Phoenix to Las Vegas on Electric Bike | Arizona Solar Tour 2023
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- Опубликовано: 26 янв 2024
- Hey there, I’m Eric, and today I’m embarking on an electrifying journey from Phoenix all the way to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas. With my self-built solar trailer in tow, I’ll be cruising towards the mighty Colorado River, just a stone’s throw west from here, before heading north along its banks.
This isn’t just any trip; it’s a voyage of discovery, innovation, and endurance. I’ll be crossing historic dams, navigating through bustling avenues, and feeling the rush of semis as they zoom past. But don’t worry, my trailer’s got the weight to keep steady against the desert winds.
Join me as I make pit stops in the noisiest of sections to ensure everything’s charging correctly, with the sun beaming down and my solar panels soaking up every ray. It’s a challenge of efficiency, adapting to the elements, and pushing the limits of solar-powered travel.
So come along for the ride, witness the transformation of historic sites, and share in the adventure as I test the boundaries of what’s possible. Subscribe and join me on this epic journey, where almost every mile is powered by the sun and every moment is an adventure waiting to unfold.
Let’s roll out and chase the horizon together!
Below is a gear list of all the gear I took on this tour. Let me know if you see anything I missed.
[E-Bike]
🛒48v 20ah battery amzn.to/3SV0Iko
🛒E Bike Motor Kit amzn.to/3FhVmsF
🛒Bike Trailer amzn.to/3EycKI0
[SOLAR]
🛒Foldable solar panels amzn.to/3DHxCeg
🛒Charge Controller amzn.to/3BHoR21
🛒200 watt Solar panel amzn.to/3LkQ1CM
🛒Meter amzn.to/44RuuJN
[Bike Camping Gear]
🛒QPAU Sleeping Pad amzn.to/3qgeb6T
🛒Down Sleeping Bag amzn.to/3wBYLyb
🛒1 Person Tent amzn.to/3N8fi2n
🛒Camping Stove Fuel: amzn.to/3umWfHT
🛒Cookware Set: amzn.to/3eO3GBq
🛒Mini Camping Stove: amzn.to/3tf7wsl
[BAGS]
🛒Bike Frame bag amzn.to/46rPVAY
🛒Tool bag used as battery bag amzn.to/3GcmM2g
[WATER]
🛒Insulated Water Bottle Stainless Steel amzn.to/3uz1A45
🛒Blackburn Outpost Cargo Water Bottle Cage amzn.to/47vkoQe
🛒Voile Straps amzn.to/47sBE8H
[TOOLS]
🛒48 volt Air Compressor: amzn.to/2Xqwkn9
🛒Chain Repair Tool amzn.to/3J9Pd0q
🛒Tubeless Flat Tire Repair Kit amzn.to/3CFpieB
[CAMERAS]
🛒DJI Mini 2: amzn.to/3fLKTJ8
🛒GoPro 9: amzn.to/3kIvVoP
🛒GoPro Media Mod amzn.to/3SNJlSp
🛒ULANZI Mini Extendable Selfie Stick: amzn.to/3il8bFL
🛒ULANZI 57in Selfie Stick Tripod amzn.to/49L2drh
🛒Camera Hot Shoe Extension amzn.to/40RGFFf
🛒Wireless mic amzn.to/47BhQj8
[MISCELLANEOUS]
🛒Cyansky HS3R Headlamp amzn.to/3Gcjz2x
🛒25g CO2 Cartridges amzn.to/3J9Gf3w
🛒Mountain Bike tube Carrier Strap amzn.to/35X44No
🛒Wireless Earbuds amzn.to/3qlw58m
🛒Lock amzn.to/3CTova6
🛒Cable for lock amzn.to/3uetcHE
HELP SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
😇Subscribe
ruclips.net/user/lastend1...
😇Become a member
/ @eric_tennant
😇Donate
www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...
🛒Buy Stuff
amzn.to/3GFLR4L
Disclaimers and Statements:
► I receive a commission on purchases made using my affiliated links shared in the video description and comments section. The views and opinions expressed here are my own, unbiased, and not influenced by this commission in any way.
► My videos are in no way intended to be instructional "how-to" lessons. I am simply documenting my project for informational purposes. Property damage, personal injury, or death may result, even when following manufacturer's instructions. I cannot be held liable for such damage or injury. It is your obligation to ensure that you are complying with any local and federal laws as well as code and permit requirements. 
Развлечения
Like these long form videos. It's like we're riding along. Onward and Forth!
More to come!
