CHRIS miller FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA SHARES HIS STORY AND HOW THE ice FULL FAT ENABLES HIM TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD

We have some amazing ICE Trike riders out there. Chris from British Columbia kindly sent us both beautiful and inspiring photos that we had to share. He talks about what his trike lets him continue to do following a stroke in 2014. Thank you for sharing your inspirational story with us Chris and continue to enjoy your trike riding.

Chris says. I grew up biking, it has been a lifelong passion. I was raised in Smithers BC and moved to Revelstoke over 20 years ago. I have mountain biked and raced all around Revelstoke, and most of British Columbia.  I have also built and maintained a lot of trails. I ride all year round, even though, 9 years ago, I suffered a brain stem Stroke. Along with many physical disabilities, I have lost my sense of balance. I cannot walk, so naturally, I roll. Pedaling my ICE Trikes has given me a huge part of my life back. I am very honoured that the Revelstoke Cycling Association built an adaptive cycle-able trail, “Miller Time.”

Pedaling to me is meditative, the clockwise, orbital motion of pedaling propels you forward, the direction of growth. I cannot thank ICE Trikes enough for facilitating that growth. ICE make extremely high-quality, very dependable trikes. For me, these are my “freedom machines,” that have enabled me to access countless locations in which would otherwise be unreachable. When you have a life-changing injury, you must think of what you still have, not about what you will miss. In order to keep moving forward, we must adapt.

I was originally shown a picture of the Full Fat by friends at Flowt bikes. At the time, dating back to the early months of 2015, this trike was only a prototype. A very similar trike was built by the geniuses at ICE Trikes using the "trial and error” method.  Maria Leijerstam pedaled her “Polar Cycle” across Antarctica to the South Pole, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. This machine looked like nothing we had ever seen and restored my desire to immerse myself in nature.

We had no idea! Within weeks, friends and the community raised the money needed to order me a new trike! On the first day of spring, 2015, I pedaled my Full Fat out of the doorway of Flowt Bikes. Exciting! I think I may have had the first one in Canada!?

My ICE Full Fat is my most universal trike. I use it all the time, and often it is my only means of transportation in the winter. I have pushed it to its limits many times. On some of my rides, I just try and stay seated and keep the wheels on the ground. I have faith in where it will take me. Mechanically, it is always good to go, and has inspired an immense amount of my confidence. I depend on it regularly. Walking out is not an option.  I have ridden this trike for 8 years, all weather and all conditions. I regularly maintain it, but it has needed no parts - pretty incredible for the miles I have put on it. On a  bicycle, your drivetrain and feet are constantly being sandblasted and covered with grit by the front tire. This is not a problem on a recumbent trike.

People often ask what it is like to pedal, I reply, “put some pedals on your most comfortable lawn chair and pedal it wherever you like.”

During the camping months, I have learned that its clever engineering makes it possible for me to be largely self-sufficient around the campsite. Its low gearing, big tires and ultra comfortable seat make it the ultimate mobile camp chair. As a bonus, I always have a means of mobility and regularly explore the spectacular, surrounding area. Another early summer adventure that I always look forward to, are our annual multi-day pedaling/camping trips along Kettle Valley abandoned railway trails. I have pedaled across most of southern British Columbia. A lot of this old rail line is now a part of the TransCanada trail with its ideal grades for trike travel.

Revelstoke is famous for its snowfall. I love riding this trike in winter. My trike rolls on 45 North studded, winter tires. Weather-specific clothing is essential to keep you warm and dry. I always say, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” Two winters ago, a handful of my craftiest, bicycle riding buddies built up my trike with an electric assist rear hub motor.  I give a bit of throttle, and “monster truck” my way over or through the snowy obstacle course ahead. Many times, I have been left amazed, this modification is a definite “game changer.” During times of heavy snowfall, the sidewalk is the safest and only place that I can ride.  Honestly, it is a ton of fun! Imagine, snowbanks towering above you, with less than 6 inches on each side.  There is often no turning around for more than a kilometer, granting a new meaning to the definition of “commitment.” Sidewalks are not the place for bicycles, but most that live in this small town know me and my mobility issues. With a friendly “hello” and often a “high five,” they move to the side and let me past.

Frequently, I ride the machine-groomed snow trails of the Greenbelt and “the Flats.” Revelstoke commonly receives fluctuations to the temperature throughout winter. This causes melt/freeze cycles, making walking treacherous, but is excellent for riding my trike. I always tell people “The icier the better”, a hard surface provides less rolling resistance.

The end of winter brings the excitement of a new season. I look forward to the change. Revelstoke has something to offer 12 months of the year. During our snow free months, I also ride an ICE Adventure, aided by a BionX hub motor. One of my favorite places to ride, is the Mount Revelstoke Parkway, a 26 km, paved road to the alpine. As the snow melts, starting from downtown, I get to pedal further each ride, gaining elevation and being rewarded with spectacular views. I love my two ICE Trikes. My Full Fat is like pedaling a 4WD Toyota pick up, trustworthy and reliable, it will go just about anywhere. My Adventure, is a pedal powered go-cart, quick and efficient. I would honestly say, between travel on my two ICE Trikes and my upright town trike, I doubt that anyone has seen more of this Valley than I have. I probably average around 10 km a day. Check this out to learn more of few of my favorite rides around Revelstoke. It’s time to get out for a pedal!

You can find out more about the ICE Full Fat here. 

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