The 30 Day Triking Challenge with Sonia Guy Day 4

I went out for about an hour this morning. It was early and a little chilly. It felt so good to be out there. It seemed like the whole world was starting to wake up outside. Horses were in their meadows eating their field grass and I saw evidence that some of my neighbors took them out for a ride last night. Maneuvering around their droppings is no big deal around here. I saw one of my neighbors out for a walk, dressed like he was going out to lunch. It really doesn't matter what you look like as long as you're out there. Or so I hope, because I just rolled out of bed and went out this morning.

I felt like singing a gospel song as I rode. The world was beautiful. I love to watch the birds fly in formation overhead or the little birds conserve their energy and fly low to the ground. Birds are amazing. The children and I have been studying zoology for about a year now and we love birds especially. I felt so free when I was out riding, like I was soaring through the fields. It really is a great feeling to be out there on my trike. You should get out there also, while the weather is accommodating!

Krysti's First Day of 60 Day Challenge

Its been a couple weeks since I have ridden my trike, so this morning I didn't know what to expect when I was commuting to work. About 10 minutes into my ride I was starting to wear out. I didn't realize what 2 weeks of not triking did to me! I kept at my usual pace but I had to stop a couple times because I was pretty winded. I've decided to put a headrest on my trike, even though the angle of my Catrike Trail isn't that steep. One of the biggest reasons I think I haven't been riding my trike is because I get really bad headaches after I ride. One, from not drinking enough water, and two, from the muscles in the anterior part of my neck being overworked. So drinking more water and adding a headrest should obviously stop that problem. I forgot how beautiful the scenery was on my daily commute, as I got to watch some falcons flying around enjoying the cool morning breeze. It is getting to be really nice riding weather. My computer said it was 75 degrees, which is perfect for riding! Tomorrow I'm expecting some minor soreness, but we will see...

The 30 day triking Challenge with Sonia Guy Day 3

I went out this morning and it was wonderful. It was nice and cool with a little breeze. As I sped past the corn fields, I had time to let my mind wander it was awesome. Sometimes I scrunch up my toes while riding. I'm not sure why I do that since I have Shimano clip on shoes. My right foot got a little numb. It's kind of annoying.

Riding in the morning is ideal for me because it's cooler and it really is a great way to start the day. It literally sets the tone for the day. I saw some neighbors out for a walk. They are usually out in the morning. They are in their 70's and in great shape. They set a good example for the younger couples to stay active. We live in a community with a lot of senior citizens. For the most part they are healthy and active. The farm work and gardening keep them strong. It's important for all of us to have some form of exercise that is enjoyable because we are more likely to do it. Triking makes me happy especially since I can get out of the house for a little while without the children and have a little me time. This is so important for a mom with young children at home.

Last night I was thinking about how great my body felt and about how important that is. Women bear a lot of stress and I often feel it on my shoulders. We lift children and grand children, heavy grocery bags, stoop over a lot to comfort children an tie shoes, load and unload laundry etc.. Our bodies are not supposed to hurt. We have the power to help ourselves feel better. Riding a trike helps my body relax. I had never really thought too much about the motto that Ashley picked for Utah Trikes Relax, Spin Fast, Ride Trikes, but it's true. Your body relaxes even while you are getting a vigorous workout. I have to go now, but I challenge anyone who hasn't hopped on their trike in a little while to get out there even if it's only for a little while.

The 30 day triking Challenge with Sonia Guy Day 2

Today was Labor Day and we went to the Payson Onion Days Grand Parade this morning. It was impossible to ride my trike in the morning since we had to get up early to go. After a fun day in town we came home. Just before we had to leave again I went on my trike ride. I knew that tonight would be impossible because it's our Family Night. I went out at around 5 in the afternoon and it was quite muggy out. I saw no one else while I was out. We live in the country, so it's normal. There was the smell of manure mixed with the aroma of freshly cut alfalfa mingling in the air. Today I went fast. I worked up quite a sweat. It was fun trying to go as fast as I could. When I was done, I got up from my trike and I felt great. I looked at myself in the mirror and I was glowing. I looked like a strong, healthy woman. This is my goal. I don't need to fit into tiny jeans, but I do need to be healthy, happy, and strong. I want to set a good example for my children and to have the energy that I need to raise them without ever feeling over burdened.

