Going faster?

anonymous

Pedelecer
Nov 19, 2019
138
15
What sort of training have you done in order to have a higher average speed? Possibly even to the extent of not needing an e-bike in the long term? How did you get there?
 
  • Like
Reactions: davell

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
Always pedal as hard as you can - not so much to make you gasp for breath, but enough to keep you breathing hard. Do lots of miles. As your legs become stronger, use lower level of assist until you can go everywhere on the lowest level. At that point, you can dispense with your electric bike and get a lightweight hibrid or road bike. The lightweight is very important. At first, the hills will be hard, but it won't take long for your legs to adjust. Say goodbye to range anxiety. You can now go as far as you want without worrying.

Adjusting to a non-electric bike is mainly just a question of motivation. It's very easy to just enjoy the help you get from your electric bike and turn up the power on every hill.
 
  • Like
Reactions: anonymous

anonymous

Pedelecer
Nov 19, 2019
138
15
Always pedal as hard as you can - not so much to make you gasp for breath, but enough to keep you breathing hard. Do lots of miles. As your legs become stronger, use lower level of assist until you can go everywhere on the lowest level. At that point, you can dispense with your electric bike and get a lightweight hibrid or road bike. The lightweight is very important. At first, the hills will be hard, but it won't take long for your legs to adjust. Say goodbye to range anxiety. You can now go as far as you want without worrying.

Adjusting to a non-electric bike is mainly just a question of motivation. It's very easy to just enjoy the help you get from your electric bike and turn up the power on every hill.
Thanks. I'd probably do that on weekends, only because then it doesn't matter if I arrive at my destination quite sweaty. It's quite a bit t different at work
 

KirstinS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 5, 2011
3,224
899
Brighton
Like your
Thanks. I'd probably do that on weekends, only because then it doesn't matter if I arrive at my destination quite sweaty. It's quite a bit t different at work
Like yourself much of my milage is commuting and sweaty arrival isn't an option

My own way of getting exercise is to go off road over the south downs, steep hills in either direction are a workout. I have a hard tail not full sus so it's legs and arms being the suspension whilst standing rathe than lazy sitting on saddle on flat roads

I also stuck a bbs01 controller on my bbs02 which reduces the available power a good chunk

I'm finding it's more than enough still tbh only use pas 9 on one steep hill or when headwinds are severe on the way into work.

I intended it as a stop gap measure and I guess it's nearly year I've run it this way. Including the summer when my off road mileage is about 60 to 100 miles per week
 
  • Like
Reactions: anonymous

georgehenry

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 7, 2015
1,446
1,264
Surrey
I am probably fit enough to still ride a non assisted mountain bike, and still do, but quite occasionally at the moment.

I initially got a hub drive road bike (Oxygen emate) to ride the 20 mile return trip to work, and for me it was the ability of an electric bike to carry two loaded panniers with stuff I needed at work, without slowing me down too much that made commuting to work and back on a bike possible.

The two towns I commute between have superb off road options and after getting from my house to the first track I can be off road almost all the way. That persuaded me to get my crank drive Yamaha Haibike in 2015, add a rack to it for the panniers and enjoy some great countryside and tracks. On thursday my off road route was 12 miles and used 31% of my 400Wh original battery. Theoretical range using eco and off 38.7 miles.

I don't use the Haibike for anything but commuting to work and back, 12/14 miles off road to work and 10 miles back on the road. Over 11,500 miles so far.

Now it does not matter if I get sweaty riding to work as I can sluice myself down at work. So my ride to work is an exercise ride, using eco and off where the gradient allows and getting a work out enjoying the countryside.

Going home is a road ride later at night and I want to complete it faster, but still use eco, and off for steep down hills, but use standard to climb the steeper hills faster. Mostly I can do the journey in 30 minutes +or - a minute or two but get plenty of exercise to achieve that. On Thursday I used 40% of my battery (It was very windy) for the 10 miles. Theoretical range going faster using higher assistance modes occasionally 25 miles.

Despite being fit enough to still ride a non assisted I could not do a 24 mile return route to work carrying two loaded panniers without using an ebike. They have made getting to work and back loads of fun and I get a lot of exercise.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,917
8,533
61
West Sx RH
I rode to Dorking from my house 18 miles then on to NDW to Newlands corner and then the Downs Link all the way to the beach at the other end, then back home again. All in all about 160km, I was done in on an unassisted 20 spd gravel bike. Never again not even 10 miles.