All posts by Gary Corbett

The Statistics of the E-Bike Cycle Tourists Record Breaking Journey

In many ways it is hard to believe, but the E-Bike Cycle Tourists quest to set a new world e-bike long distance record in mainland Europe and the UK has come to a successful conclusion after e-biking 27,800kms over the past 16 months. The journey, which took us through 13 countries from London in April … Continue reading The Statistics of the E-Bike Cycle Tourists Record Breaking Journey

E-Bike Cycle Tourists Documentary Shows the Way for all Cycle Tourists

Over five extremely enjoyable days in June the E-Bike Cycle Tourists had a taste of what it is like to be budding film stars during the shooting of a short documentary about our world record breaking e-bike journey.

The documentary, which was filmed by brothers Piers and Luke Spencer-Phillips for our major sponsors Haibike, explored the story behind our decision to sell all of our worldly possessions to essentially live the life of e-bike nomads.

While the eight minute-long documentary is an amazing record of our once-in-a-lifetime journey, more importantly, we believe, is the fact that it highlights everything that is great about modern-day e-bikes.

Sure, like us, you can plan and set out on a marathon e-bike journey over months and even years, set a new world e-bike long distance record and enjoy a lifetime of amazing experiences, but more to the point it shows that e-bikes are a suitable form of transport for anyone of any age to get out there and enjoy life.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a fearless 20-something-year-old carving up the mountain bike trails on a state-of-the-art full suspension eMTB or an 80-year-old who has swapped retirement home bingo sessions for the thrill of cycling again, the fact of the matter is that e-bikes are for EVERYONE.

Over the course of our journey we have met countless people – many in their 70s and 80s – who have enthusiastically told us about how e-bikes had enabled them to cycle for the first time in years.

One lady in her late 70s even enthused how she was enjoying the fact that her e-bike had enabled her to sweat for the first time in as long as she could remember!

Another lady in her 70s from New Zealand who we met on the west coast of France decided that the only way she was going to be able to keep up with her younger friend and her friend’s daughter during a three month cycling holiday was to purchase an e-bike and a cycle trailer.

When we stopped to chat not only was she more than keeping up, but she was helping to carry many of her friends’ possessions in the cycle trailer, plus she was leading the way with a huge smile on her face.

Without the assistance her e-bike provided there was no way she would have contemplated going on the holiday, she admitted.

And the assessment of her e-bike experience?

She loved the freedom her e-bike provided and despite rain, muddy cycle tracks and getting constantly lost, she was having the time of her life – thanks entirely to her e-bike.

Over the past 16 months of e-biking throughout mainland Europe, the UK and Ireland we have noticed a huge increase in the number of people using e-bikes.

Of particular interest for us have been the large numbers of people we have seen this year cycle touring on e-bikes.

This compares with 2015 where we did not see one single person on a self-supported cycle tour on an e-bike.

In just one year it seems there has been an exponential explosion in the number of people – of all ages – who have seen the light and have saddled up their new e-bike for a holiday with a difference – an e-bike cycling holiday.

With their panniers loaded to the hilt they have hit the cycle trails of Europe for a fantastic holiday of anything from a few days to a few weeks. And the best thing of all?

Everyone we have spoken to has admitted that there was no way they would be on the same holiday without the assistance an e-bike provided. Try arguing the fact that that isn’t the start of a new and burgeoning holiday industry! No way!

All that needs to be done now is for the e-bike industry to educate campground owners about the cost of recharging e-bike batteries.

Unfortunately too many still equate e-bike batteries (given their relatively large size) to the cost of running a caravan air-conditioning unit for a night. As a result we have been slugged anything up to 5 pounds in the UK for the privilege of charging our batteries.

More to the point it costs mere cents, with the goodwill created by campground operators who provide e-bike battery charging for free worth its weight in gold. It is these campgrounds that should be included in a special “E-Bike Friendly” directory.

Anyhow, it is abundantly clear that the popularity of e-bikes is booming. The resultant positive health and lifestyle factors mean that they are much more than the latest fad, but a sporting phenomenon that is here for the long haul.

