eMTB owners photo and ride thread.

[Dom T]

I'm still riding to work, but not on both nights. I ride there the first night, leave the bike caged or goes in the back of hubbies van (he's a Charge Nurse and we work opposite shifts as he only does 12 hour days). I then drive home the next day as it gives me longer in bed, drive back work my second shift and then ride home the next morning. Works out well as I'm not too kn@ckered and still get the enjoyment of riding to work.
Not as far as you though.
My shift pattern is 2 nights on, 1 sleep day and 2 days off as a minimum (I have bipolar and reasonable adjustments to help me manage..it works as well as it can). I'm also far to darned old and kn@ckered too !!! , heading towards my 57 th , 25 yrs plus, gruelling 12.5 hour shifts, usually without a break and unpaid over time, takes it's toll on a body . Biking is my saviour can't deny.
Went to Hopton Woods not to far from us, it has a mountain bike red trail and some downhills.
We got a mile into it and hubby had a huge mechanical. Chain suck and then killed his front chain ring, it was a very steep uphill walk back to the car park, but still we had a nice day.
Hoping to get out on Friday this week, but not quite sure where we will go....Cannock chase, back to Hopton or possibly the Forest of Dean. We are on annual leave and trying to fit some mountain biking in before lots of lockdown happens. We will be moving into tier 2 soon we think and the other areas we like may be higher soon too. No Llandegla as Wales is totally locked down. Time to get local maps out and see if we can find some unknown territory.
Great to get out with your son I would think as sometimes it's nice to have the company.
Bikes winterised, got me lights and wet gear at the ready and warmer clothing.

 

[georgehenry]

Acoustic Set

Well the Haibike is out of action waiting for a new rear mech to arrive through the post, and I wanted to ride off road.

I have been off work for 6 days and return tomorrow for 5 days of late shifts. This would normally mean using the Haibike to enjoy a lovely cross country route but unless the new rear mech arrives pronto I will be using my £100 second hand rear hub ebike to ride on the road to work and back, weather permitting as there is some rain forecast for tomorrow.

So with the sun shining today I dug my acoustic KTM hard tail out of the garage. adjusted the air in the front fork, slotted a front tyre in, pumped them both up to 30psi and was ready for the off.

I do not think I have ridden a non assisted mountain bike for getting on for year. First thing I noticed straight away was tensing up for the effort required to lift an ebike into the back of my estate car and launching the KTM into the air. I had forgotten how light it was.

The KTM is a 10 speed with three chain rings at the front, so plenty of gears to choose from.

It has a 19 inch frame and feels a bit small for me, certainly very compact, but as you ride it you begin to enjoy its agility and ease with which you can change direction.


First climb from Chinthurst Hill car park to Blackheath War Memorial

View from the war memorial through the trees to St Marth's Church. You may need to enlarge the picture and then press the plus button to make it out.

I chose a short but rather ambitious route, the highlight of which is a very technical and steep climb from Lockner Farm in Chilworth via the Downs Link Path and North Downs Way to St Martha's Church.


A flat section before the fun begins!

To be honest I did not fancy my chances of getting to the top without having to stop. Now 59 with a dodgy left knee and quite a few extra pounds, nuff said.


View from the top

Fortunately the route was being kind to me with better grip than I expected and luck overcoming the more difficult obstacles. Anyway much to my own amazement and a bit of pacing myself where it was possible in a nice low bottom gear and then charging the bits where momentum is key I did make it without stopping. I felt quite chuffed with myself. There will come I time, maybe not so far in my future when this climb will be beyond me, but not today.


View of the entrance to the Church Yard and St Martha's

Something that could have really spoit the fun on my descent was my front tyre going soft. I was pretty sure it was the presta valve rather than a puncture. I was carrying a mini bike floor pump that I had bought off ebay for less than a tenner and it worked brilliantly. Much better than a mini pump, and I could get back on my way fast and enjoy the fast descent. A short but spectacular ride witha very steep climb.


Last view before the descent back to the valley floor and the car park.

I wonder how many ebike riders use their non ebike bikes still? I loved the lightness and agility.

 

[Dom T]

I've only got the 2 ebikes now so no chance of using a non ebike.
I'll get some photos of my ride today up at some point.
I have ridden my son's bike before now and surprised myself too....all this getting out more frequently and riding in eco does pay off and I was fitter than I ever though I was.

 

[Dom T]

Sometimes a bit of road work to get to nicer places.
Got me a painful left had, wrist and arm from a patient who was violent, so bit more road work than normal.
The Voodoo does me proud.

 

[georgehenry]

I must admit Dom T that I was lacking a little confidence before tackling this ride having ridden a bit less than normal due to mechanical and electrical issues with both the bikes I now ride to work and back and also having allowed myself to get a bit heavier than ideal.

However I must have a pretty reasonable base level of fitness from my commuter riding to have managed to successfully tackle the steep gradients and technical tracks that I did so perhaps things are not as bad as I thought.

I was really surprised I managed this route without too much difficulty.

