BikeArkansas

This April I will be touring on a trike instead of my faithful Surly LHT. This is a one week self supported tour with about a dozen friends. Done it a number of times in the past, but now a little skeptical of taking off with them on the trike. The trike I purchased (used) is a HP Velo Scorpion FX. I have ordered the lowrider rack so I can carry four paniers. I considered a trailer, but decided on the rack and paniers.

I have been working at getting my trike "legs" for about a month, but I would guess I will be trailing way behind on the daily rides. We normally only travel around 50 miles per pay, so it should not be too bad, but it will be so different without my LHT.

My neck can stand a one day ride, but multiple days and sleeping in a tent would be a disaster. I do not want to giive up on my two or three tour rides per year, so the trike it is. Anyone else made this type conversion to a trike? How was the first multi-day tour ride?

Tourist in MSN

A couple years ago I did an Adventure Cycling group self supported group trip. One guy in the group had a trike, he pulled a trailer with it.

From behind I was really surprised how hard it was to see him compared to the other bikers. He had a flag pole and small flag on top that helped a lot. If you do not have a flag pole, get one with a high visibility flag on top. Otherwise some half asleep car driver might not see you in time.

I don't think he ran a tail light during the day, I think I was the only one in the group that did. I think you should. Flashing in daytime, always on (instead of flashing) if you ride at night.

He worried about steep hills on gravel, with his five wheels (two wheels on trailer) he only had one driving wheel and not much weight on that wheel. But I do not think he had any problems with the hills we rode.

I accused him of cheating on the uphills, he could slow down much slower than anyone that had to balance on two wheels so he could climb any grade as slow as he wanted to.

I have never ridden a trike. Good luck.

bent4me

I have been a dedicated triker for more than 11 years and have done many supported and a couple of self supported tours by trike. IMHO it is the best platform for touring. It is easy and stable to carry gear, climb hills without balance issues, take pictures while pedaling and just relax and catch the scenery. It is a slow and steady ride and you will probably not be keeping up with your 2 wheel friends. You could still average about 10 mph which is on par for touring. At the end of the day the only issue you might have is your legs. You will also have the most comfortable chair. Last year I did a 2 week 825 mile ride around Florida. Central Florida is quite hilly. My days averaged 50-100 miles.
See blog for pics

fietsbob

I brought an insulated air mattress and bring a pillow to get a good nights sleep, in my Sleeping bag.