eMTB owners photo and ride thread.

[EddiePJ]

Certainly looks lovely and dry.

 

[Gubbins]

Certainly looks lovely and dry.

Thats what I thought but then I arrived at a normally wet and sticky bit which looked ok in the beams so plowed in at about 15 mph in a high gear and very nearly got stuck in the middle..
Would have made a better photo actually..

 

[IR772]

Aa



Aarrgh....you beat me to it!!!

I arrived in the area on Monday as have another week off work, so packed the toys in and on the car and decided to get some miles in.

Not many photos (only took some today) - to be honest, I'm too busy enjoying the downhill bit to stop and take photos, and fire roads all look the same on the uphill sections, but I did the Marin trail on Monday night - 1 hour 30 dead. First time ever doing it and it was pitch black. Also it was the first time I've put lights on the bike (and probably my fifth ever night ride, it's not something that I usually do) and the light kept spinning round on the bumps, great for checking the tree tops but no so great for seeing what obstacle was coming next...so it was a steady ride all the same.

Returned back on Tuesday night after duct tape and cable ties made a more secure fitting, this time I turned the power off for some of the fire road climbs as wanted to give myself a bit of a workout.

Wednesday had to nip over to derby for something so didn't get a chance to ride the bike.

today, woke up and the lake was like a milk pond again, so no windsurfing again. This time I did both loops of Penmachno (spelling) trail - it was OK but not my cup of tea, more natural stuff and I lost track of the amount of times I got thorns and brambles inbetween my fingers - lots of singletrack which was overgrown. Plus it was also very wet on the ground - lots of puddles so feet soaked by the end. (photos of the trail where bike is parked on bridge and looking out over the mountains)

Was going to do the Marin trail again tonight, but on the way I thought I'd divert to Snowdon. I have tried this 3 times before on my Lapierre, both times I've had to turn back due to inclement weather (wind the first time - got to the 2nd tunnel and the bike was whipped out of my hands as I went through. Stopped a few hundred yards further up for a cup of tea as it was also cold, took gloves off and hands went cold very quickly so thought it time to leave and return downhill - didn't want to be blown off the ridge and bottled it as no-one else was up there, all walkers had turned back at the tunnel, the second time it was too snowy underfoot to get to the top, bike sliding all over the place, the third time the rain was too much, that time also tried the Rangers path instead of the Llanberris path the previous two times).

So, parked in Llanberris, set off and in 58 minutes arrived at the top. Legs were still tired from not using much assist yesterday and riding Penmachno earlier, so turbo mode used for virtually the whole of it - it is addictive and a bit like nitrous on motorcycles, you get used to it and the bike feels lame when you knock the power off...

Managed to ride most of it, struggled on the more gnarly sections, and walk mode is crap on my bike so arms also had a workout carrying the bike...the ride down was worth it, not many walkers (none going up, I met about 20 in total all going down when I was going up), and all were gracious to let me pass on both passes. 16 minutes to come down, and recorded a top speed of 41.2mph on the tarmac section at the bottom.

Marin trail again tomorrow, looking at doing it twice, the first time by switching off again for a workout (for some of it anyway), the second time with assist as some of the downhill sections are very good - currently now my favourite trail in this country and wish I had done it earlier on the Lapierre.

You lucky bu##er.

Both times I have been up there you could only see your hand in front of your face, first walked, second train.

Both times had a cup of tea at the top in the cafe, first time in the old hut last time in the visitor centre (very James Bond).

 

[Gubbins]

Nice dry ride on the towpath today... a few joggers but no puddles...

 

[EddiePJ]

I decided to pop along on the bike to a mates downhill track this morning in order to give the new camera a quick try out before heading off for my own bike ride. I had a few issues with the camera locking me out and issues with set up, but it's early days,and things can only get better.

Not posted for quality!

The photos on the FB page are marginally better. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebulltrack/1237663222920968/?notif_t=like&notif_id=1474215021126183


And this is the track. As well as great riding for adults, It's such a brilliant place to take children of any riding ability.

