Travel

Use pedal power to charge your phone

Travel Gear: Power up your mobile while cycling, custom silk maps and mozzie repellent

Create a custom print silk map with Burnt Point Lodge’s website

Tom Kelly
Sat Jul 15 2017 - 06:00

Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Pro E Handlebar Bag

We’re cycling more. We’re using our smartphones more. Cue Ortlieb’s Ultimate 6 Pro E Bag. It lets you power up mobile devices while you’re cycling – if you’ve the right dynamo, that is.

So you can use navigation apps with impunity through the clear window on top or simply keep those tunes coming (not that we’re suggesting you distract yourself, of course).

Recharge you phone as you cycle with the Ortlieb Ultimate 6 Pro E Handlebar Bag

Thermacell Halo’s Mosquito Repeller will keep the mosquitos when abroad

When installed, the integrated contacts in the handlebar mount connect automatically with the bag as soon as it clicks in place. It comes with a shoulder strap, 7l of storage protected by a magnetic-closure flap and it's waterproof, needless to say. €136 from cyclestore.ie

Burnt Point Lodge Silk Maps

Maps printed on fabric were often carried by second World War pilots in the all too likely event that they might be downed behind enemy lines. Though sometimes printed on other fine materials, they are commonly referred to as silk maps.

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With these as inspiration, Burnt Point Lodge lets you customise your own silk (and cotton blend) map. Just pick the territory on the website and it will run off a 60cm square (24") silky map you can roll up in a ball or wear or even blow your nose in if needs must. From $65 (about €57), burntpointlodge.com

Thermacell Halo Mosquito Repeller

Beat the bugs with this wire-free mosquito repeller from Thermacell. It uses the sort impregnated tab that will be familiar to many from holiday rentals in sunnier climes. This one's repelling agent is allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural insect repellent found in chrysanthemum plants. The pads heat thanks to gas cartridges like those in portable hair curlers and offers a 4m sq (15'x15') "halo of protection", it's claimed. With an LED display to indicate if your shields are down. £75 (€85) from amazon.co.uk (you may have to hunt around.)

[ @tomtomkelly ]

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