24
HP
Velotechnik
Learning the new riding technique
Your new bicycle has been assembled by your
dealer and adjusted together with you as de-
scribed on the previous pages under
"Adjusting your new bicycle". Before you
mount your bike and enjoy your first ride
please make yourself familiar with the instruc-
tions on the riding technique and the handling.
To ride this recumbent you will have to make
yourself acquainted with the different riding
position. Make sure that you and all other fu-
ture users of this bicycle will have read this
manual carefully prior to the first ride. If you
are in doubt please consult your local dealer.
Before the first ride the users of this recum-
bent have to practice and make themselves fa-
miliar with the different handling.We recom-
mend to practice on a quiet road away from
traffic. Before you ride the bicycle in traffic you
must master the handling completely.
Go to a road where you can ride straight
ahead without being hindered. Hold your bike
at the handlebars and pull a break.Then mount
your bicycle and lean back. Leave one foot on
the ground and put one on the pedal.
Therefore rotate the crank in the top position
so that you can pedal immediately with power.
Try to keep your balance in that position.
Assure yourself that you can stop whenever
you want to and hold the bicycle with one
foot on the ground.When you feel safe put
pressure on the pedal, loosen the brake, pedal
with a lot of force and immediately put your
second foot on the other pedal.
Do not care on which side of pedal you are
currently pedaling in the beginning. Hold the
handlebar loose but steady and accelerate with
a few pedal strokes.Your bicycle needs speed
to stabilise.
Look ahead in the direction where you want
to ride, not on the handlebar, at your feet or
the front wheel.
In order to stop brake carefully with both
brakes until the bicycle has come to a com-
plete stop. Only then do put a foot on the
ground and keep the balance.
Learning the new riding technique
Danger!
Never touch the ground with your
feet while the bicycle is still moving.The feet
could be caught on the ground and be pulled
backwards which could lead to a serious in-
jury.
Danger!
With a compact recumbent like
the GrassHopper it is possible that a foot of
the rider contacts the front wheel when rid-
ing sharp corners with a pedal in a low posi-
tion.You will have to avoid this situation at
all times since in extreme situations it may
lead to a fall and injuries.
To control the bicycle you will therefore
have to apply the following cornering tech-
nique: when you ride a curve stretch the leg
on the inside of the curve, stop pedaling, on-
ly then start steering into the curve. Only
when you ride straight ahead again should
you resume pedaling. Small riders should
shorten the front mudguard to get more
clearance.
Danger!
Please note that due to your low
seat height other road users may notice you
very late. Ride anticipatory with this in mind.
This is especially important while riding in
darkness.You yourself have a much better
view than others perceive you. Ride defen-
sively.We recommend you to mount a well
visible and reflecting flag to the bicycle while
using it in traffic. Please ask your dealer for
more information.