Sun Trip 2024

Congratulations to Jack Butler on winning the 2024 Sun Trip -- a 7000km race for solar-powered (recumbent) bicycles in France and Morocco.

A brief event summary video with theme song:  https://youtu.be/bz4ipea3kfs?si=EfoinnXswxV4ZNQe

I must admit ... as I watched some of Jack's videos, I was thinking, what a great challenge! Was there ever a more perfect event for me? 
First I will need to electrify my recumbent, then add the solar panel.
Then perhaps we can organize a similar event in Japan someday?

2024 champion Jack Butler

Butler's videos documenting the journey can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@JackButlerVideos

2023 Champion Jean-Marc Dubouloz

Theme song (full lyrics in video description) but the chorus goes:

The Sun Trip

It's calling me

I'm gonna ride

Gonna set myself free

No limits

No boundaries

I'll rise above

On the Sun Trip

I'll find my love

Bike computer gps comparison — Wahoo Roam, Hammerhead, Garmin 840

 Over a decade ago, I got very frustrated with Garmin 605 era buggy software and firmware, lost ride data, frozen screens, and happily switched to Wahoo. I have used both generations of Wahoo Element Bolt gps units since with very few issues. 

Meanwhile, there are now many more choices for a dedicated cycling gps computer. And all reports are that Garmin fixed their products and improved their offerings.  I don’t know when I will get my next gps unit, but based upon this review comparison it may well be a Garmin 840 or 840 solar. Two features I like … first, the ability to set up different profiles for different bikes. This is really good if you have different power or cadence or other sensors on different bikes.  Second, 2x or 3x (with solar) the battery life … very helpful for randonneuring if you don’t need to worry about recharging during any event shorter than 1000kms. 

DC Rainmaker is very thorough:

https://youtu.be/9awgCtgmaus?si=bztgImrpqSWTNJKY