Adding to my trepidation was the fact that I also have a left knee that is being investigated by the NHS, which is taking a bit longer than normal understandably with the Covid situation.

Initially I saw a private Osteopath/Sports and Injury specialist who I know and trust and who has treated me well over the years and he told me he thought it likely that I had a meniscus tear but that his diagnosis would need to be confirmed with an MRI scan.

The Osteopath had suffered the same issues and is a keen tennis player. He went the private route very successfully and I could have been recommended by him and taken the same route. I do not have private medical insurance so would have needed to pay myself.

I had some concerns about going private and at this point engaged with my GP practice. I guess I could still take the private route whenever I want, and maybe a private practice practitioner should be very experienced in the type of surgery he offers.

So far through the NHS I have had an Xray with follow up telephone appointment and then an MRI scan am now due a follow up telephone appointment following the MRI scan.

Cycling actually tends to improve my symptoms probably because cycling is not load bearing and as my knee is bent during the exercise I do not seem to aggravate the injury but the exercise strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support my knee .

Bizarrely I skied last year with very little issues. My Osteopath told me that skiing should be OK as your leg is slightly bent all the times and he was absolutely right.

Load bearing activities like Walking long distances or running if I were foolish enough to do it tend to get a reaction and make symptoms worse and cause me to go lame. I have at times in the past enjoyed tennis but could not imagine being able to do that with my knee as it is.

The trouble is that corrective knee surgery seems to have a much lower success rate than other types of surgery and you can end up worse than you were to start with, so I am in a bit of a dilemma as to what to do.

It will be interesting to hear the results of my MRI scan in my telephone hospital appointment coming up in a week or two.

 

[Dom T]

It certainly will. Replacement knee on the way by the sounds of it, would be a preferred choice but certainly wouldn't go private on that one I've known too many issues as they are only in it for the money and that includes my mother. Although pain will dictate, I suppose.
I could do with a body transplant really, but don't think we do that on the NHS at the moment
Had the Voodoo Bizango E since April and although I don't do as many miles as you do, already up to 1600 miles

 

[georgehenry]

That's a fair mileage Dom T, and I don't think I have done many more if at all.

One of the bikes I use a lot for errands, shopping, chemist, dentist etc, does not have any form of mileage recorder, so it is hard to tell.

My total mileage for any given year is driven by how much commuting by bike I end up doing and for various reasons in the last couple of years I have not done so much.

Just recently I have also been plagued by various failures of one type or another but hopefully I will be heading into a more reliable period soon!

I feel better when I ride more miles though.

 

[georgehenry]

Well my rear mech did arrive pronto.....

I thought I was going to miss out on some cross country rides to work with five late shifts that started on Wednesday the 11th.

But the new rear mech arrived in the post on Wednesday morning. I rode my rear hub road bike to work that day but managed to get the rear mech fitted and adjusted the next day in time to ride the Haibike cross country to work yesterday, Thursday and Today Friday.

I have not known this field to be ploughed before.

The lake I pass.

Autumnal view.

Crooksbury.

Leaf strewn path.

So all my electric bikes are in working order again.

 

[Dom T]

28.5 miles today, not the nicest weather but it's that time of year.
Got through some really sticky mud, just about infact we got filthy.
So some road work was needed to shake it off. Misty, mizzle....

 

[georgehenry]

My year end for total miles ridden is in March and I think you Dom T and I will be neck and neck.

 

[Dom T]

Done just the 20 miles today with Mr. Dom, nice day and very lucky where we live for some nice views....

 

[georgehenry]

Indeed some nice views. I am at work as I write but enjoyed a very nice ride to work on The Haibike, with similarly nice views . The Haibike is behaving itself at the moment, and my 2.35 mud tyre worked a treat in the slop.

 

[georgehenry]

Three 24 mile return trips to work and back on The Haibike, so 72 miles in total, and approaching 36 miles off road.

The conditions off road were energy sapping, with a lot of standing water, generally soft ground, wet leaves and mud to contend with.

I have a section that with my old back tyre on I would miss out when conditions were this difficult. My new tubeless 2.35 rear tyre at lower pressure found grip where there looked to be none and I left me pretty amazed that I completed the section on each of the three days without stopping at any point. The steep uphill entry to the track is particularly difficult being churned up by horses, with roots and a few step ups to contend with. A real feeling of achievement.

The flip side to that grippy back tyre is the 10 mile road trip home, where it adds resistance and requires more effort from me to maintain speed. I really enoy a good work out, but this pushes me near the limit to maintain the speed I want and approach 30 minutes and an average speed of 20mph for the 10 mile journey. I am definitely more tired than I used to be.

Now in my 60th year, age could also be a factor.

I now only use the Haibike when I can ride in daylight off road to work. The joy of the route I use and fun involved make it very worthwhile.

I use a simple £100 second hand cadence sensor rear hub bike when I can only ride on the road to work and back and although I still get a decent amount of exercise the bike takes much more of the strain and is a very relaxed bike to ride and travels at a very similar average speed.

For me though the off road route is more fun.

