Laidback Bike Report Gary Solomon

Buying a European velomobile in America has been fraught with poor selection/availability, shipping disasters and minimal expert guidance. Ben Parke has worked very hard over the last year to change all that with his new Minnesota dealership called Northland Velo. Ben's close business connection with Romanian based Velomobile World is bringing a wide range of models to his customers at discounted prices. We talk to Ben about the "shipping container load" quantities he is bringing in which he hopes will finally allow for scaling this business to new levels.

The world's largest recumbent show is returning to Germany soon and so is the Laidback Bike Report. We sit down with Franz, Gabriel and Florian (the Spezi producers) for a peek at the planned program and exciting new changes they have planned for this year.

This event only got its start a few years ago but the Pacific Trike Fest is returning to Portland, Oregon in June. Recumbent PDX is the force behind this fun gathering and Mel Birge joins us on the road riding his own Catrike to tell us all the amazing details.

00:00:00  Intro
00:00:51  What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:20  Panel Introduction
00:03:55  Sponsor Introduction
00:06:45  Recumbent News with Honza Galla
00:15:10  Northland Velo interview with Ben Parke
00:50:40  Discussion  with Peter, Tray and Gary
01:01:20  Ben announces Velomobile World’s 2 new models for first time!
01:10:32  What to expect at Spezi 2024 with producers Franz, Gabriel and Florian 
01:24:20  Pacific Trike Fest 2024 with producer Mel Birge
01:30:00  Sponsor Thanks
01:32:40  Announcements
01:34:24  Goodbye to panel and crew

Please subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. 

Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.

We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport

*Thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making the LBR webcast possible*
TerraCycle  https://t-cycle.com/  800-371-5871 or  +1-503-231-9798 (Outside N. America)
Trailside Trikes  https://trailside.bike/  352-419-4809
TerraTrike/Greenspeed https://wizwheelz.com/  800-945-9910
Laidback Cycles https://laidbackcycles.com/   916-619-1003
Connecticut Yankee Pedaller http://www.cypbikes.com/  641-774-5557
Bicycle Man https://bicycleman.com/ 607-587-8835
AZUB https://azub.eu/  
RecumbentPDX https://recumbentpdx.com/  (503) 231-1000

*Honza’s News Report Links*
--Recumbent News  https://www.recumbent.news/

*Guest Links*
Northland Velo  https://northlandvelo.com/
Velomobile World  https://www.velomobileworld.com/
Spezi 2024  https://en.spezialradmesse.de/
Pacific Trike Fest  https://pacifictrikefest.com/

*LBR Crew Links*
-Recumbent News-online news website by Honza Galla  https://www.recumbent.news/
-BentRider/Larry Varney  http://www.bentrideronline.com/
-Doug Davis Bicycle Evolution  https://www.bicycle-evolution.com/
-Nina Paley’s Links
-Nina’s blog  https://blog.ninapaley.com/
-Nina’s bike merchandise  http://www.palegraylabs.com/other-stuff-1/protective-bicycle-amulet
-Peter Stull  https://bicycleman.com/
-Josef Janning  https://www.facebook.com/josef.janning
-Tim Segard https://www.bentrevolution.com/
-Tray Bourgoyne  Tray@netdoor.com

**Viewer Submissions or Questions**
Send to laidbackbikereport@gmail.com
Support the show

Florida in February is not a bad place to visit! When general manager Mark Egeland invited us to tour the factory floor of Catrike in Orlando last fall at Cycle-Con we jumped at the opportunity. Tray and I were given free range to roam the facility and interview anyone we wished. This was during their "Factory Event" so we got to see lots of Catrike owners and hear from Founder Paulo Camasmie as well. We follow the progress a new trike would take right down the production line from welding to painting to packaging and interview the team at their individual stations along the way. I think you'll find the process fascinating. 

The Big Honkin' Trike Rally was becoming an annual pilgrimage for bent riders across the country when the powers that be threw a liability wrench into the organizer's plans this year. Not to be beaten, they pivoted to a more open source approach and turned this into an informal BBQ and ride format along the Withlacootchee trail in Inverness, Florida this year. We attended the BBQ, met many of the trikers and interviewed Gay Ormiston Bradford who has been involved from the start.

If you're looking for advice on unraveling the many trike choices available both electric and not-look no further! Andrew and Gary from Trailside Trike in Floral City, Florida show us 10 models they rolled out behind the bike shop right along the trail. You'll get their expert opinion on the pros and cons of various Catrike, Greenspeed, Terratrike, Trident and AZUB units for your consideration.

