From the Chicago Area Trikkers Facebook group
New local group promotes passion with group rides, lessons and more.
The growing sport of Trikke riding is catching on in the Windy City with the formation of a new group of fitness enthusiasts called Chicago Area Trikkers, (or CAT for short), which is centered on all things Trikke.
Uphill climbs on human-powered Trikkes can be a formidable challenge. “Flatlanders,” as Chicagoans are sometimes called, have the advantage of level terrain — much easier for carving, especially for beginners.
Chicago Area Trikkers was created by Trikke Trainer Bruce Weston of Portage, Michigan, and new Trikke enthusiast Denice Shuty from suburban Chicago. The two met at a Michigan Carvers group ride at Chicago’s Belmont Harbor in March.
“I was lucky there were two certified trainers in the group,” says Shuty, who had been looking for someone to teach her the mechanics of riding. “They got me going right away, which I thought was incredible, since I’d had my Trikke for an entire year and couldn’t go more than a few feet. Then I got into it but couldn’t find anyone local to ride with. I drove to rides in Michigan and Indiana.”
Michigan Carvers in Chicago.
On Saturday, August 25, Chicago Area Trikkers held their premiere LSM ride at Busse Woods in northwest suburban Elk Grove Township. LSM stands for Last Saturday (and/or Sunday), of the Month, a growing custom among Trikke riders worldwide.
“We started Chicago Area Trikkers on Facebook in order to meet other riders in the area, and to help grow the sport,” says Shuty. “People are immediately drawn to it. You wouldn’t believe how many people come up to us while we’re riding to ask, ‘What is that?’”
Wilson Wong of the club So Cal Carvers coined the term LSM for a monthly group ride in the Los Angeles area that was created by event sponsors SouthBay Trikke and TrikkeWorld Magazine. Wong then started the global LSM movement and now serves as TrikkeWorld’s LSM correspondent.
The first So Cal LSM occurred in February, 2011. The first global LSM took place in November, 2011, with 5 groups participating. Less than a year later, in June of 2012, a total of 27 groups participated.
Weston, the co-creator of the CAT Facebook group, has been a Trikke rider since seeing an infomercial in 2008. An active member of Michigan Carvers, as well as a sales rep for Trikke in the state of Michigan, Weston attended the Trikke Academy and became a certified trainer in 2009, providing demonstrations, rentals, training, technical support and sales. He can be reached at the Michigan Carvers website.
Chicago Area Trikkers is a self-supported group not officially sponsored or recognized by Trikke Tech, Inc. .
Also: Read about Chicago’s first-ever LSM in Wilson Wong’s August LSM Recap.