@@Eric_Tennant Love to see a video on your electrical and how much batteries you have and the estimated time to change from 50 to 100 percent with all your pannels.
as a european watching this, i appreciate that u ve edited what that means in km as well. thanks.
Anytime!
From Denmark: Thx for sharing this wonderful trip. I am 80 years old and an avid long haul Triker (ICE Sprint FS + Ziflex Mono-wheel Trailer for carrying 65 Kg of camping gear). No EL Assist until now. Last year I completed a 2.886 Km Trip, which took me from Denmark cross over Sweden (Gothenburg-Stockholm) to Finland (Turku to Helsinki), Ferry back to Stockholm and following the East Coast of Sweden to Ystad with a ferry hop to the Island of Gotland (East Coast of Sweden) and further triking to Ystad (South of Sweden. Ferry to the Danish Island of Bornholm and after 2 weeks there ferry to Køge (East Coast of DK, 38 Km south of Copenhagen). Then Triking Ferrying through the Dabisk Islands of Falster-Loland-Langeland to the wonderful Island of Ærø (26 Km N-E of the German town of Lübeck). Then Triking back to Ebeltoft in Denmark.
I was seeking info about EL Conversion Tips & Tricks and fell over your Video. Well done and very well filmed. All the best and safe biking journeys in the future. Consider visiting Scandinavia...🙏
I've been in Phoenix for 45 years (my whole life) and I think you are brave for doing this, best of luck. 👍
Love videos like this. Great job man and enjoyed watching.
Awesome video and super cool set up ,I love solar and use it whenever I can. Thanks for sharing the adventure
Thanks for watching!
Great video and content, Eric! Thank you for also writing in kilometers!:-)
My pleasure!
That road wire, as you call it, is the bane of my existence. I ride to the Post Office, about a 1 1/2 miles one way, and I’m always picking the wires and glass slivers out of my tires. Sometimes I get them out before they puncture the tube.
Wow my friend terrific experience congratulations and good luck you the Iron Men God Bless you
Thank you kindly
Cool adventure! 🚲
Quite the adventure.
We lived in phoenix for years but had family in idaho and we made that trip from az through nv to id all the time. The road used to go right past the dam and if there was a wreck, God help you. It once took me 5 hours to go 5 miles on that road because of road construction. It was backed up for miles. I could have walked it faster. So it was huge when they built the road that bypassed the dam altogether. I want to say it was 2010 ish. Now we live in oregon but we still travel to arizona because our children are there. That new road has cut an hour out of our travel time. So worth it.
That ride took some testicular fortitude. Thanks for sharing it. It took me a while to figure out what the green breaks were 😊
Nice work, not just the trip but the video itself. You’ve done a good job with the edit, the pacing was perfect.
Thanks for sharing your cool little journey with us! It was fun to watch. I'd like to see another journey from you. 👍🏻🤙🏻
Glad you enjoyed it! Here day 1 of my latest solar tour.
That was dope man, thanks for the video. New sub
Thanks for the sub!
That was such an amazing adventure! I felt like I was living vicariously through you lol.
Traveling through closed roads, camping in super fun places and even passing that scary sign before the Hoover Dam!
Needless to say, easy sub! 15 outa 10.
You have inspired me to get out there and experience life. Onward and forth! ^^
Glad you enjoyed it!
Trick with keeping thorns, etc, out of your tires is 1) using a tire that’s resistant to flats, e.g. Schwalbe Pickup or Big Ben (using both here); fit tire liners, E.G. Mr. Tuffy; and 3) use an Old tube as a “tube liner.” This last helps keep the tire liner’s rough edges from cutting into the tube.
Absolutely 💯 true, no point in getting mad
Great video, thanks for sharing, you will make it back home in less than a day too ha,ha !
Wonderful journey, Eric. Solar optimizer is really fun!
Good Video & audio quality, like the narrative, well done. 👍🏻
That was pretty incredible!
fun video! thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks for watching!
The perfect getaway lol. Great video eric thanks for taking us along
Glad you enjoyed it
this was awesome
Your a legend Brother Great Video
I appreciate that
@Eric_Tennant 😎 ill be down to go next time brother 🫡 I just use gas
Awesome trip! Thanks for sharing Man
Glad you enjoyed it!
You're speaking to me for sure Eric. All the little things that you might need and run in to are very helpful to know about. I will check out your channel to see if you've posted more technical info ref your power system, batteries, etc.
Right on!
WTG and thank you for sharing 🤠
Thanks for watching!
