🚴 How I Got My First Recumbent Trike And Started Long-Distance Touring🚴

🌱 From Dreaming to Doing—A Lifelong Passion for Cycling

After my first long-distance cycling trips, I kept exploring the world on two wheels. Some journeys were shorter, others stretched up to 100 km (62 (s)miles). Over the years, I rode through Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate, Rhenish Hesse, and the Electoral Palatinate with their lush vineyards, the moorlands north of Hamburg, and the dense forests of the Palatinate Forest and Odenwald.

Yet, even as I clocked thousands of kilometers on a conventional bike, I never forgot the recumbent trike dream that had sparked my imagination decades earlier. Growing up in a working-class family, the idea of owning such an expensive machine felt out of reach. In my world, spending so much money on a bicycle was unthinkable.

And yet, the thought never truly left me.

🚴 Crossing Paths with Recumbent Riders—A Glimpse of the Future

Every now and then, I would spot a recumbent cyclist in the wild. Seeing one filled me with excitement. Sometimes, I even had the chance to chat with them, eager to learn more about recumbent trikes. However, they always rode two-wheeled recumbents—never trikes. Spontaneous test rides? Never happened. But every sighting reignited my determination.

For years, I cycled with my dog—a self-sufficient, traffic-savvy border collie mix—who often ran alongside me for 20-40 km (12-25 (s)miles). He was the perfect adventure companion, mirroring my endurance and spirit.

Later, during my travels, I started renting bicycles abroad to explore coastal dunes, sprawling landscapes, and unfamiliar cityscapes. Now and then, the idea of a recumbent trike resurfaced, but I had no idea where to buy one. Back then, online research was still in its infancy, and brick-and-mortar stores didn’t carry such niche products.

Whenever I shared my dream, people dismissed it.

“Too dangerous.” “Too low to the ground.” “You’ll be invisible to cars.” “It must be uncomfortable.”

Eventually, I stopped talking about it. I kept the dream to myself.

🔥 From Rotterdam to Amsterdam—Chasing the Long-Distance Thrill

Despite not having a trike, I pushed my limits on a regular bicycle.

🚴 Rotterdam to Amsterdam—75 km (46.6 (s)miles)

🚴 Rotterdam to Eindhoven—116 km (72 (s)miles)

🚴 Rotterdam to Amersfoort and back—170 km (105.6 (s)miles)

All in one single day!

Each ride fueled my hunger for adventure. But deep down, I knew: someday, I would ride a recumbent trike.

🌍 A Chance Encounter in Antwerp—The First Step Toward My Trike

It was around 2011 when I met a recumbent rider in Antwerp. Unlike previous encounters, this cyclist was more than happy to answer all my questions. He even recommended a dealer of recumbent trikes!

Excited, I visited the shop… only to be utterly disappointed.

The dealer reminded me of a used-car salesman in a cheap polyester suit—sweaty hands, greasy hair, and an air of desperation. I left without making a purchase, but at least now I had a lead.

Back home, I turned to the internet, using that shop as a starting point. For the first time, I had a name for what I was truly searching for: Velomobiles. No longer just a “recumbent bike with a fairing”—now, I had an actual keyword!

For six months, I obsessively researched every manufacturer and dealer. My excitement grew. There was no turning back.

🚲 Finding the Perfect Match—WAW by Fietser.be

One brand kept standing out: Fietser.be in Ghent, Belgium. Their WAW velomobile was a masterpiece. The combination of Kevlar, carbon fiber, sleek design, expert craftsmanship, and a passionate team captured my attention immediately.

Brecht, the founder, was originally an architect who had shifted his creative energy into designing velomobiles instead of buildings. His dedication was evident in every detail. Then there was Ben, the lead mechanic—the “operateur,” as I half-jokingly, half-reverently called him. If Ben couldn’t fix it, it wasn’t fixable.

I knew I had found the right place.

🎉 The Day I Finally Bought My First Recumbent Trike

I placed my order for the WAW150 Velomobile, and when the day came to pick it up, I was happier than ever.

For months, I rode 37.5 km (23.3 (s)miles) to work and 37.5 km back—three times a week. Long distances became my new normal.

🚀 Pushing the Limits—Velomobile Touring Begins

Soon, I cranked up the intensity. My new recumbent trike was built for speed, efficiency, and endurance. With it, I set out on long-distance challenges:

🚴 Ghent to Leuven and back
🚴 Ghent to Brussels and beyond
🚴 From Berlaar (Belgium) to Hilversum (Netherlands)—170 km (106 (s)miles) in one day!
🚴 Berlaar to Lelystad—220 km (137 (s)miles) in a single ride!

💨 My fastest Speed in flat Flanders: 61.74 km/h (38.4 mph)

And I’m not even a trained athlete—I just ride, ride, ride.

🖥️ My Recumbent Trike—The Ultimate “Full-Panorama TV”

What makes a recumbent trike special?

Everything.

Unlike an upright bike, my WAW velomobile gives me a full, unobstructed view of the world. It’s as if I’m sitting on a luxurious couch with a 360-degree panoramic screen. The comfort is unparalleled.

Even Ben, the master mechanic, quickly figured me out:

🗣️ “To stay (mentally) healthy, you need to cycle.”

And he was absolutely right.

🏁 Final Thoughts—From Dream to Reality

For decades, my recumbent trike dream seemed impossible. But in the end, I made it happen.

If you have a dream—whether it’s about cycling, travel, or something else entirely—don’t wait for approval. Go after it.

🚴 What’s your ultimate cycling goal? Have you achieved it yet? Share your story in the comments!