In early 1990, NWHPVA president Grant Bower (future ATP co-founder) passed the club leadership to Bob Bryant, who would become esteemed editor of RCN! Here you can peruse complete copies of RCN back issues, from 1990 - 2007. I am honoured to host the archive, with Bob's blessing, for all to enjoy. This resource also gives us a overview of ATP's dramatic rise and fall.

Advanced Transportation Products Inc. Timeline The Recumbent Cyclist Vol. 2 No. 8, Oct - Nov - Dec 1991. The first mention of ATP in the RCN archive not surprisingly concerns the R20. ATP appears in the list of recumbent manufacturers. You could order an ATP R20 for $1350 in late 1991. Zach Kaplan also remembers test riding one in 1991. From The 1992 Recumbent Bicycle Buyer's Guide on page 11.

The Recumbent Cyclist No. 9, Jan - Feb. 1992. Next up, the R20 makes the cover, with the ATP R20 Road Test. Bob said while it was not a racer, it was fairly fast, and was one of only three SWB bents available at the time. The Recumbent Cyclist RCM #10, Mar - Apr 1992. ATP run a first ad for the R20, "The Next Generation of Recumbent Bicycle", which will appear in the next three issues as well.

Recumbent Cyclist Magazine #14 Jan - Feb - Mar 1993. This 1993 Buyer's Guide Double Issue gives us the first glimpse of a Vision, when Bob Bryant shows off the radical new convertible wheelbase R40 bike on the cover. "Convert from SWB to LWB in 30 minutes, for $895". And a new Vision R40 ad Fun, Fast, and Affordable debuts on page 6. No price is mentioned initially. Note the unusual "Vision" decal on the main frame. The front tire is also a blackwall, unlike the later Primo gum wall tire, likely from Kenda. This ad also appears in RCN 15 on page 22, but has a $895 price included. By RCN 16, the price had risen to $950 (page 15). And finally, under "Manufacturer Listings on page 15 we have this: "The Vision will be available March 1993." RCN #17 Sept - Oct 1993. On page 19 comes the first mention of the R45 model. And an upright steering kit, computer mount, chainguard for 1994...and the LWB Vision Fun, Fast, and Affordable ad on page 26 still lists the $950 price.

RCN #18 Jan - Feb 1994. In this issue we have a report on Interbike Las Vegas 1993, where ATP showed SWB and LWB R40's and the R45 prototype, page 13. Under NEWS & RUMOURS on page 18 it says ATP commissioned a Kenda 16 x 1 3/8" 100 psi tire, available Mar. 1994. Ten new bike models and the debut of the Vision fairing. Then on page 21 we see a new Vision ad and another price raise to $995. RCN #19/20 1994 RCN Buyer's Guide Double Issue. In this first colour-covered mammoth 65 page issue Bob declares ATP's bikes "Editor's Choice for Best Recumbent of 1994". He then later elaborates "this is the single best enthusiast recumbent we have seen for under $1000. And it is also the best SWB underseat steering recumbent that we have ever seen." The accolades don't stop there...in the Manufacturer's Listing section there is a detailed breakdown of all the models and trim levels, and a short company history. "ATP was originally founded by Joel Smith who marketed the R20 2 years ago. Grant Bowers joined Smith in Late 1992, creating one of the strongest and most promising new companies in years." The new Vision ad from last issue is repeated on page 55. RCN #21 Spring 1994 Double Road Test Issue. "ATP is a local company located about an hour from RCN World Headquarters. They stop by all the time to show me the new and secret stuff." Starting on page 11 we have the ATP "Vision" Test - a five page in depth review of the R40, followed by Bill Dowling's 3 page "Vision Quest". The unchanged Vision ad appears on page 21. RCN #22 Summer 1994 Double Road Test Issue. B.J. Strass's first column on pages 16 and 17 is devoted to "Enhancing the Vision" - his personal tweaks after a year of riding the bike. And the still unchanged Vision ad appears on page 19. RCN #23 Late Summer 1994. Not much in this issue. The now standard Vision ad appears on page 15, and a small news blurb about RCN having received the 1994 1/2 R45 test bike. RCN #25 Winter 1995. After no ATP content in issue #24, #25 bounces back with a review of the new $2250 Vision R45 SWB sport bike. The Fun, Fast, and Affordable ad returns on page 18 still bearing the $995 price, but now including the $2250 22.5 lb R45.

