h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi, that was a pretty interesting article. I am assuming that you are talking from the perspective of living in england. I am from Australia, and I have never seen these bikes outside of long-distance cycle records. Is there a reason that they would not be very popular over here (how do they deal with gravel?).
You spoke of being able to tail slide them, is that on bitumen or some other surface?.

Cheers, drop me a message on my personal space if you like.

I haven't found out how to write to your personal space yet, so I'm posting this as though it were in answer to your personal intro.

Thanks for the interest in my bike article. I live in Ireland (Dublin) but the experience in England seems very similar; there are more recumbents around there. Some are for racing, some are sporty, some are for touring, some are urban, and others combine two or more of those suitabilities.

Not good on gravel is one of the things I mentioned. Tail-sliding is more of a lucky happening than a thing I go in for voluntarily; yesterday I came off skidding round a corner (took it too sharp in wet conditions) and now I have a pretty bruise on my backside.

Apologies for copying your whole letter back to you last time. Meant to delete it but forgot.

Just noticed your 157 months... I'm a grandad myself, and less interested in tail-sliding than in getting there.

The article (Recumbents recommended) has been renamed "Cycling: the future is laidback" and has passed from Peer Review into Editing (which seems to be good, people are congratulating me). Do have a go at a 'bent, if only for the comfort (yes, you will appreciate it some day). Report back how the tail-sliding works out. (Ouch)