🚲 Trike Trailer Fails, Flat Tires & Stoic Wins: Real-Life Recumbent Adventures in Ghent 🚲
🌱 Every cycling journey tells a story. Some unfold in breathtaking landscapes, others in quiet city streets – and often, the most meaningful ones happen in the rhythm of daily life.
This week in Ghent, I set out on what seemed like a simple laundry run with my recumbent trike and trailer – but what followed was an unexpected chain of events: a cracked luggage rack, a flat tire, a mechanical failure, and a burst of human kindness.
What began as a routine chore became a masterclass in resilience, improvisation, and perspective. It reminded me that every setback hides a seed of growth – and that even a broken trailer coupling can lead to practical wisdom, deeper gratitude, and a renewed sense of wonder.
Whether you’re a long-distance trike traveler or a casual city rider, this story may speak to you in surprising ways.
Let’s roll through the twists, tools, tunes, and tiny triumphs – one (s)mile at a time.
✅ Custom Trike Trailer: A Crack, A Light, and a Metal Plate
The story began with a minor but serious issue: the trailer hitch on my recumbent trike wasn’t broken itself, but the part of the luggage rack it was attached to had developed a crack. As a seasoned long-distance rider, I don’t take risks with equipment. So off we went to Fietser.be – my trusted workshop in Ghent.
While we were at it, Ben still had to mount the rear light on the custom trailer, something we postponed during the last visit as the right light wasn’t in stock. This time, Ben handled everything at once. I dropped off my trike like one would check into a hospital overnight. The next evening, I picked it up with the trailer hitch reinforced by a sturdy metal plate. It felt solid and dependable again – ready for new adventures.
And just as a beautiful side note: Brecht, the creator of the trailer and co-founder of Fietser.be, asked if he could borrow it for a while. He was renovating the door of his atelier and needed a strong utility trailer. Of course, I agreed. It’s in good hands!
✅ Meet My Second Trailer: The Burley Travoy Revival
Back in 2012, I bought the Burley Travoy trailer from Brecht, together with my WAW150 velomobile. It had been sitting unused for some time, overshadowed by newer gear and shifting needs. But now, with the new trailer hitch freshly installed, I felt inspired to take the Burley out for a spin.
Today’s mission? A practical one. As someone living in a charmingly tiny old building in the heart of Ghent, I don’t have space for a washing machine. So off I went – or so I thought – to the laundromat with the Travoy trailer in tow.
To increase visibility, I also mounted two FISCHER Bicycle LED Battery Tail Light Twin Stop with Additional Floor Lighting on the trailer. Better safe than sorry – especially in urban traffic or grey Belgian drizzle.
❌ But First… Flat Tires!
Life had other plans. Both tires of the Travoy were flat. One was still salvageable with a little air, but the other had a puncture. And I didn’t have a spare inner tube at home.
So I walked to a bike shop just around the corner – Biker Fietsen on Steendam, right in the city center of Ghent. (They also have a second shop in Drongen.) As I entered, one assistant was talking to a client. I approached the man behind the desk and said in Dutch:
“Ik heb een lekke band en wou u vragen of u voor mij alstublieft een beetje zou willen toveren.”
(“I have a flat tire and wanted to kindly ask if you could do a little magic for me.”)
Jan replied with a straight face:
“Nee, dat doen we niet.”
(“No, we don’t do that.”)
But I continued: “It is for a wheel of my trailer. I got Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires on my trike – I never get flat tires. But this is not from my trike, it’s from the trailer. I got two left hands that should wear socks. And besides, I feel pain in the joints of my fingers and hands. Please, could you help me?”
Jan smiled and said: “You are lucky. Right now, it’s not too busy. I’ve got time to repair it.”
Before I knew it, he was already in the backroom, replacing the inner tube. I asked Jan if he was the owner, and he told me he used to be one of the two co-founders. He sold his shares due to age, wanting to take it easier now – yet he still works in the shop.
“It takes one to know one,” I thought. Jan’s attitude radiated pure entrepreneurial spirit – even after selling his part of the business. That’s the kind of commitment you can’t fake.
