Two Cycling Tales - One Electric Bike

The mere thought of bicycles gives me flashbacks of so many moments in my childhood.

I grew up in a block of flats apartment in Lagos, in that one compound there were 7 different blocks. That totaled to about 56 apartments in the compound, and most tenants were families just like us so it’s safe to say there were a lot of children around.

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Growing up I and my siblings each individually owned our own bicycles – it was kind of a huge deal back then. I think we were the only ones that had bicycles. Our parents only allowed us to ride the bicycles after we got back from school, did our home works and attended “Block Rosary”.

Thankfully there was more than enough room in the compound to safely ride the bikes. So what we would do was, after saying our rosary prayers I would ask one of my mates to help me bring down the bicycle – we lived at the topmost floor.

After that we would all take numbers then ride round the block one by one. Of course the person that helped me bring it down would have extra rounds with it. I remember whenever I rode; I always managed to hit parked cars. I have multiple scars on my elbows to testify to it.

Sometimes we would even do races around the block. Remembering the pure joy and fulfillment that used to envelope me in those moments is just amazing. I wish I could back to the time when that was my only worry.

My own bicycle was royal blue in color, with very strong tires. Every couple of weeks, my siblings and I would roll the bikes down to the vulcanizer man that was set up across the street, to put some air into the tires. That was about it for maintenance.

My Cousin’s Electric Bike

Months ago I travelled across cities to pay my aunt and cousins a visit. It was in between the school session so I’d say it was a well deserved personal short break. I stayed for a couple of days and in that time; I found out that my cousin had gotten himself an electric bike. Cool right?

For those that don’t know – I didn’t – an electric bike, or e-bike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric bike motor to assist you when you’re pedaling. The motor will get its power from a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike.
To classify as an e-bike, the motor has to help you rather than propel you on its own. As a result, you need to pedal to get that assistance. How much power the motor delivers is regulated based on how hard you are pedaling and the level of support you have selected._Source

Seven years ago was the last time I ever rode a normal bike, talk more of an electric one. I mean it was my first time seeing it in the first place. But for old times sake, my cousins and I decided to take turns with it.

They took a couple of videos of me trying it out and it is quite embarrassing 😅😅. I honestly didn’t plan to share it in the first place but why not. You only live once right 😅. Enjoy the short clip of me figuring out an electric bicycle.