How often do you find yourself blasting up the mountain in turbo mode, lost in yourthoughts? How frequently does your smartwatch buzz in the middle of the night, during meetings and conversations? How many notifications are stacking up on your smartphone display?
No doubt, we love our eMTBs, tech gadgets, and automated helpers that aim to simplify daily life. They’re extremely practical, seemingly freeing us from tedious tasks. But does this practicality genuinely make us happier? Does it truly contribute to our quality of life, or could it even be detrimental?
Consider the fate of Buck, the pampered house dog in Jack London’s novel, who is torn from his comfortable Californian life and forced into the harsh Alaskan wilderness as a sled dog. It’s precisely this drastic change that brings him back to life. Real life. Under extreme conditions, Buck has to relearn survival, and reconnect with his natural instinct. As he adapts to the challenges of his new life, the “call of the wild” grows stronger within him, bringing his life-force back. If you’re intrigued, we recommend reading London’s Call of the Wild.
The latest issue is available now in our free magazine app. If you haven’t installed our app yet, now’s your chance to download it for free in the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or in the Play Store (Android smartphones & tablets).
Technology can simplify life but can also complicate the experience of truly living. Aged 65, Werner (right)– the father of our art director Julian Lemme (left)– realized this too, and swapped his eMTB for a conventional mountain bike. Why? He tells his story best himself in our feature!
Do we really need all of this? The latest tech and the hottest bikes? Or are we at risk of ending up in a seemingly perfect life– totally taken care of by technology and consumption– as in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World?
For those who know us, it’s pretty obvious: we love the latest gadgets, enjoy testing them out, and integrating them into our daily lives. But with caution: the moment it becomes compulsive, and we lose sight of the real-life “forest” because of all the functions, it’s time to disconnect or even switch off. With tech gadgets and new, practical technologies, it’s like AI: the potential is huge– but so are the risks. Those who can use them mindfully, drawing boundaries so they don’t constantly interrupt, distract, or make us lazy, stand to gain a lot. If not, maybe it’s time to rethink your tech/life balance.
It’s definitely tempting to get a gadget for every scenario. But a well-deserved beer, like most heroic stories, often requires one thing above all: challenges. Aren’t mastered efforts, solved problems, thrills, and excitement essential– if not the essence– of life, especially for mountain bikers?
Who doesn’t dream of standing atop a peak at sunrise, sipping a perfectly brewed espresso surrounded by nature? We did it, though the sun didn’t quite come out, and the espresso wasn’t exactly hot. Yet, every second of the ride, the preparation, and the view was worth it. In our sister magazine DOWNTOWN, we aim to find the recipe for the best and most exciting everyday life. And for most of us, coffee is certainly part of that. We’ve prepared a big special feature packed with surprises, technological dreams, and insights that we’re continuously expanding. Just like e-mountainbiking, it’s a blend of indulgence and adventure– whether before or after the ride or as a crowning “summit espresso” at the destination, as you’ll read in this issue!
And now, the highlight of this issue: we’ve expanded our extensive motor comparison test to include the latest e-bike motors on the market, uncovering some surprising, industry-shaping insights. We even developed two mathematical formulas to determine whether you’ll end up with a fantastic eMTB or a lemon! Don’t miss it– this motor comparison test is packed with power and is genuinely exciting. The motor segment is in a disruptive transformation, and 2025 is shaping up to be a showdown among the top players!
The call of the wild is within each of us– we just need to rediscover it. Whether in turbo or eco mode, with the right tech/life balance, you can hear it again. And at some point, you’ll realize your instincts tell you everything– even without health notifications on your smartwatch and other gizmos. Maybe not more efficient or faster, but definitely more alive, pure, and real! So, what are you waiting for? Get out into the wild!
Happy reading and stay inspired,
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Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Diverse
