Every now and then, an epic Gazelle rider comes along. Don is one of those riders. After getting his first Gazelle in 2020, he’s racked up over 11,000 miles on his bike across two countries. Learn about his journey below…we dare you not to be inspired to get out and ride!
What is your city and state of residence?
I live in Creston, BC, Canada, but during the winter months I live in Apache Junction, AZ.
How long have you had your Gazelle?
I’ve had the Ultimate T10 since October 2020, as I wanted to exercise more during the Covid year. I researched what were the best ebikes for quality and performance and Gazelle was rated one of the top 4 in the world. eBikes were in short supply during Covid, but Tony Sun of Reckless Shipyard eBikes in North Vancouver had a supply. I drove down to North Vancouver, an 8 hour drive(!), and Tony supplied me with the perfect bike…no regrets since.
How long have you been riding and is this your first ebike?
This was my first ebike. I had other standard bikes but living on a hill, I would seldom ride. Going downhill was fun, coming uphill after a workout…not much fun.
What was your motivation or rationale to get an ebike and what were the most important factors in your consideration or selection process?
Living in a hilly environment was a major factor to purchase an ebike; riding up hills in the summer heat was no fun. I selected the Gazelle brand as it was highly rated and the Ultimate T10 model had rave reviews. I wanted something built well and comfortable. Tony Sun spent over an hour with me, choosing the correct size a bike and making minor adjustments to ensure I had a smooth, comfortable bike to ride.
How has owning a Gazelle changed your life or your habits?
Before I seldom ever rode, now I ride a minimum of 10 miles a day every day. It is surprising how many people you meet riding around communities, what you see which you wouldn’t notice in a car.
What is the primary use of the bike, fun, fitness, transportation, or a combination?
Primary reason I ride is for fitness, fun and adventures. I use the bike for running down to the grocery store or going to the coffee shop.
What’s the longest, most challenging, or most memorable ride you have completed on your Gazelle?
In 2024, I did a bike/barge tour from Brugge, Belgium to Amsterdam for 8 days, a once in a lifetime trip. Also, the first winter I had my Gazelle, I travelled all over Victoria, BC along a network of bike trails, starting from the provincial legislation building out into the country.
Tell us a bit more about your split life between BC and Arizona. Where do you prefer to ride and why?
I make a point of staying off any busy roads. My main riding happens on bike trails or through quiet subdivisions. In the summer in BC, I ride through the farm community & orchards where there is little traffic but beautiful scenery. In the winter here in AZ, I will transport the bike to various communities and ride off road trails in Tempe or Fountain Hills.
What is your dream location to ride with your Gazelle in 2025?
In late 2025 or 2026, we want to do another bike/barge tour through Portugal or Croatia.
Do you have any advice for someone considering getting their first ebike?
First, stay away from the cheap ebikes made in China; I have found they are not comfortable and battery safety can be an issue. Buy a quality product and get it from a dealer. Test ride several models of bikes to find the right fit. I rode 4 different Gazelles when I purchased my second Gazelle from Tony this past summer (Ultimate C380 with a belt drive, which I leave in Canada). Sizing is so important; if you have an uncomfortable bike, you will not want to ride it.
Visibility is so important as well, have a good front and rear light, wear high visibility clothing as drivers don’t necessarily see you on a bike even though you are in plain sight. I believe one of the most important safety items for your bike is a mirror. You need to know what is coming up behind you, a car or another bike.
Anything else you would like to share?
I went for a tour of the Gazelle factory southwest of Amsterdam…wow, what an experience! I learned a lot about the manufacturing and assembly of Gazelle bikes. Stay safe, be aware of your surroundings when riding, and most importantly, enjoy!
