If you want to endure this you need to change your schedule radically; Go to sleep early, wake up a little bit before nautical dawn and ride until the sun is about 20 degrees on the horizon; then start looking for the best place to charge and potentially sleep. First 2-3 hours and last 2-3 hours of sun are not very useful for charging and are very useful for driving. You don't want to get near the bottom 10% of battery at night as the battery will get colder at night and may fail in the morning, rather sleep well (needed) and wake up even earlier to ride with a full(er) battery when it's the coldest and only drain the battery when it's about to be charged. Putting stress on a low battery in the coldest of the day is a recipe for early failure.
This series has taken be about 9 years back in time. Since watching your videos as a teenager, I’ve visited 50 countries and have many more planned. Legend.
As mentioned get the shade off the panels, just a little shade on a panel will seriously hamper the charge. Also try to angle the panels towards the sun in the morning and afternoons, lean them against the bike, battery, your bag whatever (maybe 5-10 percent more charge?).
I am loving this series! Like you say, it's all about "the unknown". Your commentary while you are riding is awesome! I like knowing what you are thinking, whether it's about the scenery, how you are feeling, details about your trip, or your philosohies on life. Keep it up and I hope you make it!
Louis, you could write a children's book... "a fly in my eye" and it's sequel... "flies in my eyes, again" but seriously loving this adventure, lol. best of luck on the rest of the journey!
My mom had a herniated disc and my dad didn’t help her at all with two young kids so she herniated it again and had to have another surgery. 20+ years later and she still has back issues. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take a break and rest for at least a month! The back is one of the body parts you CANNOT rush healing on. All love to you and the fam ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Re: navigating with Google Maps - One piece of advice I can give you is to switch your Google Maps view to satellite rather than default. This should give you a much better idea, at least visually, of the type of road you are turning down. Hopefully that helps!
It really is crazy that Google takes you down those barely a path trails. I completely feel your relief as you emerge on to a, as you say, proper road. Definitely more of an adventure when you are just kind of winging it! Fun stuff!
When the Olympic torch was carried around the U.K. to London for 2012, the torch came through the town I lived in. We got up that morning and spent hours stood next to the side of the road waiting for the torch to arrive. It was very exciting.
LOVING this new series. We remember the night in the field on the recumbent very well!🤣Also the story about going on a trip to Indonesia is amazing, that must be where you get it from!
"I would have brought a tripod but I'm trying to pack light" *hurriedly stashes an entire barista's toolkit into his bag* "it is ESSENTIAL, stop looking at me like that!"
Loving these videos! Take a shot every time Louis says ‘lovely’ whilst he’s riding 😂…trips like these take such great effort and planing even with the unknowns, appreciate you trusting the journey and seeing the adventure! Hope you arrive safely!
Loving the series so far. I did a euro tour when I was a youth on my motorbike with a friend. Completely unplanned and off the cuff. Decided on the Wednesday we were leaving for Amsterdam on the Friday ferry. Best adventure I have had and some amazing memories. These unplanned little village stops are what its all about. If you were in a car or big bike you wouldn't have experienced half what you will in this trip. Ride safe and good luck.
I just wish I could face all adventures or challenges with the same positivity, especially when there are so much of "unknowns". I am definitely taking notes :D. Keep it up, Louis!
Doing great - but if it was me; I'd be making all sorts of pre-trip calculations. For example, is it actually better to drive the bike faster, arrive earlier and therefore have more time for charging (despite less distance travelled per charge)?
Louis, the Olympic flame can only come from Greece… that is where it traveled from, not China. It always only starts from where it all began, Greece…. FYI
Maybe more effective to ride in a faster mode and stop earlier to get some solar charging going. Riding slowly in eco mode during daylight hours probably isn't the best overall strategy?
fair play for trying this Louis! Just watch out for any shade at all on the solar as many others have said. even a small shadow from a few tree twigs will hamper the whole panel
I have some advice regarding your recovery from your hernia repair. I am a surgeon. I always advise my patients to avoid lifting more than 5 kg for 6 weeks postoperatively. I think you should ask for help if you have to lift things. By the way, the Olympic torch relay always starts on Mount Olympia in Greece, not the last city to have the Olympics.
best serie's ever, Louis, however I think you should put the charger lower on the footplate to better adjust the balance of the scooter..I'll wait for you soon in Italy !
