In April 1995, I launched "Trikes R Us" as a four-page publication. In 1997, an Internet website was constructed. By 1999, the publication expanded to twenty pages. During 2000, the magazine was delivered digitally via the Internet. By the end of 2000, I closed TRU. This decision was based on the following factors: my mother's failing health (and eventual death at 86 in 2003), the growing number of trike articles finally appearing in the popular ultralight and experimental magazines, the expansion and popularity of Internet email discussion-lists, TRU's transition to the internet, the lack of financial resources required to sustain operations, and the enormous time and effort required to publish. Oh yes, I had a full time job to attend to. It fed me and my trike.
The "Us" in Trikes R Us referred to the network of United States (USA) trike owners, pilots, and enthusiasts. Trikes R Us provided the triking community with the first publication dedicated to trikers, promoted triker "gatherings", encouraged the formation of triker "squadrons", and otherwise fostered the dissemination of information in trikedom. It was personally a fun, rewarding, and an exhausting experience. I started TRU because there was not a publication dedicated to triking. I enter trikedom after transitioning from hang gliding, purchasing my first trike, and like a kid with a new toy enthusiastically took on the recreational challenge.
Today, I fly and maintain my trike, instruct, ride with the Atlanta Trikers, manage the web sites and discussion lists of the Atlanta-Trikers and the Southeast-Trikers, and from time to time write and talk about triking. With the advent of the revolutionary and long over due USA Light Sport aircraft and sport pilot regulation (which by the way officially makes the trike a new category of "aircraft" in the USA, named "weight-shift control aircraft"), I ponder future adventures and challenges. One could be to create the United States Trike Owners and Pilots Association (or the North American Trike Owners and Pilots Association), which would publish an association magazine, perhaps named "Trikes R Us". I very much welcome your comments.
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