Whike, sail powered trike, Anyone seen these?

[porsche4life]

Introducing the whike: Britain's first bike with a SAIL hits the streets | Mail Online

Why don't they sell them in the US?

[M.D. Holloway]

Prolly cuz you would ..agh..die! In Europe the cars are the size of garbage cans. In the US a decent size pick-up has higher ground clearence than the mast!

[porsche4life]

No different than a bike....

[DARISC]

That's a 'land sailer' with bicycle components added. Land sailers are ice boats with wheels.

Buddy of mine had three different sized ones. We'd take them out on the San Diego stadium parking lot on weekdays when the lot was empty or take them up to a dry lake bed in San Berdoo County.

They're a kick in the ass and, since said ass is only a couple inches off the ground, 45 mph felt like you were going like a bat outta hell. And it's really surprising how quickly you can accelerate up to that speed in a stiff wind.

My buddy's smallest one was aluminum tube framed with a Fiberglas seat off of those ubiquitous cheap chairs, had a seat belt and none of his had brakes. To stop quickly you just kicked the front wheel over tp full lock and spin out on a dime. No worries about flipping if you do it quickly - his smallest had a 9' axle.

You can easily put them up on two wheels, but like a catamaran, it's fastest if you're just on the verge.

Really cheap fun!

[Danny_Ocean]

[porsche4life]

I actually think these are a recumbent bike with a sail, but either way, looks like a kickass combo. I may have to start watching craigslist for components...

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

Yup. That's one of the high tech one's. My buddy's had basic, canvas sails.

[Danny_Ocean]

There are a few organizations that race and hold speed trials. Not sure what the current land-speed record is for one of these, but I'm guessing it's in excess of 100.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

guessing it's in excess of 100.

126.2 mph
NALSA's landsailing home on the web.

[Geary]

I seem to remember sail trikes on 90-mile Beach (NZ) back in the late '80s. I think they were rentals.

[JMPRO]

Heres mine from about 30 years ago. The picture was taken at a dry lake bed near Barstow Ca. We also used the old air field at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley Ca . It was a kick in the butt back then but a pain to trailer it out and set up. Scared the poop out of a friend that was an expert sailer the first time he had ever been in one and expected to go for sail across the lake bed. Instead we had 30 mph winds that day which produced 50 to 60 mph rides. I believe he still has white knuckles from that one.
Jerry

[vash]

let me preface this by saying: i dont know jack squat about sailing...

but going from point a to point b..what if point B is upwind from you? you cant tack down a sidewalk..can you?

it does look pretty cool, but those recumbants are a beotch to pedal uphill

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by vash

...what if point B is upwind from you? you cant tack down a sidewalk..can you?

No, you have to peddle yer freakin' stern off.

Just kidding. All you have to do is reverse the sail.