Here is a story from my life from last fall. This actually spans several months and unfolds in splendor on Sept 17th 2023. See what lesson I had to learn the hard way. ????
I’m often an off the cuff gal in life and fairly athletic. I walk a couple of miles most days, bike 15-25 miles weekly and swim using a tether in my pool. My husband does none of these activities.
One of his buddies, who does bike, bought an e-bike. Then another friend bought an e-bike. He’s been thinking about doing this. I’m thinking, this will be the only way he would bike with me. Part of me poo-poo’s the e-bike thing. Come on folks… get out and use your legs and really bike!
Meanwhile, we are planning our dream vacation! The one I couldn’t have when the covid retirement plan went into place!
We decided it is time to plan and get this trip to the Mediterranean on the books. Last September, we did 18 days in the Mediterranean! It was one of the best trips I’ve done.
Started in Athens, cruised to Spain and then to Rome. Ten ports with time in Athens and Rome. Not enough time, but time. I planned a variety of excursions some walking, some bus. I was looking forward to the e-bike tour of the Rome historical sites.
Sometime in June, I set up the e-bike tour for our last day in Rome. The thought occurred to me that we should try and e-bike. Nah! I bike all the time, what’s the big deal. In fact, this thought process occurred several times and I brushed it off each time. Interestingly, my husband never suggested we tryout e-bikes.
We are off on this fabulous trip. We had a blast. The best time ever. Best food, best tours, best meeting folks! And I was looking to enjoy Rome: the Vatican on Saturday and the coop de gras: the e-bike tour on Sunday.
In Athens, I discovered that cobble stones have no relationship to our pavers in SWFL. Cobble stones are big, all have different shapes, different spaces between them and are rather difficult to walk on. Guess what, lots of cobblestones in Rome as well.
We arrive at the bike shop tour location early. So, we enjoyed a local croissant and expresso. Shop opens, and we get fitted for the e-bikes. I’m totally nonplussed. I’m expecting a totally fun day tooling around on the e-bikes, even though I’ve never been on one. I’m a biker, right?!?
I don’t make it a half a block before I’m on the sidewalk. Oh, my.
These e-bikes give you power when you pedal. Well, I had not considered that I’m not used to having more power behind me with each rotation of my feet. I was totally unprepared for that feeling. This is where the e-bike trial would have been very helpful. Also, e-bikes are much heavier than my regular Trex bike. Hopping on and starting up takes a lot more energy.
Remember what I said above about cobblestones not being the same thing as pavers? They pose interesting challenges to bike tires. Then add the hills.
The other factor… Oh yes, there is always a factor we never consider. The other factor was thousands of tourists wandering around, looking at their phones, taking pictures and walking, unaware, in your path. It was my job to anticipate and avoid hitting them, which I did, thank goodness. The angels were busy that day. That meant I was on/off the bike all day. Eventually my quads just gave out. I didn’t have the strength.
I fell twice early in the tour as I got used to the bike. No broken bones. The bruises cleared up in a couple of weeks.
This was a very humbling experience. I was very arrogant thinking that a bike is the same as an e-bike. It is not the same. I didn’t listen to that still small voice, it was trying to help me out. This probably wouldn’t have made a difference when I was twenty. But I’m in my seventy’s now. Planning and a pre-trip trial would have made a difference. I have more respect for the e-bike and advantages it may have over the regular bike that I might want to consider.
The trip was fabulous. And the lesson was learned! Awesome!
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