Whether it’s powering through the wild Scottish Highlands or exploring quaint Catalan villages, cycling is a great way to get around. Out in the fresh air, cruising at the perfect speed, you feel like there’s nowhere you and your trusty steed can’t go. Until, that is, you hit that stubborn hill or killer extra mile. Thankfully, e-bikes are here to help you really make the most of your holiday, and go further, faster and higher than ever before.
What is an e-bike?
Most e?bikes used for leisure cycling are pedal?assist bicycles, often called “pedelecs”. The motor only works while you are pedalling and simply boosts your own effort – it doesn’t replace it. When you stop pedalling, the assistance stops too. The motor support gradually cuts out at around 15.5?mph / 25?km/h, after which you continue under your own steam, just like on a normal bike.
Why use an e-bike?
Simply put, e?bikes allow you to enjoy cycling with a little extra help. There’s something special about exploring new places by bike – fresh air, freedom to stop when you like, and scenery that’s easy to miss from a car. E?bikes make this experience accessible to even more people, helping you go a little further and tackle hills with confidence. An e?bike is still very much a bicycle. You pedal, steer and change gears as normal, but a small electric motor gently supports your effort when you need it. This means you’ll feel less tired at the end of the day, without losing the enjoyment of cycling. Headwater offers e-bikes as standard on trips where we feel the added assistance means it is a holiday not a boot camp – such as on our
Albania trip, which promises incredible cycling on quiet smooth roads, but there are some lumpy bits! We also offer e-bikes as an upgrade option on the majority of our other cycling holidays so more people can enjoy these stunning routes – for example on the fascinating multi-country, multi-capital ride along the expansive Danube from
Vienna to Budapest, via Bratislava.
Top 5 tips when riding an e-bike for the first time:
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They are heavy. The first thing you will be aware of is the weight. Because of the motor and battery, e?bikes are heavier than standard bicycles, typically ~25kg vs ~15kg for regular bikes. This isn’t noticeable while riding, but you’ll feel it when you come to stop and put your feet down, when you are pushing the bike and especially if you need to lift it onto a train or a bike hook for example.
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Setting off, always ensure the assist is turned down to a low setting. This is easily done using the handlebar control and this will be covered in the bike fitting session. With your weight on the seat at the back of the bike, especially on a slight slope, the high torque can cause the front wheel to lift if left in a high setting and you are unprepared for it. But simply turn down the setting before you pedal, even better when you stop, and then adjust the assistance as soon as your wheels are in motion.
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When you stop and step away from your e-bike, never lean it against something. Always, always use the kickstand. The increased weight can cause the bike to roll and fall if left leaning, causing potential damage to an expensive bike or worse catch someone on as it falls over. So always use the kickstand.
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When you leave the e-bike always lock it to an immoveable object, do not leave it simply locked by itself, nor to another bike. These are expensive bikes, and as such when you leave them they need to be locked to an immoveable object, like a metal fence, lamp post or bike stand.
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Charging your battery is slightly different on every brand of e-bike and will be covered in your bike fitting session. Make sure you are very familiar with this before you set off. Battery range depends on terrain, assistance level and riding style, but in real?world conditions most modern e?bikes can comfortably cover around 70–100 miles (112–160?km) on a single charge. Flatter routes and lower assistance settings use less battery, while hillier routes and higher assistance will reduce the range. Headwater ensure the bikes we provide are more than capable of completing the distance on your route. However, there is an expectation to manage the assistance level according to the terrain – it doesn’t need to be on high going down a hill. Batteries are easy to recharge overnight, usually taking around 3–6 hours to fully top up, so they’re well suited to multi?day cycling holidays. In many places, you can even top up during lunch breaks if you have had a heavy morning’s riding.
Wjo are e-bikes good for?
E?bikes are suitable for a wide range of riders: Those who want to enjoy longer routes without over?tiring. If you are in a couple or group and there are mixed fitness levels sometimes members choose an e-bike to ensure they can keep up with others. Riders recovering from injury or returning to cycling or simply anyone who’d like hills to feel less daunting. You still get exercise and fresh air – just with a little extra support along the way.
Try an e-bikes for your next cycling holiday
Riding an e?bike feels natural and intuitive, it’s as easy as… erm, riding a bike! You simply pedal and choose how much help you want from the motor using a control on the handlebars. Lower assistance is ideal for flat sections and longer days. Higher assistance makes climbs and headwinds far more manageable. Whether you’re new to cycling or simply want a more relaxed ride, e?bikes take the strain out of longer distances and tougher terrain. They’re a brilliant way to focus on the journey, the scenery and the experience – not just the effort. If it is your first time, follow our simple 5 tips and you will not look back.
To view all our cycling trips which offer e-bikes to locations across Europe such as Italy, Slovenia, France, Austria and many more: Click Here
