No — and this is the most common misconception worth addressing directly.

An e-bike provides pedal assistance — it amplifies your effort in response to your pedalling. When you stop pedalling, the motor stops. The assistance level is adjustable, so you control how much support you receive at any point.

You still ride every kilometre. The difference is what you can do with the energy you save.

E-bikes work well for a wide range of cyclists:

• Couples and groups where activity levels differ — the gap closes entirely

• First-time touring cyclists who want the experience without fitness anxiety

• Experienced cyclists tackling demanding destinations back-to-back

• Anyone whose priority is the destination rather than the physical performance

• Cyclists recovering from injury who want to stay active without overexertion

The one rider an e-bike doesn't suit: someone who specifically wants the challenge of climbing under their own power. For everyone else it is worth serious consideration.

Most e-bikes in our fleet offer a range of 80–120 km per charge — sufficient for every stage across our portfolio.

Range varies depending on:

• Assistance level used — higher assistance drains the battery faster

• Terrain — sustained mountain climbing uses more battery than flat riding

• Rider weight and speed

Batteries charge overnight at your accommodation on every tour. Our pre-departure notes flag any stages where battery management is worth planning for in advance.

E-bikes offer multiple assistance levels — typically eco, trail, sport and turbo. You switch between them using a handlebar-mounted controller.

On a flat road most riders use eco or trail mode, preserving battery and still getting a noticeable boost. On a long climb sport or turbo mode provides significant assistance without stopping the effort feeling earned. The transition between levels is smooth and immediate.

After a day's riding most cyclists report that the e-bike felt natural within the first hour — the technology is intuitive enough that it stops feeling like technology.

On the vast majority of tours — yes. Most destinations and routes in our portfolio offer e-bike rental as standard.

For tours where e-bikes are not currently listed as an option, it is worth asking before ruling it out. Send us a request and we will check availability with our local partners. The earlier you ask, the more likely we can accommodate it.

Get in touch before booking and we will confirm e-bike availability for your chosen tour and destination.

Want to consider other bikes and destinations? See our entire tour list.

The fleets of our partners feature current-model e-bikes from leading manufacturers, maintained and matched to each tour before you arrive.

• For most road-focused tours: Mallorca, Tenerife, the Dolomites — you will ride a road or hybrid e-bike.

• For mixed-surface tours: Scotland, Romania, Slovenia — a gravel e-bike is the stronger choice.

Yes — consistently confirmed by research and by the experience of our cyclists.

You still pedal every kilometre. The assistance reduces peak exertion on climbs rather than eliminating effort altogether. Most e-bike riders on tour report:

• Higher daily distances than they would manage on a standard bike

• Less recovery time needed between stages

• More energy available for sightseeing, dining and enjoying the destination

The physical benefit is real — just distributed differently across the day.

Yes — and if your own e-bike suits the terrain of your chosen tour, it is often the best option. Let us know in advance and we will ensure the logistics account for it.

Two practical considerations:

1. confirm your battery is permitted on your airline before travelling, as regulations vary.

2. check that your battery capacity suits the longest stage on your tour.

Our pre-departure notes cover both in detail.