They are, as we have said many times, the elixir of life.

For your interest find attached the new E-Bike Cycle Tourists documentary. Enjoy it and pass it on through social media etc to all of you friends.

 

 

 

Cycling to the Finish Line on EuroVelo 6 in Germany and Austria

With the E-Bike Cycle Tourists within sight of the finish line after 16 months and 27,500kms of the European leg of their ongoing long distance e-bike adventure, it has been a time of mixed emotions. On the one hand as we have pedalled our Haibike xDuro Trekking e-bikes the long way from Ulm to Friedrichshafen … Continue reading Cycling to the Finish Line on EuroVelo 6 in Germany and Austria

Making the Most of Those ‘It Is What It Is’ Moments While E-Bike Cycle Touring

While it is easy to talk and write about all the good times we have had on our ongoing 15 month, 26,000 kilometre e-bike long distance cycle touring adventure in Europe and the UK, it is fair to say that not everything has always gone exactly to plan. Sure, the good times have by far … Continue reading Making the Most of Those ‘It Is What It Is’ Moments While E-Bike Cycle Touring

E-Bike Cycle Tourists Star in Haibike Documentary

Lights, camera and action. More accurately there were no lights other than sunshine, but all the other necessary elements were there for the filming this week of a short Haibike documentary by our sponsors Haibike Germany of the E-Bike Cycle Tourists ongoing record-breaking e-bike journey throughout mainland Europe and the UK. With 24,816 kilometres now … Continue reading E-Bike Cycle Tourists Star in Haibike Documentary

The Plan for the E-Bike Cycle Tourists Ongoing E-Bike Adventure

After 13 months, 22,000 kilometres, 13 countries, a new world e-bike long distance record and enough amazing memories to last a lifetime, the time has come for the E-Bike Cycle Tourists to sit back and assess our ongoing e-bike adventure. When we set out from London on April 23, 2015, our goal was to set … Continue reading The Plan for the E-Bike Cycle Tourists Ongoing E-Bike Adventure

Organised Cycling Holidays for the Active 40-Plus Age Group

Traditionally adventure holidays have been the domain of testosterone charged thrill seekers in the 20-plus age bracket. But not any longer, with guided, self-guided and bike and barge cycling holidays becoming increasingly popular throughout the world with people in the over 40 age group. Essentially an organised cycling holiday ticks all the boxes for senior, … Continue reading Organised Cycling Holidays for the Active 40-Plus Age Group

The Importance of Staying Fit on a Long Distance E-Bike Adventure

One thing we know very, very well after e-biking 21,000-plus kilometres – more than anyone else in history on an e-bike in just one calendar year – on our ongoing e-bike adventure is our bodies. Sure, it is easy to gloss over the figures – 12 months of cycling e-bikes day in day out, 21,000kms, … Continue reading The Importance of Staying Fit on a Long Distance E-Bike Adventure

One Year and 20,000 kilometres of e-Biking – and That is Just the Start

One year and 20,000 kilometres of e-biking after setting out from London in mid-April 2015 in an attempt to set a new world long distance e-bike record, the e-Bike Cycle Tourists continue to clock up the kilometres – and major milestones. Given that the old record of 16,047km has now well and truly been passed, … Continue reading One Year and 20,000 kilometres of e-Biking – and That is Just the Start

A Common Misconception About Cycle Touring in the UK and Europe

From feedback received as a result of the e-Bike Cycle Tourists recent blog entitled ‘How to Afford the Long Distance E-Bike Holiday You Never Thought Possible’, it has become clear that there is a common misconception about cycle touring in the UK and Europe. That it is possible to cycle tour for a measly few … Continue reading A Common Misconception About Cycle Touring in the UK and Europe

How to Afford the Long Distance E-Bike Holiday You Never Thought Possible

One of the unfortunate facts of life is that we all have to live within our financial means. No matter whether you are a student trying to put yourself through university, a middle-aged couple raising young children, if you are retired and living on a meagre pension or are planning a trip of a lifetime, … Continue reading How to Afford the Long Distance E-Bike Holiday You Never Thought Possible