Mar 09, 2026
First Century Ride on Velomobile Bülk Distance - As some know I have a Velomobile Bülk Distance. Ok i only have that since 3 weeks and started test rides 2 weeks ago. Today I made the decision to see how it feels like on a century ride. So far my longest ride has been about 31 miles. Still testing handling I decided to go for a century. It was a bit unplanned and a decision after about 40 miles. Overall I am still working on most efficient way to accelerate after stops at traffic lights and stop signs. And working on handling in sharp curves. Today I noticed a few things I better train more for long rides on the Velo bike. For my race bikes I use the Infinity Seates for better comfort. Thats not possible in laying down position in the Velo. And admittedly my a..s start hurting after about 70 miles. Also I need to place drinking bottles better so I can have proper hydration. Ohhh … it was a hot day causing some sunburn in my face. Still temperature in the Velo was manageable to me. Average speed was only 20.6 mph. But thats due to stop signs and traffic lights. Plus I do not have proper front chainring yet. Overall a cool experience. A few things to focus on and hopefully getting familiar step by step with this.
Mar 09, 2026
Love my Velomobile Bülk Distance. Been ask a few questions on regular basis… How is it with cross wind - actually much easier than any upright bikes. Low profile makes it less effective even from strong cross wind and gusts. Ok … downside is not to be able to benefit from tailwind that much. But pro is that cross wind a d headwind does not slow you down as much as on regular bikes. So its a more consistent way of riding. What about hot temperatures. Ok yesterday I did a 101 mile (163 km) ride in average tenp of 84F (29C) lowest temperature was 77F (25C). Was I sweating… sure because I did that distance. But I felt ok. My big issue was that I did not pay attention proactively and not using sun-blocker in my face … got a sunburn that takes me off the road today. Its bot Velomobile related … its a general issue here. The temperature was not bothering me. I currently ride it with top open. Ordered one but will leave windows off in hot days. How fast does it go. … ok mine at the moment has the smallest front chainring. I ordered a large one and will change that as soon as I get it. I am riding for 2 weeks to get used to it … means setup of shoe cleats and learning to steer right or to apply a bit power … most times bow I use the 3 smallest gear on rear cassette and on a straight get easy to 23-25 mph (37-40 km/h) and top speeds over 32 mph (52 km/h). I know once getting used to it and having a large front chainring this will go up. On pictures … I parked it briefly when I went to a German bakery picking up some bred and the two videos show the turn signals front and back. That to be honest helps a lot … no hand signals … regular turn signals for traffic coming towards me and behind me. In addition great head lights and well visible tail lights plus when I break it signals rear traffic as well. So its a cool safety setup on the lights and makes me feel much more comfortable. In addition I use two good rear mirrors. So in conpare to my upright bike rides it feels safe enough. Ok … it does not rake away from me to follow proper traffic rules and watch out for cars. It’s just easier to do that. I was hesitant wor over a year if ai should get one. And after two weeks testing it I am happy I have one. Will I race with it? Mhhhh time may tell and its way too early to say. Focus is on having fun. I have ideas for cool rides (not necessarily races). And will step by step integrate those rides in my regular procedure. For now … its a learning curve.
Mar 04, 2026
First Impression riding the Velomobile Bülk Distance As some noticed I got a Velomobile Bülk Distance (will sinply just name it Velo. So all arrived in great conditions. Very well packed by manufacturer. First rides took me a bit due to my injury with left thigh muscle. However the first rides I kept short for about 7-8 miles to see that I get cleats setup ok. Minimot adjustments … dinding seat position, change pedals to my regular Shimano and usingmy standard shoes. It took a few rides ro have them setup to my liking. However this weekend I may have to run another chage installing dual power pedals to get power input and cadence information. What a cool ride. I really enjoy using it. Increased todes to a bit over 30 miles (50 km). What did I learn/notice so far? Light system is amazing and good visibility at night plus cool with turn signals for traffic behind me. Need to find a good spot to add my Garmin 1040. Speed was a bit less than expected and have to use the small chainrings on rear cassette too much. … ordered larger front chainring now. For regular use its ok. Speeding up on intersections is day and night compared to road bikes. Its much slower speeding up to over 20 mph. So its important to use good technique in case of riding it on longer distances. Dogs now are on head level 😂🤪. So I would not need a hood but ordered it ro be better protected. For tube / tire change I better lay it on the side. So ordered a set of ultralight folding sleeping pad. Riding is conpletely different to upright race bikes. Means I am adding the Velo rides as recovery rides and start finding best technique for intersections and sharp curves. My average speed is a bit low for some more weeks so I can heal my muscles left plus work on fine tuning the way I ride the Velo. Overall … very cool experience and so much fun riding it. Can I start pushing in races? Heck no … I am to far from that at the moment. Also noticed on upright bikes with aerobars the neck muscles are stressed to keep head up. On Velo rides its the opposite direction because head is pulled forward … different neck muscle training. Applying power is different because on upright bikes I can use arms as well while they cannot be used much or at all on the Velo … other than steering.
