Geero d’Italia – Vacation with an e-bike

Characteristics:

• Karl W - 42 years old
• Software developer from Graz
• Karl likes: His bike and travels with it almost every day - to work, shopping and more. The only thing he wouldn't transport is an Ikea box on his bike.
• Karl doesn't like: cycling in really bad weather; When Thomas takes too many photos on vacation.

Karl, how did you and your friend Thomas decide: Let's just go to Italy on a Geero?

Karl: Thomas and I are actually hikers, we wanted to do the Dachstein tour. I just had problems with my knee. It was more of a joke when I said, let's go on a bike ride. I knew that Thomas wasn't a cyclist. But he got into it and already had a route ready: the Alpe Adria cycle path. I was worried about my knee and, just to be on the safe side, I tried cycling at home. It worked. Thomas came up with the idea of ​​renting e-bikes from Geero in exchange for us reporting about our trip. Thomas didn't even have a bike at the time.

How did loaning the Geeros go?

Karl: We borrowed the e-bikes in Graz from the Geero E-Bike Store on Kärntner Straße. We received perfect training on how the bikes work and useful tips. So to speak, the dos and don'ts with the Geero. All settings were made, including the saddle and steering, which were tailored to suit us. We were told what to do if you got a flat tire and the like.

Can you recommend the Alpe Adria cycle path for e-bike riders?

Karl: Yes, definitely. We didn't take the original route, which goes from Salzburg city to Grado, but started in Spittal an der Drau. Instead of going to Grado, we travelled to Trieste and from there took the train back to Graz. In principle, the Alpe Adria cycle path is perfect for e-bike riders. There were also a lot of people out and about. I would have said that around 80 percent were travelling on their e-bikes.

Was this your first vacation with an e-bike?

Karl: That wasn't just my first vacation with an e-bike, it was the first time I ever rode an e-bike.

So a complete newbie! Have you already gone on cycling holidays before?

Karl: Honestly, no. For me, it was always a “senior citizen’s vacation”. Probably because my father does that every now and then, i.e. going on vacation with the e-bike for two to three days.

Now that you've tried it out for yourself, do you still think the e-bike holiday is a senior cliché or have you changed your mind?

Karl: It could definitely happen again that I go on vacation with the e-bike. Even though I'm still more of a hiker than a cyclist on vacation. But there are many wonderful cycle paths, I have to say. And you could also see it on the Alpe Adria cycle path: all age groups were represented. I did not expect that. The Alpe Adria cycle path is highly recommended. Also because there are relatively few gradients. But that doesn't matter with the e-bike anyway because you can switch on the motor.

Speaking of the motor: Have you charged the battery every day?

Karl: I drove relatively long distances without any motor support because it was a lot of downhill and the Geero drives really well even without electrical support. I wouldn't have expected an e-bike to be so smooth even without support. That's why I only switched on the engine when I was going uphill for a short time. That means I didn't have to charge the battery much. If you drive with battery support all the time, you would definitely have to charge it every day, but there is a socket everywhere in the accommodation and with the Geero you can simply remove the battery and take it with you to your room. Plugged it into the socket, job done.

Because you talked about sections of the route with gradients: how did the motor perform there?

Karl: No problem. We were very well informed in the e-bike store about which inclines or speeds you should switch on which motor level. Because it is of course better for the motor and battery to drive in the intended speed range. But for the climbs we had, I had no concerns at all that the engine power wouldn't be enough. And it must also be made clear: we were riding a Geero City model, not an e-mountain bike. It is not the purpose of the Geero City model to drive over the Großglockner.

How many kilometres did you drive on average every day?

Karl: We were on the road for five days in total. The longest daily stage was almost 100 kilometres, on the other days it was an average of between 60 and 70 kilometres. We didn't rush each other particularly much. If there was a nice spot, we took a break.

And that wasn't a problem with your knee at all?

Karl: No, I didn't have an acute injury. It has developed over time and occasionally causes pain. Especially when hiking, you have a specific load going downhill that causes the most pain. When cycling, the stress is completely different. Here only the force goes to the pedal and does not have to support the entire body weight. I'm repeating myself, but: With an e-bike you also have the big advantage that you can switch on the motor.

How did you prepare for your tour?

Karl: Overall, it wasn't difficult at all. We booked accommodation in advance because we didn't know how many people would be travelling. Of course, we also checked the train connections before the trip and researched how taking bikes with you works. Everything went very smoothly. And since it was our first vacation with an e-bike or a bike at all, we got some equipment that we didn't have.

What equipment was necessary for the vacation?

Karl: For example, I didn't have a pannier bag. I also bought a new helmet and more comfortable clothing for cycling, including cycling shorts. I didn't have that because I've never been an excursion cyclist, but rather an everyday cyclist. Oh yes, we also got a holder for GPS trackers. So just little things that I haven't needed yet.

Did you also have an emergency kit with you?

Karl: Sure. Repair kit for the bike, just enough to get you to the next town if something were to happen. For example, we had an air pump with us and also a small multitool so that we could tighten a screw if something became loose. A first aid kit and bandages were of course also in the luggage.

What do you have to consider when transporting your e-bike by train?

Karl: Train transport is not expensive at all. It was four or five euros one way. The only thing to consider is how much space each train has for bicycles. Because some trains have a separate carriage just for bicycles, other trains only have one compartment in a carriage where you can hang the bicycles.

Were you able to park your Geeros safely in the Italian accommodation?

Karl: There was always a way to park the e-bike safely. There was a corresponding bike cellar or storage room for bikes almost everywhere. The local businesses have adapted to the fact that many people travel by bike and also offer appropriate options. Many also provide basic tools such as air pumps. In some areas, there was also a small bicycle repair shop next to the café, where you can get small things fixed quickly while you comfortably drink a coffee.

How did you protect the e-bikes from theft?

Karl: We also locked the Geeros in the storage rooms with a more solid lock. Just as a precautionary measure. We also always made sure that we didn't have to chain the e-bikes somewhere out on the street. At one point we had to carry our bikes up to the third floor. In an apartment in Trieste that was converted into a bed and breakfast. But with the Geero it was possible because it is relatively light for an e-bike.

Did you also find out in advance whether there is a helmet requirement in Italy, for example, or about the StVO?

Karl: For me, the question of riding without a helmet never arose. It doesn't hurt to wear one. It only hurts when you fall and don't have anyone on. I did a bit of research into what the StVO looks like and what the bike should be like. But this is pretty consistent across the EU. Geeros are equipped according to the Austrian StVO and that's why there was no problem with it in Italy.

Finally: What tips would you like to give other Geero holidaymakers?

Karl: Be sure to test in advance whether your butt can handle sitting in the saddle for a few hours a day at a time. Otherwise, you may want to upgrade to a more comfortable saddle. There is simply a difference between cycling to do the shopping twice a week and cycling 50 to 100 kilometres for a few days. Also, try out what daily output you yourself – and the e-bike battery – can comfortably achieve without overexerting yourself. A vacation is not a performance competition and you should have a little reserve for the unexpected, or simply a relaxing coffee in between. Also: check the bike yourself beforehand or have it checked. And be equipped when traveling so that you can carry out small repairs yourself if necessary. An emergency kit such as basic tools, repair kits, pumps or first aid should always be with you. A fall or a small defect on the bike can happen quickly. Also important: take as much luggage as necessary but as little luggage as possible. The less luggage you have with you, the easier it is to travel. Also, check in advance what the road traffic is like in the country you are travelling to. In Italy, for example, road traffic, especially in inner cities, works a little differently than here. Traffic lights are often only perceived as rough recommendations.