Going up and down hills can be both immensely satisfying and great fun! However do please be careful when going down hills not to go too quickly, always keep your fingers on the brakes and lean back to keep the balance correct.
Going Up
Going up hill is very simple. Simply drive forward in the usual way, leaning forward slightly to give you more grip on the front wheels.
If you get tired, apply the brakes and rest your arms. There is no rush! A short break can give your muscles time to recover. With the rear wheel behind you, there is no risk of falling backwards, so lean back, relax and enjoy the view.
Coming Down
Descending requires the use of the steering and braking systems, if you are using Independent Brakes make sure that you use both the left and right hand brakes at the same time and with even pressure. Uneven pressure of the brakes could cause you to turn sharply. We strongly recommend that you keep your fingers on the brakes at all times.
It is extremely important to check the suitability of any terrain considered for descending before attempting to ride it. If for any reason you are unsure, do not ride it, find an alternative way round.
The most important aspect of descending is using the brakes to control speed. ‘Feathering’ or ‘Modulating’ the brakes, using finely controlled pressure on the brake lever is required to keep the wheels rolling whilst providing the required braking force to maintain controllable speed.
Whilst descending, it will often be necessary to use the Steering Handle to make adjustments to your course as you go. This can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of riding the Trike. No braking is required to steer the Trike. Rather, the braking system is used to control the speed of a descent, and the steering system is used to control the direction. Both of these techniques must be practiced and the rider must be confident doing both concurrently before any attempt at descending is made.
Be careful not to over-steer when descending hills at speed, make only fine adjustments to your steering, slowing down before you turn and leaning into the turn.
The anti-tip wheels on the footrest limit the forwards tip of the Trike should the brakes be applied too sharply, or if the gradient is too steep. However, it is always recommended to keep the rear wheel in contact with the ground to provide optimal control, so avoid prolonged descending while balanced on the anti tip wheels.
If the hill is particularly steep, before descending, you can move the seat back backwards to put more weight over the rear wheel and lower the footrest so that the anti-tip wheels are closer to the ground.