Such a rich voice.
everyhard worker in az gets their vocal chords choppes up by the heat
Spent my Sunday morning watching this. That trailer is a product that every ebiker should want. I'll be riding today and taking plenty of green breaks. I don't have an ebike yet but my surron lbx passes for one. I'm thinking about doing a trip using a spare battery and small honda generator sometime soon. The lbx has a 2.5 hour charge time with a 60v battery and can charge while it runs so with 1100 watt honda and 10amp charge on my spare and a 5 amp charge I should be able to run both chargers including maintaining a 30mph speed. I want your setup over what I'm planning. It's all about the stealth camping for me. About those flats, take an old tube and wrap your old tube in it or check out those Kevlar tire liners. It'll sacrifice some range but still better than slime. You're living the dream.
Bring me the shtones! 😂 hey its that mr. zorg
Great video that shows how difficult and dangerous the roads in AZ are for cycling and how Google Map routes take you on roads with heavy traffic! We have driven this route from Phoenix to Vegas with e-bikes on the bike rack of our SUV and have limited our riding to bike paths or low traffic streets with a bike lane so it was very interesting to see your experience! Appreciate the demonstration to show the idea of charging with solar.
For comparison without a solar charging method to ride from Phx to Vegas I would carry two external extender batteries that plug into my Trek Dual Sport E-bike for an added cost of $1000 and additional 10 pounds of weight (5 lbs for each extender battery) and recharge at outlets in coffee shops/hotels etc. That would eliminate the need for a bike trailer. I weigh 100 lbs and my ebike weighs 40 lbs and with one extender battery plugged into my bike I can get 40-80 miles of range carrying 22 lbs of gear depending on surface (gravel vs pavement), incline (uphill vs flat) and assist level (sport-mode vs eco-mode).
Hello Eric, That was a blast to watch!! Very enjoyable. I have the same biking pants. I want to buy more of them but now I can't find them. Anyways great video!! Take care! Onward and forth!!
Aaron
Glad you enjoyed!
Pretty cool
Your solar trailer is much bigger.
Quick green break 😮 😂 That's Cool I wanna get a solar panel too take when I go camping in the Wongies for the weekend
Are they the super moto X tires
I just put some big ben plus on mine
Im glad you didn't get hurt when you took a little spill
I hate riding on highways with Trucks and what not, People staring at there Phone with cruise control on LOL
funny how states discriminate against Solar Cyclist.. they give tax credits to home oners with solar power... why don't they give tax credits to solar ebikes riders..?
To make up for this I added 16kw system to my house.
yup f america
You are my hero omg this is epic....and I love mcdonalds!!!
I think it would be a good idea to mount the solar panel above you giving you plenty of shade.🤔 But that's another project for you.
I would really recommend you check out Flat Out with Kevlar. Really good stuff.
You are new man don't worry your self 😅
I really enjoyed your video, I have never known anyone get so many punctures as you, where does all those bits of wire come from, we don't have that problem here in the UK.
Come off the tires when they blow out.
Yeah, I live in Wyoming, and sometimes I have to ride on either I-80 or I-25, and the truck drivers are so very careful, but they are professional drivers. Its motor homes I worry about. But I do have flags on my recumbent Ebike, and trailer that I pull.
who starts their bike tour in their flat?!
the rest of the video is still reasonably authentic, but the beginning is completely bonkers.
Awesome a full length vid🎉
Ebikepacking rocks(with solar!)
Slow, but more free then a car with way more camping options.
Hello good job man
Thanks for the visit
Ive taken many green break on the bike trail in henderson my friend lol dppe video
Nice.
Im suggest u do a shade around ur bike next time u do another cross country. So the shade can block the sun n keep u cool.
Seemed like your bike and all your strategies worked great to get you to Vegas in good form - congratulations! I gotta have a look at your earlier videos because I'm curious how you built up your e-bike and trailer! Great job!
ruclips.net/video/Gr-8B8ytKEs/видео.html
That look like the mcdonalds in wickenburg. We've been down that road so many times
Yep
Extremely good trailer design. 200w seems about right. Plenty of camping gear room, and you didn't even use bike's room for gear. Hinge and quick release is well done and a necessity. Single wheel is big for maneuverability and in theory should be less flat tires. Glad to see good wind performance.
The big advantage compared to a "giant" bicycle camper is that ability to take shortcuts, and wiggle the trailer into a hotel room, and a low weight allows a good solar to weight ratio even if giant camper can have much more solar.
Your trailer should be a commercial product. Do you have the trailer battery plugged into your bike battery without any concerns for voltage mismatch?
Thanks. The trailer in this setup has all 3 batteries in it. ruclips.net/video/Gr-8B8ytKEs/видео.html Lately even the bike frame bags comes off when I'm using the trailer.
