The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-Richard Harbuz is an overlander explorer making his way on an electric scooter. He has ridden the well-outfitted scooter from his home in Colorado across Canada to Alaska. And back again, finding his way to Ten Ton Coffee in Waitsburg.

As a self-described overlander, Harbuz enjoyed taking his bike and riding long distances from his home. After suffering a back injury while working in his daughter's home, he found it difficult to ride his bike. He missed being able to take off on his own power to explore and discovered electric scooters, which allowed him to stand and ride.

His Kaabo scooter is the Wolf King GT, an American-sized, powerful machine with solar panels and a trailer that can go up to 60 miles on a charge. Harbuz described the planning that goes into long-range travel. The route must be carefully planned, which is one reason he found himself in Waitsburg.

He must look for places that will allow him to charge his personal vehicle. Waitsburg is on a route of towns at 50-mile increments. Harbuz describes range anxiety, which happens when a rider gets close to the end of a charge. The only way to avoid it is to plan a route around chargers or other places to plug in-his scooter charges on a regular 110v or home outlet.

Scooters, eBikes, and Segways are just some of the personal electric vehicles becoming popular for long and short-distance travel. Harbuz suggested towns like Waitsburg invest in specific charging and camping sites for the new style of transport.

Wherever Harbuz stops, he is asked about his travels and story. How did he start, why did he choose a scooter, and where is he going next? What are the difficulties and rewards of overland travel on an upright scooter?

To avoid repeating his story multiple times a day, he started keeping a blog, http://www.overlandscooter.com. Harbuz describes his journey as "the world's first ever overland electric scooter expedition. Most importantly, it is a solo expedition. Others have crossed hundreds of miles; however, they use a Support and Gear Vehicle (SAG) to follow with supplies and multiple scooters. I highly recommend looking up the second day of his trip. It is harrowing and remarkable.

Harbuz travels alone, without support beyond what is on offer in the towns he stops in. Campsites like the Lewis and Clark Park between Dayton and Waitsburg. Coffee shops, small groceries, and places to recharge.

Check out http://www.overlandscooter.com to read his blog, he mentions his stop in our area. If his story piques your interest, check out http://www.Kaabo.com.