Buying a European velomobile in America has been fraught with poor selection/availability, shipping disasters and minimal expert guidance. Ben Parke has worked very hard over the last year to change all that with his new Minnesota dealership called Northland Velo. Ben's close business connection with Romanian based Velomobile World is bringing a wide range of models to his customers at discounted prices. We talk to Ben about the "shipping container load" quantities he is bringing in which he hopes will finally allow for scaling this business to new levels.

The world's largest recumbent show is returning to Germany soon and so is the Laidback Bike Report. We sit down with Franz, Gabriel and Florian (the Spezi producers) for a peek at the planned program and exciting new changes they have planned for this year.

This event only got its start a few years ago but the Pacific Trike Fest is returning to Portland, Oregon in June. Recumbent PDX is the force behind this fun gathering and Mel Birge joins us on the road riding his own Catrike to tell us all the amazing details.

00:00:00 Intro
00:00:51 What’s on Today’s Show
00:02:20 Panel Introduction
00:03:55 Sponsor Introduction
00:06:45 Recumbent News with Honza Galla
00:15:10 Northland Velo interview with Ben Parke
00:50:40 Discussion with Peter, Tray and Gary
01:01:20 Ben announces Velomobile World’s 2 new models for first time!
01:10:32 What to expect at Spezi 2024 with producers Franz, Gabriel and Florian
01:24:20 Pacific Trike Fest 2024 with producer Mel Birge
01:30:00 Sponsor Thanks
01:32:40 Announcements
01:34:24 Goodbye to panel and crew

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*Thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making the LBR webcast possible*
TerraCycle https://t-cycle.com/ 800-371-5871 or +1-503-231-9798 (Outside N. America)
Trailside Trikes https://trailside.bike/ 352-419-4809
TerraTrike/Greenspeed https://wizwheelz.com/ 800-945-9910
Laidback Cycles https://laidbackcycles.com/ 916-619-1003
Connecticut Yankee Pedaller http://www.cypbikes.com/ 641-774-5557
Bicycle Man https://bicycleman.com/ 607-587-8835
AZUB https://azub.eu/
RecumbentPDX https://recumbentpdx.com/ (503) 231-1000

*Honza’s News Report Links*
--Recumbent News https://www.recumbent.news/

*Guest Links*
Northland Velo https://northlandvelo.com/
Velomobile World https://www.velomobileworld.com/
Spezi 2024 https://en.spezialradmesse.de/
Pacific Trike Fest https://pacifictrikefest.com/

*LBR Crew Links*
-Recumbent News-online news website by Honza Galla https://www.recumbent.news/
-BentRider/Larry Varney http://www.bentrideronline.com/
-Doug Davis Bicycle Evolution https://www.bicycle-evolution.com/
-Nina Paley’s Links
-Nina’s blog https://blog.ninapaley.com/
-Nina’s bike merchandise http://www.palegraylabs.com/other-stuff-1/protective-bicycle-amulet
-Peter Stull https://bicycleman.com/
-Josef Janning https://www.facebook.com/josef.janning
-Tim Segard https://www.bentrevolution.com/
-Tray Bourgoyne Tray@netdoor.com

**Viewer Submissions or Questions**
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