Try putting "Slime" tube sealer in those tires It's worked for me..
I'm still looking for a good pair of mtb 29 road tubeless tires. For now I did put slime in them when I got back.
Tires Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour are recommended. Or from other brands (Kenda, Maxxis, Panaracer...) the thickest ones.
What you can run on solar depends on how many and what panels are used and other factors.
When you first mentioned green break, i thought you meant to charge up the batteries.
really good video dude. recognized/been on about every mile. gotta review your stuff figure out your solar build :)\
Thanks. Here the build vid ruclips.net/video/Gr-8B8ytKEs/видео.html for the trailer. Long live the solar tour.
The long awaited, award winning video!
Thanks!
great video, but i think the trailer could use some improvements. At the very least, a way to angle the solar panel while you are riding would help with the charging. 2 vertical pieces of wood with slots cut into it to hold the solar panel at different angles would work, but i'm sure you could come up with something better. I don't think I could have made it through without a USB battery bank and a usb powered fan to blow on me in that hot weather. Maybe look into bicycle style campers for your next haul and you could end up being alot more comfortable and have more room for storage. Instead of just hauling a box on wheels, you could have a comfortable mini RV trailer with anything you could think of inside.
my goal would be something like a pedal car, a nice enclosed cabin to keep you out of the elements and provide a bit more protection. Think something like a super light box truck powered by bike pedals, but the box part is turned into a RV Camper. Velomobiles are also another cool thing to research if your into these long hauls on pedal power.
I'm surprised you're relying on finding sticks to optimize your angle. A lightweight piece of aluminum with a dozen settings built in to your rig would prob increase your AHs gained quite a bit.
I went to wickenburg got something off FB mkt place.
Nevada in general is much more bike friendly than most other states except maybe California/Washington. Sure there's the occasional coal rolling jerk, but for the most part everyone is chill here.
Excellent road trip, scenery & documentary of your travels! Very interesting way of maintaining your battery with that solar trailer. Great full length video 👍
Thanks for watching!
Phoenix and Medford got it 3
I LOVED IT! I WATCHED THE WHOLE THING! How many total miles dod you do? Was it 7 days?
5 days, and about 420 miles
@@Eric_Tennant This is superb superb. Would love to see a video all on electrical and a video that would show you relaxing to recharge from 50 percent to 100 with all your gear. Love to get an idea how long it takes to charge with panels only.
Didnt realize u were coming up here or i would have met up with ya
Hello Mr Eric enjoy your snake 😅
Lesson learned, get schwalbe cargo tyres with anti flat band...
37:57 What about a pedal assist small boat with solar for that lake? For another adventure.
Seemed like u were about to stomp ur feet, lol 😆
Bruuh u should always wearing a ventilation gloves so it protects ur hands and keep warming.
I think the burly needs a magnet on the front end.
?
@@Eric_Tennant Catch all those potential puncture bits. But if your shoulders are anything like they are around here youd be carrying 20lbs of metal.
Recommend upgrading to a 360 camera. Really give the viewers a point of immersion, especially with VR.
Good video, and it's awesome that you're doing this! What app are you making videos with?
Adobe Premiere
Why not mount an adjustable light aluminum pole to your solar panel so it can be adjusted anytime no stick needed?
I get a full month sabbatical at the 5 year mark for my job… I’ve been trying to figure out how to e-bike across Europe. This is inspirational thank you! I’m sure in 3ish years I’ll have tons of options for bikes… it’ll just be a question of how illegal I want to be 🤣🤣🤣
Europe sounds nice. I have yet to leave the states.
You just need a class 1 sticker with a 1000w motor.
Nice vid. Thanks. I'm planning to motorize a trailer, because I have several bikes, and I don't want to motorize them. I, too, have suffered may bits of steel belts through my tires. I use to ride across about 8 miles of causeways over water in Florida to get to work every day, and I had between one flat a week and 3 flats a day. Do you use a liquid tire sealant? When I rode in Arizona, there was no off-road place that was free of goatheads/sandspurs. Liquid sealant kept me going. Thanks for all the links, too.
Thanks. I try to run tubeless when I off road (amzn.to/4ahDkTb with Stans sealant amzn.to/3ypxXEg). My road tires have a built in guard ( amzn.to/4ahD2M5 ). I forgot to add slime to my tubes before this tour, but I have to say it is not as good as tubeless. Its just hard to find a 29mtb tubeless road tire.