00:00:00  Intro
00:00:51  What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:45  Panel Introduction
00:04:50  Sponsor Introduction
00:07:17  Recumbent News with Honza Galla
00:09:45  Catrike Factory Tour Event 2024
00:50:15  Discussion Peter, Honza, Tray, Larry and Gary
01:10:20  Big Honkin’ Trike BBQ and riding on the Withlacoochee Trail in Florida
01:16:05  Evaluating 5 e-assisted and 5 non assisted trikes at Trailside Trikes
01:30:25  Sponsor Thanks
01:33:00  Announcements
01:35:40  Goodbye to panel and crew

Please subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. 

Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.

We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport

00:00:00  Intro
00:00:51  What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:45  Panel Introduction
00:04:50  Sponsor Introduction
00:07:17  Recumbent News with Honza Galla
00:09:45  Catrike Factory Tour Event 2024
00:50:15  Discussion Peter, Honza, Tray, Larry and Gary
01:10:20  Big Honkin’ Trike BBQ and riding on the Withlacoochee Trail in Florida
01:16:05  Evaluating 5 e-assisted and 5 non assisted trikes at Trailside Trikes
01:30:25  Sponsor Thanks
01:33:00  Announcements
01:35:40  Goodbye to panel and crew

Please subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. 

Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.

We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport



Support the show

Larry Oslund joins us from his Hilton Head headquarters to talk about his recent trip to Romania and his video tour of  the Velomobile World factory. He takes us all around the facility then shows us a close up view as his personal Bülk is being built on the floor. Larry is now a Velomobile World dealer and is offering velos along side Cruzbikes for test rides and sales. Another of Larry's passions is ultra racing. We talk about his personal accomplishments and his new forays into resurrecting failed races around the country starting with Sebring and Calvin's Challenge. Last year Larry built a massive addition to his house to make room for the Cruzeum. This large structure over his garage now houses over 30 historical Cruzbikes and Cruzbike paraphernalia. We have a look at this new room as we talk to Cruzbike founders Maria and Jim Parker who join Larry for our final chat segment.

00:00:00  Intro
00:00:51  What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:45  Panel Introduction
00:04:50  Sponsor Introduction
00:07:40  Larry Oslund-Getting involved with velomobiles
00:11:00  Tour of the Velomobile World Factory in Romania
00:22:25  Larry’s personal experience with his new Bulk velomobile (Police Stop)
00:30:00  Larry talks about starting a recumbent bike shop
00:38:45  Larry chats about Ultra Racing and resurrecting Sebring and Calvin’s Challenge races
00:52:10  Larry future plans for a wind tunnel
00:56:13  Cruzbike Museum highlights
01:06:11  We visit with Cruzbike founders Jim and Maria Parker for company update
01:27:25  Viewer Submissions-Beautiful LBR wooden plaque by Dennis Wells 
01:28:40  Sponsor Thanks
01:31:00  Announcements
01:33:40  Goodbye to panel and crew

Please subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. 

Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.

We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport

*Thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making the LBR webcast possible*
TerraCycle  https://t-cycle.com/  800-371-5871 or  +1-503-231-9798 (Outside N. America)
Trailside Trikes  https://trailside.bike/  352-419-4809
TerraTrike/Greenspeed https://wizwheelz.com/  800-945-9910
Laidback Cycles https://laidbackcycles.com/   916-619-1003
Connecticut Yankee Pedaller http://www.cypbikes.com/  641-774-5557
Bicycle Man https://bicycleman.com/ 607-587-8835
AZUB https://azub.eu/  
RecumbentPDX https://recumbentpdx.com/  (503) 231-1000

*Guest Links*
Larry Oslund-Cruzeum  https://cruzbikemuseum.com/
Bike Sebring  https://www.bikesebring.org/
Bike Reg.org  https://www.bikereg.com/
Jim and Maria Parker-Cruzbike  https://cruzbike.com/
Florida Bicycle Safari  https://floridabicyclesafari.com/
Dennis Wells Woodworking email: denny48386@yahoo.com

**Viewer Submissions or Questions**
Send to laidbackbikereport@gmail.com


Support the show

Manufactured in Montreal the VT1 velomobile from Velomtek is in production and is now available to buyers in the USA. CEO Francois Garneau gives us a close up look at this amazing vehicle then shares the details of their process for purchasing via pickup or delivery.

Lars Viebke started Carbontrike in Sweden years ago before entering into a collaboration with Bacchetta in 2018. Fast forward past Bacchetta's sale and split up into bike and trike business, covid complications and visa nightmares and today Lars is back up and running in Florida. He brings us up to date on this exquisite carbon fiber trike and his plan for sales and development in the future.

The Florida Senior Games were held in December and bents were very well represented in the biking category. Our own Larry Seidman brings us his report on the riders and results from the competition in the Sunshine State.

