Giving up second car- need some encouragement

powerspowers

Just thought I’d give a progress update! 

We moved house at the end of April and I’ve been very focused on getting the house sorted. It feels like I’ve only left the house to go to b&q! I’ve not been on the bike a deal, the awful weather hasn’t helped. 

I did cycle today- 4 miles to a face to face gym class. I definitely appreciated the electric assist on the way home when my legs were tired! 

Still no news on if we are going back to the office. The car has been cleaned and ready to sell. 

powerspowers

Wayhey I cycled to the uphill office- absolutely brilliant! It took me 20muns, would have been ages without the electric assist as I wouldn’t have got up the hill and it’s almost a mile long. I’ve found a bridle way as well that I’ll scope out one weekend 😃😃😃😃

silverwhistle

Thanks, it's always good to hear how people have got on after coming on here for advice and opinions, even if there are many different ones.  I occasionally go to football training by the electric bike, and I heartily agree with the need for assist on the way home!

fred246

I don't really get all this electric bike business. I can't see why people can't just push the pedals like they have always done.

powerspowers

fred246 said:

I don't really get all this electric bike business. I can't see why people can't just push the pedals like they have always done.

Haha!

I can push pedals like I’ve always but I think my journey was half an hour shorter by being able to ride up hill rather than get off and walk a mile pushing my bike. Of course I could wait til I’m fitter, or move somewhere flatter 🤷‍♀️ 

Luckily electric bikes aren’t compulsory so doesn’t stop you peddling like you always have

powerspowers

Update- 
still only one car
2100 miles cycled
bike touring as a new hobby
legs are so much stronger 
contemplatingselling the e bike and getting a fancy gravel bike 😀 

MilesT6060842

One other bit of advice...research your car hire options locally, in case yet get into a bind you can't solve any other way.  Also car clubs like Zipcar, peer to peer hire sites.

Can buy annual car rental excess insurance policy.  Check the terms as some don't cover car clubs or peer to peer.

powerspowers

Update-
I’ve just sold the ebike after 2500 miles. It was definitely the Best Buy for me, really improved my confidence and fitness. 

I’ve gotten to a point where I only needed the boost to counter the weight of the ebike. I bought a second hand gravel bike (Sonder Camino) last year and absolutely love it, it feels so light and responsive compared to the ebike. It does go to the bike mechanic more often than my ebike did but my mechanical skills are improving too. 

Still running only one car. In four years I’ve only had one “I wish I had a car” moment when youngest broke his arm at school and I was ringing round for taxis to take me to fetch him and then go to hospital. His main worry was how to get his bike home from school as both kids regularly commute by bike too. 

Only bad side is that cycling as a hobby wipes out any savings from not having a car, now we just buy bikes and bike parts. Fun though! 

Herzlos

Great update!

The Camino is a great gravel bike too though I'm surprised it needs more mechanical work than the e-bike - is it just because it's getting used more?

powerspowers

Herzlos said:

Great update!

The Camino is a great gravel bike too though I'm surprised it needs more mechanical work than the e-bike - is it just because it's getting used more?

I was pretty brutal to the ebike but it was built like a tank. The gearing on the Camino is a bit temperamental, it took a couple of goes to get just right and then I got knocked off my bike (me vs car door, all okay) and trashed the derailieur. Hopefully it’ll behave now.