Obviously, this month of April will have been marked by the re-containment and the limit of 10 km around the home! Luckily, half of my perimeter was surrounded by nature and was quite hilly. It was also the opportunity to discover or rediscover side roads and small forgotten roads … I saw spring unfold visibly, […]
Preparation of the Sun Trip Europe in April Read More »
While Suntripers design their bikes for long distance travel, other people imagine a more urban solar bike, for everyday use, for family use. This is the case of the Vhélio association which wishes to promote an alternative to the car. She designed a solar vehicle that allows getting around in a practical, economical and ecological
A solar bike for the family! Read More »
At the end of March, I took advantage of a period of full sun to restart my solar bike. I was able to carry out 3 outings before confinement, with several objectives: – test the various modifications or repairs carried out on the bike this winter, – get used to pedaling again for a whole
Preparation of the Sun Trip Europe (March) Read More »
The “Breizh Sun Trip” will take place in Brittany from June 27 to July 7, 2021. This tour will offer ten stages, from 60 to 120 km, to discover some of the most beautiful sites in the region, in the cities, on the coast or inland. About thirty participants are already pre-registered! Here is an
A regional edition: the Breizh Sun Trip! Read More »
It was the 3rd great preparation outing for the Sun Trip Europe before the reconfinement. I was able to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Côte-d’Or, visit corners that were unknown to me. And I even drove a bit in Saône-et-Loire. It was good to ride in the sun, without fear of miles. To say that
April 2: 3rd Sun Trip Europe preparation outing Read More »
The first outing being conclusive, I wanted to continue my momentum and exceed 200 km during the day. The sun was 100% with me, but the solar power is obviously less in March than in summer (between 60% and 70%). I wanted to see the amount of energy produced by the panels under these conditions.
March 31: 2nd Sun Trip Europe preparation outing Read More »
In spring 2020, the departure for China had been postponed to 2021. Unfortunately, the global health situation still does not allow such a destination. It is the reason why the 2021 edition of the Sun Trip will take place in Europe! We all hope that spring will bring an improvement in the health situation and
Sun Trip 2021: discovering Europe! Read More »
Cycling as therapy is an objective pursued by the Grenoble-based association Vécolo, which promotes a return to sports. To encourage people to resume physical activity after a long battle with illness or medical treatment, she organized a challenge on the road to GT20 (Grande Traversée). A bike ride through Corsica, which took place in 8
Solar bikes in Corsica, with Vécolo association Read More »
We plan to follow a route developed according to the relief and the weather forecast. And during the day, we often choose other routes because of a landscape, a meeting, depending on the mood of the day or sometimes fatigue … The route is invented each day! View full screen See the itinerary of each
My itinerary on Sun Trip France Read More »
August 10, from Albertville (Savoie) to Bois-d'Amont (Jura) Unlike previous editions of the Sun Trip where my solar bike could get on a train (TER), this year I have to return by road. I'm not going home by the fastest route, I'm going to go up to cross the Jura where I will find calm
Return via Jura and Saône-et-Loire Read More »
Saint-Germain-du-Bois, 4 p.m. I sip a soda in the shade of a bistro. Someone is walking down the street. Seeing my bike, all panels exposed to the sun, he stops. And he looks for his owner on the terrace. Here we are at a table and we are talking about cycling. Tanguy has been riding
Nice meeting in Bresse Read More »
In Lausanne, a deviation from the cycle path leads me into inextricable meanders with my long trailer. I pity, I tell myself that I would have done better to follow the road. However, after an umpteenth detour, surprise! Under a bridge, I discovered Emmanuelle’s installation. It intrigues me … Is it Contemporary Art? I question
Beautiful meetings in Switzerland Read More »
Installing signs on a bicycle raises many problems. The solutions are many and varied, as we can see during the various Sun Trips. The designer is led to make choices, according to his priorities, his taste and his budget. Most often, priority is given to a type of bike (classic, recumbent, cargo bike, trike …)
Installing solar panels on a bike Read More »
In the last issue of Télérama magazine, the article entitled “Happy traveling differently” offers the reader to “give character” to his vacation by visiting Bourgogne-Franche Comté. For my last test trips, I followed this advice with a tour of Southern Burgundy. Because testing your solar bike does not prevent you from discovering the heritage and
D-5 before the Sun Trip France! Read More »
Two months is the time, from May 11 (deconfinement) to July 11, to test and test my new solar vehicle. You have to work hard! The challenge # 1: taming the recumbent bike, for me it’s brand new! Know its road behavior with the solar roof, with the trailer, in turns, potholes, in gusts of
Training with the Solarduino Bike 2020 solar bike Read More »
Currently, 27 participants have registered for the Sun Trip France from July 14 to August 10, 2020. It is still possible to join the adventure: learn more … < / td> register Views: 166
Participants in the Sun Trip France 2020 Read More »
The Sun Trip France will take place this summer 2020, from July 14 to August 9. The start will be in Lyon, with an arrival in Albertville. Thank you to the organizing team for their energy and responsiveness! The route represents a 3000 km loop, divided into 7 stages. Some stages will be long, up
The Sun Trip 2020 will finally happen in France! Read More »
Today is June 1 that we were to set off for China! For months, all of us, solar cyclists registered for the 2020 edition of the Sun Trip, have imagined ourselves en route to Guangzhou (Canton) in China. We dreamed of the countries we were going to cross. For some Turkey, Uzbekistan, for others Ukraine,
Sun Trip 2020 France-China will not happen ! Read More »
Table of contents Part 1 : the bike Part 2 : the electric assistance Part 3 : the solar equipment Solar panels cannot be connected directly to the battery, they must be connected through a solar regulator. 3.1. Solar regulator This is responsible for adjusting the voltage to that of the battery (36 or 48
Build your solar bike Part 3: solar equipment Read More »
Table of contents Part 1 : the bike Part 2 : the electric assistance Part 3 : the solar equipment The electrical assistance system includes at least a battery, a motor, a motor controller (sometimes integrated inside the motor), a control and display console. Other elements can be added: pedaling sensor, torque sensor, speed sensor,
Building your solar bike Part 2: electric assistance Read More »
A solar bicycle is made up of the following components: a bicycle, sometimes combined with a trailer, an electric assistance system, and solar equipment. We will describe these elements below, and consider the different possibilities available to those who want to build their solar bike. Table of contents Part 1 : the bike Part 2
Building your solar bike Part 1: the bike Read More »
I discover this amazing video made by Olivier Coste. He designed a solar powered machine to carry his equipment in a desert environment: “Solar Explorer”. In 2018, he crossed the Badain Jaran Desert in China. His vehicle allowed him to tackle the highest dunes in the world loaded with more than 150 kilos of equipment,
Crossing a Chinese desert, on foot and in solar mode! Read More »
Preparation for the Sun Trip 2020 was organized this weekend in Lyon. It brought together 30 participants from the fifty or so registered participants and took place in an atmosphere that was studious, fascinating and friendly. To effectively prepare for this solar bike rally, many themes were addressed: – administrative aspects, border formalities and visas,
Sun Trip 2020 preparation seminar Read More »
In the show “Faut pas rêver”, Carolina De Salvo makes us discover the landscapes of Cerdanya and its solar installations before continuing a great crossing of the Pyrenees to Aragon in Spain. Carolina’s journey begins on an old train to the isolated Estavar station. She joined Bernard Cauquil, inventor of a tandem that runs on
A solar bike tour in the Pyrenees on France3 TV Read More »
