News

June 2008

Over-zealous first home at Eastlink Challenge Ride

Despite starting halfway down a pack of 12,000 cyclists, Australia's 12-hour HPV record-holder was first home from Bicycle Victoria's (BV) 65 kilometre Eastlink Challenge Ride on 15 June. Jeff Nielsen, who was riding Tri-Sled's 'over-zealous' time trial vehicle on the newly surfaced road, recorded an average speed of 55 km per hour, despite the heavy 'traffic'. Once Jeff was safely clear of the main bunch he let loose, recording a top speed of 78 km per hour, passing the front-running bunch of road cyclists to finish in just over an hour. Not far behind Jeff was a number of other Tri-Sled and community HPVs.

The event was organised prior to the opening of the much-anticipated Eastlink tollroad. BV estimated that the event attracted 45,000 cyclists - 21,000 more than were originally anticipated.

Tri-Sled Director Ben Goodall said Jeff Nielsen's achievements provided the community with an example of the potential of human power, but expressed disappointment at the lack of commuting bikeways along the Eastlink stretch.

'This shouldn't just be a one-off', he said. 'If we are serious about climate change and congestion, we should get serious about human power and encouraging diversity on our roads. Like most things in our society, we have the solutions on hand, but lack the political will and impetus to provide the infrastructure and support necessary for change to occur.'

May 2008

New Australian 12-hour record

Well it's been a long time between record-setting drinks for Tri-Sled, but rider Jeff Nielsen managed to score another round in the wee hours of the morning on 26 May.

In what was meant to be a 'trial run', Jeff Nielsen set a new Australian distance record of 490.25 km in twelve hours. The attempt was made in Tri-Sled's time trial vehicle, 'over-zealous', at the DISC indoor velodrome in Northcote. 'Over-zealous' is based on the Sorcerer series 2 racing vehicle. Jeff began his trial at 8pm on 25 May and rode through the night, finishing up at 8am on 26 May.

The Tri-Sled team was there to watch the action, which one enthusiastic onlooker described as 'the HPV equivalent of watching paint dry', and another as 'twelve hours of circles'. Nevertheless, team members were in high spirits and are optimistic about future attempts. Jeff's record follows on from Tri-Sled Director Ben Goodall's (still undefeated!) Australian hour record of 58.8km set in 2003 in a Tri-Sled Sorcerer (series 2 vehicle).

Jeff's journey: from pleasure to coma... (thanks to Moz for the happy snaps).

April 2008

Over-zealous blitzes the field at Grand Prix Time Trial

Tri-Sled's 'over-zealous' time trial HPV gave spectators something to think about at this year's Grand Prix Time Trial, held during the Melbourne Cycling Festival. Tri-Sled team rider Brock Mills completed the course in just 25 minutes, three and a half minutes faster than the best UCI time trial cyclist. The course was a quick 22km up and down one side of the Grand Prix track at Albert Park lake. A U-turn at each end hindered over-zealous from achieving its full speed potential.

Brock was following on from his impressive effort at the Maryborough time trial held earlier in the year. Team members Matt and Ed, and Tri-Sled Director Ben Goodall, also came along to make sure everything ran smoothly.

Tri-Sled participated in the time trial to raise awareness about HPVs and their speed potential for road-going applications. As always, our 'speed machine' R&D feeds into our velomobile projects and model updates.

Many thanks to John Stevens from Transplant Australia for the photos pictured here. Transplant Australia supports those who have received organs and lobbies the rest of us to register our organs for donation so that many others can be helped. Tri-Sled supports this organisation and we encourage you to visit their website.

Tri-Sled goes global at Taipei Cycle 2008

Tri-Sled Director Ben Goodall and partner, Yolande Strengers, went on a four-day sourcing mission at the Taipei International Bike Show in March to track down a range of HPV and recumbent products and parts. The Taipei show is renowned as the biggest sourcing event of the year for the bicycle industry, with everything from 7kg mountain bikes through the the latest and greatest in small tyres. We are now in the process of sorting through a range of samples and catalogues to provide you with more options for building and accessorising recumbents and HPVs.

There was some confusion from Tri-Sled customers about the one-week disappearance of Ben and Yolande, with many thinking the couple were relaxing in Thailand, instead of roaming bicycle stands in Taiwan. We assure you that we were deep in the land of derailleurs and large chain rings (although we would have preferred thai food and cocktails on a beach somewhere!)

Second place for Easy Tiger at Casey Fields Cycling Festival

Tri-Sled Racing's Easy Tiger team took home second place at the Casey Fields Cycling Festival on 12 April. Following closely behind in fifth place was Tri-Sled's 'come and try' team, racing the veteran bike, 'Yee Ol' Yellow Beast'.

