Recumbant Riding - Sep 2025
This weekend was supposed to be all about the Grape Festival, but fate had a different plan — one that involved recumbent bikes, a long-awaited upgrade for Serge, a surprise purchase for Lisa, and a beautiful test ride along Seneca Lake. It turned into a full two-day adventure full of laughter, a few financial hiccups, gorgeous fall weather, and more learning than I expected.
⭐ Day 1 — Test Rides at “Bicycle Man” in Alfred
I’ve wanted Serge to try a recumbent bike for years. Every time we ride, I can see how much more comfortable and confident he’d be on one, especially as regular bikes become less appealing to him. So when he finally had a free Saturday, we drove down to Bicycle Man in Alfred with Lisa tagging along for the adventure.
We spent hours test-riding different brands across the property. I immediately gravitated toward the sleek ICE trikes, while Serge fell in love with the CatTrike electric model. Lisa surprised everyone — including herself — by falling head-over-heels for an $11,000 ICE trike, which she bought right on the spot. It was a whole recumbent shopping spree.
Purchasing the bikes turned into its own little subplot. Serge’s card, which was supposed to have been recently paid by his bookeeper, got declined at the counter. It was a bit awkward, and I ended up putting his entire purchase — over $8,000 with tax — on my card. Not ideal timing with so many house projects happening, but I moved things around, transferred funds, and sold some investments so everything stayed on track. Not the end of the world — but definitely part of the story.
Still, by the time we loaded the new bikes into the truck and headed home, we were excited. There’s something really fun about starting a new biking chapter together.
⭐ Day 2 — The Seneca–Cayuga Trail Burn-In Ride
On Sunday, we loaded all the bikes into the back of the truck — awkwardly, creatively, and probably not OSHA-approved — and headed to Geneva. We started from the Geneva Welcome Center, riding along the north end of Seneca Lake, the water sparkling under the sun, sailboats drifting by, and the mid-70s weather giving us the gift of another perfect fall day.
From there, we continued onto the Seneca–Cayuga Trail, following the river as it wound through quiet woods and farmland. I planned two route options: stopping in Waterloo if needed, or continuing to Seneca Falls for more mileage, more scenery, and more food choices. I’m glad I had a backup plan — by the time we reached Waterloo, Lisa was completely wiped and ready to stop.
We ate at Chino’s, and it ended up being a great surprise. The veggie pizza was delicious, the salad was fresh, and the break gave everyone a boost.
⭐ Serge’s Big Moment
Serge did wonderfully on his new trike — strong, steady, and confident. He even let me ride it for four miles while he tested mine, and I absolutely loved the feel of it. He’s made it clear he’s officially done with traditional bikes, especially after navigating all the walnuts, acorns, and bumpy spots on the trail. The trike just rolls over everything without wobbling; it’s easy, stable, and fun.
⭐ Lisa’s Ride
Lisa tried her best but was surprised by how challenging the ride felt. Biking has never been her sport, so the controls and balance were new for her. She averaged 6–7 mph, which stretched out the ride quite a bit, but she stayed positive. I truly felt she enjoys the bike — even if her riding looks different from mine — and we’ll keep gently encouraging her.
⭐ The Adventure Twist: A Flat Tire and a Truck Rescue
No ride is complete without a little drama.
Right near the end, Serge’s tire went completely flat. I pumped it up and it held for about two seconds — long enough for him to sit on the bike before it deflated again. With only half a mile left to the truck, we had to improvise.
Lisa rode her bike and mine back to the parking lot, then drove the truck onto the bike path to pick up Serge and the trike. I stayed behind to wait with him and keep things calm. It felt a little chaotic, a little funny, and very us.
It also revealed something important: his tires and parts are way too cheap for long-term use. So we’re bringing the bike to RVE to upgrade the 20" and probably the 26" tires. Luckily, the flat happened at the end of the ride, not in the middle of nowhere.
⭐ Reflections
What I realized that day is that I’m not just the planner — I’m the support crew, the navigator, the mechanic, and the cheerleader. And honestly? I like that role. It makes our rides feel like shared adventures we’re building together.
The weather, the lake, the trail, the early fall leaves crunching under our wheels, the unexpected moments, and the new bikes — all of it added up to a truly memorable day.
This wasn’t just about buying equipment.
It was about opening a new chapter of riding with Serge, finding a style that feels good for him, and sharing it with people we care about.
And that, to me, is the best part of any adventure.
