Best Trike Tour Areas: A Journey through Europe and the US
Exploring scenic routes on a trike provides an immersive, leisurely, and eco-friendly way of travel. Europe, with its extensive network of cycling routes, and the United States, with its growing bike infrastructure, are two regions that stand out for trike touring.
EuroVelo: Europe’s Cycling Paradise
The EuroVelo network is a collection of 17 long-distance cycle routes that crisscross Europe. It connects diverse landscapes, cultures, and historic sites, offering an unparalleled touring experience. Riding a trike along these routes provides the comfort of a well-established network, often including cycle-friendly accommodation and services.
A highlight among the EuroVelo routes is the EuroVelo 15, or the Rhine Cycle Route. This 1230 km trail follows the Rhine River from its source in the Swiss Alps to its outlet in the Netherlands’ North Sea. Touring on a trike allows riders to fully appreciate the diverse landscapes, picturesque towns, vineyards, and castles dotting the route.
The Flat and Bike-Friendly Holland
The Netherlands, particularly Holland, is a haven for cyclists and trike riders. Its flat terrain, extensive network of well-maintained bike paths, and bike-friendly infrastructure make it an ideal place for trike touring. Routes through historic cities, past windmills, tulip fields, and along canals provide a quintessentially Dutch experience.
Bike Infrastructure Development in the United States
In recent years, the United States has made significant strides in developing its bike infrastructure. Numerous bike trails, ranging from urban circuits to rural routes and wilderness trails, are now available.
The US Bicycle Route System (USBRS) is a developing national network of bicycle routes connecting urban and rural areas across the country. With over 14,000 miles of routes, the USBRS presents an opportunity for long-distance trike tours, connecting scenic landscapes, iconic landmarks, and diverse regional cultures.
Whether it’s the EuroVelo network in Europe, the flat landscapes of Holland, or the emerging network of bike routes in the US, these regions offer an array of options for trike touring. Each provides a unique blend of scenery, culture, and cycling facilities, making them ideal destinations for any trike tour enthusiast.
Cycling in Taiwan: The Heart of Trike Manufacturing
Taiwan is often referred to as the “Bicycle Kingdom”, a title that extends to trikes as well. Home to numerous renowned trike and bicycle manufacturers, the island has a strong cycling culture and infrastructure that enhances its appeal as a destination for trike tours.
Taiwan’s cycling routes cover an impressive array of landscapes, from the bustling cityscapes of Taipei to the serene East Coast, the stunning Sun Moon Lake, and the lush Taroko Gorge. The well-established round-the-island cycling route, known as Cycle Route No.1, is a 968-kilometer-long journey that encircles the island and serves as a testament to the nation’s dedication to cycling. It integrates dedicated bike paths, shared roads, and waymarked routes.
The government’s investment in bike infrastructure has made Taiwan a cycling-friendly destination. Numerous bike rental stations, repair spots, and rest areas dot the cycling paths, making long-distance trike touring accessible and enjoyable.
Notably, touring Taiwan on a trike offers an interesting opportunity: visiting the factories or showrooms of trike manufacturers. These visits provide insight into the design and manufacturing process of trikes, enhancing the trike touring experience in the home of some of the world’s top trike manufacturers. Taiwan, therefore, provides a unique blend of impressive landscapes, excellent cycling infrastructure, and rich cycling industry heritage, making it a fascinating destination for trike tour enthusiasts.
Key Events for Trike Enthusiasts: Celebrating the Thrill of Three Wheels
Trike events bring together enthusiasts, manufacturers, and innovators in a shared passion for three-wheeled cycling. These events, held globally, offer opportunities to learn about the latest developments, share experiences, and celebrate the vibrant trike community.
Euro Cycle
Euro Cycle is a major European cycling event that covers all forms of cycling, including trikes. The event typically showcases new models, gear, and accessories while offering participants opportunities to engage in cycle races and rides.
Taibei Cycle
Hosted in Taiwan, the Taibei Cycle Show is a major global event for the cycling industry. The event traditionally offers showcases of the latest trike models, parts, and accessories from leading manufacturers, many of which call Taiwan home. This trade fair is focussed mostly on the supply chain for the bicycle industry.
Euro Bike
Euro Bike is an international bicycle trade fair held annually in Friedrichshafen, Germany. It features the latest innovations and trends in the cycling industry, including trikes. Attendees can expect expansive exhibits, networking events, and test tracks.
Spezi
Spezi, the Special Bikes Show held in Germany, is a unique event that specializes in unconventional bicycles, including recumbent and trikes. The event generally offers test tracks, children’s activities, and exhibits of unique and innovative cycle designs. Often it took place in Germersheim, but last event was held in the very south of Germany near the Swiss border.
Recumbent Cycle Con
Recumbent Cycle Con is the largest international event focused on recumbent bikes, trikes, and tandems. The convention typically features a large exhibitor hall, outdoor demo riding area, and informative seminars.
Big Honking Trike Rally
The Big Honking Trike Rally is an annual event in Texas, USA, which brings together trike enthusiasts for rides, talks, and socializing. Participants can look forward to group rides and discussions about trike maintenance and touring.
Fiets en Wandelbeurs
The Fiets en Wandelbeurs, or Cycling and Hiking Fair, in the Netherlands, is a large event focused on active leisure pursuits. Visitors can discover new cycling routes, gear, and attend informative workshops.
China International Bicycle Fair
The China International Bicycle Fair in Shanghai is one of the most influential trade events in the international bicycle industry. The event showcases the latest bicycles and tricycles, accessories, and cycling concepts from local and international manufacturers.
Drift Trikes Whangarei
Drift Trikes Whangarei in New Zealand is an event centered on drift trikes. The event includes drift trike races and provides a platform for enthusiasts to share their passion for this extreme form of triking.
These events reflect the diverse and vibrant world of trikes, offering enthusiasts a chance to immerse themselves in the latest innovations, share their passion, and connect with the wider trike community.
People: Niche-famous trike entrepreneurs, riders and more
A little introduction to notable Figures in the Trike Community
The trike community boasts several individuals who have contributed significantly to the popularity and development of tricycles. These enthusiasts, innovators, and adventurers have left a mark on the trike niche.
Steve Neubauer, known for his work with Tadpole Rider, is a trike enthusiast whose passion for these three-wheeled vehicles is infectious. He has shared his expertise and experiences on Tadpole Rider, inspiring many others to explore the world of trikes.
Fredy Arto is another influential figure in the trike community. Through his website, liegeradblog.com, Fredy shares his experiences with recumbent bicycles and trikes, offering insights into various models, gear, and riding techniques.
Steffen Schönfelder, co-founder of Velomo, has made significant contributions to the design and production of recumbent bicycles and trikes. His innovative designs have garnered acclaim for their unique blend of comfort, stability, and performance.
Florian Bally, known for his participation in The Sun Trip, has raised the profile of solar electric trikes. By embarking on long-distance tours powered by solar energy, Florian showcases the potential of trikes as sustainable, long-distance touring vehicles.
Matthew Galat, of JaYoe, has taken trike touring to new heights. His globe-trotting adventures on his recumbent trike, documented on his website and YouTube channel, have inspired countless others to consider trikes as a means of adventure and exploration.
These individuals, with their unique contributions and shared passion for trikes, have played a key role in shaping the trike community and inspiring others to embark on their own trike journeys.