This year's six-hour race was tight from beginning to end, with only a lap separating the top three contenders. A flat rear wheel at the beginning of the race put the Easy Tiger team behind, but the riders fought back to second place, finishing less than a lap behind the winners, Tru Blu Racing.

Tri-Sled is now focused on preparing new models for the 2008 AIPP Super Series in Adelaide and the Maryborough Energy Breakthrough event held later in the year. Tri-Sled is developing a new top-end racing vehicle for its own racing team, as well as a tenth aniversary Fast Back racing fairing, to commemorate the tenth year since this pioneering model won the AIPP Super Series in 1998.

Gizmo proves its practicality at the OzHPV Challenge

Tri-Sled's Gizmo compact sports trike took home the practicality prize at this year's OzHPV Challenge held in Wodonga on April 5. Rider Jeff Neilson performed well in all eight races and won the shopping race, which involves riding around a tight and challenging course, stopping to collect and deliver a load of shopping. Jeff placed fifth in the event overall.

Tri-Sled HPVs is a proud sponsor of the OzHPV Challenge, which is an event consisting of a series of races designed to ascertain the practicality of HPVs. Any human powered vehicle can compete.

Fleet of Maxi Bikes hits Sydney city streets

Worsening congestion in inner-Sydney has prompted several courier companies to seek alternative tranpsort options. In response to this recent demand, we have 'courier-proofed' our existing Maxi Bike model.

Maxi Bike is designed to carry heavy and bulky loads in front of the handle bars while still offering riders a stable and smooth ride.

A bike that carries everything... including the kitchen sink!

In Spring 2007, RMIT University's Cultural Tranpsort Unit engaged the services of Tri-Sled's Director, Ben Goodall, to design and build a collapsable 'kitchen bike' in conjunction with RMIT's Industrial Design students. The project resulted from Ben's participation in the Cultural Unit's Pedal Powered Vehicle Workshop held in April last year.

This unique machine collapses to fit inside the large load-box it carries. The lid of the load-box also opens out to form a bench, transforming the bike into a moveable feast-producing kitchen!

The vehicle was used by the group for a festive 'Ride on Dinner' around Melbourne's inner suburbs. Ride on Dinner is an event-based arts project that takes place in public spaces. Each event typically involves a team of five hosting artists, up to one- hundred audience/participants with their own pedals, a set of cycle-based mobile props, a three- course meal from local organic produce and cycling through the city to pause in a range of locations. The hosts engage guests in the performative nature of their participation in ways that involve storytelling, digital technologies, sound and bike dancing over the course of a journey.

March 2008

All-girls Lynx team blitz the field at Wonthaggi Grand Prix

Congratulations to St Margaret’s 'Lynx' all-girls team, who finished 50 laps ahead of their competition at the 2008 Wonthaggi Human Powered Grand Prix with a Tri-Sled Series 4 Sorcerer fairing.

The secondary-level girls were racing their Tri-Sled 2007 Maryborough sponsorship vehicle. The team finished ten laps behind Bendigo Youth Racing’s (BYR) all-girls team, who were competing in the community category.

For full race results, click here.

Tri-Sled 2008 t-shirts now available

Rider Jeff Neilson and the Tri-Sled team model Tri-Sled’s 2008 'coolmax' t-shirt, available now through our online store.

Easy Tiger!

The youngest Tri-Sled team in history won the community class at the Wonthaggi Human Powered Grand Prix on 1-2 March.

The 'Easy Tiger!' team exceeded the track record for the event along with Bendigo Youth Racing (BYR), who finished just 6 laps ahead of Tri-Sled in the 24-hour trial. Tri-Sled tied for first place with Tru Blue Racing in the design and construction category, giving Tri-Sled the overall championship for the community class.

Following a summer of testing, the Tri-Sled team was racing a refined version of the Sorcerer Series 2 fairing with an Apex Racing Trike, decked out in a tiger-skin pattern.

Steve Taylor, the team’s slowest rider on a recent uphill training ride, put on an impressive show at the start of the event, wowing the crowd with a leopard skin 'boob tube' and skirt to 'unveil' the new vehicle. Although wearing the outfit was designed to be an incentive for riders to get up the training hill as fast as possible, we think Steve may have seen it as an opportunity to show a little leg.

The riders were 'fed and watered' by Tri-Sled’s largest-ever support crew of 20-plus people, who did a fantastic job at keeping the team on the track.

Rider Tristan Wright surprised the team by matching 'super-freak' Jeff Neilson’s first stint time of two hours, followed by a second one-and-a-half hour stint, all with lap times in the low 2:20s.

