name others. As soon as I get it all fixed to the trike, and made myself comfortable with things, I’m gone. I’ll be traveling by trike for the first time.
LINK TO THE EVENT
