TRIKE TREK NEWS.
What does an Electric Tricycle have to do with helping new writers to develop their skills ? Well, if your writing is about Community Building, or Survival of Humanity vs Climate Disaster, then stick with me a bit…. All the Gurus agree that your best subject is “What you know, what you do, ‘cos people will be curious.” Some advise “Chuck in a bit of what you don’t know - ‘cos it brings engagement.” The most profound message is “Be a living example !”.
But first, a bit of background :
In 2020 I’d had enough of Brexshit chaos, decided to convert my old bus into a mobyhome and go back to living on the road, find a warmhearted winterbase near the Mediterranean. Then along came my Dutch Grandchild and lockdown. Not knowing if Lockdown would turn out to be either permanent or fatal, I emigrated to Nederland. Thanks to misinformation on a Brexshit “Transition rule” I was not allowed to exchange my driving license…. had to sell my camper… But hey ! I lived near my Dutch family, had a nice apartment with a decent size Fake ! garden. During the conversion of concrete + plastic grass into a fruit and veg supply, my leg muscles deteriorated. I could no longer walk to the shops. A second hand E-TRIKE was the solution.
Simultaneously I sifted a lifetime of written notes into some order, looked for an intelligent writing platform. Here I am. Hallo colleagues, Hallo Friends !!
The prospect of Permanent Lockdown appears to have disappeared … Oooh ! Ideas rekindled of maybe traveling by Trike until I find me that Warmheated Winterbase…. Maybe in the French Pyrenees. The Goal I have in mind is to create a community there of folk who are interested in developing small scale Green Transport and Alternative Sustainable Building Practices, Experimental cultivation of food crops - naturally resistant to flood and drought. Preferably folk who are artists, musicians and Who - can - write - about - it…. More about this on the 18th of October, entitled “The Boulevard”
SO; back to the Trike !
After a myriad of technical issues now resolved, only one remains… ie: due to the condition of my legs I cannot cycle more than a few kilometers without Pedal Assist. I have on my newest E-Trike a pair of powerful batteries, but as yet there are insufficient public charging points available. Ergo, A Solar charging system fitted to the Trike is Absolutely Essential. Whilst there are plentiful systems on offer, they are only suitable for lightweight BIcycles and a rider with strong legs. I have found NOTHING that will provide the power needed for a heavy TRIcycle carrying a 40Kilo Extra payload (spares, tools, security locks, clothing, camping gear) plus this rider with weak legs.
After 16 months of searching, asking and experimentation I found Albert, who in 2012 invented a solar bike that only needs one small battery, plus a whole lot of other useful stuff. Albert has supplied the design as a DIY plan, wordwide, to over 500 enthusiasts. Find him here… albert1@maxun.cc
We are confident that we can produce and test a system that will be more than adequate for my needs, and are currently working out a list of existing components. It’s doable, with construction and short distance testing this Winter. Departure ? Depending on the amount of Sunshine - somewhen in the Spring…. Updates in the meantime….
BTW, many years ago I spent three summers with just a sleeping bag & mat riding an average bicycle. One (return) trip was Antwerpen to Copenhagen, the second was Ghent via Bonn to Salzberg, over the Alps to Bergamo, then back via Monte Carlo and Paris. The third, (pulling a trailer full of art) from Antwerpen , via Dover, Anglesey, then Dublin to Cork.
So if you, or a friend, are into the joys of Slow Travel, then This Creative Adventure could be the place to share with me. Especially if you like to write about the Green Life too…
Apropos…
On my travels thru this life, I have often worked in, and supported, community building and skill sharing, never for personal financial gain. The experiences have been reward enough.
Once I am under way, alongside more regular discovery posts about the trip itself, I will continue posting my regular stuff to assist Newbie Writers to develop your Wordkraft and self promo skills. I have learned much about Substack in the last sixteen months, which has greatly complimented and refined the writing I have been doing for decades already.
Referring now back to the first paragraph “Write about what you know, plus a bit of what you don’t” …. You can DM me anytime for help. Or you can Subscribe for Free until 30th Nov, when we go “Paid”. Minimum Substack rates will apply, But you can avoid them until Nov NEXT year by Pledging for a discount. The best deal runs out on Monday 30th Sept. Just ten euros for a whole year ! Grab it while you can….
I promise you all funds go to developing my green Projects….
NeXt on Maurice’s Substack, Wednesdays - https://309.substack.com
A, B, C + D #9, 2nd Oct. “Clarence’s Dragon”
Ancient Legend # 13, 16th Oct. “Ham’Shaffa, Lessons from the Lantern”
And on This Creative Adventure, Fridays -
TCA #5, 11th Oct. “Hallo Goldie, introducing Diana van Eyk” + “Why only One Guru Ain’t Enough !”
TCA #6, 18th Oct. “The Boulevard”.
Thank you Good People, you inspire me…. really !! Maurice.
Brilliant project. Best wishes for success with this. I can't wait to see it in the metal.