Charity-trek solar biker yearns for sunny days

AN INTREPID charity worker is breaking new ground by using a home-made solar-powered bike to travel from Land’s End to John O’Groats—and back.

Karlis Derics (28) passed through Tayside as he continued the gruelling first leg of his journey.

Calling in to The Courier office in Perth, he admitted that solar power was not always tremendously useful in Scotland and as he travelled further north, he found himself increasingly reliant on leg-power.

“My cycle is partially powered by solar energy and at the moment I am daily travelling an average of 30 or 40 miles,” Karlis said. “Two 60 watt solar panels charge the batteries, which in turn power the electric motor.

“If terrain and weather conditions are moderate, this system will work for a whole day without a need for external recharging.”

Karlis is a volunteer with the Food For All charity, which distributes free meals to homeless and those with low incomes.

“During the cycle I stop to do little presentations in the towns and cities with a laptop that is also powered by solar energy,” he said.

“The main work of the charity involves distributing free vegetarian meals and I hope my solar powered bicycle will be utilised for this purpose in the future.”

Karlis appreciates that he has a hard task ahead as his cycle continues but is relishing the challenge—and particularly enjoyed visits to Perth and Forfar.

“Although the weather conditions have not been very favourable I am enjoying the challenge,” he said.

“Roads in Tayside have been very good for cycling and the bad weather is not putting me off.

“The Food For All charity distributes around 600 meals daily and the goal of my cycling project is to attract people to a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle.”

The ambitious journey is being supported by the charity fund Awards For All.

http://Ev-Motors.com    EV Cycling-to-the-Sun   http://cycletothesun.net

'Gem' electric cycle conversion

Solar Cola sponsor this website