Tri-Sled’s Easy Tiger! team achieved second place in the trial with 599 laps. Congratulations to our competition, BYR (605 laps) and Tru Blue Racing (592 laps) for achieving first and third place respectively. Full race results from the event are available here.

From left: Tri-Sled’s 'grid girl' dazzles young and old with his feminine charm and allurement; rider Matt Leonard gets pushed off from the Tri-Sled pits; celebrity chef, Geoff Janz enjoys a brief moment in the Easy Tiger! HPV.

From left: Easy Tiger! zooms passed Tri-Sled HQ as a tired crew look on from their deck chairs; rider Matt Leonard on the track.

February 2008

A flying finish and fabulous 'fluff-up' at Maryborough Time Trial

Tri-Sled rider Brock Mills set an amazing time of one hour and nine minutes at the Maryborough Time Trial on 17 February, ranking him the second fastest rider for the course over the duration of the event. Broc was riding Tri-Sled’s latest speed machine – aptly named 'over-zealous'. Just 17 years old, Brock put down a faultless and very professional run. He was sitting at over 60 km/h for much of the course and descended one of the hills at over 90 km/h.

Three shady characters, from left: Broc Mills, Ben Goodall and Jeff Nielsen

On the other hand, Tri-Sled’s veteran rider, 'freakshow Jeff', lived up to the name of the bike by marginally avoiding the back of a horse float at over 70 km/h before missing a turnoff at Avoca. In a desperate attempt to make back time, Jeff enacted what can only be described as the U-turn of the century, pushing over-zealous’ 30 meter turning circle to its limit. As if that wasn’t enough drama for one time trial, Jeff dropped over-zealous’ chain on the fastest desent pulling off an emergency stop from around 80 km/h to prevent the chain jamming up in the rear wheel.

Despite this incredible procession of fluff-ups, Jeff still achieved an impressive time of one hour 12 minutes and is keen to move on from the experience. Reflecting on his run, Jeff said, 'well I fluffed that one up good and proper. I’ll have another go next year though. This is Brock’s day and I’m not going to take anything away from what was an amazing run'.

Tri-Sled team riders Ed and Matt were also in attendance and rode the Tri-Sled yellow trainer to achieve impressive times. Thanks also to Tristan Wright who supported the riders at the event.

The Maryborough time trial started three years ago but this was the first year Tri-Sled has raced in the event.

January 2008

Online HPV store open for business!

Well it’s been a long time coming and a hard slog at that, but Tri-Sled is pleased to launch Australia’s first online HPV and recumbent specific store.

The site features Australia’s largest range of HPV parts all in one convenient shop. The online store is divided into two main categories for HPV and recumbent homebuilders and recumbent users. You can search or browse for products and save them in your profile for future reference. We’ll be continually adding products to the store over the coming months so make sure you keep your eye on it, and don’t forget the check out the latest specials!

Tri-Sled's online store accomodates all of our Australian customers with a range of payment options and delivery methods. School purchase orders are also accepted but official confirmation must be faxed through to our office.

Click here to enter the online store

November 2007

Top 10 for Tri-Sled machines at RACV Energy Breakthrough

A large number of teams racing both old and new Tri-Sled racing models achieved top ten in their class at the Maryborough RACV Energy Breakthrough on 23-25 November. Tri-Sled had a record 20 plus machines on the track in both the primary and secondary divisions and our emphasis on reliability and performance came through in the results.

Among the teams to make top ten was Tri-Sled’s sponsorship all-girls ’Lynx’ team from St. Margarets School (pictured left). The team was racing the new Tri-Sled Sorcerer Series 4 fairing on an Apex Racing Trike and achieved second place in the female class. Also racing the new Series 4 Sorcerer fairing was Woodleigh School’s ’Team CAT’, who achieved a solid sixth place in their class.

The new Formula Tri-Sled model was raced in both the primary and secondary divisions by Haileybury Primary School and first-time racers, Dromana High School. Dromana’s ’Eagle 1’ team achieved an impressive thirteenth place in their class - a fantastic first race effort!

Other top ten teams racing Tri-Sled vehicles included the ’Hot Wheels’ team from Caulfield Grammar School and Mornington Primary School’s ’Mornington Missiles’, both racing the Fast Back Racing Trike. Padua College's ’Surge’ team achieved third place in their class racing a Tri-Sled Apex Racing Trike with their own fairing design.

Congratulations to all teams who competed in this year’s RACV Energy Breakthrough!

October 2007

Racing page updated

We have just updated our racing page with new Tri-Sled models and our full range of fairings. Click here to check it out!

Go Bike, Go!

Ever wanted to try a recumbent? Well here’s your chance! Tri-Sled is hitting the streets of Melbourne on 19-21 October with Victoria's biggest range of recumbents at Bicycle Victoria’s Go Bike Expo.

