Cyclist sailing

Sometimes by pedaling for a long time alone, we start to have ideas. And to make you believe that it will work.

As I was wracking through the deserts kazakh et uzbek, I usually had a headwind.

Then, either the road turned a little, or the wind decided to be milder, he started to be a little more to the side. I then began to imagine that installing a sail on my bike would make me cruiser at 40 km / h without even having to pedal.

First test - The side wind

First test, with the (weak) side wind.

You see, in Canada a few years ago, I had a small one-seater sailboat. Does that make me a professional in the enslavement of the forces of nature? I think the link is direct.

Stopping on the side of the path, I take out my (much too small) towel. Not stopping at the fact that it is as big as a chamois to wash your car, I get it into my head to attach each end to my bike.

I spend twenty minutes in the gravel looking and analyzing the different places where I would be able to make these ties and how. In the end, I found with difficulty that the wind is definitely not strong enough to propel me. Not even to make me move a bit in fact. I pack up my towel.

Second attempt - The backwind

Second test, with a wind from the back, and my beloved towel.

The second test takes place in Uzbekistan. Sitting at a table on the side of the road and looking at the leaves in the trees, I see that the wind is blowing behind my back this time. It seems more interesting to me than during my last attempt.

I take out my towel and change my attachment points.

How difficult can it be to put a sail on a bicycle? I have my level 2 sailing from the Royal Yachting Association from England after all.

It doesn't impress my brother, that I keep up to date with my tests.

It will never work, graduate.
- Sacha B. Roy

He is right, it is another failure. My sail is still way too small. Once seated on the bike, just behind the sail, I obviously block all the wind ...

Third and last test - The mainsail

With this knowledge, I try a third time, about a week later. This time the conditions are perfect: I have a newly built road for myself, a good tail wind, and I will use my under-tent protective canvas. I'll show you what the graduate is doing.

First observation, my tent canvas is quite big. I have to fold it in half. It is not ideal. Especially since it even drags a little on the ground ... And I still have the same problem of the wind being blocked by my bike and my body.

This time, I see an improvement but the risk of an accident if the wind changes less is too great for me to risk myself. Another failure.

Third and last test. All for all with part of my tent.

After these various attempts, I am currently dreaming of using my photo tripod as a mast on the back of my bike. I have no doubts that this essay will be the correct one. The Yachting Association graduate has yet to say his last word!