Now that the pandemic has disrupted office life and advanced the switch to hybrid working, I can cycle in a couple of times a week and forgo the car altogether. Weather permitting that is. But as beautiful as the rolling his of Warwickshire are, it’s still a good slog. So, to ease the burden slightly, and keep myself from arriving in a sweaty mess, I opted for an upgrade.
At the end of Autumn I snapped up a near brand new Cowboy 4 e-bike, just in time for winter… Maybe not the best timing I’d agree, but that’s when the bike I’d been patiently waiting for popped up on eBay. Pro tip: You can get some real bargains when the good biking weather starts to fade.
Riding through the English countryside to work has been a welcome pleasure these last few weeks. I had been riding to work on and off this past year with a good friend and colleague who lives close by, but with our differing schedules it’s rare we both get to travel together these days. It definitely takes the edge off the commute when you have the luxury of chatting along the way. Making the journey solo was a bit of a drag, and quite frankly, hard work multiple times a week ahead of a full day’s work. Those English countryside hills are a right pain in the arse… and legs, hence the e-bike upgrade.
It’s been a welcome boost, and it’s making the solo journey an enjoyable one. I love the time spent cycling through the countryside each morning, it’s good for the soul, and provides a valuable space for thought and reflection. It’s still a workout, despite the motor’s assistance, and leaves me with real satisfaction knowing I’ve done a couple of gym sessions during my commute instead of being sat behind the wheel of a car in traffic.
As a bit of a design geek, I love the Cowboy. Its minimalist construction, smart tech, and gear-less drivetrain tick all the boxes. I’ve been a bike nut since I was a boy and it was hands down my favourite possession growing up, closely followed by my beloved Sega MegaDrive. The twelve year old me would be in awe of this thing. I mean, I’m in awe of it now.
Standout Features
- Removable battery
- Dynamic pedal assist
- Built-in location tracker
- Wireless phone charging
- Integrated lights
- Silent coasting
- Cable-free design
- Apple Health integration
- Superb navigation
- Crash detection
I don’t buy a lot of things (like I said, minimalist), so when I do, I tend to think long and hard about my decisions. This was definitely a good decision and I’m glad I bought it. I’d recommend an e-bike if you’ve ever considered cycling to work but have been put off by the need for a shower and a lie down afterwards!
It’s been an uncharacteristically warm week for this time of year in the UK, so I’ve been out and about on the bike getting some miles in before the frost returns. I look forward to the spring months ahead.
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