Your smartphone does everything, but do you really want to use it for streaming music or MP3 playback when you really should be preserving battery life for route planning, navigation, weather forecasting and the all-important messages and pics to your friends and social platforms? And besides that, the speaker is useless and your Bluetooth headphones… Continue reading The best portable music player for your European biking trip
Calimoto Route Planning and Tracking Review
I’ve just clocked over 4500km of tracked routes in the Calimoto motorcycle route planner, speed camera alert and route tracker. I’m a subscriber, and I’ll probably stay that way because whether it’s a quick round trip or a five day tour, Calimoto has become an essential part of my equipment.
VFR800 soft luggage. SW Motech 68 liter set-up, test and stool trick.
There’s never too much information out there about luggage options for motorcycle tourers and this combination I’ve put together for my VFR800 is particularly interesting.
Bonn to Renesse. 6-7hrs. Eifel, Ardennes, Holland
Just north of the Ruhrsee in the Eifel region, it starts to get very flat. Holland flat. This explains why you’ll find the (always very friendly and waving) duty bikers in the Eifel at weekends. For me to be heading to the flatlands then seems to be xounter to a fun weekend of riding. But… Continue reading Bonn to Renesse. 6-7hrs. Eifel, Ardennes, Holland
The Battle of the Bulge Motorbike Tour with Chippy
A great motorbike tour over 5 days and 3 countries in two of the most accessible national park areas in Western Europe
State funding now available for commercial e-cargobikes in Germany
Commercial, electric powered cargobike buyers can now get a huge 30%, up to 2500 Euro rebate via a new German government subsidy. Announced in Nov 2016, the details of the project have just been released. The subsidy covers 30% of the purchase price of an electric cargobike for business use. Electric-assisted trailers are also covered. The… Continue reading State funding now available for commercial e-cargobikes in Germany
10 cargobike problems you’ll need to plan for.
Cargobike problems include parking, startup time, space, weather, style, bollards, street repairs, leaves, curbs, security,safety and people. If you’re considering usnig a cargobike for kids transport, business or touring, read this list and think carefully about how you’re going to cope with each issue. To be honest, it’s a tough call. You’ll need the help… Continue reading 10 cargobike problems you’ll need to plan for.
Larry vs Harry Steps eBullitt Review
The Larry vs Harry Bullitt is a long-john style (2 wheels, carrier front and low) cargobike that appears to have achieved a good status in the market. I’m testing the Clockwork orange Shimano Steps eBullitt version which comes in at over 4300 Euro. It’s really, really expensive. But it’s good too. Not perfect, and not… Continue reading Larry vs Harry Steps eBullitt Review
Low-carbon mobility events live from #COP23 in Bonn
Low carbon mobility, clean cities and safe living is going be discussed at great length and in-depth in Bonn during COP23. The Climate Change Conference is in town and I, personally, am involved with a rather large organisation that has a lot to say about cargobikes. They have a lot to say about city planning,… Continue reading Low-carbon mobility events live from #COP23 in Bonn
Lastenradtest. A cargobike research project in Germany
What advantages, and problems, do cargobikes (German: lastenraeder) have in cities? The low-emission advantages are clear but what about usability? Are they easy to park and secure? Do they impact safety on shared roads and paths? How far can you really expect to ride per day? Is 250 watts of electric support enough to get… Continue reading Lastenradtest. A cargobike research project in Germany