While bicycling through the Brantley Lake State Park Campground (north of Carlsbad, NM) on Monday, we spotted an encampment with one intriguing ‘recreational’ vehicle.
Phiip Girardi of Santa Fe, NM, has rigged out a 25-year-old BCA Sunshine bicycle with a Crystalyte electric bike conversion kit into an unusual hybrid design.
Almost halfway along on his journey, he hopes his bike will transport him another 600+ miles to the Texas Gulf Coast.
Behind his invention, in a Bob trailer, he carries his camping equipment and a generator to recharge his two extra battery packs while he rides.
Girardi is gradually (at about 19 mph) making his way southeast to the Corpus Christi area “to do some fishing,” he says. “I’m retired and I’m heading to where it’s warm.”
Photo: Philip Girardi of Sante Fe, NM, on his electrical assist BCA bicycle. By Julianne Crane
Julianne and Jimmy, I am enjoying your trip quite a lot. I especially like the hot springs. I will continue to live a part of my life through yours until I get my body fixed…a few new parts are needed. But I do plan on being back on my bike sometime in 2010. And hope that you will be here to join me (and Bev, Jake, Bill, Mary and others.) Meanwhile enjoy as many hot springs as you can as that has been my favorite thing so far. When you are back in cold Spokane come for dinner and share more of your trip. Wendy