Media for e-bike cycle tourists – Information
We welcome all enquiries from national, regional or local media interested in receiving information about our record-breaking e-bike long distance ride. Either contact Gary and Rachel Corbett at ebikecycletourists@gmail.com or feel free to download any of the information you require from this page or from the ebikecycletourists.com website in general.
MEDIA ADVISORY
29/08/16
Attention Editors, Program Managers, News Journalists and website bloggers
The e-Bike Cycle Tourists – the husband and wife team of Gary and Rachel Corbett from Australia – on August 29, 2016 completed the European leg of their ongoing RECORD BREAKING WORLD E-BIKE LONG DISTANCE RIDE.
Over the past 16 months Gary and Rachel have e-biked 27,800 kms, through 13 countries in mainland Europe and the UK, smashing along the way the previous world e-bike long distance record of 16,047kms.
If you are interested in this good news story, Gary and Rachel would be delighted to speak to your organisation about setting a new world e-bike record, the inspiration behind their amazing e-bike journey and why electric bicycles are the latest and most exciting environmentally-friendly form of cycle touring transport for people of all ages.
Gary and Rachel will be at the Eurobike trade fair from August 30 through to September 4. They can be emailed at ebikecycletourists@gmail.com to set up a suitable time for an interview or can be also be contacted through leading e-bike manufacturer Haibike at Eurobike.
Who: Gary and Rachel Corbett – the e-Bike Cycle Tourists
Interview/Photo Opportunity: The e-Bike Cycle Tourists are available for interviews and photos.
Documentary: To view the E-Bike Cycle Tourists documentary filmed by sponsors Haibike go to: https://youtu.be/Ts8g0r76Krk
Further information: For further information about the e-Bike Cycle Tourists record breaking ride go to their website at www.ebikecycletourists.com
Download Logo, Graphics and Photographs
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Download Haibike xDuro Trekking RX Mens 2015 e-bike photo
Download Haibike xDuro Trekking RX Unisex 2015 e-bike photo
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MEDIA RELEASE – JANUARY 2016
Australian Husband and Wife Team Set New World E-Bike Long Distance Record
After 901 hours of cycling since setting out from London in late April 2015, the Australian husband and wife team of Gary and Rachel Corbett – otherwise known as the E-Bike Cycle Tourists – have set a new world e-bike long distance record.
The old record of 16,047kms (9971 miles) – which was set by German Maximilian Semsch who circumnavigated Australia in 2012 – was finally passed by the E-Bike Cycle Tourists in the Algarve region of Portugal on January 20, 2016 after 220 days of e-biking across 12 countries at an average of 75 kilometres per day.
For the duration of the self-supported ride Gary and Rachel have been cycling Haibike xDuro Trekking RX e-bikes that incorporate the Bosch Performance crank drive motor and 400wh battery system and have been towing Tout Terrain Mule single wheel trailers.
Since day one of the record-breaking ride Gary said both of their Haibike Trekking e-bikes had performed brilliantly while riding through all sorts of terrain in temperatures ranging from below freezing to above 40 degrees.
He said that other than a long list of consumable parts such as brake disc pads, brake rotors, tyres, chains, chain cassettes, pedals, a Sram hub and an entire rear hydraulic back brake system that had to be replaced, the Haibike/Bosch combination had not missed a beat on either e-bike during more than 16,000 kilometres of cycling.
Over the past nine months the E-Bike Cycle Tourists have cycled through England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Spain and Portugal and are due to fly to Cyprus in early February where they will continue cycling while waiting out their Schengen and UK visa exclusion periods.
Far from calling it quits now that they have claimed the world record as their own, they have recommitted to continue cycling, with the aim now to have clocked up at least 25,000 kilometres by the time they return to Australia in August 2016.
From there the plan is to continue e-biking in Australia during the 2016/17 Australian summer before hopefully travelling to the USA later in 2017 to continue their record-breaking ride.
With at least two more years of e-biking in front of them, Rachel said there was no knowing what their final kilometre total will be when they eventually call it quits!
“Basically the bottom line is to set a record that will take someone else a hell of a lot of cycling to break,” she said.
“Also, given that we are enjoying our e-biking adventure so much and have received so much support from so many people from around the world, why would we want to stop pedalling any time soon?”
During their time on the road the pair said that the interest in their e-bike long distance record attempt had been overwhelming, with people at times queuing up to talk to them about their trip and their Haibike e-bikes/Tout Terrain trailer combination.
“We absolutely love being able to promote everything that is great about the new generation of e-bikes,” Gary said. “Wherever and whenever we get the opportunity we love to let people know why e-bikes are such a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport for people of all ages and fitness levels.