IDEAS, what if you used a little child tow behind stroller to put the batteries in. And if you find a way to charge on top if that while you drive you can go farther every day. Loving this series ❤🛵🛣️🌄🌃🌇🩵
I did a bit a research on that bike after yesterday. There is not much extra power use on mode 2 29mph over mode 1 16mph. If you need to leave 5pm and drive till 10pm each day and do to 80 miles you'll have to use that higher power mode I think
Cool trip. Seems a bit inefficient to charge a dc battery. Convert to ac. Power a ac to dc converter to charge a dc battery. Be better having an mppt controller and plugging straight into the batteries
I would *LOVE* to see you do a similar trip on a gas-powered moped/scooter like a Tomos or a Honda. Their tanks are only 1-gallon (3.78 liters) but they get 100 miles to the gallon, so the efficiency is incredible! Plus, you can carry extra fuel with you the same way you carry the solar panels. They are actually very environmentally friendly vehicles and much more practical than electric mopeds/scooters for longer trips. I love electric scooters and often use them to get around NYC, but super-efficient vehicles like the Tomos or Hondas scooters are probably even better for trips like these. So it would be so cool to see you tackle that challenge!
Someone is going to drive by a field in the middle of France and see Louis' 6 ft plus balaclava/dreadlock silhouette and report it as some sort of new cryptid 😂 Loving this series though Louis hope you're keeping well!
Louis What is the specification of the bike charger? You should do DC to DC charging. Get a Cigarette Lighter Male Plug to DC Connector and use that from the solar generator straight to bike.
Great series, super brave! Could you not have put the backup battery on the footplate, even if it needed to add some outboard foot pegs? Would at least reduce the CoG
The best thing to wear - if you haven’t got real motorbike clothing (which would be more secure) - is softshell. Light and windproof. And a reflective vest on top.
Hey Louis can you take us through all the numbers of your dash board on the moped, it's shown often but I can't figure out what all the numbers are showing! Awesome series!
Your routing is killing me. Not sure of s dedicated app for this speed of cruising but... Use a routing app that will allow you to exclude highways and toll roads and specify or choose eco routing for cars. This combo should keep you off highways and untested buke trails. The eco routing should minimize inclines. Best of luck
Fun, good luck up the alps! Not just for geeks, as you become familiar with kWh (storage amount) and W (power pumping) when using an EV and solar panels. 40 Wh/km is amazing efficiency, although I'm unsure on the e-moped's speeds; 50-100 Wh/km when I drove my EV 100 kms at 30-50 km/h, IIRC; 280-300 Wh/km for typical 60-100 km/h speeds; 350-400 Wh/km when accelerating as fast as EVs do, for a bit of fun; 60-100 kWh battery pack is a typical EV storage for 300-600 kms; 5.5 kWh for the e-moped? (4.2 kWh batteries + 1.3 kWh Growatt Infinity battery bank), tiny but enough I guess? 800 W solar panels pretty handy for travel, typical houses total 3-5 kW solar panels.
It may be difficult but even tilting the panels to as closely to perpendicular they are to the sun, the more power they will generate, may get a few more watts
try using strava or garmin for routes and set type to bicycle, it should give you options for more popular routes that people cycle so you dont end up on green lanes
Scooter rider for life: One pro tip, keep rear seat free so that you slip back in the seat and bend forward-lower. Reduces wind resistance to a huge extent.
Loving this series! I don't know if you have the info but I'd love to see the name of the villages you're crossing, is it possible to add the info on the screen when editing?
The Olympic torch journey is from Greece, not Tokyo! Doesn’t take that long for it to get to France from Tokyo! ;) It started journey to Paris from Olympia, Greece in April - Olympia where ancient Olympics were held
On the road again Just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is makin' videos with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again...........🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵
If you want to endure this you need to change your schedule radically; Go to sleep early, wake up a little bit before nautical dawn and ride until the sun is about 20 degrees on the horizon; then start looking for the best place to charge and potentially sleep. First 2-3 hours and last 2-3 hours of sun are not very useful for charging and are very useful for driving. You don't want to get near the bottom 10% of battery at night as the battery will get colder at night and may fail in the morning, rather sleep well (needed) and wake up even earlier to ride with a full(er) battery when it's the coldest and only drain the battery when it's about to be charged. Putting stress on a low battery in the coldest of the day is a recipe for early failure.
I feel like this is brilliant advice!
