Riding local, riding abroad. Doesn't matter. "One less car" bike commuting and "Bikes Belong" advocacy, plus "I ride solo" bicycle travel. Racing is fun, but there are so many equally great reasons to ride.
A few clicks short of AJ Hackett bungy bridge and my turnaround point as it was 3pm and the bike was due at 5. Turned out I got back in good time as I missed a turn onto the river route and instead rode back into Arrowtown on the shoulder and the road into town. All drivers were courteous and pulled out to pass. This is so helpful as I'm riding on the left and still adapting to looking over my right shoulder.
Apart from the occasional tight hairpins here and there the trail is very easy. If I was riding a familiar bike I'd trust myself to rely less on the brakes but on the flats it's very pleasant having the e-assist quietly trick you into thinking you're expending the full effort!
Very late start to my $135 all day rental because of bad weather and bad traffic but I stuck with it, and used my first e-assist bike. Had full suspension so bounced a lot. Never ventured beyond "eco" lowest mode but it certainly made riding up hills more doable. The trail was gravel and rutted so it was difficult for me to relax on the unfamiliar bike. But it was great to ride a little bit up towards Gibbston. Swing bridges a bonus.
