🚴 Spring Awakening On Three Wheels: A Night Ride, A New Tent, And A Reborn Trike 🚴
There are rides that challenge the body. There are rides that expand the horizon. And then there are rides like this one—a gentle (s)mile through the Belgian countryside, not about distance or destination, but about renewal, discovery, and the simple joy of rolling forward.
🌱 The Intention Was There… Eventually
Saturday started with a plan: to leave home at 4 PM. Then it became 5 PM. Then 8 PM. Life, work, and responsibilities have their way of reshuffling even the best intentions. But sometimes, inspiration whispers after the sun goes down. Around 10 PM, I rolled my trike out of the tiny space I call home and hit the road under the stars. No regrets.
The night was calm, the air cool. My goal wasn’t grand. It was just the nearby bivouac zone—the closest wild camping spot—chosen to test something important: my new Naturehike Cloud-Up 1-person tent. And at the same time, it was the perfect moment to put my trike, recently returned from a full check-up at Fietser.be to the test.
🔧 What Changed Under the Hood (or Frame)
The maintenance was thorough. Ben and Brecht—two trike magicians who breathe chain oil and live for human-powered machines—took care of my trusted steed like it was one of their own. Which, in a way, it actually is. This very trike was once Ben’s. I bought it from Fietser.be 10 years ago, second-hand, and it’s still going strong.
So what exactly got updated?
👌 Disc Brakes Adjustment – Like a pedicure for my trike. Over time, disc brakes get lazy. Now, they’re crisp, responsive, and sharp again—ready to protect me.
⚙️ Chain + Front and Rear Sprockets Replaced – The chain, two front rings, and the rear Rohloff Speedhub sprocket were all swapped. Read my Rohloff review.
🪙 New Pedals – The amazing Shimano PD-T8000 dual-sided pedals are a game-changer. I already wrote a full review. The grip is outstanding, even with my Meindl hiking shoes.
🔟 Crankset Section Replaced – Since the pedals, chain, and sprockets were being replaced, Ben and Brecht went all in and also replaced the entire front crank assembly. Visually? A big upgrade. The former silver metal was functional, but this black finish is sleek and matches the rest of my trike perfectly.
🔦 Rear Light Upgrades – After a recent accident where my rear light was damaged, Fietser.be took care of it. Where the light once was, there’s now a solid hitch point for my new custom trailer. The new rear light is battery-powered and mounted onto the rear fender.
🔋 Removable Brake Light – Safety first, always. I now use the CatEye Kinetic X2 brake light, mounted high on my flag pole for maximum visibility. It has a motion sensor that activates a brake light effect, just like on a car. It’s powerful, visible, and reliable—as long as you don’t mount it too low where dirt gets into the USB port.
💡 Important Tip: Never mount sensitive electronics near the mud zone. Lesson learned. Keep it high, keep it dry.
🌳 Bivouac & Morning Light
My bivy spot was perfect. Tucked between trees, behind a rustic wooden gate, in a protected natural zone—Belgium’s hidden gems never cease to amaze me. I pitched my tent in darkness with the help of my headlamp and crawled into my sleeping bag. Just me, the night sounds, and the fresh scent of earth and leaves.
At dawn, I explored the nearby paths and took photos to show the world what rural Belgium looks like. I didn’t buy anything, didn’t stop for drinks or snacks. These moments, these places—they were captured to give my international readers a taste of the land I now call home. Belgium is the fourth country I’ve lived in. I may be an immigrant, but I say “our” when I speak of this place. Because I’ve grown to love it.
📷 Stops Along the Way
From peaceful waterworks regulating the Lieve canal to forest campsites and local farms with vending machines offering fresh milk, fries, onions, and bread—it’s all part of what makes this region unique. There was even a cozy little farm shop, “Spijs & Spelen”, welcoming visitors with coffee and chocolate. I didn’t indulge, but I took photos to share the charm with the world.
🚴 How Did the Trike Feel?
Flawless.
Everything felt smoother. The ride was easier. There was less resistance, more responsiveness. The gears shifted effortlessly, the chain stayed exactly where it should. The brakes were confident. The pedals kept me grounded and balanced. And the trike? It glided like a hot knife through butter.
Was it a long trip? No.
Was it serious in distance? Not really.
Was it successful? Absolutely.
This ride was about starting the spring season with intention. Testing gear. Rebuilding confidence after an accident. Reconnecting with the joy of motion.
🏁 Final Thoughts
It’s not always about big (s)miles. Sometimes, it’s about the right ones. Sometimes it’s enough to leave home at 10 PM, sleep in a forest, and return with a smile and a heart full of gratitude.
To everyone out there waiting for the “perfect moment” to ride: don’t.
Just roll.
The road will meet you where you are.