“While we have taken e-biking to the extreme to set a new world e-bike long distance record, e-bikes are just as perfect for people of all ages to ride – even those who just want to ride to the local shops or anyone who currently thinks that riding a bicycle is impractical or impossible because of hills, distance, fitness levels, health reasons, knee problems, ageing or even because of the inconvenience of having to shower and change clothes at work following the morning commute.
“They are without a shadow of a doubt the best thing anyone can do to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”
For the vast majority of their journey Gary and Rachel have been living in a small 3-man tent and have camped in caravan parks on a nightly basis to ensure they can hook up to mains electricity to charge their bike batteries each night.
But when there have been no campgrounds available they have had to opt for other solutions such as charging their batteries at cafes, by asking friendly farmers, e-bike charging stations and even when all else fails from people whose doors they have knocked on.
“When you have to get out of your comfort zone to get your batteries charged it is amazing how many wonderful people you meet who you would otherwise have never spoken to,” Gary said.
“On different occasions this led to complete strangers offering us accommodation, meals, showers, coffees, maps, bike servicing and in Ireland a call out was even put out over Facebook for the e-bike community to show us a “real” Irish welcome. The result was a long list of people throughout Ireland who selflessly offered all sorts of assistance.
Above all else the e-Bike Cycle Tourists claim they are delighted to have proven conclusively that it is possible to cycle tour on an e-bike, something many people claimed that could not be done before they set out.
Gary said they were told on a number of occasions that an extended long distance tour was not possible due to problems associated with having to charge their e-bike batteries every day and the decision not to carry a back-up solar charging system.
“While it is true that we did have reservations before setting out about how easy it would be to find mains electricity outlets on a daily basis to charge our Bosch batteries, the truth of the matter is that we should never have worried,” Gary said.
The E-Bike Cycle Tourists’ ongoing e-bike adventure can be followed at www.ebikecycletourists.com
MEDIA RELEASE – April 2015
Husband and Wife Team Aim to Create New World E-Bike Long Distance Record
WITH the popularity of electric bicycles at an all time high across the world, an Australian husband and wife team has hatched an ambitious plan to set a new world record for the longest electric bike journey ever recorded.
The record attempt, which is planned to take up to 12 months of cycling starting in London at the end of April 2015 in Europe, the UK and Scandinavia, is being undertaken by Rachel and Gary Corbett, also known as the E-Bike Cycle Tourists.
The current record of 16,047 kilometres (9971 miles) was set by German adventurer Maximilian Semsch who circumnavigated Australia in 2012. Fittingly the E-Bike Cycle Tourists plan to travel to Germany and elsewhere in Europe to better, no make that ‘smash’, Semsch’s record.
The official Guinness World Record of 6721 km (4,176.23 miles) is held by Canadian Danny Halmo. At the end of 2014 American Tomas Cortijo completed a journey of 9200km in the USA in an attempt to better the mark, with his effort still pending Guinness confirmation.
As well and highlighting the huge improvements in reliability and technology modern-day e-bikes have undergone in recent years, Gary Corbett said the aim was to show conclusively why electric bicycles are the future of personal transportation and are now a reliable and low energy form of transport that can be used by people of all ages.
“As well as setting a new world record for our own satisfaction, we want to extensively promote electric bikes during the ride as an alternative mode of transportation for commuting and recreation,” he said.
“Given our age on the wrong side of our mid-50s, we hope the record attempt will clearly demonstrate that riding an electric bicycle – even on a long distance world record ride – is not only feasible for two ageing Baby Boomers, but for anyone of any age and fitness level.
“People of all ages – even those who currently think that riding a bicycle is impractical or impossible because of hills, distance, fitness levels, health reasons, knee problems, ageing or even because of the inconvenience of having to shower and change clothes at work following the morning commute – will be able to see that riding an electric bicycle is not only a lot of fun, but the best thing they can do for their health and lifestyle.”
A former newspaper journalist who is currently contracted to a number of organised cycle tour companies to write blogs, feature articles and to generally improve their written website content, Gary, 60, has cycled well in excess of 30,000 kilometres over the past 10 years completing guided, self-guided, bike and barge and long distance solo cycle tours in Europe, Australia, Asia and South America.
Rachel, 57, Gary’s wife and cycling buddy, is as equally passionate as her husband about cycle touring and cycling in general, although by her own admission is “just a recreational cyclist”.
After recently recovering from a severe bout of acute reactive arthritis, Rachel is determined to use the record attempt to show why e-bikes are a perfect form of transportation for millions of people worldwide – even those with fitness, weight or minor health ailments
The E-Bike Cycle Tourists www.ebikecycletourists.com will be riding male and unisex versions of the Haibike xDuro Trekking RX model e-bikes and will tow all of their camping gear, personal belongings and supplies in two single wheel Mule cycle trailers supplied by Tout Terrain.
