🚴 From Dream To Discovery: Why I Switched From My WAW150 Velomobile To An ICE Sprint X Trike 🚴

🌱 Every journey begins with a dream. Mine started in my youth: the futuristic idea of riding a velomobile captured my imagination for years. That dream came true when I finally owned the WAW150 Velomobile. It was sleek, fast, and turned heads wherever I went. But dreams evolve—and so did my needs as a long-distance recumbent triker. This is the story of my love affair with the WAW150 Velomobile and why I eventually transitioned to the ICE Sprint X.

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✅ A Dream on Three Wheels: My WAW150 Velomobile Experience

The moment I climbed into my WAW150 Velomobile for the first time, I felt like I had entered a different world. Encased in an aerodynamic shell, I was no longer just a cyclist—I was a pilot of the future. The WAW150 Velomobile made me feel euphoric, powerful, and deeply fulfilled. I wasn’t a trained athlete, just someone who had spent most of his workdays behind a desk. Yet here I was, racing through the Flemish countryside at over 61.74 km/h (38.37 mph), feeling like I could conquer the world.

But with this speed came a steep learning curve. As someone who never drove a car, it was unfamiliar to judge distances from within an enclosed space. I broke my mirrors more than once simply by miscalculating side clearance. The WAW150 Velomobile was a masterpiece—but one that required adaptation.

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🔧 What I Learned Along the Way

A velomobile like the WAW150 Velomobile isn’t just a recumbent trike with a shell—it’s a whole new experience. Here’s what I had to master:

• Spatial awareness: Judging distances from the inside felt like navigating a mini spaceship on bike lanes.
• Accessibility: In case of a mechanical issue, the aerodynamic shell had to be removed. Not ideal when you’re far from home and mechanically challenged like me—with two left hands that should wear socks!
• Weight and maneuverability: Lifting or carrying the velomobile wasn’t an option. Where traditional cyclists lifted their bikes up stairs or over obstacles, I had to ask for help.

Despite these hurdles, I cherished every moment in the WAW. It was a perfect winter companion, warm inside while the world outside froze. But summer rides turned the cockpit into a sauna, with minimal airflow and maximum effort.

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💡 Moments That Made It Worthwhile

Riding the WAW150 Velomobile wasn’t just about (s)miles—it was about connection. Some of my most heartwarming encounters came thanks to this machine:

• A charming immigrant grandmother in Antwerp’s Park Noord who said, “In what a futuristic world am I living?” as she and her grandson sat inside my velomobile.
• A determined boy at a traffic light who declared, “When I’m older, I’m going to buy one too!”—his words made my eyes well up.
• Enthusiastic greetings from immigrant communities in Antwerp, Brussels, and beyond, especially when I cycled with music playing.

Children and seniors seemed to connect with the WAW on a deeply emotional level, often more than anyone else.

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🗂️ Speed vs. Endurance: What Really Mattered

Although I once reached 61.74 km/h (38.37 mph) between Putte and Koningshooikt, speed was never my ultimate goal. My real joy came from endurance rides:

• 🚴‍♂️ Gent to Oostende and back (140 km / 87 mi)
• 🚴‍♂️ Cross-border tours through Antwerp, Brussels, Leuven, Brugge, Eindhoven, Utrecht, Hilversum, Lelystad
• 🚴‍♂️ Long rides up to 225 km (140 mi) in one go

Sometimes, as I climbed a hill, I felt a mysterious push. Was someone helping me? No—it was the aerodynamics of the velomobile catching the wind just right. Moments like that felt almost magical.

And then there was that unforgettable night: cycling back from the coast, my lights failed between Brugge and Gent. I steered off the path, closed the velomobile’s roof, and slept inside with my feet on the pedals. It wasn’t ideal—but it was an adventure I’ll never forget. Read more:

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💥 The Real Traffic Challenge? Not What You Think

Most assume that cars are the greatest risk for recumbent trikers. But my experience taught me otherwise:

• 🚴 Conventional cyclists often ride side-by-side, lost in conversation, or with headsets blocking all outside noise.
• 🚦 Many don’t signal turns—leaving me to guess their intentions.
• 💡 Some ride without lights at night, earning my nickname for them: “kamikaze cyclists.”
• 🚶 Walkers drifting across the bike lanes, lost in thought, often react with theatrical surprise when I zoom past. Their facial expressions? Pure comedy gold.

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🗂️ Switching Gears: From WAW150 to ICE Sprint X

After several wonderful years, Brecht from Fietser.be suggested I try something different: the ICE Sprint X. At first, I hesitated. The WAW150 Velomobile was a masterpiece—a rolling sculpture. Letting go wasn’t easy.

But the first ride on the ICE Sprint X opened my eyes (and my view!). No more overheating in summer. No more struggling with repairs behind the shell. Everything was open, visible, accessible.

And the flexibility? Game-changing.

• 🛠️ Minor repairs became easy—even for someone with “sock-wearing hands.”
• 🚖 If I broke down, I could fold the trike, call a taxi, or hop on a train (free in Belgium for foldable bikes).
• 👀 My head was outside, making traffic navigation much easier and safer.

In 2016, I made the switch. It wasn’t the end of a dream. It was the beginning of a new one.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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📅 Long-Term Strategies for Trike Tourers

Know your strengths. Whether it’s speed, endurance, or exploration—choose the trike that fits your lifestyle. Embrace change as your needs evolve. And never be afraid to start a new chapter.

Maintain your trike, stay visible, and always pack an adventure-ready mindset. Your next story might begin where the road ends.

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🏁 Final Thoughts

Owning the WAW150 Velomobile was a dream come true. It pushed me beyond limits I didn’t know I had. It gave me (s)miles of joy, unexpected friendships, and unforgettable stories.

And yet, switching to the ICE Sprint X was one of the best decisions I ever made. It aligned perfectly with my nomadic, long-distance triker lifestyle.

Your trike is more than just a vehicle—it’s a gateway to freedom. So whatever you ride, ride with joy, ride with heart, and ride toward your next adventure.