CYCLING with less effort appeals to all ages and a steady flow of people spent some time talking electric bikes at a Demo Day at The Bike Shed on Union Road, Crediton on Saturday, June 17. 

A good barbecue helped, also a number of bikes on display plus the team from Specialized with Adam White, turbo event co-ordinator for the UK, based in Surrey. 

Mike Sanders of The Bike Shed said he had run a number of well supported electric bike days at their Barnstaple premises. Saturday’s display in the forecourt of the Crediton shop showed just a few of the electric bikes available through The Bike Shed. 

Mike commented: “With an electric bike there is a pay back on the effort you put in. Certainly, you could get up to 100 miles effortlessly before having to charge it again.”

Also there was Kath Bowen who runs courses in Crediton for beginners or those returning to cycling. 

The next ride for beginners is on June 29, meeting at 10am at the town square. She had enthused some members of the local U3A group when she gave a talk. 

Mike added: “These bikes put a smile back on people’s faces.”

That was certainly the case with a 12-years old boy who had taken a bike for a test run to Morrisons and back.

He has cycled pretty much all his life.

He said the test ride was “a lot of fun, particularly on the way back, flying up the hill.” 

A woman who has been cycling for years and who lives up a hill said it was amazing. “It makes you smile, whoof and you are off! It makes me feel I could get to Exeter and back - if we had a cycle route. 

“Most bikes come with lights and so it opens up possibilities when our car dies, which it will one day,” she added. 

Mike explained that an electric bike can be charged at home on the ordinary household sockets. “Yes, they are heavier than a non-electric bike but the extra oomph it gives you more than compensates.

“It means if you switch to full assistance you can go up a hill without even breaking into a sweat,” he added. “If you have a heavy shopping bag for instance, it would make a load of difference.”

He pointed out that people can cycle to work and arrive no longer in “a sweaty mess” but you must always wear a helmet.