Mar 02, 2026
Swelling in my left thigh is finally down and no more pain. My training is back on schedule doing it on the road. Still have to be careful on left leg so most work is done with right side. Had two decent but easy century rides and added a bit of a ride on my Bülk Distance Velomobile on Sunday. Getting closer to setup that I may like on the Velo. Riding is completely different. It will take me some training to get proper neck muscles trained for longer Velo rides and have to work on my technique for sharp curves and overall power inputs. Its cool riding. Will I switch completely? Nope … at least not soon. But ist a cool way to do recovery rides with that. Ao its an interesting way to organize my training going forward. And sorry but …. O coach and no crew for year 2026 training/rides or races …. With one exception if I ride/race not alone.
Feb 21, 2026
Florida500 2026 not my race … I had to bail out at Checkpoint 2 (about 158 miles into the race). What happened? Mhhhh … I was thinking about avoiding the race due to an issue after Sebring 24 hours … Monday I felt some pain in my left thigh. But it went away and all seemed ok. Start in the morning on my TT bike went well. Was cool being with some top racers like Joe Barr in the same race. And cool advice from his crew when they briefly have been behind me on one of the reason lights. … I wish I could have finished. The first 50 miles went perfectly fine and I felt good. First Checkpoint around Mile 89 was good. I felt like I am in good condition and kept pushing my own pace. My average speed was about 20 mph at that time. Unfortunate around mile 110 disaster struck badly. I start feeling pain in left thigh again as I had it on Monday. In addition also noticed power loss on left leg. I just could not apply power even I shifted my efforts a bit to the right leg. Around mile 120 at a gas station I had a brief stop refilling a bit … The pain actually made me putting in that stop. Also had a brief chat with one crew there that I am in trouble. They offered me to cool down the thigh but I felt like testing a few things on the ride and I just wanted to move on. So kept going and realized it’s not going to be a good idea. So I kept debating myself for the next 30 miles to compare my options and what I should do because the pain was no cool even I could cut the pain feeling out. I was worried what the cause might be. Also checked and noticed the left thigh was swollen more than I would like and … legs critical needed for cycling, running and power walking. So about 10 miles before Checkpoint 2 I made the decition that Checkpoint 2 is the last stop and I have to accept a DNF. Some may shake their heads … Thats OK but health it critical to me and about 7 years ago I almost lost my left leg due to a foolish decision to keep pushing when my body gave me the signals of game over (tried to run that time). And not to forget I am turning 62 … So recovery and healing process can take time. Sadly at Checkpoint 2 I turned in the GPS tracker and pulled out of the race. Admittedly I am torn apart mentally. On one hand I tell myself it was the right decition to give myself a chance for full recovery and get ready for the next race. On the other hand I am frustrated and upset about myself I pulled out. But I know I may or may not have finished either way and damage would have been more severe since I had easy 370 miles to go. Arrived home last night and got a medical checkup … As feared … I had a muscle fiber tear on top left thigh. It’s a mild case and I am able to walk ok again. Doctors gave me good advice how to apply recovery sessions to support healing. I may not publish details about my recovery process but promise it’s monitored medically to make sure I am not doing anything wrong. Nevertheless … feeling frustrated about the issue. I know what possibly caused the muscle tear and glad I was able to keep it limited to have a mild case only … Rest is a matter of time and recovery sessions and treatment now. Want to congratulate all winners of the Florida500 race 2026 and wishing you all the best for the rest of the year. For myself I refocus again and Start looking forward. I a positive that it turns out perfectly fine again.
Pictures are from way before the issue happened.