Wow…love this- smart
That is exactly what I thought.....
What he said.
Agreed, use early morning to ride instead of the middle of the night. Also the location you stop only need suit either camping or charging, not both.
This series has taken be about 9 years back in time. Since watching your videos as a teenager, I’ve visited 50 countries and have many more planned. Legend.
As mentioned get the shade off the panels, just a little shade on a panel will seriously hamper the charge. Also try to angle the panels towards the sun in the morning and afternoons, lean them against the bike, battery, your bag whatever (maybe 5-10 percent more charge?).
I am loving this series! Like you say, it's all about "the unknown". Your commentary while you are riding is awesome! I like knowing what you are thinking, whether it's about the scenery, how you are feeling, details about your trip, or your philosohies on life. Keep it up and I hope you make it!
Peace out, enjoy life, and live the adventure... WOW I have not heard that in a while, great to tune back in Louis
Takes me back! 🎉
Louis, you could write a children's book... "a fly in my eye" and it's sequel... "flies in my eyes, again"
but seriously loving this adventure, lol. best of luck on the rest of the journey!
This series is fantastic! I love watching you be so spontaneous!
My mom had a herniated disc and my dad didn’t help her at all with two young kids so she herniated it again and had to have another surgery. 20+ years later and she still has back issues. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take a break and rest for at least a month! The back is one of the body parts you CANNOT rush healing on.
All love to you and the fam ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
15:42 as someone with dreads, I felt the relief in that little scratch!
Loving this series. You're so brave. Stay safe!
Re: navigating with Google Maps - One piece of advice I can give you is to switch your Google Maps view to satellite rather than default. This should give you a much better idea, at least visually, of the type of road you are turning down.
Hopefully that helps!
It really is crazy that Google takes you down those barely a path trails. I completely feel your relief as you emerge on to a, as you say, proper road. Definitely more of an adventure when you are just kind of winging it! Fun stuff!
Damn its 1am and I need to work tomorrow. But there is no way im not watching this one before going to bed 😊
Loving this series and can’t wait for the next post!
Yeaaah its great!😊
Thank you Louis, for being one if the last people on earth that are motivating me!
I just can't get enough of this series. Awesome job, Louis!!! The golden hour was just majestic :)
When the Olympic torch was carried around the U.K. to London for 2012, the torch came through the town I lived in. We got up that morning and spent hours stood next to the side of the road waiting for the torch to arrive. It was very exciting.
LOVING this new series. We remember the night in the field on the recumbent very well!🤣Also the story about going on a trip to Indonesia is amazing, that must be where you get it from!
Loving the peace out, enjoy life, live the adventure! Brings me back to the golden years watching your vlog. Keep it up Louis! 🎉
"I would have brought a tripod but I'm trying to pack light" *hurriedly stashes an entire barista's toolkit into his bag* "it is ESSENTIAL, stop looking at me like that!"
yeah was the grinder really needed 🤣
hahahaha
He loves his coffee tho
If you can try to carry the backup battery between your feet to lower the centre of gravity it will help reduce the chance of dropping the bike.
Loving these videos! Take a shot every time Louis says ‘lovely’ whilst he’s riding 😂…trips like these take such great effort and planing even with the unknowns, appreciate you trusting the journey and seeing the adventure! Hope you arrive safely!
Every time I come across your channel.... you are doing something crazy. I love your never ending craving for adventure and travel. 😍
Loving the series so far. I did a euro tour when I was a youth on my motorbike with a friend. Completely unplanned and off the cuff. Decided on the Wednesday we were leaving for Amsterdam on the Friday ferry. Best adventure I have had and some amazing memories. These unplanned little village stops are what its all about. If you were in a car or big bike you wouldn't have experienced half what you will in this trip. Ride safe and good luck.
I find you so inspiring Louis and raya. You guys are living a dream and you inspire me to enjoy my life more and live it. Thank youB
Might be up there with the most challenging journeys you've done!
Loving this series so much! And we totally agree on the adventure part. You got this Louis!
I thought this whole solar powered bike trip was crazy, but reducing the amount of coffee you drink, that's just insane Louis 😱😂😂😂☕
I just wish I could face all adventures or challenges with the same positivity, especially when there are so much of "unknowns". I am definitely taking notes :D. Keep it up, Louis!