I’m a longtime truck driver 30+ years and 3,000,000 miles under my belt and I also do cycle touring when I take time off. I have an electric bike and I’ve been trying to figure out how I can keep it charged up with two 100 W panels and a unit from Jackery
Jackery is not the best way to do it; because from solar to Jackery is a DC/AC conversion with a 9% loss. Then Jackery to bike charger is a AC/DC conversion with 9% loss. I have a few video that show a better way of doing it. ruclips.net/video/Q8mwX7DDNgs/видео.html
Wow at 1:08:39 is where Ghost Adventures saw an apparition in those tunnels.
I live in Mesa ive wanted to setup a solar power to my dog trailer for my X24 so me and my dog Maximus can do some traveling and camping... how hard was it to set the solar power to the trailer and about how much time do you think the set up took and about how much it weighed 😂😂 9:00 I invested in green slime and some thicker 2 because of the goat heads and every other Bush and tree in Arizona
Nice ride man! I just rode on the new London Bridge last Friday at our Critical Mass! Love the green breaks 😎
Thanks
Not that it matters, but looking at the tread pattern on the rear-most trailer wheel, it looks to be installed in reverse.
The proof is in the pudding. You are a heck of a consultant on solar energy and I suggest to all your suscribers to consult you (and pay you) if they need to have any work done or any info related to solar energy..
Let me ask you, Does your battery charge with the sun when you pedal?
How much mileage would you get by charging a second battery with the sun while you pedal? You would pedal using the first battery. This is what I'dl like to do. Id like to use the sun as the charger for the battery I am not using currently.
Yes it charges when pedaling. I upgrade ( ruclips.net/video/rXX4FNvY6hk/видео.html ) the batteries into "solar" batteries. This give it a common charge / discharge port.
Without upgrading the battery the 2 batteries method that your using is best.
try these tires on your bike - best roll and grip and comfort of any tire I ever used
Tioga City Slickers 195 x26 - they make thinner tire but this size works best
bro u killin me, clean your panels....
Hello Eric , never heard about schwalbe marathon plus tires?
Have yet to use them. These are amzn.to/3VuTC5G Kenda. Only had 1 road wire enter the tube. Now that trailer tire is hell on earth and hard to replace at 16 inches.
Super toller Anhänger schönne Video
Danke. Ich habe es geliebt, es zu bauen ruclips.net/video/Gr-8B8ytKEs/видео.html
We are building a solar powered bicycle trailer to explore the Baja outback.
Want to join us?
We know the place well…
Sounds like one hell of an adventure. I still have yet to get a passport. Now that I think about it my ID outdated and I can't even fly now.
Unfortunately the tires; even with infinite patches would have never made it.
Cute vid tho
What is 'road wire'. I tried a search and got a type of leather. Thanks for posting your interesting trip.
Its the wire that inside of car and truck tires. When the tire come off the wheel the wire goes everywhere.
@@Eric_Tennant ah! Thanks.
I take a green break every time you say the words "green break"!
Nice
What tires are you running?
Batteries can be charged a certain number of times. Does charging it up without draining it completely down shorten its life?
Say you drain it 20% and charge it. Then only 20% of one charge cycles is used.
show de viagem
Anybody else notice the time lapse of the stars going by?
Aguila (A-gee-la), Salome (Sa-Lome, not say-lum)
Have to get out their an life better than sitting like like a tree I heart that brother
Come to Portland. I can take you around town and either the coast or gorge or both. Green breaks on lock. The largest old growth forest in town.
Portland area is 100% on my list of video/tours to do. I love the green and best of all I have never been there.
Same offer for you if you can make it to Arizona, but this place can be hell part of the year.
Been trying to get a sponsor for my next tour as you know the cost of being a RUclipsr can get much higher then profits without one, but that wont stop me if I can't find one to sponsor it. So far all deals have ended with a portal where they want me to buy the bike/product and sell for commission. I am not a slave, and I will ride my BBSHD-Trek at a loss before I do that.
Can this solar setup charge while you’re moving on the bike? I imagine it depends on the BMS and charger - or does it?
Yea its always charging. Its best to have a bms with a common charge discharge port. I upgraded my batteries to this. ruclips.net/video/rXX4FNvY6hk/видео.html With this setup solar energy bypasses the batteries when power needed in greater than solar.
It can also be done to prebuilt e-bikes using 2 batteries. As I know many don't want to void warrantees. As one battery is being used the other gets charged.
What is a green break?
Smoke a joint?
Right on brother 64 and I like your green breaks.
U don't run flat out in the tires?
There is a desert place very far 😅
You should ride by night Sir 😊
On my summer tours I have to leave at night because of the 120F days here.