After two episodes experimenting with electric-powered adventures on the Oregon coast, it's time to look at what worked, what could use some improvement, and what these experiences might mean for future ebike adventures.
Live Show - Friday 11/20 5pm PT, 8pm ET
Quick housekeeping before we get going - we had so much fun in the last one it's time we did it again… a special Thanksgiving LIVE show Friday November 20 5pm PT, 8pm ET. It'll be the episode that drops on US Thanksgiving day so we'll definitely have some themage on that. Plus special returning guests… chat room… the works. Let's get ready for the holidays together!
The Pedalshift Project 455: EV Adventure Takeaways
1. The EV and e-bike combination opens up new possibilities
Using a plug-in hybrid as a mobile base camp and an e-bike for exploring creates a flexible way to travel.
Drive somewhere interesting, find a place to camp, ride a loop or out-and-back, and move on to the next destination.
It's a model that could work well beyond the Oregon coast.
Discussion points:
- The RAV4 Prime as transportation, sleeping quarters, and potential charging station.
- The e-bike as a way to explore an area without moving the car.
- The flexibility to change locations without committing to a continuous cycling route.
- How this combination could work for longer adventures.
2. Climate-controlled car camping is a game changer
The ability to run air conditioning overnight makes camping in warmer conditions much more appealing.
The RAV4's sleeping platform, battery capacity, and climate control offer a comfortable alternative to tent camping.
Interestingly, the cool weather at Beaver Falls meant none of that electric capacity was necessary this time, but having the option remains valuable.
Discussion points:
- The sleeping platform and quick conversion from driving to camping.
- Preserving battery capacity for overnight climate control.
- The advantages of sleeping with the windows closed in hot or smoky conditions.
- Previous experiences using climate control during cross-country travel.
- Potential for camping in places where summer temperatures would otherwise be prohibitive.
3. Finding overnight parking requires research and flexibility
The iOverlander app helped identify a free overnight spot at Beaver Falls Trailhead.
It worked out well, but the experience also highlighted the importance of checking parking restrictions, considering security, and having backup options.
A little more preparation before arriving after midnight would have made the setup easier.
Discussion points:
- Using iOverlander to identify potential overnight locations.
- Rest areas versus dispersed overnight parking.
- The Beaver Falls experience: quiet, comfortable, free.
- Security considerations, including evidence of previous break-ins.
- Preparing the sleeping setup before arriving at the overnight location.
- The importance of backup options.
4. E-bikes fundamentally change the Oregon coast riding experience
The climbs around Neahkahnie Mountain and the Arch Cape Tunnel became substantially easier with electric assistance.
Maintaining speed uphill and through the tunnel made familiar terrain feel different.
The northbound headwinds were also much less consequential.
Electric assistance could make challenging coastal routes more accessible and enjoyable.
Discussion points:
- Climbing hills at speeds that would be difficult on an acoustic bike.
- The Arch Cape Tunnel experience and the advantages of maintaining speed.
- How electric assistance changes the experience of coastal headwinds.
- The difference between knowing an e-bike will help and experiencing that assistance on familiar terrain.
- Implications for riding the entire Oregon coast.
5. Battery range may be less limiting than expected
The nearly 30-mile ride between Cannon Beach and Manzanita included significant climbing, yet battery capacity never became a serious concern.
That raises interesting possibilities for longer trips, potentially without carrying a second battery.
Understanding actual range under different loads, terrain, and assistance levels will be important before committing to a longer tour.
Discussion points:
- Starting with a fully charged battery.
- Monitoring voltage rather than relying exclusively on the battery indicator.
- How much assistance was needed on the major climbs.
- The implications of riding unloaded versus carrying touring gear.
- Whether one large battery could be sufficient for longer coastal riding days.
- Charging strategies for multiday touring.
6. The car-and-bike combination could change the economics of touring
Free overnight parking, sleeping in the vehicle, and using the e-bike for day rides could make for a remarkably inexpensive adventure.
There's also the possibility of using the vehicle as a charging station for the bike, reducing dependence on hotels and other charging opportunities.
It's worth exploring what the actual costs look like compared with traditional bike touring.
Discussion points:
- Eliminating hotel costs through vehicle camping.
- Finding free overnight parking rather than paying campground fees.
- The cost of driving between riding destinations.
- Using the vehicle's electrical capacity to recharge the e-bike, assuming a workable charging setup.
- Comparing the costs of this approach with traditional loaded touring.
- The tradeoffs between upfront equipment costs and ongoing travel expenses.
7. This experiment suggests a whole new touring format
The obvious next step is a multiday adventure using the car as a mobile base camp.
Instead of riding an end-to-end route, drive between locations and explore each area by e-bike.
This could make previously impractical destinations viable, particularly places without good cycling connections between the best riding areas.
There's also an interesting question about whether a single e-bike battery could support more ambitious rides than expected.
Discussion points:
- Developing a multiday itinerary built around several riding locations.
- Exploring areas that are difficult to connect by bicycle.
- Using the car to reposition between interesting routes.
- Testing the approach in hotter climates where air-conditioned camping would be especially useful.
- Determining whether the e-bike can handle longer days and more challenging terrain.
- Possibilities for combining this format with conventional bike touring.
Wrapping Up: What's Next?
The experiment was a success, and there's plenty of room to expand on it.
Could this approach work for a longer Oregon coast adventure? What about hotter destinations where climate-controlled camping makes a bigger difference? And how might an e-bike change the experience of a traditional end-to-end tour?
The combination of an electric-capable vehicle and an e-bike offers some interesting possibilities for future adventures.
This probably won't be the last electric-powered adventure on The Pedalshift Project.
