Looking for ways to elevate your travel game?
Electric bikes are rapidly revolutionising the way that people travel. E-bikes are quickly becoming a common way for people to get around. But beyond that, they’re opening up travel opportunities at home and abroad like never before.
Electric bikes make travel easier, more fun, and more accessible than ever before. Whether you’re going on a weekend trip or an epic adventure, e-bikes make it possible to see and do more without arriving at your destination exhausted.
In This Article:
● Why E-Bikes Are Ideal For Travel
● Packing Hacks Every E-Bike Traveller Needs
● Battery Management Hacks You Need To Know
● Route Planning Strategies For The Win
Why Electric Bikes Make Travel So Great
Electric bikes have really taken the world by storm in recent years. And for good reason! They’re awesome for travel.
The fact is this:
Cycling on a traditional bike is a great way to see the world. But it also places limitations on how far you can go and what you can do in a day. With an electric bike, those constraints go away. Research has found that e-bike journeys are 21% faster than the same journey made on a pedal bike.
That might not sound like much. But that’s a huge advantage when you’re trying to fit as much as possible into your travel itinerary and make the most of your time.
But it gets even better…
When you buy e-bikes online from a quality retailer, you’re investing in freedom and opening up a level of travel capability that traditional bikes can’t match. Hill climbing is a breeze. You can carry more camping gear and go further from home without worrying about having the energy to make it back. And if you really need to pedal in turbo mode, you can.
Most e-bikes give you between 25 and 60 miles of pedal assist on a single charge. That’s more than enough distance to fill an entire day of travel.
Pack Smarter: Travel Gear Hacks
Here’s a common mistake that most new e-bike travellers make…
They pack as if they’re going on a conventional bike tour. But e-bikes have different needs and different capabilities. Your approach to packing needs to change as well.
Tools for Power Management
The battery on your e-bike is the lifeblood of your travels. Always pack a portable charger that is compatible with your battery, multiple charging cables and connectors, and a power bank for your phone and GPS. Good news: on most modern electric bikes you can plug your phone and other devices into the USB ports on your battery and use it to charge directly.
Weight distribution is key
Electric bikes are built to carry more weight than traditional bicycles. But that doesn’t mean you should pack everything you own. Panniers mounted low and frame bags with tools and repair kits, plus a top tube bag for snacks, keeps weight balanced between front and rear wheels for easier handling. Especially important when you’re cornering tightly or tackling rough or uneven terrain.
Battery Management: Tips For Going The Distance
Want to know the secret to getting the most from your electric bike?
Battery management is absolutely key to having a successful e-bike travel experience. Get this wrong and you’ll find yourself pushing a heavy bike back to camp with zero motor assistance. No one wants that!
Switch Between Assistance Levels
Most e-bikes have a few assistance levels available. Use them strategically like this:
Eco mode is best for flat ground and going downhill. This will extend your battery life and range by huge amounts. Tour mode is good for gentle uphill and into headwinds. This gives you the balance between assistance and conservation that you need in most riding situations. Turbo mode should be reserved for steep hills and fully loaded riding.
Cycling through these different levels intelligently can allow experienced e-bike travellers to double their effective range over those who use the same setting all day.
Charge Fully Every Single Night
This one might sound obvious but it’s worth stating: charge your e-bike’s battery fully every night, no exceptions. Even if you barely used it the day before. Battery life and performance degrades when batteries are regularly stored part-charged. And it never hurts to be prepared for a detour or a bonus side trip the next day that adds a few extra miles to your route.
Planning Routes For Successful Adventures
This is one of the things that most people get wrong when planning e-bike travel adventures…
They plan routes as if they were driving or cycling a conventional bike. But electric bikes need to take different factors into account. Maximise your enjoyment while respecting the limitations of your battery.
Follow The 70% Rule
Plan your routes so they use no more than 70% of your bike’s stated range. Battery range numbers are almost always optimistically calculated based on perfect conditions. And your real-world travel route is almost never going to match those perfect conditions. You’re going to hit some headwinds, some detours, and some hills that seem like nothing on a map but eat up your battery. Keep that 30% reserve, and you won’t be stranded.
Map Charging Options
Before you even start looking at travel routes, map out all of the potential charging points you’ll pass along the way. Cafes and restaurants, campsites with electrical hookups, tourist information centres and local bike shops are all great options. Most people don’t mind you charging your battery while you have a lunch or a coffee. One hour of charging will often put a huge amount of charge back on.
Maintenance Hacks For The Trail
There’s nothing that can derail a travel adventure quicker than mechanical issues. Here’s how to stay ahead of them…
Complete The Pre-Ride Checklist
Run through this quick pre-ride check every single morning before setting off: tyres, brakes, chain lubrication, battery connection, and lights. It takes less than five minutes to complete but will save you hours of headache and delay later on.
Pack An Essential Tool Kit
Include a multi-tool with hex keys, a spare inner tube and pump, chain quick-link, tyre levers, small bottle of chain lube, and zip ties. Keep it as light as possible without sacrificing function. You’re not setting up a repair shop, just dealing with basic maintenance and repairs.
Travel Range Hacks
Here’s one of those e-bike travel hacks that most people never even consider…
With an estimated 300 million electric bikes in use globally, there is a huge community of e-bike enthusiasts out there. Connect with them!
Join online forums and local e-bike groups in the areas where you’re travelling. Enthusiasts love to share tips about hidden charging locations, the best scenic routes, local bike-friendly hotels and campsites, and shops that specialise in maintenance and repairs for e-bikes. Insider local knowledge like this can make the difference between a good trip and a truly amazing one.
Travel In The Off Season
Don’t be afraid to travel during the shoulder season. Not only are travel destinations less busy and crowded, but also accommodation owners are more likely to allow you to charge your battery overnight. Oh, and did we mention that cooler temperatures will also help improve battery performance as well?
Wrapping It Up
Electric bike travel is one of the best ways to experience the world. It gives you all of the benefits of traditional cycle touring – the sense of connection to your surroundings, the flexibility, the adventure – but without the physical constraints.
The travel hacks listed above aren’t rocket science. But they are smart and simple ways to work with the capabilities of your electric bike, rather than against them. Pay attention to battery management, pack your gear correctly, plan your route with charging in mind, and take good care of your e-bike.
Do all these things right and you’ll find that you’re able to have travel experiences that traditional tourists can only dream about. Experiences where you discover hidden local gems off the tourist trail, connect with people in ways that big tour buses never can, and arrive at your destination fresh and ready to enjoy it, instead of needing a recovery day.
That’s the real magic of electric bike travel – it makes the impossible possible, without sacrificing any of the joy of the journey.