00:00:00  Intro
00:00:48  What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:10  Panel Introduction
00:04:20  Sponsor Introduction
00:07:05  Carbontrike Back in Business with the CT 2.0-Lars Viebke CEO
00:48:20  Velomtek VT1 Velomobile Now in the USA-Francois Garneau CEO
01:55:25  Florida Senior Games-Bent Rider Report-Larry Seidman  
02:02:15  Sponsor Thanks
02:04:50  Announcements
02:06:10  Goodbye to panel and crew

Please subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. 

Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.

We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport

*Thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making the LBR webcast possible*
TerraCycle  https://t-cycle.com/  800-371-5871 or  +1-503-231-9798 (Outside N. America)
Trailside Trikes  https://trailside.bike/  352-419-4809
TerraTrike/Greenspeed https://wizwheelz.com/  800-945-9910
Laidback Cycles https://laidbackcycles.com/   916-619-1003
Connecticut Yankee Pedaller http://www.cypbikes.com/  641-774-5557
Bicycle Man https://bicycleman.com/ 607-587-8835
AZUB https://azub.eu/  
RecumbentPDX https://recumbentpdx.com/  (503) 231-1000

*Honza’s News Report Links*
--Recumbent News  https://www.recumbent.news/

*Guest Links*
Carbontrike  https://carbontrikes.com/
Velomtek  https://velomtek.com/
Senior Games  https://seniorgames.net/

*LBR Review Team Links*

*LBR Crew Links*
-Recumbent News-online news website by Honza Galla  https://www.recumbent.news/
-BentRider/Larry Varney  http://www.bentrideronline.com/
-Doug Davis Bicycle Evolution  https://www.bicycle-evolution.com/
-Nina Paley’s Links
-Nina’s blog  https://blog.ninapaley.com/
-Nina’s bike merchandise  http://www.palegraylabs.com/other-stuff-1/protective-bicycle-amulet
-Peter Stull  https://bicycleman.com/
-Josef Janning  https://www.facebook.com/josef.janning
-Tim Segard https://www.bentrevolution.com/
-Tray Bourgoyne  Tray@netdoor.com
**The absolute best archive of early recumbent history is Recumbent Cyclist News**
  Find years of publisher Bob Bryant’s hard work here:  https://rcnpdf.com/

**Viewer Submissions or Questions**
Send to laidbackbikereport@gmail.com
Support the show

Aussie Mark Doble read on BROL that some American velonauts were planning on being the first to cross Australia in a velomobile. This got his competitive and patriotic juices flowing and he thought "Screw you Yanks you'll not be the first to do this in my country!!" So the planning began for an epic crossing of the continent "down under" in the Australian built Rotovelo. 

Next, our own Tray Bourgoyne and wife Lisa have been working hard on an in depth review of the just released new trike from HP Velotechnik known as the Delta Tx. You'll see it on the trail, on the road and in Tray's workshop. He details all the features and specs to let us know why this e-assisted trike might be best suited for you.

00:00:00  Intro
00:00:50  What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:00  Panel Introduction
00:04:00  Sponsor Introduction
00:06:40  Rotovelo Across Australia with Mark Doble
01:24:00  LBR Review Team-HP Velotechnik’s Delta Tx with Tray and Lisa Bourgoyne
01:45:48  Viewer Submission-Home built recumbent bike from Chile
01:47:20  Sponsor Thanks
01:49:52  Announcements
01:51:25  Goodbye to panel and crew

Please subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. 

Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.

We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport

*Thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making the LBR webcast possible*
TerraCycle  https://t-cycle.com/  800-371-5871 or  +1-503-231-9798 (Outside N. America)
Trailside Trikes  https://trailside.bike/  352-419-4809
TerraTrike/Greenspeed https://wizwheelz.com/  800-945-9910
Laidback Cycles https://laidbackcycles.com/   916-619-1003
Connecticut Yankee Pedaller http://www.cypbikes.com/  641-774-5557
Bicycle Man https://bicycleman.com/ 607-587-8835
AZUB https://azub.eu/  
RecumbentPDX https://recumbentpdx.com/  (503) 231-1000
Eco Cycles https://www.eco-ebike.com/ (833) 693-2453

*Honza’s News Report Links*
--Recumbent News  https://www.recumbent.news/

*Guest Links*
Rotovelo Across Australia’s Mark Doble  https://www.facebook.com/rotovelo.acrossaustralia

*LBR Review Team Links*
HP Velotechnik Delta Tx trike  https://www.hpvelotechnik.com/en/recumbent-trikes-bikes/delta-tx-comfortable-e-chopper/

