David buys an Electric-Assist Bicycle

 

David has enjoyed biking around Lyon alone or with friends, and, since 2012, going on week-long bike trips in various regions of France.  It is a great way to see and experience the various parts of France, and to enjoy the cuisine and wines of the different areas.

As we have aged [how did that happen?], the Lyonnaise members of the biking groups have mostly graduated to electric-assisted bicycles.  These bikes are remarkable feats of engineering, allowing one to go a bit faster for the same amount of effort, and to handle uphill climbs more comfortably. During our last week-long trip, in 2019, David spent about 300 euros to rent an electric-assist bike for a week.  The bike was a revelation – easy to learn to use, with or without the assist feature.  So, he researched electric bikes with the assistance of the internet, Roger Micallef, and Laurent Neveu, Estelle’s husband and a biking enthusiast.  After much research and input, David decided to buy a basic electric bike from Decathlon, a French chain of sporting-goods stores.  Laurent had a contact in the bicycle department, and volunteered to manage the process.  

Laurent obtained the bike last fall, along with fenders and a luggage rack, assembling everything in his garage workshop over the winter. Total cost, a bit over 1100euros – a pretty good deal when you can easily spend several thousand.  David has since added a rear-view mirror, a water-bottle holder, and a small pouch for a pump and tire-sealant. 

 The New Electric Bike in our Apartment

Anna and David visited the Neveus at their home in St Genis Laval shortly after our arrival in Lyon, and spent a pleasant afternoon hearing all the latest Neveu family news, before David rode the bike back to our apartment.  Since then, David has ridden around Lyon and the surrounding area several times, familiarizing himself with the bike and its features.  These features include three assist-levels and the ability to easily ride with no electrical assistance.

L'atelier de Laurent [Laurent's Workshop]

Unfortunately, Roger recently had some surgery, from which he is convalescing, but which has resulted in the cancelling of our projected week-long bike trip this year with our usual group of four.  So, David will have to be content with local excursions, including at Parc Tête D’Or, below.

David in the park