When my accomplice and I cut up up a yr and a half in the past, I left Lyttelton and fled straight again into Wānaka’s acquainted arms. My residence for years and years, it made sense to return to my previous residence. A spot I knew properly and conveniently 5 hours away from Lyttelton, right here I may conceal, heal, and hopefully develop into entire once more.
Itinerant for 9 months, I bopped round from homes to Airbnb’s to flats to my dad or mum’s residence to my automobile till my foggy thoughts began to develop into sharp once more. Wanting again now, I don’t even bear in mind loads of it. It was so painful. Half alive by winter, I spotted I wanted to get my shit collectively and determine the place I’d stay. Half-heartedly searching for leases in Wānaka, scoffing loudly at how costly they’ve gotten, on a whim, I went to have a look at a newly constructed little one-bedroom flat out in Hāwea, a lakeside village 20 minutes from Wānaka. It was good.
So a lot of my pals moved out right here over time because it was extra reasonably priced than Wānaka. That being stated, you’d be hard-pressed as of late to discover a home beneath a cool million. Sigh. I want to jot down extra books.
And identical to like that, it’s been almost a yr since I’ve referred to as Hāwea residence. And I’m loving each minute of it. I bear in mind seeing posties delivering the mail on an unusual-looking bike in New Zealand.
Once I got here throughout UBCO on-line, I made the connection. I offered my little pink scooter a yr earlier than; whereas I’m not fairly able to have an electrical automobile, a hardy journey bike is ideal for me.
I’ve been exploring my new yard all yr from the again of my new UBCO electrical bike. There are such a lot of epic tramps and beautiful trails that I by no means checked out after I lived in Wānaka. Isn’t it humorous how that occurs? Practically ten years right here, and I barely scratched the floor.
Round right here, most of the tracks and funky spots are down dusty filth roads, good for exploring from the again of robust UBCO bike in New Zealand, made for off-roading. And it feels even higher figuring out that it’s totally electrical and I’m leaving no footprints, solely mild tire tracks.
It’s a little bit of a protracted and convoluted story, however after my cut up, I ended up with each of our vehicles: my trusty previous 1996 Nissan Terrano and a flashy little pink Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It wasn’t an excellent factor. I attempted to promote the Alfa however couldn’t get sufficient to repay the automobile mortgage, so I ended up promoting the truck that I had for years and years. It was heartbreaking! I beloved Ron! (he was burgundy coloured, get it?) However he was getting previous, and he was diesel, and it in all probability was time to improve.
What’s wild is that these robust and unbreakable vehicles are in scorching demand. I had it for almost eight years, put over 100,000 kilometers on it, and offered it for greater than I paid for it. Go determine.
That left me with my zippy pink European automobile, which prices me round $175 to refill the gas tank, and I can’t take it on many of the mountain roads I really like. FML. So I don’t wish to hear any complaints from my fellow People about fuel costs.
For some time, I used to be planning for my subsequent automobile to be electrical, although how my flat works, I’m undecided how I may set up a charger for it. However UBCO seems to be the right answer – I can cost it in a standard wall plug.
Transport emissions are the fastest-growing supply of greenhouse fuel emissions in New Zealand and account for 20% of all of the emissions we produce. Actually, almost 70% of all transport CO2 emissions are from vehicles, SUVs, utes, vans, and light-weight vehicles. That’s lots.
Because the years tick by, I can’t assist however develop into increasingly invested in specializing in tales of changemakers, individuals, and companies doing good. Homegrown on excessive nation farms, UBCO was based in New Zealand on the premise of a rugged all-wheel-drive electrical utility bike. Their sustainability initiatives and objectives align with mine.
No gas, no noise, no clutch, no gears, and no emissions. And it will get 120km per cost. I imply, come on, how nice is that?
Now working between the US and NZ, UBCO is rather like me.
Sustainability has develop into vital to me. I’m slowly shifting in direction of solely working with individuals with a vested curiosity in conservation and sustainability. Whereas I’m not good, I’m conscious of my footprint and make steps in direction of residing lighter.
It’s simple to have a look at the larger image of local weather change and really feel overwhelmed. To assume, hmm, we’re screwed, and no matter I do received’t make a distinction. However it does! I’m a giant believer in that any steps assist; you don’t should flip your life the other way up. And the extra people who take these little steps, the extra companies and policymakers must change to satisfy the demand. Simply my two cents.
