North Liberty man sailing cross-country -- on land

DUNCAN, Ariz. – John MacTaggart said the best part of sailing across the country is the variety of people he meets.

Sporting his "Pterosail," a recumbent trike equipped with a patented sailing system, MacTaggart is sailing from coast to coast-on the ground.

The North Liberty resident said he spent last Thursday in the small town of Duncan, Ariz., where he asked a local volunteer police officer for a lunch-stop recommendation. Not only did MacTaggart end up with a fabulous dining experience, but he also dined with the town's volunteer officers and mayor.

“They all thought it was really great, and they were really into it,” said MacTaggart, 30. “We all took some pictures, and then had lunch. The mayor talked to me about some of the issues in Duncan. It was just really cool.”

Duncan was just one small stop on MacTaggart's journey. He plans to sail from San Diego, Calif., to St. Augustine Fla., a total of 3,092 miles.

MacTaggart said he wanted to undertake his coast-to-coast journey for his 30th birthday, but weather forced him to postpone his trip.

The timing now is perfect because his assistant, media coordinator and travel companion, Jennifer Brown, 28, of Cedar Rapids, had the summer off.

“I had some free time," he said. "Why not sail across the country?"

MacTaggart said he typically starts riding early in the day. Eventually, Brown will pass him in their support vehicle, dropping off water, food and ice. Brown then drives on to the next stop and finds a hotel room for the night.

MacTaggart launched his North Liberty business, Pterosail Trike Systems, in 2006, based on an idea MacTaggart's father had while riding a trike on a windy day in rural Iowa.

The venture was interrupted when MacTaggart was called to Afghanistan for a year's service in July 2008.

Back and ready for action, he modified the Pterosail and started building  full-model trikes instead of buying them from other companies. His journey is a debut of the full product with its own trike design. Pterosails, he said, were first sold as kits.

The Pterosail operates with a patented jib-based sail that is placed forward of the rider and low to the ground. The automatic sheet management system has a continuously recoiling line.

To accelerate and use the wind, the rider applies tension to the line with one hand while steering with the other hand. If the operator wants to slow down or stop, he releases the line.

“If you want to use it, hold it,” he said. “If you don't, let go of it. It's that easy.”

The Pterosail is also equipped with a solar panel that powers MacTaggart's iPhone, so he can access maps and social networking sites. The panel also provides him with protection from the sun, since it's installed directly above him.

The name of his cycling contraption came from the ancient pterodactyl, the flying dinosaur. The pronunciation is the same as “terra-sail,” meaning sailing over the land.

MacTaggart set off on his voyage June 28 and said he hopes to return by the end of August.