The ebike is becoming increasingly popular as a commuter vehicle, overcoming some of Tasmania’s more challenging urban terrain and encouraging more people to ride.
And multi-day rides have been the preserve of the fit traditionalist – but that’s changing, too.
A four-day ebike epic will be held in November, taking riders from Hobart to Devonport via the East Coast.
It’s been designed to coincide with the National Electric Vehicle Festival to be held in Devonport from November 9 to 11.
The ride from November 5 to 8 is being organised by long-time bike rider Jack Gilding, who bought his first ebike 18 months ago to tackle the steep uphill climb to his Hobart home.
He is a member of the Electric Vehicle Association, which runs the national festival, and does research into electric vehicle policy.
Jack has tested the capacity of his ebike to tackle the distances involved with a ride to Nubeena and back on the Tasman Peninsular and to New Norfolk and back in the Derwent Valley.
The biggest challenge will be the capability of bikes to go the distance. However, the ride will be accompanied by an electric vehicle capable of re-charging bikes.
Jack has expressions of interest from more than 10 riders and expects a final field of up to 20 riders.
The 390-kilometre ride will take riders up the East Coast, then across to the Midland Highway via the Lake Leake Highway, and on to Devonport via Hadspen and Deloraine.