Wherever possible the e-bike cycle tourist’s assault on the world long distance electric bicycle record will be held on the EuroVelo cycle route network.
In total the EuroVelo cycle network stretches through 43 countries in the UK, Europe and Scandinavia and beyond – including Russia – and many, many cities, towns and villages along the way. In its entirety it stretches from Norway in the north, Russia in the east, Portugal in the west and Malta in the south.
To read all about the ebike cycle tourists’ plans to set a new world e-bike long distance record, go to www.ebikecycletourists.com
ends
For more information contact Gary Corbett at email: ebikecycletourists@gmail.com or Skype: garycorb
USEFUL LINKS:
Website and Blog: www.ebikecycletourists.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecycletourist?ref=hl
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ebikecycletourists/
Google + https://plus.google.com/u/1/+GaryandRachelebikecycletourists
MEDIA COVERAGE LINKS
Fassifern Guardian Newspaper
Beaudesert Times Newspaper http://www.beaudeserttimes.com.au/story/3544652/closing-in-on-world-record-photos/?cs=2411
Bike Exchange https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/blog/e-bike-world-record-challenge
Canadian Cycling Magazine http://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/news/australian-couple-plans-to-set-e-bike-record-20000-km-in-all-with-their-pan-european-expedition/
Cycle Traveller http://cycletraveller.com.au/australia/news/australian-couple-target-e-bike-distance-world-record-in-europe
Cycle Traveller http://cycletraveller.com.au/australia/news/aussies-continue-to-push-new-e-bike-long-distance-world-record-out-of-reach
Cycle Tours Global http://www.cycletoursglobal.com/E-bike-Cycle-Tourists
Cycling World Magazine https://issuu.com/cplmedia/docs/cw_april_2016_web Page 29
Cyprus Sunday Mail http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/02/23/living-their-lives-lost/
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Sunday Mail Cyprus PDF 1 Sunday Mail Cyprus PDF 2 Sunday Mail Cyprus PDF 3 (1)
Electric Bike Report http://electricbikereport.com/e-bike-cycle-tourists-set-new-world-e-bike-long-distance-record/
E Bike Tips
http://ebiketips.co.uk/content/news/watch-world-record-e-bike-cycle-tourists-talk-e-bikes-418
Electric Bike Insider- pages change now on page 3 http://www.electricbikeinsider.com/page/2/
EuroVelo EuroVelo http://www.eurovelo.com/en/news-items/a-very-eurovelo-world-record-attempt
Euro Velo http://www.eurovelo.com/en/news-items/world-e-bike-record-on-eurovelo-routes
E-Bike on Tour http://ebike-on-tour.de/ein-interview-mit-rachel-und-gary-corbett-die-hoehen-und-tiefen-auf-dem-weg-zum-weltrekord/
E-Bike Shop UK https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/blog/post/haibike-to-a-world-record-e-bike/
https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/blog/post/13000km-bosch-haibike-electric-bike/
Electric Bike Magazine 2015.
Electric Bike Report http://electricbikereport.com/e-bike-cycle-tourists-world-record/
Green Tec- Germany http://www.greentech-germany.com/ebike-touristen-mit-neuem-langstrecken-weltrekord-a2405404
My Informs News http://myinforms.com/en/a/19863439-australian-couple-plans-to-set-e-bike-record20000-km-in-allwith-their-pan-european-expedition/
Out Doria – https://www.outdoria.com.au/blog/e-bike-world-record-challenge
Pedelecs Uk http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/news/aussie-husband-wife-team-soar-e-bike-long-distance-record/
Pedelecs Germany – https://pedelec-elektro-fahrrad.de/news/ebike-touristen-mit-neuem-langstrecken-weltrekord/33442/
Ride 25.com https://www.ride25.com/cycling-blog/round-up-40-and-41/
South East Radio Station Radio Interview in Ireland with South East Radio – Wexford – https://youtu.be/-akY-CCU5Vk
Trend Hunter http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ebiking
Tout Terrain http://www.en.tout-terrain.de/trailers/mule
Wexford Echo Newspaper –Echo Newspaper Article
Factsheet
Event Name: E-Bike Cycle Tourists World Record Long Distance Ride
Organizers: Gary and Rachel Corbett (Australia)
Full Description: An e-bike tour through the UK, Europe and Scandinavia with the dual aims of setting a new world long distance e-bike record and spreading awareness of the advantages of electric bicycles.
Start Destination: Starts in London in late April 2015.
