Pat has the R&M Tinker. Like the BF it also has 20 inch wheels - so a smaller form factor than some ebikes. Although Citrus carries this bike - I bought it slightly used from a shop in Poland and imported it via UPS. Fortunately the shipper was not much for following rules making the transport and duties reasonable. On the downside the paint on the underside took a beating as it rubbed against the axel of the front wheel that was removed for shipping. In the end, it is a nice bike at fairly reasonable price.

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the parts ordered for the Bike Friday conversions. Once we get in to it, we'll try to document all the various aspects.

With our bikes kind of inaccessible out in Leipzig and the other pair here in Cobble Hill, we are likely to grab the converted Fridays (if only it works) and charge off with them to somewhere warm enough to cycle in - Hawaii, Mexico, Spain.

We have heard no reports yet of LiGo conflicts with screeners. But we too have had our issues with them: plastic tent peg hammer, totally brand new unused unfueled propane camp stove, and empty liquid fuel bottle.

Did that R&M come from Citrus Cycles?

Steve, kudos to you and Dodi for organizing a local Vancouver Island ride – especially one in October! You are a hardy pair.

This summer, I completed rides from Nanaimo to Victoria via the Mill Bay ferry and another one from Nanaimo to Hornby Island. Of course, they cannot be compared with a European tour but none the less they are a cycling opportunity. And good on you both for making a bonafide “world class” tour in our own back yards.

Pat now has a very nice R&M ebike too, that she rides locally. We both thought that switching back to the “normal” BF may have its difficulties. But on our most recent tour everything went fine We are watching your BF conversions as a potential ebike solution for overseas touring. I must say that it is concerning that decisions about what can be carried onto an aircraft is in the hands of CATSA screeners. In the past I have had a few arguments with them over the silliest of items that they have deemed dangerous.

We are planning to have 12 LiGos between us. Turning them all on will be a chore!

Hi, I fully charged my 5 LiGo batteries & went & took Teo for a test ride again. I had all the batteries on & it read 41.5 Volts on the panel. So I rode it and it worked fine. I think maybe when I tested it the first time I may not have turned all of them on, so that was the error on my part. So they do work!!! Oops!!! This is what happens when you get old, the mind goes....ha,ha,ha!!!

This article has some content that differs from what you often read. It discounts dehydration and lack of electrolytes as causes of night time cramps. And it mentions quinine as a possible (though perhaps dangerous) preventative. My favourite bit is the recommendation of cycling as a preventative - by building leg power.

Ok, on reflection I see the problem. The article distinguishes firmly between cramps during exercise and night time cramps. But active cyclists get the cramps at night time, just after exercise. I think that puts dehydration and electrolytes back in the picture.

Hi, Just found an article on cramping which is interesting. Hope it helps. Please click on link to read…


https://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/muscle-cramps-prevention-and-treatment.html?fbclid=IwAR0JVjWust8_-7sWnwFPucKXWGUHQMbHte-8Md9JPafuKFAdhXLAo2035cI

World class cycling? Maybe not. It's unfortunate that most of what makes Vancouver Island truly spectacular and more than world class is away from roads that appeal to cycle tourists. I think our island is one of the most wonderful places on this planet to visit for other things - kayaking, hiking, camping. There are few places where you can spend your day so far from all things developed by simply driving for a few hours. But that's the rub. You have to drive (unless you do it in your ocean kayak - more power to those folks!). As you said before, there are so many places just begging to be connected by a good bike route. That would do so much for the tourism industry on the northern end of the island where, we found this summer, the truly amazing scenery awaits. Ah well. Maybe we don't want all this tourists showing up and demanding goodies? Looking forward to your next adventure - and a look at those Bike Fridays when they are done!

Enjoyed following along and appreciated your observations. They'll be useful if we manage to get back up to the island for another ride.


The Mill/Brentwood Bay ferry must forever stay in service if only for cyclists so we don't have to ride HWY 1 out of Victoria to go north..

Thanks for the info!

Cycling in Europe spoils you especially when you come from a much younger country. This cycling in many ways reminds me of cycling in New Zealand without very long we’ll established cycle routes - yes they are growing but not there yet. Perhaps this is a little unkind because by though we are Kiwis we are now experienced European cyclist but much less experienced cycling here. They way things are going however we may have to remodel that.

Hi,
Vancouver Island is one of those destinations I often thought about when I lived in the states. The natural beauty of the island is a tremendous draw for the outdoorsy types, and atone time that was me. But not anymore. Cycling has changed my outlook on things, and from your descriptions of VI infrastructure, I’m not sure I would choose it as a destination. Now if a small sailing vessel was thrown into the mix, my opinion would be different. It looks like most of the trails are accessible from port towns, and with a bike strapped to the coach roof and fair winds a sailing/biking tour might be a real delight. And the smaller islands would be accessible. But if you are not a sailor, then that’s not an option.
An interesting tour nonetheless. Wish I could taste those donuts!
Cheers,
Keith

Scenery and location - world class for sure! I wouldn't feel comfortable with the lack of quiet roads and bicycle paths, though. Bakeries and architecture are a bonus but not a must for me. Another world class feature of your tour was meeting up with other cyclists! It would have been nice to have sunnier days, but no part of the world can guarantee that - or maybe Spain in the winter?

Before this tour my thoughts were totally aligned with your comment. But out of necessity I began to ask "why do so many tourists decide to come here?". It's certainly not for cycling, but it is for reasons that cyclists also value. Then I found that there are a certain fair number of cycle routes about, such as the Cowichan Valley Trail, and I began to wonder if this area was as bad as I thought. The tour ultimately found some good and some bad stuff, so that's why I gave a partial rating. Even so, as soon as possible we'll be outta here, to the Europe that we know is so amazingly great for cycling.

But hey, you've got to acknowledge the thrill of being able to buy a Nanaimo Bar in a bakery in Nanaimo. Or do you?

We have friends that live in Courtenay who are very outdoorsy and athletic, and are also the most well-traveled people we've ever met. As in, they have traveled nonstop for up to 8 years at a time at different points in their lives. Now they have settled down somewhat and own more than they can carry once again. They produce a nonstop stream of photos of the world-class outdoor activities that Vancouver Island has to offer, stunning hikes, kayaking trips, skiing, mountain biking, bike touring, etc. And I mean stunning. I'm not all that outdoorsy, to be honest, and vicariously enjoy beautiful Vancouver Island on my screen, thanks to them. I think Euro-centric touring must be incredible but don't think we'll ever be able to afford it (nor Vancouver hotel prices, yikes!), but I think "world class" is in the eye of the beholder. The Grampies love their bakeries and cathedrals, others love their noodles/curries/burritos and the views from their tents/$8 guesthouses. I think if you are having the time of your life where you travel, then you are having a world-class trip.