RCN #26/27 1995 Buyer's Guide. RCN shows individual info boxes for the three SWB USS bikes: R40, R42, and R45 and the R40 LWB USS. And debuts their first full page ad. "ATP tripled their sales in 1994 and is planning to do the same in 1995". RCN #28 Summer 1995. This is intriguing. I think most people would assume the 20" front wheel on an R40 was the standard, and the 16" was the less common option, but it is the other way around. In this issue Vision Recumbents introduce the 20" wheel option and a larger seat on page 19. And on page 21 we have the "Family Road Test: My Vision vs My Wife's Tour Easy". Lastly, there is a rumour that ATP will introduce a tandem for the 1996 model year. RCN #29 Fall 1995. ATP's half page ad on page 13 shouts New! New! New! 20" front wheel option available for all models. And the New Larger seat is now standard equipment on all Visions. SWB Price still $995. ATP retains Bob's vote as best SWB Recumbent of 1995. RCN #30 Oct - Nov - Dec 1995. On page 27 ATP introduces the R80 Double Vision with Independent Pedalling System (IPS). Priced between $3200 and $4500, weight 48 - 54 pounds.

RCN #31 Jan - Feb 1996. In his Editorial License column on page 2, Bob Bryant mentions ATP having added a "redundant allen bolt clamp system" to the stem expansion bolt on new '96 and beyond Visions, seemingly in response to a crash he had had. And Vision's half page ad now prominently features the tandem, starting at $3400. RCN #32/33 1996 Buyer's Guide. ATP take out a full page ad inside the front cover featuring the new Double Vision. And Bob Bryant also puts it above the table of contents on page 3. ATP introduce the R44 (R45 frame with R42 components). Pages 15, 16 and 17 are devoted to ATP's model selection. There is a slightly revised half page ad featuring the Double Vision and R40, and finally another full page ad inside the back cover that seems to be a joint ATP/People Movers ad. RCN #34 June - July 1996 Tandem Shootout: ATP Double Vision vs Rans Screamer. ATP's tandem grabs the cover shot! In the mail section, speed maniac Bill Dowling of Florida has traded in his R40 for an R45. View the five page tandem feature here. Page 19 features the same half page ad that ran in the last issue. Bill Dowling's mail photo shows up in the Aerospoke ad. Vision Recumbents announce their new 16" tire is now available. RCN #35 Aug - Sept 1996. Bob starts with praising his long term test R82 Double Vision with IPS. Then a real treat on the Contents page - the USS dual 26" wheel Saber prototype! But the big news in this issue is the first road test review of the R44 model. And Tony Licuanan's R-40 inspired suspension homebuilt SWB ASS. Page 28 offers up another shot of the Saber prototype. RCN #36 Oct - Nov 1996. RCN meets the R30 Vision Metro for the first time, and puts it on the cover! Coverage from Interbike 1996 and a test ride of the Metro.

