Let’s try something new

A new ride – what can it be?

You may have noticed my cycling for 2025 has been quiet and local. There are a few reasons for that, one being we own a car that has been giving trouble. Mostly it starts but sometimes it doesn’t. If it starts it is prone to throwing error messages mostly advising the HV traction battery has been disconnected, repair immediately and, having informed us of impending doom, chugs on with reduced power and a speed limit of 90 kph. At this point if you switch the car off it will not restart until the next day!

Such are the trials of driving a 3 year old hybrid.

After several months and two rounds of problem diagnosis, the MG dealer service department in Launceston and MG Australia reckon they can fix the problem on Thursday. We wait with bated breath and much anticipation.

That is one problem.

The second is related. I rely on the trailer to carry the trike to distance parts for exploratory riding. This is rather unsatisfactory as leaving the parked car plus trailer while riding is a bit worrying. “Will there be a trailer still attached on my return?”; “Will the car start?” and “Will the car throw a hissy fit on the way home?”. If the car was to stop completely and need towing (it’s done this twice) I doubt if MG Assist would deal with the trailer loaded with trike – so I have kept things simple and local.

I have also been thinking about the enjoyment of Sunday riding with groups like the NW Riders and the southern Bicycle Tasmania group. Riding with a bunch of two wheelers is a bit difficult when on a recumbent touring trike. We tend to go at different speeds and having a casual chat as we cycle along is a tricky, neck craning experience. So it got me to thinking about a 2 wheel e-bike.

Advantage : an e-bike could be carried within the car (no trailer required) making parking the car while on the ride both easier and more secure. The possibility of the car being repaired brought all this to the fore.

What would I need in an e-bike? What were the issues that led me to recumbent riding in the first place? Well, it was the increasing effect of arthritis. For an e-bike I would like / need suspension, a step-through design, an upright riding position, a light gearshift action and a bike strong enough to use on (tame) dirt roads.

So I went looking in the local bike shops, searched for internet advice, YouTubed and then found what looks like a suitable bike on Gumtree. It’s a 3 year old New Zealand made Smartmotion E-City.

The E-City looked like it would do the job – and was available in Launceston. So we went and looked, I rode, haggled, agreed a price and it came to Longford last weekend.

The immediate task was to position the handlebars to allow a very upright riding position. This was in order to take most if not all weight off my hands and wrists. That done, several short rides were taken to double check the bar setting and find out what else needed to be done in the ‘bike fit to Tony’ department. In short all that was needed was to get the seat to the right height and then check that the bike worked correctly. All done by ride 3.

Rides 4 and 5 added more distance during which I found the saddle to be a wonder. It has a suspension seat post and even with most of my weight bearing down on it, the thing does not cause problems with the backside. Gradually the mysteries of the way the motor / battery supply pedal assist power are becoming clear and the bike does fit in the car. All good.

I am now hopeful of getting out and about on some interesting rides as the year goes on.

’til next time ……………….