Solar trailer rides again!
- Thread starter matthewslack
- Start date
Today started and ended with showers, mostly dry between. Over breakfast I had some good sunny spells and accumulated 128Wh before I turned a wheel. Having run the battery so low yesterday, the first half of today was very gentle on the assist levels to gradually get the voltage back up whilst also making progress. Straightforward to Penrith and my long awaited pasty, fine bread and Wensleydale. I took advantage of a good charging opportunity in the town square and a dry clean hard surface to fit new rear brake pads, which suffered mightily on the descent of Kirkstone pass yesterday.
Then Carlisle and Gretna by familiar roads, before a left for Route 7 for the most part to Dumfries. A substantial head wind, especially on the sections right by the sea, kept speed down and an anxious eye on the battery. All well, and I ended on 37V having generated 1260Wh and consumed 1080. I might have gone further but a shower looked like something more substantial and an inviting river side camping spot turned up. Just the 80 miles today at 8.4Wh/km, 13.5/mile.
For only the second time, I have removed the solar battery from the trailer so that I can use its USB port overnight to charge in shifts all my camera batteries, camera remote control and phone without having to keep getting up. It's a challenge keeping two cameras fed!
Only three days left, and the third could do with being an easy one, so pondering the final route. I was hoping to be further west tonight, but the stiff headwind this afternoon put paid to that. The forecast is dry but not necessarily bright, so I may be limited to about 70 miles per day. There may be ferries involved.
Another flat piece of grass.
View down Ullswater.
The new Pooley Bridge, designed to allow flood water to flow through the structure rather than wash it away.
The home of the finest pasties I know.
Inadequate Carlisle cycle lane.
It's always sunny in Cavendish Gardens.
Safely gathered in.
Route 7 not all there.
Grass not yet flattened.
Then Carlisle and Gretna by familiar roads, before a left for Route 7 for the most part to Dumfries. A substantial head wind, especially on the sections right by the sea, kept speed down and an anxious eye on the battery. All well, and I ended on 37V having generated 1260Wh and consumed 1080. I might have gone further but a shower looked like something more substantial and an inviting river side camping spot turned up. Just the 80 miles today at 8.4Wh/km, 13.5/mile.
For only the second time, I have removed the solar battery from the trailer so that I can use its USB port overnight to charge in shifts all my camera batteries, camera remote control and phone without having to keep getting up. It's a challenge keeping two cameras fed!
Only three days left, and the third could do with being an easy one, so pondering the final route. I was hoping to be further west tonight, but the stiff headwind this afternoon put paid to that. The forecast is dry but not necessarily bright, so I may be limited to about 70 miles per day. There may be ferries involved.
Another flat piece of grass.
View down Ullswater.
The new Pooley Bridge, designed to allow flood water to flow through the structure rather than wash it away.
The home of the finest pasties I know.
Inadequate Carlisle cycle lane.
It's always sunny in Cavendish Gardens.
Safely gathered in.
Route 7 not all there.
Grass not yet flattened.
I'm planning a short and fairly direct day today, as I don't have enough time to follow the long route around the coast, and given the damp, grey start here, not enough reliable generation either.
It is set to brighten up later, so all should be well. I do have a deadline for getting back for work, which is the first 'hard' deadline of the trip, so no point painting myself into a corner.
It is Sunday, so I can take roads I would avoid on weekdays and put myself within easy reach of either the ferry to Arran or an easy two days home via the Erskine bridge. For now, though, a slow Sunday start with much tea.
It is set to brighten up later, so all should be well. I do have a deadline for getting back for work, which is the first 'hard' deadline of the trip, so no point painting myself into a corner.
It is Sunday, so I can take roads I would avoid on weekdays and put myself within easy reach of either the ferry to Arran or an easy two days home via the Erskine bridge. For now, though, a slow Sunday start with much tea.
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Another full day, with as much distance squeezed out as I could, limited by generation.
It started wet, with a forecast to brighten up later, so no rush to start. But quite early there was good sunshine, and an almost full battery before 10am.
Then I made the mistake I've made a few times of not connecting the solar cable to the bike and before I knew it, the Shimano battery was down to one flashing bar, which means pretty much dead.
Out with the phone and a quick search for nearest cafe took me to The Frothy Bike Company and some very fine toast, marmalade and tea whilst a bar and a half got added to Mr Shimano.
When I finally got rolling at 11:30, conditions were good, battery was full but I knew there was a hilly route ahead up Loch Ken and over to Ayr. The hills were grey, gloomy and damp.
Restrained use of level 2 and a very modest speed got me via Castle Douglas, with a very long and very straight high street, the length of the very long and very narrow Loch to the substantial Ken bridge. Another chance to disobey a sign, whilst looking down the southern half of Loch Ken.
A quick look around New Galloway where a blue phone box showcased some amazing glass art, and a community cupboard helps people out things they might need, then back to the bridge and a gravel bank in the sun for lunch.