RCN #37 Jan - Feb 1997. In the letters section there is a comment on the R44 from Bob, and a reader, and a lady that tried a motor on her R45. There is a two page spread on Jeff Potter's heavily modified R40 (1 and 2), and a couple of ads, one from ATP and one for the Angletech Metro. RCN #38 Mar - Apr 1997. The 1997 Buyer's Guide cover is devoted to the Vision lineup including 16 and 20" R40s, a Metro, the dual 26" Saber prototype, and a Double Vision. Lots of Vision content in this issue...Bob starts by awarding the R30 Metro the best CLWB bent award as well as the recumbent of the year for 1997. Next up is ATP's page long primer for first time recumbent riders. Then three full pages detailing the various Vision models available (1 2 3). Then come the BentBob ratings for the various Vision bikes, a repeat of the ATP Metro ad, recumbent News & Rumours (first mention of the ATP fairing and rain poncho). Finally a new ATP testimonial ad, and the back cover featuring People Movers as a Vision dealer. RCN #39 May - June 1997. Page 11 has a 3 page article on touring the Rockies on a Double Vision, while page 22 gives us a two page review of the Vision Zzipper fairing and Rain Poncho. RCN #40 July - Aug 1997. The Vision Metro R30 ad quotes the price as $925. Four other companies show Vision bikes in their ads as well. RCN #41 Sept - Oct 1997. On page 20 an article by Cheryl Fisher entitled My Kiwi Adventure feautres her R40 SWB and touring New Zealand. Then on page 22 we have Gene Standley writing about his R42 in Vision Quest. Page 27 has the VR-30 Metro ad stating the $925 price. Page 31 announces the ATP Vision IPS (Independent Pedalling System) for $495 excluding chainrings. RCN #42 Nov - Dec 1997. On page 24 Bob's report on Interbike in L.A. shows John Riley's photos of the new 1998 R45 SWB and 1998 full suspension LWB Visions. The ATP ad on page 28 still has the R30 Metro at $925. Then on page 35 Scott Groff writes about tinkering with his R40 LWB.

RCN #43 Jan - Feb 1998. On page 40, RCN falls out of love with the Metro, in a Compact comparo.

Interviews with ATP principals Joel Smith from RCN #052 JUNE - JULY 1999, and Grant Bower, from RCN #053 AUG - SEP 1999.

Bike maker on a roll seeks investment to help it diversify SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, June 19, 2001 ATP, Parent Of Vision, Winkel, Looking For Equity Partner Bicycle Retailer, July 1, 2001

RCN #71 Sept - Oct 2002. Vision issues a warning about 1999-2000 Double Vision frames cracking.

RCN #79 Nov - Dec 2003. ATP Vision has cancelled their Interbike booth, and sent a letter to dealers stating they are restructuring the company and moving to a different location. ATP phones were shut off and employees left in early December 2003. Bankruptcy closed in March 2004 and Volae bought the tooling and rights. ATP, aka Vision, Has Apparently Gone The Way of the DoDo Bird thetandemlink.com, Mar 3, 2004

Vision Ads - 1999 Advanced Transportation Products, Inc.

France Ad Well, looky up ahead. It's the arc de triomphe. On a vision recumbent, you'll see things you'd miss hunched over handlebars. And with aerodynamic advantages over traditional bikes, it'll take you to all the really good places really fast. Enlarge 750 pixels 300DPI scan

Chiro Ad If it feels like you're sitting in a big, comfortable chair, it's because you are. You're on a Vision. You're feeling no pain. Not in your hand. Not in your wrists. Not in your neck. Not in your back. See a chiropractor for details. If you can find one. Enlarge 750 pixels 300DPI scan

Reproduce Ad Seems a number of medical types think maybe, just maybe, the average bike seat could make you unable to make another you. Which is one rather potent reason to choose a Vision recumbent. Fast. Comfortable. Exceptionally kid friendly. Enlarge 750 pixels 300DPI scan

Butt Ad When you sit back to watch a big game on TV, does a little voice inside your head tell you to get up and exercise? Stupid voice. With a Vision recumbent, you can get all the exercise you need without moving an inch from your favorite game day position. Enlarge 1024 pixels 300DPI scan

Tandem Ad Which would you rather look at: your significant other or your insignificant feet? If you chose option A, get a Vision recumbent tandem. Its independent Pedaling system lets either of you pedal or coast at any time. Who does what should be in the pre-nup. Enlarge 750 pixels 300DPI scan