STD 100

From Costa Rica to Panama

Bertrand is travelling by bike and Aevon trailer in central America. His last message was written between Costa Rica and Panama.

Bertrand spent the month of July at Playa Hermosa (Costa Rica) enjoying surfing, in a little hut 50m from the beach. At the end of July, some friends joined him for a few weeks. Bertrand left his bike and Aevon trailer at Playa Hermosa to enjoy the time spent with his friends, as travelling by bike would take longer.

They went to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica :

‘We spent some time with our flip-flops in the national park of Cahuita, then walked to the Arenal volcano to enjoy the warm and cold rivers and biggest lake of the country (which is artifical and located at the foot of 2 volcanos), and replaced our flip flops for something a little more waterproof in the national parc of Nuboso. We put back our flip flops at the end of these 3 weeks on the Pacific coast for some surfing and a few beers…‘

After 2 months without cycling, Bertrand took off again to cross the border between Central America and South America. The next surfing stop is planned for December in Ecuador.

‘The plan is to join the Caribbean coast of Panama, at Panama city, to find a boat going to Colombia. Going from Panama to Colombia is possible by air or by sea. The famous PanAmericana (road that goes from North America to South America) stops here, in an area called the Darien. The Darien is a dense jungle full of mosquitoes, snakes, crocodiles and other nice animals…’

Bertrand crossed the frontier to Panama after a 30mn customs control :

‘The customs officer took a look at my stuff (he got closer, bent to watch inside my bags and bent backwards, all in 2 seconds) and asked me what I was carrying in my bike trailer. I answered with a big smile (they know what I’m carrying on a bike trip) : camping stuff, a tent, some clothes… The idea crossed my mind that I should say I was carrying drugs but seeing his attitude, the size of his best friend attached to his belt and the position of the cap on his head, I admit I decided against it…’

The roads were under construction, some of them were closed to cars, ideal for Bertrand and his bike.

For his first night in Panama, Bertrand stopped at Tolé.

Lost in the Swell – Africa trip with an Aevon trailer

Ronan, Ewen and Aurel have decided to go on a trip along the West African coast with their bikes and Aevon trailers STD 100 to find the best surfing spots.

With their fat-bikes and their bike trailers fully loaded, each kilometer is a challenge and the maximum speed is 9km/h. In total, they have cycled for 850km along the African beaches and through the jungle with 210kg material (70kg each) to offer you the pleasure of their web series Lost in the Swell that will make you laugh and plan your next adventure very soon. A bike trip in extreme conditions with one goal : THE wave !

Their goal : find a spot, a wave that has never been surfed before, for example : “Bambi’s left” :

‘Bambi’s left is located at 5880km from Paris, 500km from Libreville airport and 58km from Mayumba which is the last village at the South of the country. To cross these 58km and reach our first wave, we needed 3 days and 3 nights. And it was hard to reach ! Our camp was located at the end of the bay, just in front of the wave. Many sitatungas (antelopes) came to dring in the lagoon close to our tents. One of them, less shy, seemed used to the cameras. We guess it was retired Bambi and decided to name this wave Bambi’s left.’

The film for their trip ‘Paradise Lost‘ is currently being shot in many French cinemas where you can meet the 3 men :

Just for your pleasure, here is a foretaste :

Off-road trip with our STD 100

Marine and Loïs cycled accross the ‘traversée de l’Hérault’ last summer with their Aevon trailer STD 100.

300km of mountain biking in full nature with 7000m difference in height. Departure : Montpellier. Arrival : La Salvetat-sur-Agout, little village in the South of France, located at 1 087m at its highest.

“Our bike trailer helped us carry all our luggage, our tent and camping stove during the trip.
We cycled on little roads, but mainly paths and single tracks.

The behaviour of the trailer offroad is very good, thanks to the hitch on the seat post and the shock absorber. The only limits were our legs uphill and our brakes downhill. Wherever the MTB goes, the bike trailer follows and we didn’t spare it anything : hills, flooded passages and technicals slopes.

We could carry 25kg of luggage easily.”

The Aevon brand was designed by a mountain biker, he designed it in order to cycle accross difficult passages : aluminium frame, adjustable shock absorber, hitch on the seat post.

“Our next purchase for our future trips will be an Aevon specific waterproof bag.

We recommend this trailer to those who are looking for a reliable product.”

This track is maintained by the Hérault department with many B&Bs along the way for cyclists and hikers.

Mexico with my trailer

Bertrand has decided to go on a solo trip with his bike and his Aevon trailer STD 100.

The goal is to cycle from Mexico to Ushuaïa. To start, the road will go along the south coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the bay of Campeche (bahía de Campeche) and through different Sierras : of Villa Alta, of Miahuatlán.

After saving money for a few months Bertand prefers to travel alone, so as to be completely free and enjoy his bike trip the way he likes. First step : choosing the material. Each gram counts so you have to leave with only the essentials. To carry his stuff, Bertrand chose the Aevon trailer STD 100, large enough to carry clothes and bivouac stuff. With its shock absorber, the STD 100 trailer is able to follow the bike on all types of tracks.

Leaving for a bike trip of at least 2 years through countries with different climates requires to take the most technical gear.

First step, the city of Campeche.

After two days of more than 90km with wind, I decide to listen to my body and to rest for a day in Campeche, a beautiful city with a colonial atmosphere. It’s a fortified city from the 17th century. It is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and essentially lives from petrol and shrimps.

We will follow Bertrand’s adventures in the months to come. Don’t hesitate to check out his blog full of adventure and encounters.

I’m writing from Puerto Escondido, a beer in one hand, with the sound of the waves in the background. The sunset was beautiful, like the body board session I enjoyed this evening. Real holidays begin, chill, beach and surfing…;)