Chuck Kennedy has ridden for years. This spring he nearly quit. At Recumbent Cycle-Con 2026 he stopped by the Falco booth with his Bacchetta recumbent bike to tell the Laidback Bike Report what happened next.
Video: Laidback Bike Report, Cycle-Con 2026. Chuck's story starts at about 6:40.
"I was ready to give it up"
Chuck has had health problems. This past spring, riding got much harder.
"I stopped. So, I'm done. I can't do this no more."
Then he found the Falco eDrive. He first put it on his ICE VTX trike. It worked so well that he added a second system to his Bacchetta. In his words, it helped his strength come back and got him riding again.
100 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing on one battery
Chuck lives in hilly southwestern Pennsylvania. He rides most days, usually 40 to 60 miles around home. He has done 100 miles on one battery, and a ride with 3,500 feet of climbing on one battery.
His secret is regeneration. On the way down a hill, the Falco motor puts energy back into the battery. In hilly country that adds up to a lot of extra miles.
He still carries a second battery, just in case. He ordered the same battery for his bike and his trike, so he can swap them between the two.
Help from a real person
"I'm not a tech person at all... he's talked me through all the systems."
When Chuck has a question, he calls. We walk him through it. That is how we want every rider to feel.
Want what Chuck has?
- No trike yet? The Three Wheels of Magic electric trike comes with the Falco eDrive built in, for $2,995.
- Already own a trike? The Falco f7.9 system converts many recumbent trikes. ICE owners: check ICE's warranty first, as it limits motors above 250 W.
Range depends on rider weight, hills, assist level and weather. Chuck's numbers are his own rides.
Thank you, Chuck, for sharing your story. And thanks to Gary Solomon and the Laidback Bike Report for the interview.