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eBike blog – personal experience with sustainable transport for the new millenium

Arrived in Sydney, safe and sound!

Sorry, haven’t updated in a couple of days as the pace of the second last day was quite extreme, and weariness had certainly set in. But the good news is I can post a bunch of photos now!

But firstly, a general update of the last couple of days.

After the deluge coming in to Ulladulla, the next day dawned quite grey, but we didn’t actually get any rain at all until we were about 50km from Wollongong. In a fortuitous choice [for me], Dave’s bike got a flat and I gave him mine, after having a bit of a tough run up one huge hill and deciding that the 90 odd km I’d done would be enough for that day. 5 minutes later huge clouds rolled in, and the drenching began, about 3pm or so, which wouldn’t really stop for the next 2 days, with only brief respites. Now that the bikes had had their circuits rerouted, there were fewer electrical issues, but several flat tyres, including my bike ridden by Dave about 10km out of Wollongong: being so industrial the roads did have random bits of metal which seemed to be the culprit at least on my tyre. Roads were closed as we headed closer [fortunately not one we were taking] and the rain was unrelenting. It was great to be able to see the ride from the persepctive of the rear support vehicle though, and I took alot of photos and video, including some for Christian on the mini DV he had in the glove box.

We had dinner in the hotel restaurant that night and I had a wonderful veal marsala and one of the best creme brulee’s I’d ever had: if you’re ever in Wollongong check out “Antics” if you are a creme brulee afficionado!

So the game plan for the final day was thus: if fine, we would ride the whole way, but if the rain was still solid, the hill coming out from Wollongong would be far too dangerous to attempt, and we would take the train a little closer to Sydney and ride the last 50km or so. Guess what? It was still bucketing down in the morning, so it was onto the train. Unfortunately my bike’s electrics started playing up just after we left, and I had to swap bikes.

Fortunately the last stretch was only mildly rainy, and we got a mostly clear run. King St in Newtown was terribly congested, and to get to the arrival point in time we had to leave the support vehicles stuck behind in traffic! We also did a little bit of cross-country in downtown Sydney, fearlessly speeding toward our final destination, Lady MacQuarie’s Seat which has an amazing view of The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Our arrival was about 2 minutes after 3: just in time for a phenomenal pelting of rain, but we raised our champagne glasses in a toast even as they were watered down and we were beginning to get chilled ourselves. A brief clearing allowed time for many photos with the lovely backdrop, for Stephen to do a couple of interviews, and then it was time to get out of the sodding rain, grab our gear and then head down to The Opera Bar for a celebratory couple of drinks. We did it! We made it, and given the task that had been set, I believe with amazingly few major issues.

Unfortunately, my bike couldn’t get fixed in Sydney before I head back to Perth today, so it’s gone back down to Melbourne where I would have been needing it in a couple of months anyway, and I won’t be taking it to Perth as I’d hoped. Sorry Chris, you may have to wait a little longer to have a go!

Okay, next post will be a continuation of the few photos I’d posted mid ride, but may take a little while to sort out! In a couple of days I’ll also do a general summation of the ride with a little bit of perspective. Stay tuned.

2 comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Chris April 26th, 2007 10:23 am

    Well done! I think recumbents and weather shields (http://www.mueller-hp.com/) might be a good thing next time 🙂

    I can’t wait for more photos and other vision 🙂

    Reply

  2. obes April 28th, 2007 11:00 am

    just my two cents. I just bought a crystalyte rear hub 408 conversion kit. Its awesome!
    After all I researched I wish someone would have just listed the following:

    1. The best way to describe it is the first 25-32kph are free. After that you pedal to speed desired. To ride at 40kph you are exerting the effort of 8kph!

    2. 500watts, 48v, max speed(by law) 32kph. battery attached to frame feeds throttle which feeds the controller-attached to the lower seat post which controls the motor which is the rear hub.

    3. They are legally equivelent to a bicycle in Canada as long as they are no more than 500 watts, no faster than 32kph, rider is 16 and older and wheres a helmet

    4. The bike weighs significantly more but is a moot point because you use the motor.

    5. My kit cost C$1000….thats 20 tanks of gas and then its paid for itself. I plan to sell our 2nd vehicle therefore saving another $600/mo.

    6. ENVIRONMENT

    7. NO NEED FOR lincense, registration or insurance.

    hope that helps you decide to invest. Paraphrased from Rich Dad Poor Dad….Smart people buy assets. Stupid people buy liabilities.

    Reply

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