Looking for Cross Country Tour Group that accepts Trikes

[John Nettles]

Read http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3UY0x&doc_id=2126&v=2e0 if interested on someone riding long distances solo while on a trike.

If you pay my way, I will be happy to go along and guide  .

If you are concerned about your ability, try solo shorter rides until you build the confidence/skills up.  If you want companionship, look for companions on the various sites.  If you don't want to carry your gear (can't blame you), you can sometimes find private groups that have a private sag also by asking around on the various bike sites. 

[MrBent]

No offense meant, Herman, really, but you don't know what you're talking about.  I do extensive touring on a trike tandem every year, the longest being about 800 miles so far.  Experienced trikers--virtually all of whom also have extensive experience on conventional bikes, including me--will tell you that, in general, trikes are safer.  Almost without exception we get more respect, more room on the road than we ever got with conventional bikes.  Drivers really NOTICE you because the rig is so weird and wide--though only a few inches wider than a cyclist's shoulders, actually.  Trikers use flags, too, which helps a lot with getting noticed.  Other safety features include the undeniable stability factor.  You're not going over the bars and breaking your neck or collar bone on a trike, and heavy side winds and truck turbulence aren't an issue, either.

With this said, I have no problems with anyone touring on whatever works for them.  Safety is more in the mind of the rider and a certain amount of luck than anything else, but calling trikes inherently unsafe is contrary to a lot of experience in the field.

Use yer brain and ride on!

Scott
A dude who's toured on conventional bikes, recumbent bikes, and recumbent trikes

[Westinghouse]

Sounds interesting. I have always used upright bikes, though I have heard of the advantages of the recumbents. Never used redumbents two wheeled or three. Cannot say anything one way or the other. At one time I did think that trikes were a bit wider and might be a problem, but if experienced riders say the opposite, that's the voice of authority. After all, the proof is in the pudding. If they have been out there and doing it, that's all I need to know. If I ever get in another converstaion about trikes as opposed to uprights, I am going to say that recumbent trikes draw more attention, and drivers give them more space than uprights, and experienced trike riders said so, and give reference to this forum. That's the way I do things.

[RussSeaton]

and wide--though only a few inches wider than a cyclist's shoulders, actually.

I looked at the Cat Trike website and they list 33" as the width of their trikes.  Greenspeed was also 33" width.  TerraTrike was 30-34" width.  I measured my own shoulder width at 20".  I'm not huge.  I don't consider 13" (33-20) a few inches.  A loaded bike with panniers front and back is only about 20-24" wide.  6" to 10" narrower than a trike.  Might be more perception than anything.

[biker_james]

and wide--though only a few inches wider than a cyclist's shoulders, actually.

I looked at the Cat Trike website and they list 33" as the width of their trikes.  Greenspeed was also 33" width.  TerraTrike was 30-34" width.  I measured my own shoulder width at 20".  I'm not huge.  I don't consider 13" (33-20) a few inches.  A loaded bike with panniers front and back is only about 20-24" wide.  6" to 10" narrower than a trike.  Might be more perception than anything.

In addition to the width difference, with an upright bike, you can move to the edge of the road with nearly half of that width actually off the road, just keeping the tire on the pavement. That probably makes the difference about 20" or more. Not that you would normally ride that close to the edge, but there are times it may be necessary.
Actually, I'd love to try a recumbent trike out, and see how I feel with it on the road. I can see where there would be advantages to them.

[MidTMike]

Thank you guys so much.  This tread has been chocked full of bits of goodies that give me lots to ponder on when I do this ride.  All the information given is GREATLY appreciated!

[TCS]

I've organized weekend tours for my local tandem club for years.  We encourage and enjoy three-wheeled tandems and recumbent tandems, but I always inform the owners that their extra big machines will NOT fit into our SAG and they need to plan accordingly.

Just for fun, here are some non-recumbent trikes:
http://www.roman-road.co.uk/trikes/index.htm
http://www.trykit.com/

Best,
tcs

[Tour du Canada]

We have had trikes on Tour du Canada in the past and do this year. We have a few spots left for 2009. Visit: http://www.TourduCanada.com