I’m biking across the country, roundtrip, this summer. And it’s a big country, so I need to cover significant mileage most days. I enjoy riding my standard bike around Seattle, up and down hills, and longer distances. But when I thought about hot winds and mountains, the ride didn’t seem all that fun.
E-bikes have made cycling available to people who never considered it before, and they’ve changed the lives of folks who’ve been biking for years. I’ve only ridden them a couple of times, and frankly, the motors scare me. But I was pretty sure that my trip would be much more comfortable with a little motor assistance.
Here’s the thing, though. I’m traveling the country to talk to people about climate action. I just couldn’t imagine charging my batteries from a coal-powered grid. And there may be times that I’d run out of juice far from an electrical outlet. If there were a way to power the battery with solar energy, that would keep it clean and keep me self-sufficient.
Tom Fucoloro, the savvy guy behind Seattle Bike Blog, suggested I talk to Henry at Bike Swift. I did a bunch of homework first, not wanting to waste his time on an unrealistic goal. I looked at enough batteries, solar panels, and technical information to decide it may just be doable. So yesterday, I dropped by to talk to Henry. He thinks it’s realistic, too.
All of the pieces are falling into place. I have a draft of the pocket guide, and am on track to self-publishing it in March. I’ve got a tentative agreement with someone who can live in my house and keep an eye on things while I’m gone. I’ve talked with Mountaineers Books about the next book, the one that will share the stories of the amazing people I meet this summer and their climate projects — as well as the story of my own journey and information about action everyone can take. And I’ve reached out to old friends around the country who I’m looking forward to catching up with.
It’s very exciting, at the age of 51, to have the opportunity to combine an adventure with a mission I care about.
I look forward to the journey — and documenting it to share it with you. Meanwhile, you can follow me on Twitter @gyncild.