Strange...I like being in very direct contact with the road, atleast as long as I'm still on my bike. My upright is a fixed gear (I have a beach cruiser that isn't and, more importantly, it has coaster brakes). I've little experience with USS recumbents that have indirect steering, though. I want to test-ride a few sometime. The only USS 'bent I've had much time at all on is an HPVelotechnik Speedmachine w/ indirect steering. I enjoyed riding it, but it's too expensive to allow me to consider purchasing it, unless a used one crosses my path and is fairly cheap.

Unfortunately, my fondness of feeling the road hasn't been kind to me since I switched to a recumbent. I'm considering front and rear suspension.

Crazyguyonabike has a list of posts about a tour on the Challenge trike. I wasn't suggesting using that trike to tow a kayak, though I see no problems with it. A kayak is just a boat. The challenge trike is just a trike. A few scratches and dings are to be had.

The Challenge trike can be had with indirect steering. It's got 3 steering options, I think.

I'm working towards getting a driver's license because I've had *very* mixed results with towing a canoe by bicycle.

How well is towing your kayak behind your trike working for you? If it works substantially better than most kayak-bike systems, I'd like to maybe email you about your system. I'm still looking for ways to remain car-free, while remaining on beater bikes.

-David

Hi David,
: It's a nice design but I have a few doubts about it, mainly the direct
: steering.
: I've used that type on a cart once and stopped. Unless the steering geometry
: is exactly right, it can become over sensitive to surface conditions.
: It does look nice, though.
: Can't see puting a trailer on one, that'd be like putting a trailer on a
: Porsche or a Lamborgini.

: If you're interested in a home built trike design, check out this site
: http://www.ihpva.org/com/PracticalInnovations/index.html

: Mine is built by SteinTrikes in Serbia. About the least expensive
: manufactured trike available in Europe. Here's their site,
: http://www.steintrikes.com/

: I was thinking of the Sidewinder, just couldn't think of the name. No, I
: doubt they'd excel at trailer towing. Unless the 'trailer' was in front?
: (Nope, I'm nt going there.)

: Sorry about the apparent digression from kayaks, everybody, but I tow my
: kayaks with my trike.

: Mike Savage
: South West Cork