The weather followed me north this far and a bit more, and my second Penrith pasty for lunch, and more lack of rushing had the battery back up to almost full: 41V but accepting several amps of charge.
Onwards to St. John's Town of Dalry, Carsphairn, Dalmellington and so to Ayr, just! On the way, not much bothered sheep, curious young cattle, showers to try and evade.
At end of day, 35V and a few tenths, Mr Shimano so low he might not switch in the morning, and just in time for shopping before 7pm closing. Then stagger to the nearest flat piece of grass with shelter from the onshore wind.
There was a fair amount of level 1 in the day, and the downhill miles were on no assistance as far as possible to eke out range.
It won't be an early start tomorrow as I need to wait until the sky provides. Then hoping to manage Ardrossan, ferry to Arran, ferry off the other side of Arran and some miles north.
Edit: I forgot the numbers today. 117km, but I seem to have missed something in the energy consumption figures, as 522Wh sounds too low. I'll think about that tomorrow.
It started wet, with a forecast to brighten up later, so no rush to start. But quite early there was good sunshine, and an almost full battery before 10am.
Then I made the mistake I've made a few times of not connecting the solar cable to the bike and before I knew it, the Shimano battery was down to one flashing bar, which means pretty much dead.
Out with the phone and a quick search for nearest cafe took me to The Frothy Bike Company and some very fine toast, marmalade and tea whilst a bar and a half got added to Mr Shimano.
When I finally got rolling at 11:30, conditions were good, battery was full but I knew there was a hilly route ahead up Loch Ken and over to Ayr. The hills were grey, gloomy and damp.
Restrained use of level 2 and a very modest speed got me via Castle Douglas, with a very long and very straight high street, the length of the very long and very narrow Loch to the substantial Ken bridge. Another chance to disobey a sign, whilst looking down the southern half of Loch Ken.
A quick look around New Galloway where a blue phone box showcased some amazing glass art, and a community cupboard helps people out things they might need, then back to the bridge and a gravel bank in the sun for lunch.
The weather followed me north this far and a bit more, and my second Penrith pasty for lunch, and more lack of rushing had the battery back up to almost full: 41V but accepting several amps of charge.
Onwards to St. John's Town of Dalry, Carsphairn, Dalmellington and so to Ayr, just! On the way, not much bothered sheep, curious young cattle, showers to try and evade.
At end of day, 35V and a few tenths, Mr Shimano so low he might not switch in the morning, and just in time for shopping before 7pm closing. Then stagger to the nearest flat piece of grass with shelter from the onshore wind.
There was a fair amount of level 1 in the day, and the downhill miles were on no assistance as far as possible to eke out range.
It won't be an early start tomorrow as I need to wait until the sky provides. Then hoping to manage Ardrossan, ferry to Arran, ferry off the other side of Arran and some miles north.
Edit: I forgot the numbers today. 117km, but I seem to have missed something in the energy consumption figures, as 522Wh sounds too low. I'll think about that tomorrow.
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Nearly home, just 40 miles by the shortest route for tomorrow.
Only 100km today, with two ferries taking up riding time and poor weather at the end of the day forcing a halt before I was ready.
I really had to stretch the range today with a lot of level 1 and unassisted riding, and as a consequence have, like yesterday, very low consumption figures of 430Wh for 100km. Only 4.3Wh/km, 6.9/mile. That's what happens when much of the route is flat, and and I dare not use level 2 except for unclimbable hills. Earlier in the trip I would simply have ridden less far, but I wanted the shortest possible day tomorrow.
The first 25 miles were one of the best signed and joined up cycle path sections of the whole trip, all the way from camp to ferry terminal. Then two ferries that matched my timing perfectly separated by 15 miles of Arran, with a beast of a hill near the end. Finally as much of the route up the Kintyre peninsula as I could find energy for.
A less than ideal camp on a road verge metres from the sea, but next to a windfarm nighttime worksite and a ramp in unfinished road resurfacing works. But 'needs must'.
Pictures to follow when phone recharged
Only 100km today, with two ferries taking up riding time and poor weather at the end of the day forcing a halt before I was ready.
I really had to stretch the range today with a lot of level 1 and unassisted riding, and as a consequence have, like yesterday, very low consumption figures of 430Wh for 100km. Only 4.3Wh/km, 6.9/mile. That's what happens when much of the route is flat, and and I dare not use level 2 except for unclimbable hills. Earlier in the trip I would simply have ridden less far, but I wanted the shortest possible day tomorrow.
The first 25 miles were one of the best signed and joined up cycle path sections of the whole trip, all the way from camp to ferry terminal. Then two ferries that matched my timing perfectly separated by 15 miles of Arran, with a beast of a hill near the end. Finally as much of the route up the Kintyre peninsula as I could find energy for.
A less than ideal camp on a road verge metres from the sea, but next to a windfarm nighttime worksite and a ramp in unfinished road resurfacing works. But 'needs must'.
