Fueled by burritos and solar power.
Another late start. Last night’s forecast called for rain all day so I was prepared to spend the day in the tent waiting it out but the outlook changed overnight to possible light showers in the morning followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon. I install the new mirror, tape up the broken fender and head …
I wake up at 5 AM and check the weather forecast. The sunny Monday I was promised last night has been rescheduled to Tuesday. I can’t wait three more days for the weather to clear so I’m going to have to push over Sherman Pass with only the barest hint of electric assist. It’s going …
I wake up in Wauconda to cloudy skies, 1% battery and not enough stove fuel to make coffee. The next town with services is 16 miles and 1000’ climbing away. Also, it looks like it may rain. Also, there’s no internet. I don’t much care for these rumble strips in the middle of the road …
Isn’t this place supposed to be some kind of secret? Another later-than-intended start to the day. I’m still figuring out where everything should go on the bike and it’s taking me way too long to get ready in the morning. I stop by the post office and mail a few things home. To the motorist …
I get an early start and am rewarded with beautiful views and lots of sunny-sun-sun. My newfound obsession with basking in the sun is almost reptilian. I climb 3300’ (1000 m) by lunchtime and make it over a very chilly 5500’ (1700 m) pass before dropping back down the longest continuous descent I’ve ever done …
My hardest day so far. I got a late start trying to sort out an issue with my batteries and stopped early due to rain. In between, punishing 7° climbs with narrow road shoulders, very little electric assist and only 216 solar Wh today. I actually had to get off and push for a while. …
The day starts off in style with some roadside plums. I seem to be living the farm to bike lifestyle. I think about going to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, the official start of this route, with a vague idea about possibly running into other people who are starting the same tour. But it would be …
I ride out of Vancouver early on Sunday morning. The city belongs to groups of tai chi practitioners, surprisingly spry senior joggers, and one solar ebike putting along at 10 km/h (6 mph) because the battery is empty and the sky is overcast. I’m so slow that frail-looking octogenarians on cruiser bikes are passing me. …
Huge thanks to the whole team at Grin Tech for being such great hosts during my 36 hour layover in Vancouver. Your dedication and passion are an inspiration. Special thanks to Justin, Aaron and Robert for coming in on a Saturday to shoot a video and build me a new wheel with an updated version …
Continue reading "Day 2: Willy Wonka’s Magical Ebike Factory"
Solar panels aren't magic: a guide to understanding the ratings Let's start with the worst case scenario: you bought a 100 watt solar panel to charge your 500 watt-hour ebike battery with the expectation that it would charge your battery from empty to full in 5 hours. What could be simpler? 100 watts times 5 …
Continue reading "Why is my 100 watt solar panel only giving me 75 watts?"
SOLAR ebike 