Dwelling a bit lighter in Hawea on my electrical UBCO bike

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When my companion and I cut up up a 12 months and a half in the past, I left Lyttelton and fled straight again into Wānaka’s acquainted arms. My dwelling for years and years, it made sense to return to my outdated dwelling. A spot I knew effectively and conveniently 5 hours away from Lyttelton, right here I may disguise, heal, and hopefully change into entire once more.

Itinerant for 9 months, I bopped round from homes to Airbnb’s to flats to my guardian’s dwelling to my automotive till my foggy thoughts began to change into sharp once more. Wanting again now, I don’t even keep in mind loads of it. It was so painful. Half alive by winter, I noticed I wanted to get my shit collectively and work out the place I might dwell. Half-heartedly on the lookout for leases in Wānaka, scoffing loudly at how costly they’ve gotten, on a whim, I went to take a look at a newly constructed little one-bedroom flat out in Hāwea, a lakeside village 20 minutes from Wānaka. It was excellent.

So lots of my pals moved out right here through the years because it was extra inexpensive than Wānaka. That being stated, you’d be hard-pressed today to discover a home beneath a cool million. Sigh. I want to put in writing extra books.

And identical to like that, it’s been practically a 12 months since I’ve referred to as Hāwea dwelling. And I’m loving each minute of it. I keep in mind seeing posties delivering the mail on an unusual-looking bike in New Zealand.

After I got here throughout UBCO on-line, I made the connection. I bought my little pink scooter a 12 months earlier than; whereas I’m not fairly able to have an electrical automotive, a hardy journey bike is ideal for me.

I’ve been exploring my new yard all 12 months from the again of my new UBCO electrical bike. There are such a lot of epic tramps and gorgeous trails that I by no means checked out after I lived in Wānaka. Isn’t it humorous how that occurs? Almost 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, excellent for exploring from the again of powerful 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 gentle 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 automobiles: my trusty outdated 1996 Nissan Terrano and a flashy little pink Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It wasn’t a very good factor. I attempted to promote the Alfa however couldn’t get sufficient to repay the automotive 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 outdated, and he was diesel, and it in all probability was time to improve.

What’s wild is that these powerful and unbreakable vehicles are in scorching demand. I had it for practically eight years, put over 100,000 kilometers on it, and bought it for greater than I paid for it. Go determine.

That left me with my zippy pink European automotive, which prices me round $175 to replenish the gas tank, and I can’t take it on many of the mountain roads I like. FML. So I don’t wish to hear any complaints from my fellow Individuals about fuel costs.

For some time, I used to be planning for my subsequent automotive 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 proper 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. In truth, practically 70% of all transport CO2 emissions are from automobiles, SUVs, utes, vans, and light-weight vehicles. That’s quite a bit.

Because the years tick by, I can’t assist however change into increasingly more 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 change into necessary 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 excellent, I’m conscious of my footprint and make steps in direction of residing lighter.

It’s simple to take a look at the larger image of local weather change and really feel overwhelmed. To suppose, hmm, we’re screwed, and no matter I do gained’t make a distinction. But it surely does! I’m a giant believer in that any steps assist; you don’t need to flip your life the wrong way up. And the extra those that take these little steps, the extra companies and policymakers must change to fulfill 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 day by day. Issues are unfold out. However Hāwea has change into its personal little village, excellent for getting round on a UBCO bike in New Zealand. Even to Wānaka.

One thing that I like, particularly as somebody who is aware of zero about troubleshooting a motorcycle, is that there’s an UBCO app the place you possibly can 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 ability and motor temp, replace the bike, and even arrange issues like regenerative braking. You may also run diagnostics on it – which I’ve already examined out accidentally. Seems I simply didn’t have the battery plugged in all the way in which – fail.

However total, I’m actually digging this new means of getting round. I like feeling like I can totally perceive the way it runs and benefit 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 like!

Almost each afternoon this summer time, I took her on a spin right down to the lake for my day by day swim and browse within the sunshine sesh. And the decision is in: Lake Hāwea positively beats Lake Wānaka.

We had such an incredible summer time, and I made some extent to swim within the lake nearly day by day, scooting right down to the seashore on my UBCO bike. For those who’ve been right here earlier than, then you recognize that Lake Hāwea just isn’t 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 immediately. It seems to be just like the Caribbean however looks 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 shortly encroaching, I’ve change into a type of loopy individuals who chilly plunge (nearly) day by day. As soon as summer time ends, so does the winds, and now we have 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 seashore on my bike.

It’s so stunning, but in addition it’s so chilly. Sitting between 9°C and 10°C (48-50°F), she’s contemporary. 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 dwelling. I adore it.

So lots of my pals dwell in Hāwea, and with our little nook store, I discover myself sticking round increasingly more. Forgetting my automotive 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 bought about 19 lugs the place you possibly can connect gear; there are some nice equipment you possibly can add to it. As a result of it’s so gentle, you possibly can really pop it on a standard bike rack in your automotive’s tow bar (test 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 strategy to get round.

Now I’m venturing additional afield and taking part in along 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 fashion. 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 a bit 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 every little thing.

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!