Dutch We crawl slowly out of our sleeping bags as the early morning sun hesitantly spreads its first rays over the mountain peaks around us. The grass is still wet with dew and the air is chilly, but the unmistakeable smell of summer is in the air. We have a long day ahead of us – a good 600 metres of ascent before we can start today‘s project. It‘s great to have a helping hand from our e-bikes. Which means we‘ve definitely still got time for a coffee beforehand...
Their acrobatics on the rock face aside, climbers are actually a pretty lazy bunch – and we‘re no exception. Those long forest treks to the start are our definitive Achilles heel. They cost motivation, strength and time on even the most tempting of tours. And time is often crucial if you don‘t want to be still halfway up the route when night starts to fall. Not only do e-bikes turn even remote destinations into day trips or one-night stays, they‘re sustainable and unbelievably practical.
Although climbing itself is a sport for minimalists, the equipment is anything but light. Ropes, quickdraws, chocks, slings, harness and shoes – plus potentially a tent and camping equipment. That‘s several kilos of equipment that would normally have to be carried to the start. No problem with the e-bike! And the best bit: There‘s the added element of fun getting to ride the e-bike along what used to be a long trek back down the valley.
