Getting around in Hossegor: Cycling
Charlie rents an e-bike
Hossegor itself is not a big city, but it stretches quite a bit and distances can get quite long between one place and the next. Charlie was staying at Carwyn’s Surfhouse which is in Seignosse, one town over. Carwyn usually offers rides, but Charlie wanted some more independence. Taxis aren’t really a thing down there. They often don’t even answer the phone.
Charlie cycled down to the beach for the first day of the surf competition. Carwyn always had a bike you could borrow. It was 7 kilometres, there were a few hills to cycle up and down and she had heavy camera equipment in her backpack. There are good cycling routes (called “voie verte”) almost everywhere, but it still wasn’t a pleasant journey. On her way back towards the surfhouse another cyclist took over and he was riding an e-bike. That was the idea!
Les Vélos de Pilou
Back at the surf house, Charlie checked if there were any bike rentals nearby where she could get an e-bike. There was one within walking distance from Carwyn’s Surfhouse. If not, he would have certainly given her a lift too, but that was good. The bike shop Les Vélos de Pilou was in the centre of Seignosse and very easy to find. The man in the shop was friendly and explained everything in detail: How to switch it on and off, how to charge the battery, how to use the light etc. He also offered a basket for an additional Euro per day, and a bike lock was included. Charlie speaks French, so language was not a problem, but she is sure that he could have helped in English too.
These are the rates for an e-bike hire (as of October 2021):
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| Half day | € 22.00 |
| 1 day | € 28.00 |
| 2 days | € 57.00 |
| 3 days | € 72.00 |
| 5 days | € 97.00 |
| 14 days | € 179.00 |
Charlie was sorted for the week. The ride down to the beach would no longer feel like a chore.
Riding an electric bike
It is not that different from a standard bike, but there are a few things to get used to. The bike is essentially multiplying your effort. You still must pedal, but it always adds a bit more power. The electric bike that Charlie had had 5 levels. The higher the level the more power the bike would add. In addition, it had 3 gears that worked in the same way as on a standard bike.
What you need to get used to is the power that the bike adds at the different levels and the different gears. Especially when you slow down at a crossing or turn, you want to lower the level to not get too much speed as you start pedaling again. You can get the same effect in a higher level by applying less power through the pedals. If you are not used to it there’s a risk of getting too much speed at turns or roundabouts and you’ll start flying. (Please don’t try it!)
The bike is not a substitute for your own efforts, it merely adds to it. It’s not a motorbike. If you stop pedaling, you will notice immediately that the bike slows down. It almost feels as if the e-bike is teaching you a lesson: If you stop, the bike stops. On the other hand, it quickly goes a bit faster than your normal bike. By pedaling comfortably, Charlie cycled on average at 25km/h. You can get the same speed on a normal bike, but it would take a lot more effort. A helmet is strongly recommended, and you should take some time to get used to the added power before you go out in traffic. And of course, make sure the bike is charged. You can charge it just like you charge your laptop by plugging it into a power socket.
Cycling around Hossegor
There are plenty of cycling routes in the area around Hossegor. They’re called “voie verte” in French, the green lane. That’s because they are green. They are also equipped with traffic signs and well well-maintained. Car drivers are very friendly and often give priority to cyclists. The only thing that is a bit tricky is finding the right way. The roads around Hossegor are very confusing as they all look the same and a wrong exit at a roundabout can get you quickly to the opposite side of where you wanted to go. Google Maps mostly works (apart from a few areas without signal), but it doesn’t know about the cycling routes. If you stick to Google Maps, it will take you down the same route as the cars. Better keep that in mind.
Charlie really enjoyed her cycling experience between Seignosse and Hossegor and felt a bit nostalgic when she returned the bike at the end of the week. Cycling on her standard bike in London will never feel the same again!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to charge an e-bike?
Yes, you need to charge the battery of the e-bike. It works in a similar way to how you charge your laptop. Simply plug it into a power socket.
Can you ride an e-bike if the battery is empty?
You can still ride the electric bike with an empty battery, but it will be harder to pedal. The battery makes the bike a bit heavier than a normal bike.
Is it difficult to ride an e-bike?
It is not difficult, but it takes a bit of getting used to it. The bike adds power to your pedaling, and it speeds up a bit more than a standard bike.
How long does the battery of an e-bike last?
That depends on the model and the way you ride. Charlie rode 14 kilometres on it every day and had to charge it only once in 9 days. You can easily see how much power you got left on the display.
