Hydrobikes by Fun Watercraft introduces the HydroBike

CYCLE  TIME Products
Box 20009
Vernon Square P.O.
Vernon, B.C, Canada V1T 9L4

Subject: Hydro-Bike Explorer

We currently have four Hydro-Bike Explorer I units and have tested them  in a variety of conditions. They are an extremely stable craft suitable for many activities.

Some of the bike trips we’ve taken include 20 to 30 km rides on lakes here in the Okanagan Valley and Lower mainland, as well as in English Bay and Burrard Inlet in the Vancouver area. At times weather conditions created large whitecaps and swells, and yet the Explorer had no difficulty negotiating these (actually, it’s a lot more fun, the bigger the waves get!). Both the single and double units perform well in large waves. Very adept riders can actually surf the craft down waves (great fun!). When  riding into a strong headwind, the pontoons can be made to pierce the waves and emerge out the far side. Also, making progress against strong headwinds is far easier than in, say, a canoe.

Our Explorers have also been used for lifeguard duty in several triathlons and long distance swim races. They were very well received by all the triathlon officials and athletes. They do not create a wake or exhaust  as a powerboat would and are far safer than a canoe or kayak for rescuing hypothermic swimmers. Several resorts also used the Explorers as rental  units this past summer and had a very positive response.

In early October we did a twenty-kilometer trip down the Shuswap River,  which proved to be a spectacular trip, the trees resplendent in their fall colors, and the river teeming with spawning salmon and kokanee. The  Explorers worked well even in strong eddies, and when encountering shallow  sandbars, we were able to traverse them by leaning forward on the handlebars  to reduce the propeller draft.

The Hydro-Bikes are also excellent for fly-fishing, as they allow one  to quickly get positioned for accurate casting (especially useful when using dry flies).

The only way we’ve found to capsize the single model Explorer I is to stand on one pontoon and physically pull the bike frame sideways by leaning backwards. The craft can quickly be righted however, by using a simple strap, which I believe Hydro-Bike Inc. is currently preparing for production.

I personally believe that the Hydro-Bike Explorer is the most revolutionary concept in cycling since the mountain bike, and would highly recommend  it as a very safe and fun watercraft; a wonderful alternative to cycling on busy streets.

Sincerely,
 
Randy Schellenberg, Owner