On switching to an e-bike

Electric bikes herald a new approach to taking it easy. I had read that e-bike riders tend to be healthier on average than conventional bike riders, and after a week of riding one, I get it. Riding an e-bike still requires energy expenditure, but when the going gets hard, you can increase the amount of assistance you get from the bike. It means 4 or 5 hours in the saddle isn’t exhausting, even with hills or headwinds. It means days of 70 or 80 km seem equivalent to days of 40 or 50 km on our other bikes. And it means a lesser need for rest days¹.

Our new bikes are what Velo de Ville call ‘SUVs’, by which they mean gravel bikes built for touring. As well as their motors, the fatter tyres and front suspension make them a lot more comfortable in gravel, mud and sand, and over cobbled European streets. So far my new bike has been a winner.

I’m still learning the best approach to using the motor. The Bosch motor has four levels of pedal assist, called Eco, Tour+, Sport and Turbo, the last of which is indicated by an alarming red…Further thoughts to come!

Footnotes

1. At least from an exertion point of view. I have been looking forward to some time to catch up on non-tour related matters (and of course, takeiteasybiketouring matters).