The expo is at the heart of the Melbourne Cycling Festival, being held all weekend at Alexandra Gardens in Melbourne. The festival features the Jayco Herald Sun Tour (including a HPV race!) and the Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day.

Tri-Sled will be at the expo on Friday 19 October from 4-9pm and all weekend from 10-5pm each day. We will have a range of recumbents available for test rides and inspection at the expo.

Warm to a recumbent with a Rans

Not quite ready for a full-blown recumbent but interested in improving cycling comfort? Tri-Sled is now dealing Rans crank-forward and compact short-wheel base recumbents which retain a semi-upright position but take the pressure off problem cycling points.

The Rans Fusion and Rocket models both offer something different for the comfort cyclist. The crank- forward Fusion model is perfect for cyclist who prefer to ease themselves into the recumbent position. The compact short-wheel base Rocket is one of the most easy-to-ride two-wheeled recumbents on the market and is very fast to adjust for different riders. Both models are easily transportable and great value!

Further information will be available on our recumbent bikes web page in the near future.

Rans Fusion (left)
Rans Rocket (right)

September 2007

Racing season ramps up a notch

Just one weekend after a stellar all-girls effort at the Maroondah HPV Grand Prix, the Tri-Sled boys team took home second place in the AIPP Adelaide Super Series while new Tri-Sled owners, Nanango State High School, made Queensland HPV racing history at the Holden Maryborough (QLD)Technology Challenge. Full details below.

Mayhem and madness at Murray Bridge

Freakishly high winds and the winter flu were the only things holding back the Tri-Sled racing team at Round 3 of the Adelaide Super Series on 15-16 September. The team achieved a solid fourth place in the Murray Bridge 24-hour race, just five laps behind the third place holder, Tru Blu Racing, and twelve laps behind first place.

Tri-Sled Racing successfully held off the two other super series contenders, GT6 and Das Racing, to achieve second place overall in the AIPP super series. Tri-Sled’s Adelaide sponsorship team, Team Bluebird, also did well in the event, achieving 9th place in their category, despite a severe rider shortage.

Tri-Sled team members Gareth Hanks and Jeff Neilson pulled the long hours with Tri-Sled Director, Ben Goodall, to finish the new machine just in time for the event. The team raced the first complete next generation prototype of the Tri-Sled Sorcerer velomobile which is expected to be commercially available by Christmas.

The new Sorcerer machine is the result of a culmination of ideas and previous prototypes tested at HPV events throughout the year. Although at first the shape appears almost identical to previous Sorcerer prototypes, a close-up next to Team Bluebird’s version developed earlier in the year, highlights the machine’s smaller profile. Seasoned Tri-Sled riders described the HPV as feeling roomier compared with previous models, while younger team members described the riding experience as ’fully sick’.

The new machine proved to be very fast and reliable, as did the riders! Unfortunately the Tri-Sled team was on the backfoot having lost one rider to the flu. Ben took the place of the 8th rider and helped the team out with a quick 30 minute stint during the final hours of the race. The team ran several younger riders for the first time and adopted a sliding seat for the considerable height difference. The event was cancelled one hour early due to 80kmh winds ripping though the track, leaving the team's final rider hanging with a massive sugar high to burn off!

Tri-Sled’s commitment to the service tent resulted in Ben handing over the racing reins to the Tri-Sled team for the weekend. Despite everyone putting in a spectacular effort, he couldn't resist sticking his head in the pits every now and again for an update.

Congratulations to Blueshift (first place), Team Ballistic (second place), and Tru Blu Racing (third place) for a fantastic effort and an exciting race!

Queensland champs

New Tri-Sled owners, Nanango State High School, made Queensland HPV racing history on the weekend, comfortably defeating the home team, Maryborough College, and setting a new track record with their Slipstreamers team at the 2007 Holden Maryborough (QLD)Technology Challenge. This was only the second time the Maryborough team has been beaten in the history of the event.

The Nanango team finished with a 20 lap lead on the defending champions and a 30 lap lead on third place. While mechanical problems plagued other teams, the Slipstreamers sailed smoothly through the event with only minor horn problems holding them back.

Energy Breakthrough personality Nigel Preston was on hand to praise the team and offer them a wildcard slot in the Maryborough Energy Breakthrough in Victoria.

The team was racing the well-proven Tri-Sled Fast Back design. Team Leader Peter Cavallaro flew down from Queensland to visit the Tri-Sled factory and find out more about our racing machines before deciding on the Fast Back model. ’We thought that we could make gains with a narrower frame width, lighter aerodynamics, modest chamber, a lower centre of gravity and changing the seat postion to a lower angle,’ he said.

