I’d just cruised uphill
on my e-bike*, a fold-up two-wheeler I’d been struggling to take seriously,
what with its little wheels, sit-up-and-beg handlebars and toddlers’ pedalling
radius. Truth is, the only thing to recommend it is the motor. Otherwise, it’s
a toy, hugely outranked by every other road or hybrid bike I’ve ever ridden. I'd
considered selling it. But on this day, I’d found a new love for my plaything.
It was my second attempt
that morning to get across Melbourne to a ten-thirty meeting. I’d aborted the
first after a three-kilometre ride up and down a valley and along a bike path
when I realised my phone was still at home on the charger. Had I been riding my
push-bike, returning to retrieve my phone would have been a sweaty struggle.
I’d have cancelled my day out.
Yet there I was,
breathing easily at the top of the hill, pleased with my little bicycle’s
power.
Signalling to move
right, I glimpsed another cyclist a couple of metres behind me. ‘You’re okay,’
he called, waving me ahead. As I waited for traffic at the intersection, he
pulled up on my left. He smiled and nodded, as if we were companions on a
Sunday jaunt.
I sensed him beside me
as I surged across the road - you can do that on an e-bike. Fun. Then we were
neck and neck, with him riding out in the middle of the quiet street. I
couldn’t seem to shake him off, so I stopped trying. He seemed harmless.
A shortish man, riding a
toy like mine, he had shaggy grey hair fraying out below his helmet.
‘You want to be careful
riding that.’ Friendly, but unsolicited counsel. ‘Stay out of the traffic,’ he
added.
My e-bike is shiny and
still has plastic film over its trip computer, suggesting perhaps an old ‘dear’
taking her first cautious solo ride. Mansplainer bait.
It seemed my accidental
chum was up for a chat so I resigned myself to it. Experience has taught me
that perceived impoliteness can incur a rebuke. I shared my reservations about
my new toy; told him I’d already considered selling it.
‘Don’t throw it on the
scrapheap yet,’ he advised. ‘You just need to get used to the smaller wheels.’
Me, thinking: I’ve got
the hang of it, mate. After more than 200 kilometres riding it, I’d had quite
enough of its inadequate manual gears and had even swapped its original
wide-arse saddle for something more comfortable.
‘I haven’t got a car any
more,’ he said. ‘I’ve just got this’. His bike was vaguely similar to mine. ‘My
doctor told me I need to get more exercise.’ He chuckled, knowing he was just
throttling along at 6 kph, not even pedalling. He trailed one foot, like those
ubiquitous delivery riders.
‘You should only ride on
the trails,’ he advised. ‘You know, the bike paths? Moonee Ponds Creek trail?
And there’s one along the Upfield train line.’ He was scanning a map in his
brain and sharing it with me.
‘Actually, I’m a
seasoned cyclist,’ I said. ‘Long time bike commuter? You know, for years I used
to ride to and from work? I’ve cycled around Melbourne for ages.’ Just making
it clear.
‘There’s the Capital
City Trail. You can mostly stay off the roads. Drivers are dangerous.’
Apparently, I can’t be too careful.
‘Yes, I’ve been riding
my whole life.’ I popped this into a brief gap in his monologue.
‘You can’t trust
drivers,’ he warned.
‘I know. I’ve been
abused and had empty cans thrown at me.’ Interesting? Evidently not. Suppose he
could have been deaf.
‘Just stick to the parks
and cycle paths and you’ll be right.’
‘I’ve cycled through
Vietnam. A hundred kay on one day, and all over France and Germany,’ I piped
in.
‘Take it easy and you’ll
soon get the hang of it.’ He was leaning over his handlebars, his left toe
skimming the ground. ‘Just start with shorter rides.’
We’d come to a
roundabout. ‘Well, I’m off to Tai Chi,’ he announced.
‘I’m off to Fitzroy
Gardens.’ We were about 9 kilometres away in West Brunswick.
‘Ooh, that’s a long
trip,’ he noted, concern in his voice.
‘Yes, it is,’ I said,
accelerating at last, incredibly glad to have that little motor to make good my
escape. ‘Byeee!’
* After heaps of
research I bought a Leitner Libelle. Including delivery and assembly at a bike
shop it cost just under $1500. Note: it isn't as easy to fold and lift as it
appears in the video on the website. Who knew?
