My Year of Cycling (electric) Part 1. (Things I’ve learnt).

I bought this Cube Kathmandu Pro 625 hybrid electric bike a year ago and have not looked back. I love it. It has opened up my life, taken me to loads of places in Yorkshire, without a hitch (more or less!!). It’s given me a new hobby and made me fitter. Its taken me back to my youth, when most of my free time was spent on my bike. From a lovely red tricycle with a boot that banged up and down as I careered along the pavements. I filled it with newspapers for some reason. Something like the one below.

I remember learning to ride a two wheeler. Not sure if it was Dad or my brother who let go and I was off. Right through my teenage years and on to college in Liverpool, where I borrowed a bike to ride to see my Grandmother in Birkenhead. Even after I was married I had a couple of mountain bikes and used to fancy I could ride the mtb trails! Then came my daughter and bikes were sold and cycling forgotten.

Now I try to get out on my bike as often as I can and Ive cycled further than I ever thought possible. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that theres no effort involved with an electric bike or that its cheating! For a start the proper name for them is “pedal assisted bikes” or pedalecs – you still have to pedal and how much effort you use is up to you. As for cheating? I’m not in competition with anybody except myself. Certainly not with the lycra clad racing brigade. I’m more of a tourer, going places I haven’t been before, enjoying the scenery, stopping for a drink or cake ( which my brother informs me are obligatory), taking a photo and breathing in the fresh air.

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So on to things Ive learnt

BUMS

1. SADDLE – the first thing I changed. Your bum is one of the most important things to look after when on a bike. I did a lot of research about saddles and getting the right fit for the right bum. Quite obvious really, what is fit for one rider is not for another, its very personal. So I learnt about “sit bones”, which are the hard boney bits in your bum where your behind will be sitting on the saddle and it is a good idea to get the measurement between them in order for you to get a saddle that is right for you. I went to Big Bear Bikes in Pickering and had my sit bone distance measured and got a saddle for my personal bum.

Ive found it suits me well but its a very personal choice.

2. SPONGE BOB SQUARE PANTS

Also under the bums section is several pairs of padded shorts. Again its a very personal choice. I think its plainly obvious that female and male parts down there are very different, so make sure you get gender specific one and if you’re not sure get one of each!! lol. Ive got some lycra undershorts as I wouldn’t be seen in lycra and you wouldn’t want to see me in lycra !

3. CHAMOIS BUTTER/CREAM

The padding in shorts in the early days was leather chamois as in the leather you may have used for finishing off a car wash and chamois butter is stuff you put on the padding of cycle shorts or directly on your nether regions to stop saddle soreness. I suffered a bit of soreness at first and on a few occasions but honestly not very often. However i did invest in some specifically for women and have found it great on rare occasions when I felt the need. Ive used this one.

4. RELIEF WHEN RIDING.

When you’ve been sat in the saddle for a long time whilst riding its nice to get a bit of relief from the pressure. I find sitting up straight and leaning very slightly back onto my sit bones, gives the soft bits a bit of a break. Also standing up on the pedals is great – I love this elevated position its a great feeling.