Central Illinois Bent Riders

Eyerace

Just thought I would start a thread for us bent riders near the Springfield area.

Share what you ride and where you ride it.....

-Scott

ilgreene

I ride a Tour Easy, mostly on the Interurban Trail and around my neighborhood.

Just a note that a new bike store, which specializes in recumbents and trikes, has opened near St. Louis. Perhaps you've already been there. It is located in Maryville, just west of I-55. I stopped by a month ago and it had 12 recumbents in stock. The store is having a grand opening on April 29. For more information, go to:
http://stlbent.com//component/optio...tpage/Itemid,1/


Kevin

Favorite bent websites:

http://www.bentrideronline.com/

http://www.recumbentcyclistnews.com/

http://www.rtrmag.com/

http://www.easyracers.com/vbb/

http://www.hostelshoppe.com/

http://www.calhouncycle.com/aboutus.asp

Eyerace

Hey hows it going? I tried to check out the site you mentioned but it is under construction at the moment. Never look at bikes in the St Louis area. I actually was about to trade my bent in on a road bike a couple weeks ago. I started re-thinking it and looked on the net for some forums and found this one. I read through the road vs. bent threads and the bent threads. I came to the conclusion that the speed I would gain wasnt worth the exrta strain on my body such as the arms, hand, and butt pain. A couple miles an hour isnt worth all that. What I really need is a higher end bike but its not in the budget. I love my bike but it weighs 40 lbs! Oh well more of a work out I guess...lol

bikingarcola

Not from Springfield but over in Arcola. Anyone know of a Bent Club in my area? I ride a Sun EZ Speedsteer AX and a Sun Tadpole Trike. Botha bit heavy but they both ride nice. Thinking about changing tires on the EZ Speedsteer to Stelvo or Primo racers just to lower the rolling resistance. A very nice review of the bikes included a tire change. The cheapest and easiest way to go faster or increase your avg speed.

SPORTSPINNER

Hello all,
I'm from Decatur and new at riding bents. Haven't joined the local club yet, but intend to. I'm riding a Sun EZ Sport AX and enjoy it alot after 3 months and around 500 mi. I usually ride the Fairview Park and Forsyth bike trails. Longer rides on the weekends I take to the country roads. I did make a trip to Madison County MCT trails and had a blast, 70 mi. !! what a great trail system they have down there (NE of St. Louis)
My summer-fall plans are to do C-U Across the Praire in Mahomet Aug.26, the Capital City Century ride Sept.10 and the Bob Galloway Memorial Amish Country Bicycle Tour in Arthur Sept.16, real close to you bikingarcola.
Send me an e-mail if you want to meet up at any of these events, I'd be happy spin along with you Gary

Eyerace

Hi guys, been a while since Ive posted. I DID end up trading my bent in for a Specialized Allez road bike. I have been riding the beginner rides on wednesday nights that the Chatham bike shop hosts. I just rode in the Tour De Corn last weekend. My first 60 mile event. It was sooooo hot! I plan to ride in the centry also. Maybe I will see you guys there. Ill be looking out for the ez sports. Let me know if anyone is riding near Springfield. I ride on Sat mornings early. Be happy to join ya.

Freshaire

I live in St. Louis, and have friends that have gone to (am I right here?) your annual ride in, maybe Carbondale? If anyone is familiar, I'd sure like to know when that ride will happen again.

I'm new to bent riding, still testing bikes - ride now in a holding pattern due to waiting on a bike order to come in to Edwardsville Cyclery. My co-rider has just ordered a Tour Easy - thus my new thread on this forum. It's an expensive decision - any Burley riders in your club? Thanks!
Tori

bikingarcola

Hi our annual ride is in Arthur Ill. It is through the Amish country so people are used to seeing bikes on the rode. A fair amount of Amish ride recumbents, to and from work, to and fromt the store. You are welcome to contact the Decatur bicyle club for more information. Carpy01@aol.com. People from all over the midwest come to ride. See ya there Rusty

bikingarcola

Hi Gary

Just noticed your post. The CU ride and the Bob Galloway ride is also on my list to do this summer. My duty station this year for the Decatur club and with the Arthur ride this year should be the Rockome Garden rest stop. The same as last year. See ya there.

Rusty

Freshaire

Thanks so much Rusty!!

SPORTSPINNER

Tori,
Do you ride the MCT trails much? Do you have any info on the Schoolhouse connector trail that is to be completed this fall. I know they have the bridge up over route 162 west of Troy and most of the trail paved, just curious. Want to try it out when it opens, it will make a nice loop ride.
Gary

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sportspinner

Freshaire

[QUOTE=SPORTSPINNER]Tori,
Do you ride the MCT trails much? Do you have any info on the Schoolhouse connector trail that is to be completed this fall.

Hey Gary,
I thought, looking at a map, that I had ridden on part of it a couple three weekends ago when I visited the St. Louis Recumbent shop in Maryville. They are right next to a trail that they liberally use for test rides - and it sure looked like the trail's name was Schoolhouse.....

Other than that, no, I know of no other info. I'm anxious to ride those same trails myself, but need to get a recumbent! It's been a real pain trying to find a model that both fits me and that I like....I'm vertically challenged! Hopefully a week from Saturday I'll go test ride 3 and make a final decision...availability has also been an issue....
Tori