A few years ago I walked up the first half mile of a climb out of a canyon (https://24hoursinthecanyon.org/) while a fellow my own age passed me on his trike. Too steep and too soon after knee surgery. But ... I was frustrated and was determined to ride my Bacchetta CA3 up that climb the next year. That `next' year was 2020 and the event was rightly canceled.
And then I started noticing the flood of interest in trikes (which had been going on for a few years ... I just didn't pay attention).
Today, on a climby (several long, steep ascents and descents) ride (https://ridewithgps.com/trips/59948708) I realized why I am so committed to two wheels: the necessity of staying upright / balance. Last week's bike handling challenge at a local industrial park (https://ridewithgps.com/trips/59824617) was hard, a little scary and very satisfying.
Pushing up 8 and 9 degree hills requires me to manage staying upright and in a (relatively) straight line. I have to minimize the wobbles: gearing, power, breathing and heart rate.
Descending into a crosswind at 40+ mph challenges my handling of braking, steering, accounting for the `push' of the crosswind.
I know that I wouldn't be so drawn to cycling if I didn't have the exciting `risk' of balance of the 2 wheel recumbent. I wouldn't spend as much time in physical intensity. My interest in tweaking the bikes wouldn't be there. I'd probably put more time and energy into indoor rowing (https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers) but the boredom factor of indoor work would be a major limiter.
No `dig' against trikes. Just another discovery that cycling has given me over the course of the last 74 years.
