Bike Trailers
Watercraft Trailers
Pedal Meets Paddle
City to Source: a Bike Friday folding tandem tows a canoe, equipment and supplies (Photo: David Garden via bikeforest.com)
A commercial or diy purpose-built bike trailer will enable you to tow one or even two watercraft with your bicycle. A scenario could include wanting to bring your kayak to a river or lake but not being close enough to carry it by hand or tow it on a dolly or not being able to -or wanting to- bring it by car. Perhaps the body of water you want to explore is only accessible by dirt foot/bike path. In these instances, a watercraft bike trailer is ideal to tow your canoe, kayak, surfboard or windsurfer.
Whether buying or building your trailer, consider using plastic rims which are better suited for use in corrosive marine environments. You should also consider mounting a safety flag (as well as a light or reflector) to the end of the trailer so that it is better seen by motorized vehicle traffic.
Kayak Trailers & Canoe Trailers
Seatpost Hitch: an 18ft sea kayak towed on a Tony Trailers Trayak bike trailer (Photo: Tony's Trailers)
Several manufacturers sell bike trailers and trailer kits with an extended tow arm and hitch that can be used to safely haul canoes or kayaks (recreational kayaks, play boats and touring kayaks) comfortably over long distances.
Double Up: two touring kayaks being towed on a bike trailer to launch (Photo: streetsblog.org)
Some manufactureres offer trailers where the tow arm's hitch attaches to the rear left side of the bike for improved handling as compared with the seatpost tow arm hitch.
Chainstay Hitch: two 10ft recreational kayaks on a Roland Carrie F bike trailer (Photo: radfahrereinheitsfront.de)
Alternatively, you can take the DIY approach and build your own watercraft bike trailer to suit your specific needs.
DIY: a sit-on-top kayak towed on a trailer built from Carry Freedom Bamboo plans (Photo: David Moth)
Other approaches are to use your kayak dolly and to attach a stick to you seatpost which attaches to the bungy cord handle on the front of your kayak or to use a t-bar attached to the front of the canoe in conjunction with the canoe dolly.
Stick It: a kayak on a scupper hole cart towed using the so-called Dumb Stick (Photo: the manufacturer)
Woody: a canoe on a dolly being towed using a plank attached to the seatpost (Photo: redbayfarm.com)
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Surfboard Trailers, Longboard Trailers & Stand Up Paddleboard Trailers
Flipside: a longboard towed using the Mule (Photo: muletransportsystems.com)
Surfboards, especially longboards and stand up paddleboards (SUP), can be easily transported using a bike trailer.
An alternative to getting your surfboard to the beach using a bike trailer is to transport the board on the bike itself using a commerical or DIY surfboard rack.
Rhino Hunting: finding the biggest waves to surf is much easier and faster by bike (Photo: Bike by the Sea on flickr)
Note that bike-mounted surfboard racks, while more convenient, are less safe than bike trailers as the handling of the bike is susceptible to sudden gusts of wind which can push the bike and rider into traffic or present other dangers.
Kitesurfer Trailers & Windsurfer Trailers
Power Zone: a kitesurfing board and accessories on a monowheel touring trailer (Photo: tobes on seabreeze.com.au)
Due to their compact size, a kitesurfing board and accessories are easily transported on singlewheel touring trailer.
A windsurfer sailboard and accessories are can be transported using a diy / custom trailer.
Finally, with a pontoon attached you can even carry your bike on your kayak, letting you go for a bike ride at your destination or for shoreleave along the way (though a micro- or compact folding bike may be a more convenient choice for bringing a bike on board).
Have Bike Will Paddle: a bike being carried on a kayak with a pontoon attached (Photo: talkflyfishing.com)
Keywords
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