Doing great - but if it was me; I'd be making all sorts of pre-trip calculations. For example, is it actually better to drive the bike faster, arrive earlier and therefore have more time for charging (despite less distance travelled per charge)?
Love these adventure series! 🙌🏻
Louis, the Olympic flame can only come from Greece… that is where it traveled from, not China. It always only starts from where it all began, Greece…. FYI
You are correct, but Tokyo is in Japan, which does affect the overall impact of your otherwise excellent comment ❤
Nostalgia watching your old outro! Good luck on your trip!
Maybe more effective to ride in a faster mode and stop earlier to get some solar charging going.
Riding slowly in eco mode during daylight hours probably isn't the best overall strategy?
the Olympic torch is lit in Athens Greece and relays around the host country before the opening ceremony. if anyone is interested.
fair play for trying this Louis! Just watch out for any shade at all on the solar as many others have said. even a small shadow from a few tree twigs will hamper the whole panel
I have some advice regarding your recovery from your hernia repair. I am a surgeon. I always advise my patients to avoid lifting more than 5 kg for 6 weeks postoperatively. I think you should ask for help if you have to lift things. By the way, the Olympic torch relay always starts on Mount Olympia in Greece, not the last city to have the Olympics.
best serie's ever, Louis, however I think you should put the charger lower on the footplate to better adjust the balance of the scooter..I'll wait for you soon in Italy !
New subscriber here. Loving this series brother 🫵👍🏼
You're an absolute legend.. I miss your days eating roadkill and other extream things..
looooong journey to Italy, good luck Louis.
IDEAS, what if you used a little child tow behind stroller to put the batteries in. And if you find a way to charge on top if that while you drive you can go farther every day. Loving this series ❤🛵🛣️🌄🌃🌇🩵
Better a bike trolley, they are sturdy and can be connected securely. He could even strap an open solar panel on top.
Love the series ❤
I biked the French countryside in 1970...Best camping trip ever, camped rough like you! Also NO GRAFFITI anywhere....Nice.
I did a bit a research on that bike after yesterday. There is not much extra power use on mode 2 29mph over mode 1 16mph. If you need to leave 5pm and drive till 10pm each day and do to 80 miles you'll have to use that higher power mode I think
It’s interesting as a video, but IRL travelling like this seems like a nightmare😵💫
Its the feeling if freedom comparet with good energy.......
I reckon you need to try this from Sydney to Melbourne. Wouldn't have any issues with the solar
Yes!
I love when you do these series'!! So cool :)
My favourite thing to watch! Inspires me so much!!❤️
Louis is most definitely an ask for forgiveness, not for permission type of guy. 😂
Cool trip. Seems a bit inefficient to charge a dc battery. Convert to ac. Power a ac to dc converter to charge a dc battery. Be better having an mppt controller and plugging straight into the batteries
Louis, could you not have two panels open on the back of your bike permanently while you're driving and get a few extra percent throughout the day?
Was thinking of this and checking if anyone commented it already before doing it myself haha. Let’s see if Louis tries it!
love following your journey
I would *LOVE* to see you do a similar trip on a gas-powered moped/scooter like a Tomos or a Honda. Their tanks are only 1-gallon (3.78 liters) but they get 100 miles to the gallon, so the efficiency is incredible! Plus, you can carry extra fuel with you the same way you carry the solar panels.
They are actually very environmentally friendly vehicles and much more practical than electric mopeds/scooters for longer trips.
I love electric scooters and often use them to get around NYC, but super-efficient vehicles like the Tomos or Hondas scooters are probably even better for trips like these. So it would be so cool to see you tackle that challenge!
Bro.. that thumbnail tho 👌 ❤
Someone is going to drive by a field in the middle of France and see Louis' 6 ft plus balaclava/dreadlock silhouette and report it as some sort of new cryptid 😂
Loving this series though Louis hope you're keeping well!
You don't say "Bonjour" when it is dark.... 😂
Louis
What is the specification of the bike charger?
You should do DC to DC charging.
Get a Cigarette Lighter Male Plug to DC Connector and use that from the solar generator straight to bike.
DC-DC would be ideal, but you're never putting that much wattage through a cigarette lighter style adapter
@@TomBedlammusic I see the generator says 136 watts max.
Great series, super brave! Could you not have put the backup battery on the footplate, even if it needed to add some outboard foot pegs? Would at least reduce the CoG
have fun louis. be safe
The best thing to wear - if you haven’t got real motorbike clothing (which would be more secure) - is softshell. Light and windproof. And a reflective vest on top.
