Story: The 100 km That Got Away – A Ruffian Tale
So there I was, feeling adventurous on a fine morning, taking the Ruffian out for a “quick” spin to Koblenz and back. You know, just a casual 100 km, because what could possibly go wrong, right? The sun was shining, the air smelled like possibility (and a little like cow fields), and Savanna, my trusty Ruffian, was purring along—well, almost purring. We’ll get to that.
The Hunsrück hills were, as always, in a let’s-see-how-much-you-really-love-cycling mood. But hey, no worries. I’m a gentleman cyclist: slow, steady, enjoying the views. Halfway through, I did what any sensible rider would do when faced with a 15% hill grade—refueled at a beer garden. Hops before climbs, that’s the rule.
Refreshed, refueled, slightly more optimistic than before, I rode home. Rolled into the garage, battery down to one bar—feeling victorious. Until I looked at the odometer:
99.5 km.
That’s right. Ninety-nine point five.
Did I consider looping the village square to squeeze in that last 500 meters? Of course. Did I do it? Absolutely not. A gentleman doesn’t chase numbers. He chases vibes.
Meanwhile, mid-ride, Savanna decided to start making… noises. At first, I thought I’d picked up a small animal in my saddlebags—an adventurous squirrel maybe? But no, it was just the brakes. A little adjustment, a little TLC, and she was back to purring like the desert runner she is.
Took the Leica along too, naturally—because if you don’t document the beer, the bike, and the sweat-streaked almost-epic, did it even happen?
99.5 km. Not quite the full hundred. But hey—there’s always tomorrow. And if not, there’s always the beer garden.
The 10 Most Common E-Bike Rider Problems – and Solutions
🚴♂️ Problem 💡 Solution
1️⃣ Battery dies too soon Charge fully, know your range, and plan routes.
2️⃣ Weird noises mid-ride Regular maintenance, check brakes & screws.
3️⃣ Brakes sound like a rock gig Adjust pads, clean discs, maybe new pads.
4️⃣ Range anxiety sets in Trust your bike, but pack a charger just in case.
5️⃣ No charger = no fun Pack it! Or find a café with power + charm the staff.
6️⃣ E-bike too heavy to lift Train those arms—or bring a strong friend.
7️⃣ Surprise rain shower Always pack a rain jacket.
8️⃣ Dashboard overload Learn key functions: on, off, battery %—ignore the rest.
9️⃣ Chain squeaks like mad Lube it regularly—happy chain, happy ride.
🔟 Forget the essentials Make a checklist: keys, charger, scarf, vibes.
