Joe Kratovil-Loving Cycling Again!

I came to recumbents because of injury.  After twenty years of cycling my body could no longer tolerate a traditional bike saddle. For the past three seasons I’ve been Randonneuring. I had completed three Super Randonneur Series’, among other long distance cycling pursuits. Faced with the choice of either quitting the activity I love, or finding an alternative, I opted to research recumbents.  I settled on the Bacchetta Giro 26 with optional euromesh seat.  I decided on this bike because the high racer platform seemed to be the best for riding in the company of upright bikes.  Also, the Giro model is a very durable ride which is desirable for Rando activities as well as commuting.  I picked up the bike from Economy Bike Shop in Hamilton Square, New Jersey on March 15th.  I needed to be ready for a 200k brevet in three weeks.   The adaptation process from riding uprights to recumbents was not easy for me.  I struggled at first but gradually kept improving.  I  worked my way through the Randonneur events one at a time.  I managed to complete my fourth full series finishing the 600k just this past weekend.  I feel much more comfortable on the bike and have actually come to enjoy the advantages of recumbent riding.  I continue to ride with the same group of friends as I always have.  They were very accepting of the new bike and have been very patient during the changeover process.  Although there are some trade-offs involved, the recumbent is undeniably more comfortable to ride than anything else I’ve ever had.  My body has healed from the years of abuse I heaped on it riding stiff bikes with even stiffer saddles.  I love cycling again.  It’s almost all I think about. See you on the roads. Joe Kratovil Hillsborough, New Jersey 

Originally posted on bacchettabikes.com on June 23, 2009.

Dana Lieberman|

Dana has been riding recumbents for 25 years. Whether bicycle touring, racing, commuting or just riding with the family, he has ridden almost everything out there and has no problem telling you what he thinks! Owner of Bent Up Cycles and Bacchetta Bikes, Dana is passionate about turning new riders on to the joy of recumbent cycling. He also enjoys reading SciFi, hiking in the SoCal mountains and sipping a Chai Latte at the local coffee shop!