’We also wanted the simplest in steering, componentry and drive train possible. We somehow started discussion with the Tri-Sled people and found we spoke a similar language. I was impressed with their operation and dedication to HPVs in general and particularly racing.’

The team’s training schedule consisted of mountain biking, road biking, wrestling and boxing. Asked how it feels to win, Peter commented that ’winning feels better than losing’. We second that motion!

Tri-Sled Girls in a class of their own

Tri-Sled’s all-girls team achieved an impressive third place in the community class at the 2007 EIEP HPV Grand Prix held at Maroondah on Sunday 9 September.

The girls achieved eighth place overall in the event, competing against 42 other entrants, including hybrid motor-assisted vehicles. The team’s five riders were competing predominately against all-male teams. There is currently no female community class at Australian HPV events.

The team was made up of all shapes and sizes with a height difference of almost 30cm between the shortest and tallest rider. The renowned female trait of attention to detail along with the diversity in height proved to be a perfect testing ground for the prototype Formula Tri-Sled model raced by the team.

The Formula Tri-Sled model has been designed by Tri-Sled for first-time racing teams or those seeking a complete reliable and affordable machine. The model is based around a reworked version of Tri-Sled's longstanding Fast Back racing model and includes a computer designed and cut corflute fairing kit. The kit is intended for schools or home builders who wish to assemble themselves and further integrate HPV racing into the school curriculum.

Tri-Sled is now taking orders for the Formula Tri-Sled model. Pricing is still be finalised but is expected to remain within our $4000 target budget for the complete machine and fairing kit.

For results from this event, click here.

Spring stock at the Tri-Sled shop

Spring has arrived, and so has Tri-Sled’s new product range at our expanded shop front on the Mornington Peninsula. This season we are featuring Challenge, Hase and WizWheelz recumbent trikes and bikes, Birdy and Brompton folding bikes, and budget trailers. Of course, we're still selling and manufacturing our own Tri-Sled models too!

August 2007

Schwalbe Kojak tyres have arrived!

The bike geeks here at Tri-Sled are extremely excited by the arrival of the new ultra-slick, ultra- light and perfectly rounded 20-inch Schwalbe Kojak tyre.

The arrival has been MUCH anticipated so if you’re one of the many people who’s been patiently waiting for these tyres, we now have them in stock.

For a full list of HPV components available through Tri-Sled, email us your postal address to receive a CD copy of the 2007-08 HPV racing catalogue.

Moving house with a work bike

Can you do this with your bike?

Chris Mosley (Moz), a recent Tri-Sled work bike convert, is living proof that there’s more to human power than bike paths and Sunday morning rides. Moz has recently moved house using the energy contained in his own two legs, several loaves of bread and a large amount of vegetable matter.

Moz moved all his belongings to his new Sydney flat using a Tri-Sled work bike and his own self-built ’megatrailer’.

Tri-Sled folk are, as always, very impressed with Moz's insatiable desire for anything and everything human-powered, and his unwavering commitment to no-emission transport solutions.

Photos courtesy of Chris Mosley

Challenge and Hase recumbents arriving this Spring!

Tri-Sled is expanding its product range this Spring with high-quality European brands from The Netherlands and Germany.

First to arrive is the Challenge Hurricane short wheelbase low racer from The Netherlands. The Hurricane is a highly manoeuverable, lightweight, compact and fast machine! Keep checking our website for news on its arrival or contact us to express interest.

Next on the list of arrivals is the Hase Kettwiesel comfort delta trike from Germany. The Kettwiesel features an elevated adjustable seat, 'jump on and go' functionality, and stores upright for tight spaces. A Kettwiesel demo is due to arrive in September.

Tri-Sled also sells a range of budget trikes. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Tri-Sled Racing tied for 2nd place in Adelaide super series

The results are out! Tri-Sled Racing is tied for second place with DAS Racing and Phantom HPV in the overall Adelaide Pedal Prix super series.

With just over six weeks before the final round at Murray Bridge, Tri-Sled is busy recruiting riders and finalising the next generation of the team's racing fairing design.

Tri-Sled will be running the service tent at this year's Murray Bridge event.

July 2007

Tri-Sled Racing achieves fourth place at Adelaide Pedal Prix Round 2

Tri-Sled achieved fourth place at Round 2 of the Adelaide Pedal Prix, not far behind DAS Racing in third position.

Team Ballistic held first place, although we couldn’t help snapping this shot of Tri-Sled rider Jeff Nielson out in front of Ballistic after the first lap.

The R&D was back on track for Round 2 with the Round 1 fairing design and a modified Tri-Sled chassis resulting in a trouble-free day. The team will now attempt to pull together the learnings from this year’s racing into yet another Sorcerer-style fairing design for the 24-hour Round 3 race at Murray Bridge.

