Touring - Keep it simple

[steveindenmark]

Sometimes, when reading these posts, things just seem to get more and more complicated. I have found that touring on my Kickbike makes things a lot easier. It is easy to transport and far easier to take into hard to get at places. I carry about 10kg and that included a huge home made tarp. I average about 16 KPH when touring. I do have an excellent touring bike but the Kickbike is an excellent way to tour.



Steve

 

[steveindenmark]

Hi JC,

I understand that the UK has not really caught up with Kickbiking yet but it is growing really quickly in Europe, USA and Australia. It certainly is not a Novelty bike or a fad. There is a very active European Championships and the Next World Championships is in Australia.

A team of guys completed the entire TDF course last year a day ahead of the tour. They have been used to cross America and on the Paris - Brest -Paris ride.

http://kickbikescooters.co.uk/

There is a good site on Facebook called Footbike Fanatics with a lot of good riders in it.

You will be surprised at People's reactions to the Kickbike, everybody likes them. It is great for cross training and when everyone puts their bikes away in the Winter because of ice and snow you can still be out and about. They are great for losing weight.




People have the idea that Kickbiking is similar to what we did as children, and it can be. But it can be tough as well. Theis is Jacob from Denmark who recently completed a 12 hour kick..




Steve

 

[yello]

Sometimes, when reading these posts, things just seem to get more and more complicated.

I agree with that sentiment.... not sure I could follow it to your conclusion though! A mean machine for sure (the word 'novelty' seems to apt too), I wouldn't see me crossing Europe on one. One for the dedicated methinks!

 

[Bodhbh]

Steve, what's a reasonable daily milage on one of those things? I'm thinking relaxed touring miles (i.e. like 50-60 miles on a regular bike).

(wouldn't be for me tho, as another poster commented - not sure I could hack the attention)

 

[robjh]

Climbing hills looks like hard work - I don't see much in the way of gearing

 

[wiggydiggy]

As a machine/bike I'm interested from a techy POV Certainly it looks better than the last scooter I used for any length of time, something like this

I have to say though I cant see it taking off in the UK - hills! The east and south east could be suitable but certainly where I am it'd be useless for me.

 

[steveindenmark]

The attention is never a bad thing. I have never had any bad reactions from people. They often come over when Ive stopped for coffee or ice cream and ask about the Kickbike. Ive talked to people all over Europe and I dont mind them having a go to see what its like.

Hills. I have road bikes and touring bikes and hills are not easy whatever you are on. The fitness you gain on a Kickbike is more like running fitness, rather than cycling fitness. There is a difference, even if its in your head, but there is a difference. Dont forget the guys last year did the entire TDF course. So hills can be overcome. Some of the best Kickers are from Czechoslovakia and they have a lot of hills.

Daily mileage. With my touring bags on and about 10kg of gear I am travelling at about 15kph. Without the gear I travel at an average of about 23kph. I am not fast by any means.

Apart from the few kph extra you get on a conventional touring bike there are no other advantages over a Kickbike. I dont have any real maintenance to speak of, no uncomfortable saddle or gears to mess about with. The ability to stop and get off is so much easier with a Kickbike, as Strange as that sounds.

For long distance touring I have a Koga World Traveller, which is an excellent bike. But once you are into Kickbikes you are hooked.

Steve

 

[rikki]

Keep it simple but keep it legal! Are these legal on your roads?

In Australia they are not "bicycles" within the Australian Road Rules, but "wheeled recreational vehicles".
As such, they are not permitted on:-
(a) a road with a dividing line or median strip; or (b) a road on which the speed limit is greater than 50 kilometres per hour; or (c) a one-way road with more than 1 marked lane. ... or on a road at night.

So they have the same legal standing on the road as a skateboard.

 

[Dayvo]

Looks fun, but I would like to have somewhere to rest sit if I was going to go on a long ride/tour.

I suppose you'd have to use both legs to kick (not at the same time, naturally) otherwise you'd have one huge leg and one not.

 

[steveindenmark]

Rikki,

You are wrong in your assumption. Kickbikes have been ridden across Australia and are used regularly on the roads.

http://footbike.com.au/tag/kickbikes/

http://footbike.com.au/day-2-footbiking-the-great-vic-ride/

Dayvo, yes you use both legs and you soon get your Kick muscles sorted out. Not sitting down is part of the joy.

Steve

 

[Soltydog]

I'm tempted, N+1 & all that. I'm not sure it would be suitable for me though. Close to 2m tall & a dodgy back . maybe pop down to london & try one out some time, see how I get on

 

[bigjim]

After a breakdown last week and having to "scoot" my bike home I can see the attraction. It's funny how far you can travel and how fast scooting your bike when you have lost a pedal and rear mech. I used the pavement. Wonder if it was illegal?