I now have to leave my bike in a locker room at work where it is pretty secure but in continual though not frenetic use and I worry about a complaint from one of my colleagues as the cross country route in winter means The Haibike is very muddy.

Coming home on the road I ride mostly in the lower assistance level eco, of the three I have, and the middle assistance to climb the steeper hills quicker and off for the steeper downhill parts. Now in Winter I am using not more than 40% of my 6 years and 9 month old 400Wh battery.

The simplest solution to reduce some of my fatigue would be to up the assistance in a few places and use a bit more battery capacity.

So the Yamaha Haibike will be six in March, has completed 12.792 miles to date, half of those miles off road, original battery and second warranty replaced motor with about 6,792 miles on it. I don't think I should complain too much. We won't mention replacement rear wheels, but I am heavy and carry two full panniers off road.

I have high hopes for my latest rear wheel build where I have used the toughest components I could find and given it a bit of cushioning with the 2.35 tubeless rear tyre set up with less pressure.

 

[Dom T]

GH,
Your haibike is like the old working horse, hubby's haibike now 5 years, is still standing the test of time as well.
We did a bike ride out yesterday in 2 parts. Hubby has had to be persuaded for some time to do some night riding and he seemed to enjoy it. 25 miles in the daylight and then a 30 miler in the evening, kn@kered but very enjoyable.
We are off this week on leave, very much needed, but trying to fit in good rides on the best days, given this time of year.
I think at times you need to enjoy the fact we have batteries and motors and putting it up into a higher assistance at times really isn't such a bad thing and most enjoyable too. Sometimes after a 12.5 hour with no break and on your feet, I can't deny I ride home in boost (high mode to haibike riders).
Off out mountain biking tomorrow as it may be our last chance as we will more than likely go back into lockdown come the end of December.
57 for my next birthday so not far from you, but couldn't do without a bike now.

 

[georgehenry]

I was actually tempted to buy this years version of my bike which had a package of features that really appealed to me.

But my size has sold out now and I think I dithered because it would have been a bit boring to essentially buy the same bike I already have.

Anyway, I have't finished wearing it out yet!

Today is the first day of 12 days off and I also feel I really need it. Shift work can be very draining.

I might have to live a bit and use the next assist level up from eco, spoil myself!

 

[Dom T]

65 miles done in the last 7 days, just another 70 miles to go before 31st, but gotta fit it in between my nights on 23/24th then 28/29th.

 

[georgehenry]

Well Dom T you are edging ahead in mileage at the moment as I am off work and do not return until the 28th, to early shifts, where I ride on the road too and fro on my old second hand rear hub bike, so no miles on The Haibike.

I am sure I will do a reasonable or should that be unreasonable total for the miles I have ridden on my bikes this year but they will be split between 3 bikes.

I did have a very wet but good fun 110 mile off road day out on wet and very slippery Hampshire chalk with friends on my off road motorcycle, great fun, and not totally dissimilar to the fun of electric mountain biking. They both have an engine!

 

[snafu]

Although most definitely not in the league of most of the posters in this thread I thought I'd post some pictures from my most recent trip to Scotland.

I was up there early November 2020 (England's lockdown part 2 started while I was there).

It's a 2018 Vengeance (Yes I know, but sensible regular maintenance and a bit of common sense and it still performs beyond my expectations).

Stayed in a cottage in a village called Drummore on the Rhins peninsula which until my wife passed away last year was a favourite haunt and we planned to retire there. Sadly not to be but it still holds a special place in my heart. More like Cornwall than most people's idea of Scotland and off the tourist trail. If Elvis impersonators and Karaoki are your thing you will be extremely disappointed.

Parked the car on arrival and didn't touch it again until I set off back home. Spent the week walking and cycling everywhere.

Anyway... 3 trips of note.
Went for a vague ride around Drummore's surrounding lanes and eventually found myself at Port Logan.




Followed it up a day or so later with a ride up to Ardwell before riding across to Ardwell Bay on the opposite Coast.


Finally did a bit more cycling around local lanes before heading down to the lighthouse at the most southerly point in Scotland (Mull of Galloway), before returning via Kirkmaiden then across to Maryport and finally back along the beach path to Drummore

Destination (Headland in the distance).




We have a few friends in the area but this trip strict social distancing was observed and other than saying "Hi" to people as we passed I didn't speak to anyone. I spent no money at all for the entire stay until stopping off on the way home at services for a coffee and a sandwich.

That's it, Thanks for reading. Happy Christmas everyone and stay safe in these strange times.

TTFN
John.

 

[Dom T]

Hi Snafu, looks like you had a wonderful time. I love Scotland always feel at home when I cross that border. Isle of Skye being my most favourite part.
Bit late but working nights and being a nurse I've only just managed to catch up with stuff and cook a proper dinner today, albeit back at work tomorrow.
So with out much ado HAPPY CHRISTMAS to you all and here's hoping for a much better New Year at some point.

 

[D C]

Ice and snow here yesterday but beautiful 9 miles
Must remember to double up on gloves and socks next time!