Tri-Sled’s support crew prepares for a day of lap timing

However, finding fast legs is proving to be more difficult than R&D, with several regular Tri-Sled riders unable to make the trek across to Adelaide in September. With just over six weeks before the final round, the team is searching high and low for additional riders to make up the necessary team of eight.

Congratulations to Team Ballistic, Blueshift and DAS Racing for achieving first, second and third places respectively at Round 2. We look forward to the same level of competition at Round 3!

June 2007

Rickshaw hire for weddings and events

Photo courtesy of John Lim

Looking for a unique transport option at your next wedding or event? Tri-Sled has a small fleet of traditional upright rickshaws available for hire. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a first-time rider, rickshaw riding is contagious!

Rickshaws won't just take you to your destination, they'll take you around it as well. Enjoy outdoor venues with rides along garden paths, or ask your wedding party to ride you to the altar. The possibilities are endless!

Tri-Sled rickshaws can be customised with advertising material and decorations for special events. Visit our rickshaw page for further details.

For more information on how to 'green' your wedding, visit the Natural Weddings website – an online directory for eco-friendly, natural, organic, green weddings and celebrations.

May 2007

Third place for Tri-Sled at the 2007 Casey Cycling Festival

Photo: Tri-Sled team riders at the 2007 Casey HPV Event with a Sorcerer HPV

Just one weekend after the Tri-Sled racing team’s expedition to Adelaide for Round 1 of the South Australian HPV super series, the team was at it again, taking third place for the second weekend in a row, this time at their home track of Casey Fields.

The team spent a good deal of the week before the race at the Tri-Sled factory, preparing a standard Sorcerer HPV for the race, leaving the R&D at the factory for the weekend.

It was a close and exciting race, with the team finishing just one lap behind Bendigo Youth Racing (BYR) and a further lap behind the winning team, Expats. A crash very early on in the race slowed the Tri-Sled team down but they came back to take the lead briefly during the middle of the 6-hour event. Expats and BYR overtook the team during the third quarter of the race, holding first and second places respectively.

Rider Jeff Nielson put down the third fastest race lap at 2:49 minutes, falling five seconds short of the Zebra team’s fastest lap of 2:44 and six seconds away from the fastest race lap of 2:43, held by BYR.

For a full list of race results, visit http://www.racetime.com.au/?event=f0701 .

Tri-Sled takes third place at Adelaide Pedal Prix – Round 1

Photo: Tri-Sled Melbourne racing team with Team Bluebird at Round 1 of the Adelaide HPV Pedal Prix

Tri-Sled’s Adelaide sponsorship team – Team Bluebird – also achieved a fantastic result, coming sixth overall in the event. Team Bluebird made its way down to the Tri-Sled factory several weeks before the event to do the hard work on the machine and get it ready for the first round of Adelaide racing.

The two teams were trialing different variations of the latest R&D racing technology at Tri-Sled, similar to the machine raced earlier in the year at the Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival.

The Tri-Sled team made a mad dash back to Melbourne after the race to prepare for the next round of racing at the Casey-Cardinia 2007 Cycling Festival on May 27.

Congratulations to the Ballistic racing team from Adelaide and the Phantom team from Deakin University on their first and second places at Round 1.

April 2007

Tri-Sled tackles the OzHPV Challenge

Photo: Jeff Nielson with the Tri-Sled Sorcerer velomobile (left), and Ben Goodall with a protoype Nitro Streamliner

Tri-Sled demonstrated its aerodynamic advantage at this year’s 2007 Alternative Cycling Festival and OzHPV Cycling Challenge, taking first and second places in the DNH Enterprises Road Race. Rider Jeff Nielson achieved first place in a streamlined Sorcerer velomobile while Ben Goodall came second while testing a prototype Nitro Streamliner. Jeff Nielson also competed in the entire Challenge, achieving an overall second place in the event.

The OzHPV Challenge, held on April 1 at Casey Fields in Cranbourne, Victoria, is designed to find the most practical vehicle for Australian conditions. Jeff Nielson’s second place in the entire event was a solid endorsement for the practicality of the Tri-Sled Sorcerer velomobile. The only event Jeff was unable to compete in was the off-road race.

Also of note was the Tri-Sled Gizmo’s performance in the Twin Slalom event. Although the Gizmo did not compete in the official race, Ben Goodall put down an unofficial time in the twin slalom following the official event. The Slalom is designed to test a machine’s manoeuvrability at high speeds. Ben recorded a time faster than the approximate 25 entrants that competed in the official race.

Tri-Sled HPVs sponsored this year’s Alernative Cycling Festival and the Twin Slalom event.

