Author: John Trites

Since I became an Ambassador and received my Bülk, I have put about 5000km on it.  My longest ride was 180km and my daily ride is 20km.

Experiences

My velomobiles are the only ones in Eastern Canada so they attract a lot of attention.  Most places in Canada are not overly bike-friendly, but the velomobile attract a lot of positive attention for the most part.

Shopping

I use them to go shopping and people stop and talk and want to know more about them.  Nova Scotia is cold in the winter, and I ride to the grocery store at -20 degrees C with a bike jersey, a fleece, and a pair of Dry-Fit sports tights.  The fact that they are good in all weather, really attracts attention.

If you needed a car before you got a velomobile in our area, you still would need a car. I live in a rural area where there is no transit, and Halifax, the nearest city is an hour away by car; too far to routinely ride a velomobile.  However, whenever possible, I replace car trips with the velomobile.  I have found I can put two cases of beer and two bags of groceries in the velomobile and still ride it the 5 km home easily.

Commuting

When I go into work, I trailer the velomobile to the edge of the city, and ride in the final 20 km.  Because of rush-hour traffic, I can get to work, or anywhere else in the city, faster in the velomobile than by car or even transit.  There are bike lanes, which does speed things up, but in traffic, it keeps your pulse up.  However the last 7 km going in, and the first 7 km going out is a nice paved rail trail away from the roads and very quiet; extraordinarily relaxing.

I have also ridden the bike downtown and, while it is slower to accelerate and less nimble than a bike in traffic, it is nice of the foggy, rainy, or snowy days when the regular cyclists are looking pretty miserable.

Touring

I tour around the rural roads of Nova Scotia regularly.  It is a comfortable ride, fast and with a good feeling of safety because of the body.  I have a 75-tooth in the front with the Schlumpf MD and an 11/50 10-speed in the rear which gives me a good gear spread for touring.  Nova Scotia is rolling hills and can have grades up to 15% in some places.  The bike is good for that since you can carry food, water, and overnight gear easily.

I have become a familiar sight and people are much more enthusiastic as a result.

Events

There are a number of events and supported rides in my area and I participate in as many as I can.  Since I have acquired the Bülk, I have participated in:

• The Gran Fondo Baie-Ste-Marie – 128 km ride and one of the most beautiful in Eastern Canada.  Typically, 600-1000 riders participate.  This past year riders can from as far away as the UK and Australia.
• Lost Shores Gran Fondo – 96 km ride though the seashore roads in Guysborough County of Nova Scotia.  It is hilly with a few 5 km climbs at 10%.
• The Heart of the Valley Century – 162 km ride usually attended by about 400 cyclists.  This is a great ride in rural Nova Scotia.
• The Great Annapolis Ride – This is a 100 km ride sponsored by Cycling Nova Scotia of which I am the president.  This is a very nice ride in rural Nova Scotia.
• Bank of Montreal Ride for Cancer – 160 km ride from Halifax along the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Typically 1500-2000 riders participate.
• Cabot Trail – I will be doing this ride this summer.  It is 298km with several 5 km climbs at 10-12% and is considered one of the toughest rides in Eastern Canada

Overall

My velomobiles have become a lifestyle.  I am diabetic and the exercise I get from my velomobiles has kept me healthy and better able to manage my diabetes.  I also have recumbent trikes that I rode as regularly before I made the move to velomobiles.  I have been diabetic for 22 years and still have no complications which my doctors attribute to a cycling lifestyle.  I am identified with velomobiles in this area, and while no one has actually pulled the trigger to buy one, I am ever hopeful since so many express interest.

If you want to keep healthy, care for the environment, don’t mind a little attention, and find a great way to relieve stress, a velomobile does all of those things.