Anyone go touring on an electric bike?

[Broadbeans]

There was a programme on Radio 4 not long ago called 'Three Men in a Float'. Three young funsters travelled across England in a milk-float, begging for a recharge wherever they could get it. It took a while, but they made it, and I think one generous bloke was considering altering his house supply to help them out with a charge. I suppose you could use an electric bike in this way for a gentle touring holiday, doing, say, 30 miles a day and stopping at b&b's with overnight plug sockets. Or even at campsites with electrical hook-up for tents. I wonder if anyone's had a go at this? Johnny

 

[frank9755]

My wife and I have done three 100 mile + tours this year with her using our Wisper. The most recent was last weekend in Belgium.

Our longest daily mileage has been 58 miles, last Saturday, using the Wisper battery + a Ping LiFePO4. Sometimes we've recharged in cafes and pubs when power has been running low. Great fun!

 

[flecc]

A member of this forum, Ian, who hasn't posted for a little while now is an e-bike tourer from a caravan base, experimenting last year with solar panel battery charging while parked on sites. The poor weather let him down a bit, but he still got in some of the touring in Cornwall on his Torq 1 electric bike.
.

 

[Broadbeans]

Sounds great, Frank! I can imagine Belgium being good for it. Very pleasant for gentle riding. I stayed in the Green Dyke motorbike hotel at Oudenburg in April and pottered around all over the place. Wonder if they'd let me in with an electric!?!?

That's interesting, Flecc. I keep seeing a stall at steamfairs, selling solar panels. I suppose you'd have to cart around quite a hefty one to keep charged up! Johnny

 

[flecc]

Here's Ian's thread on the solar panels. Unfortunately the photo is no longer there but there's loads of information in the thread as a whole.

Solar charging
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[johnp]

We go touring all the time with our motorhome.
I have fitted 2/ 240 aph 6v batterys charged by 80watt solar panel on the roof
and a Stirling power battery to battery charger that will charge the batterys when there is no sun on tick over at up to 35amps.

We use a mk1 Torq and a Forte doing approx 30mls a day and charging at night

JOHN

 

[The Maestro]

I was thinking about this recently. I think if I took 2 batteries then a reasonable touring distance of 60 miles a day could be achieved. The only problem is that I think you would have to pick your stop off points very carefully in order to recharge. I'd generally prefer camping if I was touring with a bike so recharging would be difficult.

 

[eddieo]

I was thinking about this recently. I think if I took 2 batteries then a reasonable touring distance of 60 miles a day could be achieved. The only problem is that I think you would have to pick your stop off points very carefully in order to recharge. I'd generally prefer camping if I was touring with a bike so recharging would be difficult.

Not necessarily, if you book ahead and explain your requirements. If they are unreceptive try elsewhere........