The Positive Energy Tour: an eco-minded world roadtrip

Roadtrip usually means engines, fuel stops, and long days on the move. But the Positive Energy Tour flips the logic: the goal is to travel while producing more energy than you consume—enough to live, ride, and even share power along the way. In this interview, Robin (an aerospace engineer by training) explains how he and his partner designed a two-year, low-impact adventure built around an electric bike, a foldable caravan, and solar panels. It’s a project about autonomy, encounters, and a slower rhythm—without pretending the world is simple.

Interview: Robin, founder of the Positive Energy Tour

Can you introduce yourself in a few lines?

Robin: Hi, I’m Robin. I’m an engineer—more precisely, an aerospace engineer—but I’m curious by nature and I like exploring different fields. I don’t want to be locked into one specialty. I prefer following what pulls me, building bridges between topics, and that’s how I ended up creating this project.

Tell us about the project: what exactly is the Positive Energy Tour?

Robin: It’s a world tour “with positive energy,” meaning the objective is to travel while producing more energy than we consume—so we can do a roadtrip with real autonomy. To make it happen, I’m building a foldable caravan system for a bicycle. It’s an electric bike (so it can handle the additional weight), and the caravan carries solar panels that will power the e-bike and cover our other energy needs.

Robin: Producing more energy than we use is also a way to have something to share. When we meet people, we could offer to recharge a phone, or play music on small speakers while we talk. It’s symbolic, but I think symbols matter in the current context.

Why choose a bicycle for a world roadtrip?

Robin: The bike choice isn’t random. It’s about slowing down. I feel like life moves too fast, and I want to travel at a different pace. Our relationship with time—how fast we live, how we value time—is a subject I’m passionate about. This trip is also a support for a study: discovering and exploring different cultures’ rhythms, then sharing what we learn during the trip and afterwards.

Robin: The project is all of that: adventure, roadtrip, discovery, encounters, commitment, and the will to push things forward. Of course, even with this approach, we might take a plane sometimes—for budget and time reasons. The idea is also to show that this kind of roadtrip can be accessible. Above all, it’s a human project.

Are you traveling alone?

Robin: We’re two. I’m doing it with my girlfriend. And we hope to meet people and sometimes share a stretch of road with anyone motivated—even if it’s just for an afternoon.

When do you leave, and for how long?

Robin: We leave at the beginning of 2017, for two years. After that we have other projects, so we set that limit. We’ll start with a tour of France to warm up and meet everyone who already supports us.

Is the itinerary fixed or improvised?

Robin: We already have a fairly precise itinerary, but we’re keeping the option to deviate at any time. We like improvising—letting encounters and unexpected events guide us.

How did the idea come to you?

Robin: It didn’t come only from me. It was built progressively. It changed many times with discussions with my teammate, reflections, and shared interests. It started from a simple desire: to travel while committing to something useful. We’ve been building the project for about a year, and we only started communicating about it a month ago.

What does this project represent for you?

Robin: A lot of things. First, a dive into the unknown: discovering the world and everything it holds—encounters, places, challenges, discoveries. And it’s freedom: the freedom of travel and the freedom to engage with topics that matter to us.

Is a project like this hard to set up?

Robin: Yes—it’s a real challenge, but also very enriching. It requires effort and persistence. The hardest part is taking the first step; once the engine is started, you “just” follow the road. We also don’t have the means to fully finance it ourselves, so we’re looking for sponsors. That’s part of the adventure too—sometimes frustrating, but interesting.

Have you traveled before?

Robin: A lot—every continent except Oceania, and in many different ways. But I prefer roadtrip travel, so I’m excited to experience a different kind of roadtrip with this project. I’ve been to England, Greece, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, the United States, China, Morocco, Costa Rica… and I want to discover new countries.

Your favorite place in the world?

Robin: Probably Brazil—hard to pick one place. I loved it for its nature, its incredible welcome, and its very (maybe too) relaxed rhythm. Traveling from city to city there is a joy—I recommend it to anyone who hasn’t tried.

A final word for future riders?

Robin: Find your trip and go for it. Or create it. But above all: start. See you on the road, I hope.

Mini-guide: what this “positive energy” roadtrip changes on the ground

• Pace: an e-bike world roadtrip is built on consistency, not big mileage. On mixed terrain, plan real riding time rather than optimistic distances.
• Terrain reality: headwinds, heat, and long climbs can turn a “short day” into a demanding one—especially with a trailer/caravan. Your route needs margins.
• Energy budget: solar charging depends on weather and orientation. Cloudy days and shade can reduce output; build a buffer (power bank, spare capacity, disciplined charging habits).
• Water & food: autonomy is not only electricity. In remote stretches, water is the limiting factor; identify resupply points before you commit to long gaps.
• Offline navigation: download maps in advance and keep one backup (phone + dedicated GPS or second phone). In low-coverage areas, offline routing saves time and stress.
• Planet Ride pro tip: to manage fatigue and risk, keep one shorter day every 3–4 riding days. It’s where repairs, laundry, admin, and real encounters happen—without forcing.

Follow their adventure

To follow the Positive Energy Tour, visit their website and/or their Facebook page.

Want to get in touch? Leave a comment and we’ll connect you with Robin.

Want to plan your own roadtrip?

Planet Ride offers many motorized roadtrip destinations worldwide:

À savoir aujourd’hui

The spirit of the Positive Energy Tour remains highly relevant: autonomy, slower travel, and meaningful encounters. What should be checked before taking inspiration from it are the current rules for e-bike equipment on borders, battery transport constraints, and local regulations on wild camping and solar setups—these can vary widely by country and change fast.

Mini-FAQ

Can you really do a world roadtrip with an electric bicycle and solar panels?

Yes, but it requires margins: flexible days, conservative routing, and a backup charging plan when weather or terrain doesn’t cooperate.

How do you manage connectivity on a long roadtrip in remote areas?

Use offline maps, keep key documents stored locally, and consider an eSIM for multi-country coverage—while assuming there will still be dead zones.

Is this kind of eco-minded roadtrip necessarily “no flights”?

Not always. Some riders mix cycling and occasional flights for budget or time. The key is being transparent about trade-offs and keeping the project coherent.