If the dune buggy and the sewing wheel hadn't enjoyed that fateful tryst so many years ago, the electric bicycle might never have been born. Honor the proud parents of pedal-powered progress by holding tight to the handlebars of today's Groupon: for $37, you get an electric-bike rental for touring Napa Valley from Change of Greenery. All bikes can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and dropped off between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Napa Valley Marriott on Solano Avenue.
Change of Greenery is a touring company that specializes in providing electric bicycles with which to navigate the rolling hills and vineyards of Napa Valley. The vivid emerald-green e-bikes were originally designed to circumnavigate outer planetary rings, but their lack of onboard oxygen made them better suited to tour the many miles of wine country. These semi-velocipedes are ideal for individuals who aren't quite up to Tour de France stamina standards yet don't want to contribute to carbon emissions with a gas-powered vehicle. Similar in function to a moped, the bikes can operate in pedal-assist mode, where velocity is boosted with a push from the pedals, or full throttle, which runs up to 18 mph without any physical aid from the rider. Lithium-ion batteries power a rear-hub motor, allowing for eco-friendly mobility across great swathes of land. All rental bikes come with a combination lock, a removable bike basket, and a cranium-coating helmet for a safe and secure bikesperience.
To further plump the enjoyment factor, upon redeeming your Groupon you'll also be handed a sparkling Napa Valley green card, which acts as a passport to 30 different deals from eco-friendly business partners, and colorful bike loop maps that clearly point out where the deals are taking place. Enjoy 15% off a cold organic treat from Three Twins Ice Cream, a two-for-one free tea of the day from Tillerman Tea, and 10% off all cases of wine from Signorello Estate, among many others. For those purchasing three or more bottles at a winery, Change of Greenery will ease the burden of transport by dispatching the last of the passenger pigeons to swiftly and securely retrieve your wine.
Reviews
7x7 magazine and the Napa Valley Register have both featured Change of Greenery.
- Change of Greenery, based at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel and Spa, provides an eco-friendly option to the popular pasttime [sic] of winery-touring with its fleet of electric cycles. – Leilani Marie Labong, 7x7 magazine
Five Yelpers give Change of Greenery five perfect stars: