So, remember when I said that the
e-bike was the greatest thing since sliced bread – that’s only when it works!
Let me tell you story about when it stops working.
Left the ship bright and early
this morning to get a head of the Amalfi traffic. Paula and I were cruising
along the coast taking in the view when we realized we missed a turn somewhere.
We were supposed to be headed up to Revello but instead we were seeing the sea
in front of us. OK, no biggie, we turned around and went back up about 3km to
the hairpin turn toward Revello. That is when the fun started. As soon as I
made the turn to go up, the power stopped.
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| Do you see them yet? |
After waiting quite a while,
Clement finally came riding down the cliff. He called the bike company and was
told that it was damp (probably due to the rain last night). So we took the battery
out and tried to dry the whole thing out. Success! Or so we thought. I was able
to bike a ways with the battery and then it would stop. So I was on manual
power again. This happened about 3 or 4 times until it finally quit altogether.
At that point, I suggested taking the control unit apart. Suspiciously, we found a group a wires wrapped with masking tape. We tried to dry it out but to no avail.
Now, I was alternating between manually pedaling and pushing this bike up this
5km incline. Made it to the bottom of Revello where the sidewalk started and
cried UNCLE! Locked the bike there and walked up the remaining half mile or so
unencumbered. Met up with the gang. Clement walked back down and rode my bike
up and locked it at the top of the hill.
Never got to see the town. I
bought a ticket and took a bus back down to Amalfi. I am so sorry for everyone
who had to wait a very long time. Communication was not very good. Clement
called the shop back and was told that a new bike will be at waiting our new
harbor tonight and the ship will wait for me. Before going down to Amalfi, the
bus went up to Scala. Made it back to Amalfi and back to the boat. The captain
says that the new bike is on its way!! Do I want to bike or sail? Could not
reach Clement to find out where they were so we eventually set out.
I threw on a swimsuit and relaxed
on deck. Chatted with Phyllis (who is not biking). I have to say the sail was beautiful and very
relaxing after a grueling morning. At around 4, I decided to jump in the shower
before the gang got back. As soon as I got out, Clement and Geoff and some
others were back at the ship. Captain asked me if I wanted to go riding. OK –
quickly got dressed and got on my new bike. OY!! Twice as heavy, only 3 gears
instead of the 7 I had, and very uncomfortable. I had a hard time controlling
the weight. I found I could not manually ride the bike without the battery.
This was not going to work at all. Came back to the ship and told Clement to
tell bike shop to either fix the broken bike or provide another like my original
one. Not sure what will happen. Tomorrow is a walking tour of Capri so there is
time to replace it.
We are now
docked in Cetara. The skies are looking iffy and Clement wrapped the e-bikes up
(surprise!). I’m not too sure how everyone else’s day went. I did hear some
stories of dropped chains and lost people. I guess it was that type of day. All
in all another experience!
Just a note: I have added some more photos to the Amalfi photo album
if anyone wants to view the nighttime shots. Dinner soon and then a walk into town.
CLICK HERE: TODAY'S PHOTO ALBUM REVELLO TO CETARA
Next time... Capri
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