What is the Escargoline
The Escargoline is a small, revolutionary machine on 3 wheels, capable of transporting people with disabilities, people with reduced mobility (the elderly) or even children, over all types of terrain. It can be pulled by an animal (donkey, pony, horse) or by one or two people.
Background
Some thirty years ago, the Joëlette made it possible to offer disabled people the pleasure of walking and hiking in the great outdoors. It was a brilliant idea, with the caveats that anyone who has ever ridden a Joëlette knows all about: instability due to the single wheel, resulting in rapid fatigue of the two carriers and the need for several carrying teams.
The Escargoline follows on from this story, eliminating all the Joëlette’s weak points: the ability to carry several people, stability, a single team of two or three people, and animal-safe traction.
There is one point that the Escargoline cannot compete with its big sister: the ability to ride on narrow mountain paths.
Robustness
Built from 33mm steel tubing, the Escargoline is virtually indestructible. We tried to destroy prototype number 1 on some horribly bumpy roads, even getting it to climb Mont Lozère, but to no avail. As for prototype number 2, it made it all the way to Compostela…
Passengers
The Escargoline can safely carry one adult, even an overweight one, or two teenagers, or three children, or one adult and two children.
Comfort
Thanks to its revolutionary cable suspension, the Escargoline offers unparalleled comfort. A real Citroën 2CV,” say those who have tried it on tour. These suspensions require no maintenance: no air or oil.
Wheels
The wheels on the Escargoline are the strongest in the cycling world, and are specially made for our machine: 17-inch steel moped rims, cast aluminium drum hubs, 2.3 mm double-cross spokes. They’ll absorb shocks smoothly and withstand the roughest terrain.
SSU (Emergency Separation System)
Even if the animal is well trained to pull, nature is full of surprises. It could be a roe deer bursting through his paws, or a jet plane flying past his ears. The Emergency Separation System, which we developed and patented in 2010, enables the Escargoline to be separated instantly from the animal at the touch of a button, operated by the pilot from the driving seat, in the event of danger, thus preserving the integrity of the passengers. The Emergency Separation System is fitted to the rudder bar.
Rudder
The spreader bar is a complex mechanical part that links the front wheel of the machine to the animal’s stretcher. It transfers the movements of the animal’s chest, where the collar is located (alternately to the right and to the left depending on the pitch), to the axle of the front wheel. This specific feature prevents any muscular blockage and risk of injury from rubbing on the chest.
Stretcher-harness for animal traction
The stretcher used to pull the Escargoline. The leather harness is one-piece, and is fitted in a single operation once the straps have been adjusted to the animal’s dimensions, avoiding the risk of injury from incorrect tension. You don’t need to be a specialist in harnessing.
Human traction harness
The towing harness allows one person to pull the Escargoline. The main part of the harness is a powerful, old-fashioned leather belt, as worn by craftsmen in days gone by. It distributes forces over a wide area of the back and belly. The belt is connected to the front wheel axle by a small metal stretcher called a tringlet.
A second person can be added a little ahead of the first, equipped with the same leather harness, to facilitate traction, particularly in hilly areas.
Driver position
Just as he would drive a pram or a wheelchair, the pilot stands and walks at the back of the Escargoline. He is responsible for the safety of the machine and its passengers, particularly in the event of deep ruts or rough terrain. He has six ergonomic driving positions in which to place his hands. In the event of imminent danger, he activates the Emergency Separation System.
He can also push the Escargoline if necessary, and use two lifting handles to get over a root or a stone step.
Brakes
The Escargoline has two drum hubs on the rear wheels. The rider can operate two brake handles that activate both drums equally well. For long descents, there’s a brake bar that does the job effortlessly. Drum hubs require no maintenance and are protected from rain and mud. The shoe of a drum brake lasts infinitely longer than the pad of a disc brake.
Size
The Escargoline is 96 cm wide, making it remarkably stable on slopes. This means it can be used on most semi-cross-country trails.
Animal
You can use any donkey, pony, mule or small horse, as long as it is trained to pull. With an Escargoline, there are two solutions:
- either the animal is ‘on command’, i.e. it obeys the voice of the driver, who is at the rear. One person can then guide the machine.
- or the animal is not yet trained to drive. In that case, you need someone to guide it on the tether and show it the way. And, of course, a driver at the back.
Price
The Escargoline is very gently priced. Its manufacture has been optimised to make it as affordable as possible. What’s more, it comes with options, so that every structure can choose its type of equipment. If you have an animal, you can choose the frame, collar, diapason-harness and spreader bar. Those who prefer human traction will buy only the chassis and the traction harness.
If we want to make a comparison with the Joëlette, the Escargoline, despite all its technological advances, remains less expensive than its big sister.