View Full Version : Long distance rickshaw riding
Hello everybody
I am new to this forum and rickshawing in general so please excuse any rookie mistakes but...
I am trying to do some research on long distance rickshaw riding. I'm talking about "cycle touring" with a rickshaw, pedalling for weeks, months or years on a journey.
Have many people done it? Where might I find some information? Can anyone offer some advice?
Any pointers would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Tim.
Trixi.com
15-05-2009, 22:13
Welcome to our community!
In 2007 some of our riders (Lucio, Marcos, Txisti and Joselito) went from Barcelona to Madrid. We call it the Trixi Magic Tour....about 700 kilometers...
The mayor of Madrid didn't gave us the permits to drive in Spains capital...so we started a tour from Barcelona to Madrid - finishing at the mytical Kilometro Cero - where all national highways start.... (http://trixi.com/blog/a-punto-de-llegarbrinda-con-nosotros/)
| Trixi Magic Tour 2007 - Barcelona a Madrid (http://trixi.com/blog)
We still do not get the permits of the mayor of Madrid. He loves cars...but anyway - the hope never dies...we still maintain our bike rental shop there and to bike tours...but Madrid has no pedicab service....But Madrid always wakes up 10 years later as the rest of the world. I hope they will get the Olympic Games 2016 - this will obligate the mayor of Madrid to change the mind. Anyway: The Trixi Magic Tour (http://www.trixi.com/blog)was a great tour and we will never forget it. These guys are my heroes.
To all: Who else did long tours in pedicabs? Interesting question from Tim....
Saludos
Gerald
Wow, that looks like a great trip!
So, people have done some long distance trips before. That's a good start!
Some of my questions are:
- Rickshaw designs that are good/bad for long trips
- Can you store much kit in them?
- Getting up really steep hills (do you have to push???)
- Legalities of riding in different countries
Any and all advice appreciated!
Thanks,
Tim.
Ken Cameron
16-05-2009, 04:51
Tim,
I am sure it can be done, but why would you? There are inherent advantages to 2 wheel vehicles. (width, weight, less rolling resistance, more able to handle rough terrain, standard parts found in more bike shops, etc) While a pedicab type vehicle will be able to carry more weight and I guess you might be able to sleep in it, I don't really see these as all that beneficial.
Most western pedicabs are made to carry 3 adults, be reasonably affordable to purchase, and have a long service life. In general they weigh about 150 to 185 pounds. Removing the passenger compartment will save some weight, but you need to put your cargo some where.
All of this seems obvious to me. Why are you attracted to touring on a giant tricycle?
Hey Ken
Thanks for the info and feedback. I want to do the ride because it will be different, fun and so I can interact with people on the way. I'm already a keen two-wheeled cyclist, this wouldn't be for efficiency!
Does anyone else have experience of pedalling long distances? My main questions:
- How do they cope with steep hills
- How do they cope with rough terrain
- Any particular brands/designs that are good/bad for distance
Thanks in advance. I'm about to disappear into Siberia for three weeks so please excuse a slow reply!
Tim.
Only one brand springs to mind for a long one - Mainstreet Classic! Feels just like a bike if you don't have passengers! I 've worked with every style thats been around in the UK and we ahve had a lot of 'styles', each pedicab has a strength - cheap, quick turning, well build, nippy but for long distance - Mainstreet classic!!
Looks just like a bike too! That's great, thanks tdayuk.
Had a quick look at their website but will do some more research when I get home.
Cheers,
Tim.
Ken Cameron
30-05-2009, 21:56
I second the vote for the classic. Pull the body off, have you local welding shop weld up a flatbed made out of aluminum that mounts where the passenger body used to go, and then mount a car top type cargo carrier. It would probably only weigh 120 lbs. (unloaded)
http://media.rei.com/media/d/1540798.jpg
Just be sure to bring all the extra parts that you might need. (Axle bearings, Midship hub bearings, rear axle sprocket, slave cylinder rebuild kit, DOT 5 brake fluid, wheel spokes, etc.)
Rickshaw-odyssey.org
16-06-2009, 23:00
Hello all!
I'm new too...and also about to undertake a long distance rickshaw ride, from the West tip of England (Lands End) to the East tip. We plan to be on the road for 4 weeks. I'm pedalling an EcoChariot which is a recumbent model, which I've been told is easier long distance than an upright - can't really comment as I've never tried with an upright rickshaw!
Starting off on 29th June, together with my boyfriend, and it's a sponsored ride for Action Village India.
Tim, yes, you do have to get out and push up steep hills! But you are really right about rickshaws being a different, fun way to travel. Outside the city where they are a common sight, they really do encourage interaction with people!
Any more advice or tips on long distance rides, keeping safe and avoiding injuries very welcome...see my webpage rickshaw-odyssey.org for more info and a blog!
Cheers
Lianna