End Destination: Ends in London in approximately late October 2016. There will be a break in riding during the 2015/16 European winter.
Who’s Cycling: Gary Corbett and Rachel Corbett – the E-Bike Cycle Tourists.
Average Cycling Distance per Day: 75 to 100km
Estimated Cycling Time: Up to 12 months in total with 5 or 6 days actual cycling each week.
E-Bicycles: Male and Unisex versions of the 2015 model Haibike xDuro Trekking electric bike.
E-Bicycle sponsor:
Bicycle Range: The Haibike Trekking model features the Bosch 400Wh PowerPack Battery. Depending on the power mode selected the battery is capable of travelling up to 120kms.
Battery Recharge Time: 1.5 hours for 50 per cent charge: 2.5 hours for 100 per cent charge
Additional Gear Used: Tout Terrain trailers will be used to transport the E-Bike Cycle Tourists supplies and equipment.
Trailer Sponsor: Tout Terrain
Support Vehicle: The trip is entirely self-supported with no support vehicle.
Sponsors and Partners: e-bikeshop.co.uk, Tout Terrain and EuroVelo
Who are the E-Bike Cycle Tourists?
Gary Corbett, 60, is an award-winning Australian journalist who since retiring from a career spanning 30-plus years working as a newspaper journo, now concentrates on writing about all aspects of the organised cycle tour industry. Gary is currently contracted to a number of organised cycle tour companies to write blogs, feature articles and to generally improve their written website content.
Over the past 10 years Gary has cycled well in excess of 30,000 kilometres completing guided, self-guided, bike and barge and long distance solo tours in Europe, Australia, Asia and South America.
In 2013 he wrote and published an e-book on Amazon entitled ‘The Cycle Tourist’ that delved in extensive detail into all aspects of the organised cycle tour industry. Also in recent months he published a second shorter book on the same subject entitled ‘Holiday Cycling’.
Rachel Corbett, 57, Gary’s wife and cycling buddy, is as equally passionate as her husband about cycle touring and cycling in general, although by her own admission is “just a recreational cyclist”.
A primary school teacher and the IT expert of the family, Rachel is excited, although a little apprehensive, about the physical challenge that lies ahead of her after recently recovering from a viral blood infection caused by a case of salmonella poisoning that resulted in her suffering from a severe case of acute reactive arthritis. Fortunately she is now well on the way to a full recovery and is looking forward to cycling herself back to full fitness as the record attempt unfolds.
While the ride will be by far Rachel’s longest – and most challenging – cycle journey to date, she is never one to turn down a challenge and says she can’t wait to see as much of Europe as possible from the best seat possible – her bicycle seat.
Objectives
- To widely advocate the “green environmental” credentials of electric bicycle travel. People need to be educated that it is cheaper in energy costs to cycle 100+kilometres on an electric bicycle than it is to drive a car around the corner to the local supermarket.
- To prove that electric bicycles are one of the best forms of private transport – in terms of health, cost and their low impact on the environment.
- To generally increase the public’s awareness of the benefits of using an electric bicycle instead of motor powered vehicles and to show that electric bicycles are a perfectly acceptable mode of transport for people of all ages, particular for those over 50 – and even those with health or physical problems.
- To show that as a result of recent advances in technology electric bicycles are able to complete an arduous long distance challenge and are generally a reliable and extremely efficient form of urban transport.
- To promote the EuroVelo cycle route network, a project of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF). The EuroVelo bicycle network consists of 14 long-distance cycling routes in various stages of completion that criss-cross Europe. When fully completed in 2020 it is envisaged the network will boast 70,000-plus km of signposted purpose-built tracks.
- The overall aim of the record attempt is to expose as many people as possible throughout the world to the advantages of electric bicycles with the help of articles in newspapers, magazines, social media and the support of people we meet along the way.
Increase Awareness: The hope is that by through meeting people during the ride, blogging and getting as much media exposure as possible Gary and Rachel will be able to showcase everything that is good about commuting – and touring – by electric bicycle.
Industry Statistics:
Sales of Electric Bikes in Europe:
2009 – 500,000; 2010 – 700,000; 2012 – 854,000
Sales of Electric Bikes in the U.S:
2005 – 100,000; 2008 – 170,000; 2010 – 150,000; 2012 – 159,000; 2016 Projection: 785,000.
Sales of Electric Bikes in China:
2002 – 1,500,000; 2003 – 4,000,000; 2009 – 22,000,000; 2010 – 28,000,000; 2012 – 28,500,000
Projected Sales of Electric Bikes Worldwide:
2018 – up to 50,000,000
Target Market: Urban commuters, particularly those travelling long distances, and Baby Boomers who are keen to get back on their bicycles.