Young Upright Ultra Racer Now Breaking Records on Cruzbike! episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 16, 2026 · 1H 47M

Young Upright Ultra Racer Now Breaking Records on Cruzbike!

from Laidback Bike Report · host Gary Solomon

What happens when a young upright bike racer makes the switch to recumbents?In this episode of the Laidback Bike Report, we’re joined by Matthew Lefthand. For Matthew, the transition wasn't just about finding a more comfortable seat—it was about finding a new way to satisfy his competitive drive and improve his longevity on the circuit.Matthew takes us through his evolution from overweight couch potato to the world of upright bike ultra racing and now to discovering the speed and efficiency of recumbents. We discuss the learning curve of racing in a new position, the gear that keeps him competitive, and how the recumbent community has embraced his racing spirit.In this interview, we specifically dive into:How Matthew's professional background in psychology helps him persevere.His decision to lose weight and get active again. Why he started biking and his early experiences in ultra racing.How he was introduced to Cruzbike and its racing culture.The technical and physical differences between racing upright vs. laid back.His advice for other competitive cyclists considering the switch.If you’ve ever wondered if you can still "go fast" after making the move to a recumbent, Matthew’s journey is the perfect proof that the finish line looks just as good from a recumbent seat.Stay Connected: 👍 Like this video if you're a racer at heart! 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with the legends of the recumbent world. 💬 Comment below: What was the biggest challenge YOU faced when switching from an upright?00:00:00  Intro00:00:30  What’s on Today’s Show00:01:30  Panel Introduction00:02:35  Sponsor Introduction00:06:50  Honza Galla with Recumbent News Segment00:18:10  Matthew Lefthand World Champion Ultra Racer01:22:35  Matthew joins us live right after his 600 mile Bike Sebring 24 hour race01:41:00  Sponsor Thanks01:47:00  Announcements01:24:11  Goodbye to panel and crewPlease subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport*Thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making the LBR webcast possible*TerraCycle  https://t-cycle.com/  800-371-5871TerraTrike/Greenspeed https://wizwheelz.com/  800-945-9910Laidback Cycles https://laidbackcycles.com/   916-668-8766Bicycle Man https://bicycleman.com/ 607-587-8835AZUB https://azub.eu/  RecumbentPDX https://recumbentpdx.com/  503-231-1000Steintrikes https://stein-trikes-us.com/  931-237-0889Utah Trikes http://utahTrikes.com 866-446-2065Catrike http://catrike.com 407-999-0200Bacchetta Bikes http://bacchettabikes.com 818-358-2740Angletech cycledifferent.com 719-687-7475*Honza’s News Report Links*--Recumbent News  https://www.recumbent.news/Support the show

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 16, 2026

Embed this episode

What happens when a young upright bike racer makes the switch to recumbents? In this episode of the Laidback Bike Report, we’re joined by Matthew Lefthand. For Matthew, the transition wasn't just about finding a more comfortable seat—it was about finding a new way to satisfy his competitive drive and improve his longevity on the circuit. Matthew takes us through his evolution from overweight couch potato to the world of upright bike ultra racing and now to discovering the speed and efficien...

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

Young Upright Ultra Racer Now Breaking Records on Cruzbike!

0:00 1:47:48

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Laidback Bike Report?

This episode is 1 hour and 47 minutes long.

When was this Laidback Bike Report episode published?

This episode was published on February 16, 2026.

Can I download this Laidback Bike Report episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!