When my associate and I split up a yr 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 previous dwelling. A spot I knew properly and conveniently 5 hours away from Lyttelton, right here I may cover, heal, and hopefully grow to be complete once more.
Itinerant for 9 months, I bopped round from homes to Airbnb’s to flats to my father or mother’s dwelling to my automotive till my foggy thoughts began to grow to be sharp once more. Trying again now, I don’t even bear in mind a number 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 have a look at a newly constructed little one-bedroom flat out in Hāwea, a lakeside village 20 minutes from Wānaka. It was good.
So a lot of my associates 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 yr since I’ve referred to as Hāwea dwelling. And I’m loving each minute of it. I bear in mind seeing posties delivering the mail on an unusual-looking bike in New Zealand.
Once I got here throughout UBCO on-line, I made the connection. I bought my little crimson scooter a yr 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 yr from the again of my new UBCO electric motorbike. There are such a lot of epic tramps and beautiful 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 dust roads, good for exploring from the again of robust UBCO bike in New Zealand, made for off-roading. And it feels even higher realizing that it’s absolutely electrical and I’m leaving no footprints, solely mild 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 vehicles: my trusty previous 1996 Nissan Terrano and a flashy little crimson Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It wasn’t a superb 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 previous, and he was diesel, and it most likely was time to improve.
What’s wild is that these robust and unbreakable vans 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 crimson European automotive, which prices me round $175 to refill the gas tank, and I can’t take it on many of the mountain roads I like. FML. So I don’t need 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 resolution – I can cost it in a traditional 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 vehicles, SUVs, utes, vans, and light-weight vans. That’s loads.
Because the years tick by, I can’t assist however grow to be increasingly invested in specializing in tales of changemakers, folks, 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 targets 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 grow to be vital to me. I’m slowly shifting in the direction of solely working with folks with a vested curiosity in conservation and sustainability. Whereas I’m not good, I’m conscious of my footprint and make steps in the direction of residing lighter.
It’s straightforward to have 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. Nevertheless it does! I’m an enormous believer in that any steps assist; you don’t should flip your life the wrong way up. And the extra folks that take these little steps, the extra companies and policymakers should change to satisfy the demand. Simply my two cents.
New Zealand, particularly the South Island, is comparatively sparsely populated. It’s laborious to stroll to locations you go to every single day. Issues are unfold out. However Hāwea has grow to be its personal little village, good 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 may see and management a lot of the bike out of your telephone.
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 too can run diagnostics on it – which I’ve already examined out by chance. Seems I simply didn’t have the battery plugged in all the way in which – fail.
However general, I’m actually digging this new means of getting round. I like feeling like I can absolutely perceive the way it runs and benefit from it. It feels straightforward and easy, and completely manageable. At the moment, 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 skim within the sunshine sesh. And the decision is in: Lake Hāwea undoubtedly beats Lake Wānaka.
We had such a tremendous summer time, and I made some extent to swim within the lake virtually every single day, scooting right down to the seashore on my UBCO bike. If you happen to’ve been right here earlier than, then that Lake Hāwea isn’t a heat lake by any stretch of the creativeness. It’s a bit colder than Lake Wānaka, however it’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 an excellent scorching sunny day. Now that we’ve slipped into autumn and winter is shortly encroaching, I’ve grow to be a type of loopy individuals who chilly plunge (virtually) 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 replicate on some issues swirling in my head for a couple of minutes earlier than getting out and zooming dwelling. I adore it.
So a lot of my associates dwell in Hāwea, and with our little nook store, I discover myself sticking round increasingly. 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 highway authorized too. The cost lasts about six hours and tops out at 50km per hour. It’s received about 19 lugs the place you may connect gear; there are some nice equipment you may add to it. As a result of it’s so mild, you may truly pop it on a traditional bike rack in your automotive’s tow bar (examine the small print first).
As a result of it’s an epic off-road bike with the bounciest suspension (technical specs knowledgeable 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 approach to get round.
Now I’m venturing additional afield and taking part in together 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 manner. You’re 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 conventional bike. Additionally, it picks up pace a lot sooner too. Each time I zoom out of my driveway, my coronary heart beats a little bit sooner on the pleasure of it. And I really feel safer realizing that it’s not as heavy as different bikes, and I can just about drive it anyplace. With its huge rugged tires, it goes over every part.
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’re keen on adventuring on an electrical bike too? Share!
Many due to UBCO for working with me – all opinions are my very own – like you can anticipate much less from me!