💡 Packing for Departure: Ortlieb, Wild Heart & Compression Magic
Back home, I got ready to finally head out. I packed my Ortlieb panniers and the WILD HEART Waterproof Motorcycle Duffel Bag from Amazon. The Ortlieb panniers were placed on my rear luggage rack, while the massive Wild Heart bag sat securely on the Burley Travoy trailer.
The Wild Heart is one of my favorite pieces of gear. It’s rugged, waterproof, and available in various sizes – mine being the biggest: 100 liters (26.4 gallons). One of its most brilliant features? A valve. After packing it full, I close the top, rest my body on the bag, and open the valve. I hear the air hiss out slowly. The bag compresses and tightens. Then I seal the valve again.
Voilà: vacuum compression achieved.
Another essential I always use – especially for laundry days and trike tours – are my trusted compression packing cubes from Amazon. I carry all my clothes in these space-saving wonders. They help me keep everything tidy and compact, allowing me to store more in less space. Once packed and compressed, it all fits snugly into the luggage setup, making the ride smoother and my gear more accessible.
Of course, I cycled with music – as always. It adds rhythm to the road and transforms even routine errands into joyful (s)miles.
And the two red rear lights? On the way back home, when night had fallen over Ghent, they played an unexpected yet brilliant role. Mounted on the left and right sides of the trailer, they didn’t just make me visible to others – they illuminated the trailer itself. In the dark, they allowed me to see the trailer in both of my rearview mirrors. That glow gave me peace of mind with every pedal stroke.
🚨 A Final Twist: The Trailer Malheur at Home
The ride itself was flawless. From home to the laundromat and back again – smooth, stable, and surprisingly attention-grabbing. The combination of recumbent trike, music, and trailer always turns heads. But cycling with the trailer was no challenge at all.
It was only when I got home and began backing my trike into position that the mishap happened.
While reversing downhill, I didn’t think about the added pressure on the trailer coupling. Suddenly – PENG! A loud snap. I had broken off a small plastic piece from the trailer’s own hitch connector.
The trailer itself is excellent – light, practical, well-designed. But it’s not made of indestructible steel, nor should it be. The lightweight build is part of its appeal. Still, I was upset. First the trailer hitch on the trike, now a break on the trailer side too?
Luckily, I paused. I reminded myself of my stoic values. It’s not the setback that defines us – it’s how we respond. I examined the broken pieces calmly. The two parts still fit perfectly together. With a bit of superglue, I might be able to seal them again.
Will it hold? I’ll let Brecht decide. But it should be strong enough for a short, unloaded ride to Fietser.be. If necessary, they can install a new coupling.
That’s when insight struck: Shouldn’t I always carry a small tube of universal glue on long trips? As part of my repair kit? Even a temporary fix can make all the difference.
So that’s what I’ve now added to my gear list.
Then I recalled the timeless wisdom of Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich and The Success System That Never Fails by W. Clement Stone:
“Every adversity carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”
And I smiled.
Had this break happened mid-tour, far from home, far from my trusted workshop – it would’ve been a real problem. But it happened literally at my doorstep. Couldn’t have been more convenient.
I learned two lessons:
- Never reverse downhill with the trailer without checking stress points.
- Always carry a tube of superglue for quick repairs.
I’m grateful that this happened here. A kind, manageable little wake-up call.
What Brecht and Ben will say about the damaged coupling? That’s a story for another day… 😉
🔎 Important Considerations When Using a Trailer with Your Trike
- Check your rack regularly: Especially if your hitch is mounted to it. Cracks can sneak up.
- Always carry a spare tube: Especially for trailers that aren’t in daily use. Rubber degrades over time.
- Reinforce if needed: Metal plates, bolts, or even a professional eye can make all the difference.
- Build a local support network: Great service providers like Biker Fietsen make a huge difference in unexpected moments.
- Invest in clever bags: Like the Wild Heart with a compression valve, or compression storage bags to optimize space and keep your packing clean and tight.
- Use extra lighting: Two rear lights on your trailer dramatically increase visibility in urban settings and low-light conditions.
