As the sun sets along the River Frome, I coast to a stop with wind-stung cheeks and a big grin on my face. I have just finished my FREE 4 x week e-bike loan with Cycle Together. Cycle Together, is part of Green & Healthy Frome, which supports people to make choices that are good for their well-being and the health of the planet, like active travel! The initiative offers you the chance to borrow an e-bike, for free, for 4 weeks. The loan includes a lock, lights, helmet, panniers, everything you need to get you started. They even have child seats and bike trailers to borrow as well as offering free social rides, cycle confidence and bike maintenance classes. The idea is to inspire more people to cycle often, reducing pollution and congestion, saving money and boosting physical and mental health.
So…I was a sceptic! Would a power-assisted bike make me lazy? Would I worry about the security of the bike? Would I manage the controls? What would other people think? I’m pleased to say it was a great experience and I’m now converted.
My highlights included my daily commute up Welshmill Hill without dismounting, a little out of breath and still feeling it in my legs but ready for more! And the Sunday when I took a long ride on a mizzly morning, out of Frome to Nunney and under the bypass to Trudoxhill. I then headed up Gare Hill which I have previously done on a pushbike. It was such a joy to get to the top feeling I’d had a great workout but with the energy for the next stage! Crossing the B3092 at Maiden Bradley I headed towards Longbridge Deverill before peeling off to Shearwater. Avoiding the A350 I took Paradise Lane up to Picket Post roundabout and after a short ride along the A362 I joined the back lanes to Corsley before weaving back into Frome via East Woodlands. The lane between Corsley and East Woodlands was pretty bumpy, slippery and waterlogged but manageable.
I took out a Whyte touring bike which looked stylish (and honestly that’s why I chose it) It had an amazing battery life. You get the full safety and security kit with the loan as well as guidance on riding and safety for yourself and the bike. It’s worth bearing in mind that these bikes are heavy and you need somewhere safe to store them (mine lived inside the house during the loan). It takes a while to get used to managing the gears and the power together, for example, lowering the gear to make the most of the power assist. It’s also worth being aware that when you pull away with the power assist the bike can take off like a racehorse out of the stalls! On the flat and low gradient downhill slopes you’ll notice the weight of the bike, although down steeper hills the weight creates momentum. I kept flicking the power assist on for the hills and off for flat or downhill sections, so that while I was continuously cycling I got a great workout too.
Despite some small challenges, it was such a joyous experience. I would strongly recommend an e-bike loan! At times it felt as though I had wings and riding up Gare Hill without taking a rest had me whooping. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy my surroundings while covering the miles, I certainly cycled more than I would with my pushbike. The e-bike loan would also be a lot of fun to do with family, friends or colleagues and make the commute something to look forward to. In short, I’m an e-bike convert, it was great to be able to try before you buy and I will definitely be taking part in the social rides which the Bike Project offers as well as taking their advice on routes around Frome.
Written by Becky Lovegrove