New Zealand, particularly the South Island, is comparatively sparsely populated. It’s onerous to stroll to locations you go to each day. Issues are unfold out. However Hāwea has develop into its personal little village, good for getting round on a UBCO bike in New Zealand. Even to Wānaka.
One thing that I really like, particularly as somebody who is aware of zero about troubleshooting a motorcycle, is that there’s an UBCO app the place you’ll be able to see and management a lot of the bike out of your cellphone.
Syncing my 2×2 UBCO bike with the app means I can monitor the facility and motor temp, replace the bike, and even arrange issues like regenerative braking. You can too run diagnostics on it – which I’ve already examined out by chance. Seems I simply didn’t have the battery plugged in all the best way – fail.
However general, I’m actually digging this new approach of getting round. I really like feeling like I can totally perceive the way it runs and profit from it. It feels simple and easy, and completely manageable. Nowadays, in a busy, fast-paced world, this can be a huge assist in letting me step away from the stress and again into the adventures that I really like!
Practically each afternoon this summer season, I took her on a spin right down to the lake for my every day swim and browse within the sunshine sesh. And the decision is in: Lake Hāwea undoubtedly beats Lake Wānaka.
We had such a tremendous summer season, and I made some extent to swim within the lake nearly each day, scooting right down to the seaside on my UBCO bike. In case you’ve been right here earlier than, then you realize that Lake Hāwea will not be a heat lake by any stretch of the creativeness. It’s a bit colder than Lake Wānaka, but it surely’s crystal clear with gray pebbles and turns into deep right away. It appears just like the Caribbean however seems like Alaska.
When you recover from the preliminary shock, it feels nice, particularly on a brilliant scorching sunny day. Now that we’ve slipped into autumn and winter is rapidly encroaching, I’ve develop into a type of loopy individuals who chilly plunge (nearly) every day. As soon as summer season ends, so does the winds, and we’ve got many extra calm and nonetheless days the place the lake is glassy with out even a ripple. It’s stunning to whip on right down to the seaside on my bike.
It’s so stunning, but additionally it’s so chilly. Sitting between 9°C and 10°C (48-50°F), she’s recent. As soon as I recover from the preliminary shock and my ankle bones cease feeling like they’re shattering, it’s fairly nice. I meditate and mirror on some issues swirling in my head for a couple of minutes earlier than getting out and zooming residence. I like it.
So a lot of my pals stay in Hāwea, and with our little nook store, I discover myself sticking round increasingly. Forgetting my automobile and its painful gas utilization, now I bop round on my electrical UBCO bike in New Zealand.
With a 120km cost vary, it goes and goes – and it’s street authorized too. The cost lasts about six hours and tops out at 50km per hour. It’s obtained about 19 lugs the place you’ll be able to connect gear; there are some nice equipment you’ll be able to add to it. As a result of it’s so mild, you’ll be able to really pop it on a standard bike rack in your automobile’s tow bar (verify the main points first).
As a result of it’s an epic off-road bike with the bounciest suspension (technical specs skilled proper right here), I’ve been exploring the entire again roads, pathways, and the occasional I-wonder-if-it-can-ride-over-this spot, and I haven’t crashed it but! Such a fab and enjoyable solution to get round.
Now I’m venturing additional afield and enjoying together with her off-road too. I’m excited I lastly have wheels that go off-road once more.
There’s one thing so liberating about getting round within the open air this manner. You are feeling extra alive. I can simply say that this UBCO bike in New Zealand has been an actual game-changer for me.
It’s so bizarre and enjoyable to show it on; it makes no sound. It doesn’t rev like a standard bike. Additionally, it picks up velocity a lot quicker too. Each time I zoom out of my driveway, my coronary heart beats just a little quicker on the pleasure of it. And I really feel safer figuring out that it’s not as heavy as different bikes, and I can just about drive it wherever. With its huge rugged tires, it goes over all the pieces.
Now I’m planning on how I can use my bike to get out deeper within the wild right here. The place ought to I take her subsequent?
Have you ever heard of the UBCO bike in New Zealand? Would you like adventuring on an electrical bike too? Share!
Many because of UBCO for working with me – all opinions are my very own – like you might anticipate much less from me!