Wrangell, Alaska – Curiously, you can now rent electric bikes all over Southeast Alaska. They seem to be much more widely available than regular non-electric bikes. At first I thought this was an accommodation for lazy cruise ship travelers (I know, the prejudice is real). But a friend was telling me he took a trip to super remote Adak Island at the western end of the Aleutian chain. Believe it or not, he rented an e-bike to explore the island (population 326). I’m pretty sure Adak Island is not part of the cruise ship circuit. Anyway, here I am in Wrangell–a tiny town on a wild island–with no public transportation and no taxis. But there are electric bikes for rent! So I decided to go exploring by e-bike and see if they live up to the hype.
I rented a Rad Runner 2 e-bike from Breakaway Adventures (same outfit that took us to see the bears at Anan Creek when we were here three years ago). The description promised a range of 45 miles and speeds up to 20 mph. It’s a pedal-assist bike, so you must pedal to get power from the bike. The amount of power depends on the level of assistance you select (zero/low/medium/high). There is also a throttle on the handlebar for a quick non-pedaling power boost to climb a hill or pass somebody.
As an avid cyclist, it was easy for me to get comfortable on the e-bike. I rode out to Rainbow Falls trail–and then a bit further–for a total of 24 miles round-trip. It was a hilly route, but the e-bike zipped up and down the slopes, no effort required. I admit, it was pretty fun to whiz around the island, enjoying cool breezes and stunning scenery, without getting out of breath. Not to mention, once I left town, there were barely any cars on the road–it was just me and my bike.
On the other hand, the e-bike is extremely heavy and not particularly aerodynamic. It seems like some level of power assist is pretty much required, even on flat ground. This is not technically true: you can ride the bike with no power assist. But it is unwieldy. For me, it felt impossible to increase speed or climb a hill just by pumping harder. So I used the throttle or increased the power level: that’s what they’re there for! As a result, I never felt like I exerted much effort. My legs did get tired by the end of the ride, but I never felt short of breath or noticed my heart racing.
And this–I believe–is part of the appeal of an e-bike. As one e-bike reviewer noted, “They do kind of take the ‘suckiness’ out of biking, don’t they?”
I get that. And yet… I like standing up in my pedals to climb a hill, and feeling my heart thump as I reach the summit. And I like coasting down the other side, feeling the wind in my face and letting my body take a break. For me, this is part of the thrill of cycling. And let’s be honest: nothing stimulates the release of endorphins like good old-fashioned cardiovascular exercise. I enjoyed exploring by e-bike in Wrangell, but I’m not going to give up my road bike anytime soon.