Tdr1nka's Big Adventure!

[tdr1nka]

Greetings Friends old and new, yes it's Tdr1nka back from a long sojourn in the non digital world!

"What brings you back to Cycle Chat then?" I hear some muttering at the back.

To be brutally honest, I am after something. A few minutes of your time, to be precise.

As you might remember I've been working in the field of Disability Cycling for the last 20 years and I'm about to embark on a new project.
In April 2026 and in partnership with pikalabikes.com I aim to be starting the first "All Ability" cycling sessions in Marrakech, Morocco!

And this is why I have started "Pedal to Pikala" a fundraiser to buy a wheelchair carrying trike which I intend to ride from Estapona in Spain to Marrakech, via Rabat and Casablanca. It's a wild ride of around 450 miles and I would like to invite you to be a part of it.

At present I only need two thousand people to donate £2.50 to reach the target.

I know we're right on top of Christmas but £2.50 isn't even going to buy a "Black Forest Gateau" Hot Chocolate from Costa and I may be biased, but it would be far better going towards this incredibly good cause.

Below is the link to the Just Giving page where there are more details and the full background story.
You can also follow for updates on the preparation for the ride and the ride itself on Instagram @pedaltopikala.

Just Giving

Thank you again for your time and if you are willing, please share the link with friends, family, clubs, etc.

Wishing you all a very splendid Christmas and a Happy New Year, hopefully you'll spend it watching me on the biggest cycling adventure I've undertaken, yet!

☮️❤️🚲🫖

Tdr1nka

 

[classic33]

Those aren't the easiest trikes ride with a wheelchair in place.

How long do you reckon the ride will take?

 

[tdr1nka]

Those aren't the easiest trikes ride with a wheelchair in place.

How long do you reckon the ride will take?

They're pretty hairy downhill on a cambered road too! 😬



I'm giving myself a target of 50 miles a day so I'm hoping to complete the ride in roughly 9 days.



The plan, as is written on the back of this envelope, is to fly to Málaga on April 5th 2026 and stay with a friend in Estapona who has agreed to be the delivery address for the Spanish distributor.

I will spend a day prepping, setting up and test riding the trike and then, all being fine and dandy I will set off for Terifa (?) on April 7th and catch the ferry to Tangier where the adventure really starts.

Ultimately I have to be in Marrakech by the 26th as I am going to be giving a presentation about the trip and the plans for the All Ability cycling sessions at a closed street cycling event that Pikala Bikes hold every year.

 

[classic33]

You mean it's not a ride on and off the ferry, then downhill to Spain!

Steering is under the platform so easier than an ice cream trike.

 

[tdr1nka]

You mean it's not a ride on and off the ferry, then downhill to Spain!

Steering is under the platform so easier than an ice cream trike.

I've probably bought three or four Velo Pluses in the past when I was working for Wheels For Wellbeing and sourcing a fleet for Enfield Council.

Luckily most of the roads in Morocco are flat and not cambered!

 

[classic33]

I've probably bought three or four Velo Pluses in the past when I was working for Wheels For Wellbeing and sourcing a fleet for Enfield Council.

Luckily most of the roads in Morocco are flat and not cambered!

My Pashley namesake had the steering pivot where the handlebars are on the one in your picture. Got twitchy around the 12mph mark, forcing you to slow it down.

 

[tdr1nka]

My Pashley namesake had the steering pivot where the handlebars are on the one in your picture. Got twitchy around the 12mph mark, forcing you to slow it down.

I know the kind of thing,
Any proper speed and they can get quite "slappy"!

 

[classic33]

Is it e-assist or hub geared with a drum brake on the rear. Disc brakes on the front I notice.

Meant some drivers keep their distance though. You'll enjoy yerself though, and regret it all the time you're in the saddle. Then refuse to believe you actually did that afterwards.

 

[tdr1nka]

Is it e-assist or hub geared with a drum brake on the rear. Disc brakes on the front I notice.

Meant some drivers keep their distance though. You'll enjoy yerself though, and regret it all the time you're in the saddle. Then refuse to believe you actually did that afterwards.

It's the acoustic model with a ten speed cassette. It's discs on the front and rim brakes on the rear.
Charging would be a potential issue on route plus it could cause additional maintenance headaches further down the road. Keeping it simple.
And a lot cheaper!!

The trip is going to be full to the brim of type two fun, no doubt. I already know there will be days I will thoroughly regret ever coming up with this scheme, but I also know it's something much needed in Morocco where health care and support is thin on the ground for a lot of people.

In my regular visits to volunteer at Pikala I've been welcomed so warmly and the generosity of my friends there is incredible.
I just want to repay that kindness and to help and encourage them with a project that they will be proud to share with their local community.

 

[classic33]

Just had a look on GoCompare, hope you've factored in the £1 ferry fare!
No option available for the trip done by trike though. A bit disappointed finding that out.

 

[mikeIow]

Sounds a wacky bike & very worthy cause - best of luck!

 

[classic33]

It's the acoustic model with a ten speed cassette. It's discs on the front and rim brakes on the rear.
Charging would be a potential issue on route plus it could cause additional maintenance headaches further down the road. Keeping it simple.
And a lot cheaper!!

The trip is going to be full to the brim of type two fun, no doubt. I already know there will be days I will thoroughly regret ever coming up with this scheme, but I also know it's something much needed in Morocco where health care and support is thin on the ground for a lot of people.

In my regular visits to volunteer at Pikala I've been welcomed so warmly and the generosity of my friends there is incredible.
I just want to repay that kindness and to help and encourage them with a project that they will be proud to share with their local community.

You mean it's a fully manual model! Thought you might have been making use of e-assist to help with the delivery.

A nice idea, gesture and project the truth be told.

 

[tdr1nka]

You mean it's a fully manual model! Thought you might have been making use of e-assist to help with the delivery.

A nice idea, gesture and project the truth be told.

Yup. Gotta use these legs while there's still life in them! 😅