March 2007

Wonthaggi Energy Innovation Festival - Race Report

The Tri-Sled team took to the Wonthaggi HPV track in March with three new riders and a prototype velomobile designed by Tri-Sled Director Ben Goodall. Armed with the brightest lights and the loudest horns available, the team achieved a solid second place in the event.

The new design is the next generation of Tri-Sled’s record-setting Sorcerer model, with significant changes made to the fairing and trike geometry.

As is traditionally the case when working on a new HPV design at Tri-Sled, building the machine in time for the event had Ben and several other team members awake in the wee hours of the morning, with hardly any of the riders even touching the pedals until the day of the event.

The team used the Sorcerer model for training, along with several other Tri-Sled machines, including a jokingly named ’death wobble’ trike, characterised by its heavily cambered wheels and alarming ability to catapult riders out of its seat at the hint of a corner. Naturally riders expressed some concern when Ben told them that the death wobble was the only trike that could fit inside the new fairing design.

However, after much testing and training, not only were the riders well-prepared for anything Tri-Sled might throw at them next, but Ben thankfully discovered how to build a trike with cambered wheels without a deathly wobble. As a result, the trike's wheels can be totally enclosed inside the fairing, optimilising aerodynamics and straight-line speed.

The new velomobile design is also characterised by its head-out style helmet inset which is designed to maximise rider visibility and comfort whilst minimising aerodynamic losses.

The new prototype performed reliably and as expected throughout the Wonthaggi event, although a simple mistake with crank length caused discomfort for some riders and cost the team potential extra speed. Nonetheless, the team were pleased with their second place result and Ben is working on improvements for the Adelaide Pedal Prix racing series later in the year.

The death wobble remains in circulation as a testing and training tool.

Congatulations to Bendigo Youth Racing for holding first place. Anyone interested in racing for Tri-Sled should contact us.

February 2007

Tri-Sled Gizmos in Vietnam

What’s more difficult: Dragging Ben away the Tri-Sled factory or mastering the language of the Asian horn? Yolande found out when Ben and her took a trip to Vietnam, riding Tri-Sled Gizmos from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. For highlights of the trip and some top tips on taking recumbents to Asia, click here

Monster work bike

January 2007

First Tasmania - then Vietnam!

Ben and Yolande spent a few days in Tasmania during December to get back into the swing of regular trike riding and prepare for a more challenging ride in Vietnam. The pair are heading off to the cycling capital of Asia for several weeks in early February to test the latest Tri-Sled Gizmo on chaotic roads, gruelling hills and humid conditions.

Ben gets in some practice on Tassie's hills

December 2006

Great Victorian Bike Ride

A small Tri-Sled crew braved the heat, crowds and looming bushfires in November and December for ten days of recumbent hire on the Great Victorian Bike Ride. A fleet of eight trikes was in circulation during the ride, giving many enthusiastic and curious cyclists a tantalising glimpse into the world of recumbent riding. Tri-Sled used every opportunity to spread the ’good word’ on recumbents, with articles in the daily newsletter - ’The Good Oil’ - several interviews with the official GVBR DVD team, and countless conversations with interested riders, volunteers and curious locals.

For those who missed out on the opportunity, hiring can be arranged by appointment from our factory on the Mornington Peninsula. Near-flat coastal roads, bike lanes and bike paths make the Peninsula a perfect place to try a recumbent. Contact us for more information.

Ben (left) rides with a trike hirer on the GVBR

November 2006

Tri-Sled work bike trialed at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Tri-Sled's latest work bike design has been trialed by the gardeners at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne as an alternative to their motorised 'golf buggies'. The work bike was used to transport tools, garden supplies and garden refuse around the extensive grounds. Feedback from the gardeners was positive.

The work bike can carry large loads of up to 120 kilograms, and is designed for the transportation of goods and materials in a variety of situations. The load-carrying quadracycle is now commercially available for hire or purchase.

New Gizmo XLT - the ultimate touring machine!

Gizmo XLT is an extension of our most popular trike, the Gizmo recumbent trike. Rather than start from scratch with a new touring design, the secret to the Gizmo XLT is building on a good thing! We've enlarged the track-width of our standard Gizmo model and made a few other adjustments to offer tourers and slighty larger riders a more robust machine.

The Gizmo XLT model offers responsive steering, excellent handling and features our ultra-comfortable carbon-fibre seat. It also features slightly larger handlebar grip to provide space for additional accessories, and a permanent mud-guard mount (optional on the standard Gizmo model).

June 2006

Sled-Edge speed bike project

Tri-Sled is working with Australian human-powered vehicle enthusiasts on a speed bike project using molds from Matt Weaver’s Kyle Edge and a Tri-Sled Nitro speed bike. For the latest information on this project check out our speed bike webpage.

