Jun 14 2008
A family startup company hopes to bring the exhilaration of sailing to a road near you. With the price of gasoline increasing and the growing environmental awareness to the benefits of zero-emission vehicles, Pterosail Trike Systems, L.C. believes the timing couldn't be better.
"For thousands of years, civilizations have used the wind to travel across oceans, yet, this same energy has proven elusive for use on land. That's why this type of technology is so exciting, it literally combines two of America's favorite pastimes, sailing and cycling into one. The technology not only allows riders to explore America's roadways in an exciting new way, but also allows people that otherwise couldn't because of physical limitations, a new opportunity," says John MacTaggart, Chief Executive Officer of Pterosail Trike Systems, L.C.
After years of development and thousands of miles of testing, including crossing California and participating twice in the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), Pterosail Trike Systems is excited to offer the Solo GT trike equipped with the Pterosail Kit. The Solo GT is a recumbent trike equipped with a patented sailing system. The complete system combines the comfort of recumbent trikes with the pleasure of sailing. The street-legal Solo GT coupled with the Pteosail Kit represents an exciting new chapter in cross country and recreational cycling.
Past attempts at producing a stable sailing vehicle have failed, largely due to the use of inherently unstable "main" type sails. Main type sails operate with a "pushing" action while the patented jib-based sail "pulls" - resulting in dramatically increased stability. The self-tacking jib sail is placed forward of the rider and low to the ground. The sailing system is able to convert even the smallest amount of wind into forward propulsion in a safe, easily learned, and enjoyable manner.
"One of the most gratifying aspects during the development of the sailing system has been the reaction from the public which has been overwhelmingly supportive. We've been approached on numerous occasions by people sharing childhood daydreams of constructing a sailing machine. They have often thanked us for literally making that dream come true. In fact, Lance Armstrong recognized the Pterosail Team as unique participants during last year's RAGBRAI trek across Iowa," says Rigoberto MacTaggart, Chief of Operations, Pterosail Trike Systems, L.C.