I just spotted that Anna has made a short clip of a track that I ride at least once a week, that was constructed by two more friends. I rode here this afternoon.

 

[chris130256]

I wonder if she'll still be doing that in her 60's?
Beautiful technique over the jumps.

 

[EddiePJ]

What seems strange watching the second clip of the hidden woods, is that on the eMTB the runs are just as much fun to ride up.

The woodland is a real labyrinth of hidden tracks and trails. You could for example be riding down the route shown in the clip, without even knowing that something better is hidden just a few feet away to the side. It is done intentionally to preserve the club sections from the so to speak Joe Bloggs.

I was going to head up there tonight, but laziness after a hard physical day at work has set in.

 

[chris130256]

The point that you can ride an ebike up (alot of) downhill runs was an important factor for us buying ours. We have a local run that used to take 75 minutes to get up (non assisted) now takes 14 minutes.

 

[Gubbins]

I wonder if she'll still be doing that in her 60's?
Beautiful technique over the jumps.

Thats just what I need.. a small grey bus to transport the bike...[emoji41]

I decided to pop along on the bike to a mates downhill track this morning in order to give the new camera a quick try out before heading off for my own bike ride. I had a few issues with the camera locking me out and issues with set up, but it's early days,and things can only get better.

Not posted for quality!

The photos on the FB page are marginally better. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebulltrack/1237663222920968/?notif_t=like&notif_id=1474215021126183


And this is the track. As well as great riding for adults, It's such a brilliant place to take children of any riding ability.

I just spotted that Anna has made a short clip of a track that I ride at least once a week, that was constructed by two more friends. I rode here this afternoon.

 

[EddiePJ]

Another lovely early morning off road commute to work.

I also have a massive hankering to ride up and over this on the hardtail. It's pulling me like a magnet with every ride past. It should prove a good test of my balance, and when stopping for a closer look this morning, the only dodgy bit is the step down of the logs in the centre, which is just right to make hopping the front wheel over an interesting experience!

The South Downs beckon tomorrow, as it seems a shame to pass the lovely sunny weather by.

 

[IR772]

It's got to be done!

 

[chris130256]

Eddie,I wouldn't try that on my emtb! I don't have enough slow speed control. I might attempt it on my non assist mtb?

 

[Nealh]

Not good for me to try it, I would have enough problems just staying on the flat boards .

 

[Gubbins]

You need someone videoing when you make ghd attempt...

 

[EddiePJ]

I might attempt it on my non assist mtb?

Funny that you should say that, as the very same thought had gone through my mind as well. I'm going to have a play on the pedal hardtail first, then go onto the hardtail eMTB. The full suspension bike is too lardy by comparison.

More photos to follow, but what a brilliant day it was today for the South Downs. The weather couldn't have been better, although it was very windy.
I even got talking to a lad in Friston forest that was riding a 2017 Giant hardtail demo bike. Got say that it was very nice. I didn't realise that Giant only buy the motor and display from Yamaha. The batteries they have produced by Panasonic, and they use their own mix of components to match. If true, then you learn something new every day.

 

[soundwave]

giant has a 500w batt as well

 

[EddiePJ]

Soon be winter!

 

[chris130256]

Great photos

 

[Gubbins]

Great photos

Yes great photos... I am surprised you ever get home with all the photo stopps [emoji605]

 

[EddiePJ]

I even found time for a sausage roll and coffee stop, followed later by a Caribbean spicy Pasty and coffee stop.

It was an extremely chilled and relaxed 30 mile ride today, but only 18 miles of it recorded. My new 'genuine' battery for my phone is seemingly crap! https://www.strava.com/activities/723184764

One thing that occurred to me today whilst out riding, was that the elevation gains on the SD are pretty comparable to my local riding. It kind of surprised me given the terrain. Having said that, I guess that I do live in the second highest point in Sussex, and qualifies as one of England's Marilyns, so everywhere has a hill to either go up or down.