bamabikeguy
Active Member
One day in October, I got a Google Alert about a group of Dutch Moped'ers cruising from Chicago to LA on US 66.
http://www.velosolexamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=1
The group had an escort, and a daily report site, I picked a random date (10/7) to check it out.
http://www.tjoptjoppers.nl/Route66en/dagelijks verslag/20081007.html
You can choose another day, clicking the calender below.
http://www.tjoptjoppers.nl/Route66en/dagelijks_verslag_en.html
My question is, did Velosolex folks check into the MB forums?
Or did anybody see the group pass through their neighborhood?
I clicked another random date, on the calender 10/10
It sounds like it was a good thing they had a support truck escorting them, and they don't go into too much detail on the breakdowns or performance.
(IF I had time to read the entire daily reporting, which are photo heavy/not dialup friendly).
But I was just wondering, with such a demonstration ride, a Cross Country trek, if anybody witnessed the group, maybe even talked to the riders?
http://www.velosolexamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=1
Now joining the ranks of those indefatigable road-trippers are 19 men and one woman from the Netherlands, who recently followed historic Route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif., aboard Velosolex mopeds.
The group, which had a host of Dutch and American sponsors, left from the Art Institute in Chicago on September 27 and arrived in California on Wednesday (October 23). Along the way, the riders seem to have encountered the usual bits of road-trip Americana: the world's largest rocking chair, a teepee motel and a suspect meal at Taco Bell. A diary of the tour, which also raised funds for three different charities, is here.
Essentially a single-gear bicycle with a motor mounted on the front wheel, the original Velosolex was a popular and cheap form of transportation in the mid-20th century. Part of the appeal, of course, is the machine's simplicity - the 49cc two-cycle engine assists the rider up to a speed of about 20 miles an hour, and the engine is engaged via a hand lever in front of the handlebars.
The group had an escort, and a daily report site, I picked a random date (10/7) to check it out.
http://www.tjoptjoppers.nl/Route66en/dagelijks verslag/20081007.html
This morning we stood up at 6:00, I had no breakfast because I still was stuffed by the dinner yesterday. I had a really big steak.
We left at 7:30, and as usually my VeloSolex wouldn't start. But after 500 meters, finally, he fired up. Such a joy.
The first miles we drove through a town with a lot of trafficlights. Sometimes we drove through the red light, but he police allows that in America. (As long as they don't see you.)
Immediately we had hills, just like the last days. climbing started again. The 'heavyweights' were in trouble again. Except one, Martijn. His VeloSolex drives like crazy after the repairs from yesterday.
You can choose another day, clicking the calender below.
http://www.tjoptjoppers.nl/Route66en/dagelijks_verslag_en.html
My question is, did Velosolex folks check into the MB forums?
Or did anybody see the group pass through their neighborhood?
I clicked another random date, on the calender 10/10
After the though day yesterday, today was easy.
We left Santa Fe at 07:30. The first 10 miles we had to go by truck, after that we should ride 12 miles.
But after 4 miles there was a roadsign saying 'Road Closed'. We had to get back in the truck again until we were something like 35 miles from albequerque.
We unloaded our Velosolexes and drove on. We didn't even had to peddle!!!
Later that day Jeroen and Marije from 'Noordkaap television productions' joined us.
They will follow us for Dutch TV for the last two weeks of our trip.
Highlight of the day was that even Dirk and Ben ended today on their VeloSolexes and not in the truck. That was for the first time.
At 4 we were expected at 'New Urban Transport'. they arranged a 'welcomeparty' for us.
It sounds like it was a good thing they had a support truck escorting them, and they don't go into too much detail on the breakdowns or performance.
(IF I had time to read the entire daily reporting, which are photo heavy/not dialup friendly).
But I was just wondering, with such a demonstration ride, a Cross Country trek, if anybody witnessed the group, maybe even talked to the riders?
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