Curbside Classic Outtake: The Human Powered RV

In Eugene, you learn to expect the unexpected; anywhere, any time. Like this bicycle-RV, for instance: no biggie. We have lots of pedal-powered delivery bikes and trikes in town, including rural organic farmers who pedal their produce into town regularly on trikes like this. And they’re even made here in a small factory in Eugene, so that they can be delivered by pedal-power to their pedaling buyers. OK; this RV is different, and it really is kind of big for a bike; 800 lbs, to be precise. And it’s grown over time; I saw it a year or so ago, before it sprouted the rear upper-level addition. And the owner actually takes this on the road, having recently made the trip back from an extended visit to Portland (110 miles away). I tried to get more information from him about details, and the solar-assisted electric motor, but I forgot one important thing:

Cash! See the black little rectangle between the windows? That’s the donation slot; money talks, or more precisely, money will get him to talk. I wasn’t carrying any, and he doesn’t take plastic. So all I got out of him was that it weighs 800 lbs, and is fully self sufficient, and that he just came back from Portland on it. A look underneath showed about three or four sets of derailleurs and gears, and an electric motor. PV cells are on the canopy. There’s been little if any sun all month. Which leads me to believe it was a leisurely trip from P-town to Skinner’s Mudhole. A quick glance inside showed many of the comforts of a space capsule: a sleeping area, a food prep and cooking area, water, books, decorations, etc. My questions and lack of cash resulted in the door being slowly slid shut. We all have to make a living somehow, and unique lifestyle choices can be monetized. In Eugene, anyway. Come back when you have money!