Yesterday, when I got up from my trike I told Ashley that neither my knee nor my hip hurt. Riding a trike is so easy on my body and allows me to get the type of workout that I like without hurting afterward. My body feels relaxed now and I'm sure that I'll get a better night's sleep and be able to be a better wife and mother tomorrow because of riding today. When you read this hopefully you will also have similar experiences with your trike riding.

60 Day Weight Loss Challenge

My name is Krysti Staheli and I'm new to the blogging world. I've been working for Utah Trikes for a few years now and decided I'm going to blog about all my experiences with trikes. I've decided I want to shed a few pounds, and not by doing those crazy diets and exercise fads. I want to do it by eating better and riding the best thing in the world... My trike. I have decided I am going to commute every single day, which will be a 20 mile ride round trip. I'm going to combine riding with eating less meat and more fruit and veggies. The reason I haven't been very diligent in riding my trike every day is because I hate getting up an hour earlier just to ride. But not anymore! I'm going to go to bed a little earlier so getting up earlier won't seem as hard. With fall on its way I'm excited to see the beautiful scenery of fall's changing color, and the temperature will be at a nice 70 degrees. Perfect time for riding! My goal is to fit to my beautiful size 4 wedding dress. I'll be blogging about my experiences a couple times a week, and if anyone wants to join my challenge please leave comments and join my on my ride!

The 30 day triking Challenge with Sonia Guy Day 1

Hello everyone in the triking world. I'm Sonia Guy, wife of Ashley Guy from Utah Trikes. The reason I started this Challenge for myself and anyone else who would like to join me is because I need to get serious about getting in shape again. I've only been riding sporadically over the Summer. I can list every excuse under the sun from a broken surface well to out of town guests, but what it comes down to is that they are only excuses. Riding a trike makes me feel good about myself and makes my body feel better as well.

I love to do those aerobic workouts on DVD, they are so high energy and exciting with the pumped up hosts, I burn a lot of calories when I do them, but I'm left with a soar hip from all the gyrations and a sore knee from a previous injury. Triking is easy on my body and helps me feel great all over. I'm about to go out for a ride. It's Sunday evening of Labor Day Weekend. That would be an awesome excuse. The truth is that I don't have to go out very long or ride very fast or hard. I have my trike in the garage and it's all set. So, I'm gonna change into my riding clothes and go. Join with me and together we'll feel better and happier that we can have control over our bodies and our time!

So, I'm back, I left at around 6:30 and I promised my baby I would only be out for 30 minutes. I feel great. I'm just a little sweaty and just breathing a little heavier than normal. It wasn't a big deal. The older kids didn't even know I was gone. I saw a few neighbors out for a walk and one neighbor who was watering his lawn told me that he really wants a trike. My hot pink Catrike Villager is super cute! I'm sure anyone would want it, but it's mine and was built especially for me. Now I can go back to hanging out with my family knowing that I did something good for myself.

The Dangers of Cross Chaining

In order to achieve the wide gear range that our customers like, we set up many trikes with a 24 or 27-speed drivetrain. This results in a wonderfully useful band of gearing. The one element that results from this set up is the fact that your trike (any bike actually) does not like to be used in the small front chainring/smaller rear cogs combination - this is called "cross chaining".

We set up your trike in the Large/Large gearing combination to prevent derailleur damage in the large chainring. This means that with the Xseam you give us you can access all of your rear gears while in the large front chainring. This ensures that your derailleur doesn't break when you are shifting to a lower gear while in the large chainring.

Similar to this scenario is the small chainring/small cog combination. Trying to run the chain around these two small circumferences creates slack in the chain that overloads the rear derailleur and has the potential to do harm to your drivetrain. This is bad technique and should be avoided. That same gear ratio can be achieved in the middle chainring.

While getting accustomed to your trike, we encourage you to use the middle chainring from which you can access all the cogs on the rear cassette. When you need to go faster, use that big ring up front with the smaller cogs in the rear. If hills loom on the horizon, drop down into the smallest chainring and use the larger cogs in the rear. You should spend most of your time in the middle chainring.

Cross chaining is not exclusive to your trike. It should be avoided on any bike or trike. Never cross chain your gears!

If you need to adjust your boom length, check your chain before riding to make sure that it allows you to get into the proper gears with harming the rear derailleur.
 
This has been adapted from the TerraTrike FAQ