Shipment of Gizmos heads to the US

Rob from RBR and Ben from Tri-Sled discuss the Gizmo’s merits at Interbike 2005

One of America’s top recumbent retail specialists is set to receive its first shipment of Tri-Sled Gizmos. Recumbent Bike Riders (RBR) is located on the east coast of the USA and is the first US dealer to stock Tri-Sled’s exclusive Australian made machines. Visit the RBR website for more information.

April 2006

Married in style

Congratulations to Tri-Sled race team member Jeff Neilson, who recently tied the knot to his lovely partner Sharna. A Tri-Sled Pedicab had the honour of transporting the bride and her mother to the service area in true human-powered style.

March 2006

Tri-Sled goes fast!

Tri-Sled’s racing team blitzed the track at the Wonthaggi Human Powered Vehicle 24-hour event, missing out on first place by a mere lap.

The Tri-Sled Sorcerer held up to the task well, with only horn troubles and a minor collision slowing the team down.

Congratulations to Bendigo Youth Racing for their first place win and for providing us with another year of challenging competition! The Wonthaggi event is one of Australia’s most renowned HPV races. For a full list of race times click here.

February 2006

Tri-Sled urban assault

Frustrated by the increasingly fashion and racing oriented cycling industry, we decided to take the plunge into the realm of the urban cyclist. Many Australian urban riders tell us that they are finding it hard to get simple, robust, no-frills machines. This was the philosophy driving two new custom-built Tri-Sled urban machines, affectionately named ’Shiny’ and ’Slab Bike’.

Shiny is a single speed upright bike with disc dropouts and a long wheel-base for a smooth easy ride. You just can’t help but ride it hands-free for hours! Slab Bike is a European-style load bike perfect for shopping in share houses, parcel delivery and fulfilling the Australian stereotype - carrying a slab of beer back from the bottle shop. Both are constructed out of strait gauge 4130 tubing and will probably outlive their owners.

February 2006

2006 Gizmo even more zippy!

Our legendary trike has just got better. We’ve made even more improvements to our sweetest ride. Check them out here. And you don’t have to take our word for it! Check out the reviews and testimonials of our most popular model.

December 2005

Bryan Ball, Managing Editor of Bent Rider Online, reviews the Tri-Sled Gizmo II

On Tri-Sled's recent trip to the US, we asked Bryan Ball of Bent Rider Online to review our lastest Gizmo model. Check out his review on our reviews page.

November 2005

Introducing the Interceptor

After over 18 months work with Handcycle Victoria we have now added a new model to our handcycle line. The Interceptor is a revolutionary front wheel drive sports handcycle. We construct these to order and a large range of seat positions can be catered for.

Bicycle Australia show

The Tri-Sled team was awaiting Tri-Sled Director, Ben Goodall and partner Yolande when they jumped off the plane from the US to attend Australia’s biggest bicycle show in Sydney. While this show is less than a quarter of the size of Interbike and lacks the intensity of the American recumbent market, we had the pleasure of introducing many Australians to their first moment with a recumbent. Now if that’s not enough to bring a smile to two jetlagged face, we don’t know what is!

Walking on water

As featured on the Australian new technologies TV show, ’Beyond Tomorrow’.

For a little summertime fun we decided to become the Australian distributor for a human powered hydrofoil - Aquaskipper. To ride this water vehicle you push off from a pier or ledge and hop up and down to propel the vehicle forward. Its wing glides though the water and you can steer just like a bike. This toy is lots of fun with amazing speed! Stock is limited so contact us now if you’re interested.

October 2005

Tri-Sled on US tour

Lock the doors and jump on a jet plane. We’re going to Vegas! To reintroduce Tri-Sled to the US market we attended and exhibited at Interbike 2005. After a whirlwind show, Yolande and Ben made a dash for the World Human Powered Speed Challenge to see some very, very fast bikes!

It’s in the bag!

Compact size and portability has long been a priority at Tri-Sled. So we decided to practice what we preach and pack everything we needed for the US Interbike exhibition into our own custom made bags. Not only did it all fit, but we got it through Australian AND American customs. Now if that’s not a measure of success, we don’t know what is! Check out the new bags here.

August 2005

New look for Tri-Sled!

Tri-Sled Tango tandem with a twist

Tri-Sled’s latest custom model is an adaptation of our standard Tri-Sled Tango tandem recumbent which can carry a second passenger with a high level of disability. This bike was built for the Wongabeena adults disability group located near our factory on the Mornington Peninsula. Wongabeena has many activities for their members, including a cycling program. The bike enables members with a high level of disability to experience the joy of cycling. Back seat foot rests and a harness hold the passenger secure.