Is an e-bike cheating?

No. You still pedal and still get exercise, the motor just smooths out the hills. It mostly means you go further and have more fun.

Do I still have to pedal?

Yes. The motor assists your pedalling rather than replacing it, so you set the effort and it tops it up.

How far will the battery go?

Plenty for a day's riding on most tours, and guides plan routes around the range. It depends on the bike, terrain and how much assist you use.

No, standard e-bikes are treated like normal bikes. The operator will flag anything unusual about their bikes.

How fit do I need to be?

Less than for a normal bike. The assist means most people can manage a decent ride comfortably.

Do I need my own bike?

No. Most tours and rides provide the e-bike and a helmet.

E-biking in Madrid

Madrid surprises with adventure beyond the city — cycling, e-biking, gravel and road biking, plus hiking into the nearby sierra. Ride green corridors and country lanes, e-bike and bikepack to the mountains, and hike the Guadarrama trails. Central Spain's capital is a springboard for two-wheel and trail adventure.

An e-bike pedals like a normal bike but with a motor that quietly helps when you need it. You still pedal and you still get a ride, but the hills stop being a problem and the miles come easier. It is the great leveller of cycling.

That makes it brilliant for exploring. Longer routes, steeper country and mixed-ability groups all suddenly work, because nobody gets dropped on the climbs. It is also a gentle way back into cycling if it has been a while.

The guides on adventuro run e-bike tours and rides for all levels, bikes usually included. Ignore anyone who calls it cheating. They are just cross that they are slower.