My ICE story started in 2012, I was just about to turn 50 and I didn't feel like carrying my gear around in my backpack anymore. Since 1976 I am familiar with the wilderness of northern Sweden and Norway. Since 1981 with my partner Nicole, we have come to know rivers, plateaus and also the way to move optimally in the wilderness (flora and fauna) and if possible without causing harm to nature.  

Not only the lessons in the wilderness have taught me how important good material and quality is, as a mechanic and engineer working in aviation, it is extremely important for me to focus on quality. Nothing is more unpleasant than when the material fails. In this respect I have a high standard in the selection of my equipment.

In 2013 I took a three month break from work after 34 years of working. The goal was a tour with exclusively muscle power from Hamburg to Bordeaux. The ICE Trike HD Adventure promised to meet my quality requirements. The quality of workmanship and choice of materials convinced me as an engineer. With 3 disc brakes, Rohloff gear shifting and reasonable SON lighting system equipped perfectly for me. The seating comfort compared to a normal touring bike is enormous. No falling asleep shoulders and neck areas, no lame arms or other parts of the body that are pinched off. With approx. 18 KG of equipment (including tent, sleeping bag, stove etc.) the trike stands outstanding. Especially if you like to take pictures you don't have to worry about the bike or trike falling over.

For the 1.800 KM (Hamburg-Bordeaux), which I rode in 6 weeks, there were only two flat tires.

Maria Leijerstam with her tour to the South Pole made me aware of the ICE Full Fat Trike. Exciting was her blog, the film, and the book. A super performance!

Unfortunately the trike was not available. It took a few months until the ICE people brought something similar to the trike on the market. Then at last , my German dealer could deliver. So I got my first FF with the second load of ICE FF, which was intended for Germany. Again I configured with Rohloff and three disc brakes but without light system and also without suspension of the front axle. If you drive the FF with Schwabe 4.8 the suspension is optimal by lowering the tire pressure. While Nicole was sceptical about my tricycle at first, her opinion changed after I bought her a FF trike as well. It turned out that the first FF which was delivered in Germany was on the used market. In the meantime I knew the ICE quality (my expectations were met) and as the FF was already equipped with Rohloff, I only needed a few more parts to adapt the FF to Nicole's needs. 

We have two independent children together, our professional life has now arrived in autumn and we love nature. After an intensive family life, it is now time to start a new phase of our life together again. The extreme hiking tours of the past are not necessary anymore, but nature and fitness are always good. So we mostly go on day trips with our non electric fattrikes. Here our knowledge of the wilderness is of great benefit to us. The FF is perfect to ride on sand, water, snow and ice and still have a hot fresh coffee with you. The wilderness, which is easy to reach with the FF from Hamburg, Germany is limited. So the transport with our VW bus to the next national park is very comfortable. On the long tours, we also use our small Eriba caravan. For example at the 2nd International Full Fat Meeting in the Lüneburger Heide.

My next trip will be again with the ICE Adventure HD. I got again 3 months off and the plan is crossing Germany from north to south, than crossing Switzerland from east to west and if time allows making France from east to west.

If you would like to follow Thomas & Nicole's adventures, follow them on instagram: 

@Hammaburg_Triker 

@der_triker_bw 

Why not start your own cycling adventure. Find out more about the ICE Full Fat here.