Forest Roads and Offroads
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The US Forest Service has hundreds of miles of roads suitable for recumbent trikes in Western Washington, and Mt Rainier National Park has four gravel/dirt roads, two of which are closed to motor vehicles. The Washington Deparment of Natural Resources also has good riding roads, and King County maintains several non-motorized roads.
The National Forests also have a huge network of trails, some suitable for trikes, some too narrow or steep. Trails in the national parks are off-limits to cycling. Some of the best triking trails in King County are in the designated Natural Areas. Others are undeveloped sections of multi-use trails.
It is surprising to many the places a properly equipped recumbent trike can go. The primary requirements are fat tires, including a knobby in the back for traction; and low gearing (under 10 g.i.), which can be achieved with an internally geared hub, or a very small chain ring up front and large cog on the rear cassette. The red Catarike Road has an 18-tooth Mountain Tamer chainring and a 36 tooth rear cog. The ActionBent also has the same setup plus a Dual Drive hub.
The National Forests also have a huge network of trails, some suitable for trikes, some too narrow or steep. Trails in the national parks are off-limits to cycling. Some of the best triking trails in King County are in the designated Natural Areas. Others are undeveloped sections of multi-use trails.
It is surprising to many the places a properly equipped recumbent trike can go. The primary requirements are fat tires, including a knobby in the back for traction; and low gearing (under 10 g.i.), which can be achieved with an internally geared hub, or a very small chain ring up front and large cog on the rear cassette. The red Catarike Road has an 18-tooth Mountain Tamer chainring and a 36 tooth rear cog. The ActionBent also has the same setup plus a Dual Drive hub.
