Ebiking on the IoW
E-Bikes
A vote for ebikes – before, during and after the pandemic
I discovered the joys of using an ebike over 10 years ago
when various diagnoses meant that using an ordinary bike was no longer
possible. At that time batteries would
not last beyond about 10 miles (less with hills to climb). Since then I have had all kinds of different
types and makes of ebikes including a Trek, a Kalkhoff, a nano Brompton, a
Roodog, a Go Cycle, an Access bike and latterly a Volt Metro. All have had their advantages and
disadvantages.
I am not an expert but do have some experience – and have now
cycled round most of the IOW (on and off road) and so hope to provide some tips
if you are new to the wonderful world of ebikes and considering purchasing one. Some issues to bear in mind:
1.
What will
you be using the bike for? Leisure,
commuting – or both?
2.
Will most of your riding be on or off road?
3.
Can you ride from your home or will you need to
put your bike in a car to travel to a cycle path?
4.
What distance do you intend to cycle?
5.
If you have any kind of disability that affects
your ability to ride, is this a temporary problem and you intend to use an ebike
to increase your fitness or do you have the type of disability which means some
days you will need more help from your ebike than others?
Last June we had a bad fire in our garden (travelled from
our neighbour’s property) which destroyed all three outbuildings, including our
bike shed. I had to make a quick
decision on which bikes to save – and I chose to save the two Volt Metros (the
other belongs to my husband) which I got out before the shed went up. Not my wisest moment but I simply could not
bear the thought of being without an ebike to ride. It also showed me which type of ebike I really
enjoyed. The rest went up in smoke.
I like my Volt Metro because (a) on most terrain it is very
comfortable and stable to ride despite having 20 inch wheels(b) if you purchase
the bigger battery it will easily go for 35/40 miles – far more if you need
less assistance from the motor (c) it has a simple system which allows me to
just use a higher level of assistance on less good days. The Metro also folds up and can be put in the
boot of most cars.
My Metro is very happy riding up hills with me on board (I’m
no lightweight!) – including steep hills like Lime Kiln Shute. Most
of my riding now takes place on roads (quiet ones preferred) and cycle paths
and I love finding new routes.
Volt now has a dealer on the IOW – TAV in Ryde. TAV have
been brilliant in resolving issues, servicing, supplying parts etc., including
during the lockdown. They also supply
other makes of ebikes as well as ‘ordinary’ bikes.
Having an ebike during the lockdown has been really helpful as
going out for exercise has been allowed so I have been able to cycle to Ryde to
get some essentials while also getting some exercise.
Just before the lockdown I had started a review on behalf of
CycleWight of the list of places (cafes, pubs etc.) on the IOW which are happy
to offer charging facilities for ebikes.
If anyone knows of other places that might be happy to provide a battery
charge, please let Tim know and we can add it to the list.
Happy cycling!