Incontro Internazionale di Velomobile 2003

by Peter Noll, Gelnhausen/Germany

On Friday, the 26th of September, 2003, I set out on my first long Cab-Bike journey, to the Third International Velomobile Meeting in Biebertal bei Giessen (Germany). Although I had already ridden 4000 km (2500 miles) in ten months, it was never more than 26 km (16 miles) at a time. Now I faced the real test of a 100 kilometer (60 mile) trip through hilly countryside.

I had certainly covered greater distances on my mountain bike, but the Cab-Bike introduced not only a different riding position but also a different weight (fully-loaded 50 kilograms exactly!). I had, to be sure, gotten carried away with the luggage and could have done without a few kilograms. I thought sorrowfully of my painful introductory period in the first 2000 km and couldn’t predict what tortures my journey might bring.Somewhat uncertain, but highly-motivated, I set out. Using a route-planner, I had sought in advance to lay out a nice route "avoiding major highways." My newly-purchased GPS was also on board, but turned off for the time being. I planned to use the GPS to simplify the difficult routes through the central city in Giessen later. The chosen route was glorious. Riding through the tiniest and unknown villages is forever an unforgettable experience. My Cab-Bike was greeted everywhere in a most friendly way, and there were never unpleasant situations with drivers.About halfway through the ride, however, I got lost despite my map. When not even the locals (!) could, after turning and twisting the map, point the way to the desired next town, it was time for my GPS System.I just had to travel back 600 meters (a half mile), to find a sign pointing to my desired next destination, "2 km." Oh, well. The GPS, incidentally, showed me the way perfectly, with an agreeable 3-D representation (Tom Tom Navigator 2). This detour, however, lengthened my planned route from 92 km to exactly 100 km.

Without re-orientation stops and without stress, I could concentrate all the more on the scenery. I can only recommend this program. I planned for an average speed of 21 km/hour (13 mph) and a travel time of 5 hours, and I roughly achieved my expectations, so that I arrived after 100 km at 4:45 at my destination.

There, the interesting technical discussions with the already-assembled velomobilists began immediately. With greatest pleasure, I was finally able to exchange information directly with other riders. The evening stretched long after supper, but was nonetheless too short.

The next day, there was a mass ride (I think I counted 33 velomobiles -?-), that was a lot of fun. I could compare my own effort and the aerodynamics of my Cab-Bike with the physical capacity (on the uphill) and the aerodynamics (downhill) of the other models. It was also interesting to observe the accompanying mountain bikers and their accomplishments on the ascents and descents.

The trip to the meeting, and the mass excursion, showed me that the Cab-Bike demonstrates very well significantly better aerodynamics than an ordinary bicycle. I had previously had some doubts about that.

I really must say, that after this trip I’ve grown a great deal more satisfied with my Cab-Bike. I’ll also have the trust in the technology and in myself to travel longer journeys in the future.

A presentation on the current status of fuel cells in Germany, by physicist Frieder Herb from the firm Ballard was very interesting. There’s a plan to travel 3000 km (1800 miles) through Europe on just 2 kilograms of hydrogen (building on a velomobile for the vehicle). Next followed a discussion with Mr. Matthias Wagner, MdL, from the Union90/The Greens in Transportation Politics, with particular attention to bicycles. I can’t briefly summarize all of my impressions of this weekend. The hospitality and excellent arrangements of the hosts (Firm of Cab-Bike) are as much to be appreciated as the many friendly conversations with other riders of all nations (Germans, Dutch, Russians). For the trip home on Sunday morning, I joined with a "Quest" rider who wanted to benefit from a stress-free, GPS-guided ride through Giessen. He did in fact, but after 40 km, he excused himself; my Cab-Bike and I, with our route through the tiniest villages were too slow for him, since he actually wanted (in one day!) to travel through to Lake Constance (some 300 km).On the way home, beginning with a steady rain, I was glad to be sitting so protected in a Cab-Bike. It was actually more downhill than uphill, and my average speed rose to 27 km/hour (16.7 mph).With many positive impressions and new ideas for how to optimize my Cab-Bike even further, this weekend was memorable for me. One thing is certain: next year, I’ll come again.Gelnhausen, October 5, 2003.

Highlights fromVelomobil-Meeting 2003

Our Russian friends Wasli Gess and Eduard Ganske showed their completely new velomobile.