Hey Louis can you take us through all the numbers of your dash board on the moped, it's shown often but I can't figure out what all the numbers are showing! Awesome series!
I have a little electric scooter too... please be sure to check the tire pressure along the way!
The charging is very painful. And feel like the battery isn't the greatest for distance. Something like this would be great around town
What a great adventure!
Your routing is killing me.
Not sure of s dedicated app for this speed of cruising but...
Use a routing app that will allow you to exclude highways and toll roads and specify or choose eco routing for cars. This combo should keep you off highways and untested buke trails. The eco routing should minimize inclines.
Best of luck
Fun, good luck up the alps! Not just for geeks, as you become familiar with kWh (storage amount) and W (power pumping) when using an EV and solar panels.
40 Wh/km is amazing efficiency, although I'm unsure on the e-moped's speeds;
50-100 Wh/km when I drove my EV 100 kms at 30-50 km/h, IIRC;
280-300 Wh/km for typical 60-100 km/h speeds;
350-400 Wh/km when accelerating as fast as EVs do, for a bit of fun;
60-100 kWh battery pack is a typical EV storage for 300-600 kms;
5.5 kWh for the e-moped? (4.2 kWh batteries + 1.3 kWh Growatt Infinity battery bank), tiny but enough I guess?
800 W solar panels pretty handy for travel, typical houses total 3-5 kW solar panels.
I’m here for it
It may be difficult but even tilting the panels to as closely to perpendicular they are to the sun, the more power they will generate, may get a few more watts
try using strava or garmin for routes and set type to bicycle, it should give you options for more popular routes that people cycle so you dont end up on green lanes
Absolutely loving this series, right up there with the VW trip you did in the USA
Scooter rider for life: One pro tip, keep rear seat free so that you slip back in the seat and bend forward-lower. Reduces wind resistance to a huge extent.
And it’s more comfortable if you can change positions from time to time.
Words can't describe how much braver you are than me 😂 and probably most. Just saying 😂
You can do it Louis!!❤❤❤
What software are you using for the cool animation intro of you on the moped at the beginning of every video?
How can you drink coffee right before going to sleep?
Enjoying your journey.. Sounds like you have determined that YOU are best powered by solar too. 😆☀
Safe Travels 😊🙏💙
If you had a trailer would it help with battery consumption? I don't even know if its a thing for mopeds but sounds easier to pull than carry
Loving this series! I don't know if you have the info but I'd love to see the name of the villages you're crossing, is it possible to add the info on the screen when editing?
Just finished day 2 and thought 'hmm i wonder if day 3 is up?? Well, it is as of 22 seconds ago! haha.
FIRST
The Olympic torch journey is from Greece, not Tokyo! Doesn’t take that long for it to get to France from Tokyo! ;) It started journey to Paris from Olympia, Greece in April - Olympia where ancient Olympics were held
Ohhh hahaha thanks for clearing that up
I think a non solar version or combo grid/solar would be even better.
Can I ask what gps app you're using please???!!
Great adventures is like this...stay safe.
The speed of charging the scooter gonna be a problem.. You should be charging it while you sleep..
Does the light need to be on in the daytime? ... you could save a lil power if not👍🏽
It does. In many European countries it’s mandatory, France is one of them. Although I would switch it off if not driving on an official road.
On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' videos with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again...........🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵
can u charge at a charging station like a tesla 1?? or strictly solar
On a push bike youd want some of the load at the front too.
Abraços do Brasil! Poderia fazer toda a costa Brasileira! Seria Bacana demais! Paz e luz sempre em seu caminhar!
can you not plug into a wall?? n can u only charge the Gen pack by solar?? so I guess what I'm asking is it only solar??
You have to be careful with the navigation in France. Many country roads are shown as normal roads
Hi! maybe u know but if you buy a type 2 reduction you can even charge on the regular EV chargers. Maybe as a plan B haha.
Have fun!
Google maps definitely works better in the UK.
What are the L cards for?
Did you say 800 watts out of those 16 big panels? That's not good efficiency at all.
if u turn off head light will that save power during day n on only after dark?
It’s mandatory in most European countries.
Put a roof on bike so you can have all solar panels out on top and down the sides of ped
I will be amazing when solar panels could supply a full recharge continuously and batteries hold hours of night riding..