Carving my way to better health on my Trikke

D.C. photojournalist has all but forgotten about his bike.

Michael Rudd

I’m a 43-year-old photojournalist in Washington D.C., who bought my Trikke three years ago after seeing it on a late-night infomercial and thinking: it looks like a lot of fun …. and it is!

For the first two years, I used it for recreation, which was just fine, I mean, that is what it’s for, right? Since then, I’ve started using my Trikke for multiple purposes, still for recreation but also for rehabbing a shoulder injury. And now, I’m riding every day for weight loss.

I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed riding my Trikke, as well as educating onlookers who often stop and ask what it is I’m doing (or at the very least, stare in amazement when I ride by). At least now, my neighbors all know what a Trikke is and how it works.

People are still amazed at the ease with which I’m able to climb hills (after many hours of practice). In my workouts, I try to perfect my hill climbing to be zone specific, like using my legs more, then using my arms more.

The thing I like the most about my Trikke: it’s low impact nature, which is very important, since I’ve had knee surgery (and now bursitis and a bone spur in my shoulder).

I showed a video of myself carving to my physical therapist (filmed prior to my injury), and I have to admit, I was worried he wouldn’t approve of me continuing to ride. Fortunately, I was wrong. He thought the Trikke was a great tool in my recovery — with a few minor adjustments, like lowering the handle bars a bit.

Bike vs. Trikke

Since getting my Trikke, I haven’t been on my bike once. To tell you the truth, I don’t miss it. I love the fact that I’m standing up and working my entire body, not just my legs. Oh, and it’s not hurting my butt either.

One thing I didn’t figure on was, because my whole body is involved, I don’t get tired or bored as quickly. Also, it isn’t until the next day that you realize just how much of a workout you’ve had.

Finally, I have to say: I will be a Trikke rider for the rest of my life. There’s nothing more enjoyable than getting on my Trike and carving it up. As a matter of fact, I hope to be upgrading my T78 Air to a T12 to increase my workouts.

Until you’ve ridden a Trikke, you won’t really understand. And once you’ve ridden a Trikke, you won’t ride anything else. Trust me.