A mama-chari is a single-speed bike common in Japan. Mama refers to the fact it is typically ridden by moms. Chari is a word for bike. It is extremely heavy and the single-speed makes climbing hills extremely difficult. (Compare this with the Gazelle below.) I rented one for a day and got a real workout.

There is a great view of Tucson from "A" mountain (Sentinel Peak). It is a short distance from the University of Arizona. A good place for hill repeats (6-8 mins).

This was taken on a cold, rainy day in Delft (Holland). I'm in full raingear on a Gazelle 3-speed with a backpedal brake.

This is a M₅ Low Racer. It is a very stylish recumbent bicycle made in Holland and designed for speed on flat roads. It has twitchy handling (compared to most machines I've tried) and it's not set up to climb hills.

I'm on a triathlon bike (steep seat tube angles) fitted with aerobars and cowhorns. Look how long the top tube is. I'm trying to find a specialized bike with an aero position that is comfortable enough to stay in for long periods of time. Compare that to the (equivalent) road bike position (fitted with the Cinelli Spinacissimi) on the right.

Here is another low-racer recumbent. It's a Festina from England. Compare it to the M₅ above.

Another recumbent. A Challenge Hurricane from Holland. Not as low as many low-racers. Has rear-suspension and a short wheelbase (rear wheel is well tucked in compared to the Festina above) and weighs as much as a mama-chari.

Another Dutch low-racer recumbent. An Optima Baron. Much longer wheelbase than the Hurricane above. Very similar in looks to the M₅ shown earlier.