Pictures to follow when phone recharged
Did your Aran ferries trip then to Kennacraig when I did my ride to Orwell's Barnhill on Jura a few years ago.
With more days and the right days I'd carry on to Islay and home via Colonsay. Another time
A dry morning with midges and a bit of brightness, so breakfast whilst the battery gets some much needed charge.
Some images from yesterday.
Sheltered camp.
Wildflower beds in a small local park.
Arran across the sea.
Curious large horses.
Decommissioned Preston style bike trap.
Large ferry at Ardrossan.
Mountains on Arran, with interested cyclist missing a drone and partner.
Small ferry arriving at Lochranza.
Small ferry at Claonaig.
Hopeful but short late afternoon charge.
Some images from yesterday.
Sheltered camp.
Wildflower beds in a small local park.
Arran across the sea.
Curious large horses.
Decommissioned Preston style bike trap.
Large ferry at Ardrossan.
Mountains on Arran, with interested cyclist missing a drone and partner.
Small ferry arriving at Lochranza.
Small ferry at Claonaig.
Hopeful but short late afternoon charge.
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Have a great final day. I've very much enjoyed reading about your amazing adventure
Home safe, and in time for work tomorrow. 6am alarm...
The final odometer reading is 9375, so 3163km, 1965 miles over 26 days of riding, an average of just over 75 a day.
After the rainy end to yesterday, I had a great charging session over breakfast which set me up nicely for a level 2 almost all the way final 45 miles. That's a van on the main road behind my camp!
There goes another one!
And this close to the beach.
Early on, I followed the Crinan canal for a while, and then had elevenses by an ancient stone monument. Argyll has many such sites.
Then there was the giant rhubarb like Gunnera, which is an invasive weed round here. Still impressive though.
This sign had me thinking unambitious perambulation.
Supplies were running low, so I was very happy to find Lucy's, where unbelievable slices of huge speciality sausage rolls and amazing cakes made one of my best lunches of the trip.
And finally, there was the sea, close to home.
The final day's numbers are 100km on 420Wh, with 450Wh added during the ride after 130 added over breakfast. 4.2Wh/km, 6.8 per mile.
A third consecutive day of rather economical performance has me wondering if there is a calibration issue with the data logger. Both solar and motor channels are affected if so, and it dates back to the night I took the battery off the system. Hasn't caused a problem, but I'll investigate when time permits.
So here we are, the end of 33 days, quite a trip. The only major issue was the trailer axle, and my weight loss! I found when I arrived in Wales that for twenty days I had been shedding weight at the rate of 1 gram every 500m! There was little enough of me to start with, so I'll be going back to the eat as much as I like diet for the time being.
Now it is seven long days of work with a rather poor forecast followed by seven days off, the first five of which at this early stage are looking rather sunny! I might have to go and get my mileage up to a round 10,000km.
Thank you for feedback, support, offers of help in times of need and interest. As always, happy to answer queries about solar bikes and anything related, now with 26 days additional data!
The final odometer reading is 9375, so 3163km, 1965 miles over 26 days of riding, an average of just over 75 a day.
After the rainy end to yesterday, I had a great charging session over breakfast which set me up nicely for a level 2 almost all the way final 45 miles. That's a van on the main road behind my camp!
There goes another one!
And this close to the beach.
Early on, I followed the Crinan canal for a while, and then had elevenses by an ancient stone monument. Argyll has many such sites.
Then there was the giant rhubarb like Gunnera, which is an invasive weed round here. Still impressive though.
This sign had me thinking unambitious perambulation.
Supplies were running low, so I was very happy to find Lucy's, where unbelievable slices of huge speciality sausage rolls and amazing cakes made one of my best lunches of the trip.
And finally, there was the sea, close to home.
The final day's numbers are 100km on 420Wh, with 450Wh added during the ride after 130 added over breakfast. 4.2Wh/km, 6.8 per mile.
A third consecutive day of rather economical performance has me wondering if there is a calibration issue with the data logger. Both solar and motor channels are affected if so, and it dates back to the night I took the battery off the system. Hasn't caused a problem, but I'll investigate when time permits.
So here we are, the end of 33 days, quite a trip. The only major issue was the trailer axle, and my weight loss! I found when I arrived in Wales that for twenty days I had been shedding weight at the rate of 1 gram every 500m! There was little enough of me to start with, so I'll be going back to the eat as much as I like diet for the time being.
Now it is seven long days of work with a rather poor forecast followed by seven days off, the first five of which at this early stage are looking rather sunny! I might have to go and get my mileage up to a round 10,000km.
Thank you for feedback, support, offers of help in times of need and interest. As always, happy to answer queries about solar bikes and anything related, now with 26 days additional data!
This thread and your earlier solar trailer thread have been the must read posts each day. Brilliant. Such uplifting posts as you cheerfully overcome any problems and show us great photos of your progress. Thank you.
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