*LBR Crew Links*
-Recumbent News-online news website by Honza Galla  https://www.recumbent.news/
-BentRider/Larry Varney  http://www.bentrideronline.com/
-Doug Davis Bicycle Evolution  https://www.bicycle-evolution.com/
-Nina Paley’s Links
-Nina’s blog  https://blog.ninapaley.com/
-Nina’s bike merchandise  http://www.palegraylabs.com/other-stuff-1/protective-bicycle-amulet
-Peter Stull  https://bicycleman.com/
-Josef Janning  https://www.facebook.com/josef.janning
-Tim Segard https://www.bentrevolution.com/
-Tray Bourgoyne  Tray@netdoor.com
**The absolute best archive of early recumbent history is Recumbent Cyclist News**
  Find years of publisher Bob Bryant’s hard work here:  https://rcnpdf.com/

**Viewer Submissions or Questions**
Send to laidbackbikereport@gmail.com
Support the show

Tig Cross has been working on the Electrom for almost 8 years. Now in limited production he hopes to one day make his dream of a 2 wheeled light electric recumbent come true. He believes this bike has advantages that will make it a true "car replacement" option in the future. 

Our own Larry Seidman participated in two senior games events last month. He was excited to see some other recumbent riders at the Huntsman Senior Games in Utah and the Nevada Senior Games as well. He tells us about the events, venues and the racers involved making it clear that more of us should join in the fun. 

Sports Director Denny Voorhees is back with a report on a couple of interesting endurance races including the Natchez Trace 444. Our pal Larry Oslund features prominently in this report along with a few other bent racers.

00:00:00  Intro
00:00:50  What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:20  Panel Introduction
00:04:00  Sponsor Introduction
00:06:40  Recumbent News with Honza Galla
00:12:20  Electrom Light Electric 2 Wheeled Vehicle with Founder Tig Cross
01:23:00  Senior Games Report from Utah and Nevada with Larry Seidman
01:32:40  Sports Report on Natchez Trace 444 with Denny Voorhees
01:37:00  Sponsor Thanks
01:39:38  Announcements
01:42:00  Goodbye to panel and crew

Please subscribe to us on YouTube (https://goo.gl/CHOOgX) and Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/laidbackbikereport/) if you haven't already done so. 

Lot's more info and you can also buy a hat on our website: https://www.laidbackbikereport.com/.

We would love to have you as a Patreon Patron where you can support all we do for as little as $1/month. Check out how it works and the benefits you can reap here: https://www.patreon.com/laidbackbikereport

*Thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making the LBR webcast possible*
TerraCycle  https://t-cycle.com/  800-371-5871 or  +1-503-231-9798 (Outside N. America)
Trailside Trikes  https://trailside.bike/  352-419-4809
TerraTrike/Greenspeed https://wizwheelz.com/  800-945-9910
Laidback Cycles https://laidbackcycles.com/   916-619-1003
Connecticut Yankee Pedaller http://www.cypbikes.com/  641-774-5557
Bicycle Man https://bicycleman.com/ 607-587-8835
AZUB https://azub.eu/  
RecumbentPDX https://recumbentpdx.com/  (503) 231-1000
Eco Cycles https://www.eco-ebike.com/ (833) 693-2453

*Honza’s News Report Links*
--Recumbent News  https://www.recumbent.news/

*Guest Links*
Electrom Light Electric Vehicle  https://www.electrom.ca/
Huntsman World Senior Games  https://seniorgames.net/
Nevada Senior Games  https://www.nevadaseniorgames.com/
Natchez Trace 444  https://www.bikereg.com/57851
Psycho 48  https://thepsycho48.com/
Cycle-Con 2023  https://cycle-con.com/

*LBR Review Team Links*

*LBR Crew Links*
-Recumbent News-online news website by Honza Galla  https://www.recumbent.news/
-BentRider/Larry Varney  http://www.bentrideronline.com/
-Doug Davis Bicycle Evolution  https://www.bicycle-evolution.com/
-Nina Paley’s Links
-Nina’s blog  https://blog.ninapaley.com/
-Nina’s bike merchandise  http://www.palegraylabs.com/other-stuff-1/protective-bicycle-amulet
-Peter Stull  https://bicycleman.com/
-Josef Janning  https://www.facebook.com/josef.janning
-Tim Segard https://www.bentrevolution.com/
-Tray Bourgoyne  Tray@netdoor.com
**The absolute best archive of early recumbent history is Recumbent Cyclist News**
  Find years of publisher Bob Bryant’s hard work here:  https://rcnpdf.com/

**Viewer Submissions or Questions**
Send to laidbackbikereport@gmail.com
Support the show