April 28, 200817 yr Accomodation and how to get there Places to stay Accomodation in and around Presteigne: Hotels and Inns: The Radnorshire Arms Hotel Presteigne, LD8 2BE 01544 267406 The Red Lion Hotel Llanfihangel Nant Melan, New Radnor, LD8 2TN 01544 350220 Milebrook House Hotel Ludlow Road, Knighton, LD7 1LT 01574 528632 Castle Inn Knucklas, Knighton, LD7 1PW 01547 528150 Knighton Hotel Broad Street, Knighton, LD7 1BL 01547 520530 The Fforest Inn Llanfihangel-Nant-Melan, New Radnor, LD8 2TN 01544 350526 The Bull Presteigne 01544 267488 The Stagg Inn (Michelin starred) Titley 01544 230221 Penhros Hotel (organic) Kington 01544 230720 Eagle Hotel Broad Street, New Radnor, LD8 2SN 01544 350208 The Crown Inn Walton 01544 350663 Guest Houses: Pilleth Oaks Whitton, Knighton, LD7 1NP 01547 560272 Bryn Heulog Llanfairwaterdine, Knighton, LD7 1TU 01547 528155 or 07929 190663 The Paddock Shobdon, herefordshire 01568 708176 The Fleece House Knighton, LD7 1BB 01547 520168 Westwood Presteigne Road, Knighton, LD7 1HY 01547 520317 The Old Vicarage Norton, Presteigne, LD8 2EN 01544 260038 Stapleton Castle Farm Cottage Stapleton, Presteigne, LD8 2LS 01544 260544 Lower Buckton Leintwardine, SY7 0JU 01547 540532 The Mill Lloyney, Knighton, LD7 1RG 01547 528842 Jane Walsh B&B Presteigne 01544 260693 Carmel Court Guest House Kings Turning, Presteigne, LD8 2LD 01544 267986 Anne Wake (weekend house let) Presteigne 07734 528571 Tregwynt B&B New Radnor 01544 350559 Pillith Oakes (guest house) Whitton 01544 560272 Summergill Llanfihangel Nant Melan, New Radnor, LD8 2TN 01544 350247 Farmhouse Accommodation: Gumma Farm Discoed, Presteigne, LD8 2NP 01547 560243 Willey Lane Farm Lower Willey, Presteigne, LD8 2LU 01544 267148 Bache Farm New Radnor, LD8 2TG 01544 350680 Neuadd Farm Penybont, LD1 5SW 01597 851032 Brandy House Farm Felindre, Knighton 01547 510282 Tyn Y Wern Farmhouse Dolau, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 01597 851050 Middleton Farm Discoed, Presteigne, LD8 2NN 01547 560295 Self Catering: Whitehouse Cottage New Radnor 01544 350670 Highbrook Cottage New Radnor 01544 350670 Forget-Me-Not Cottage New Radnor 01544 350670 White Hall Cottage Kinnerton 01547 560207 Suran-y-Coed Cefnsuran, Llangunllo, Knighton 01547 550348 Cefn-Nant Cefnsuran, Llangunllo, Knighton 01547 550348 The Wainhouse Cefnsuran, Llangunllo, Knighton 01547 550348 Kinverley Nr. Old Radnor 01544 350229 Pippins Neaudd Farm, Penybont, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5SW 01597851032 Manor Cottage Pound Lane, Presteigne 01686 628200 Wernwilla Gladestry, HR5 3PW 01544 370278 Mu’s Cottage The Old Vicarage, Evancoyd, Presteigne, LD8 2PA 01547 560308 Nail Maker’s Cottage 1 Craftman’s Mews, Presteigne, LD8 01932 564667 or 07973458866 Vicarage Cottage Norton, Presteigne, LD8 2EN 0870 0781100 The Swan House Evenjobb, Presteigne, LD8 2RY 01547 560460 Court Farm Cottage Kinnerton, Presteigne, LD8 2PE 01547 560333 The Lodge Cottage 2 Cwnygerwyn, Bleddfa 01865 735995 The Coach House 01544 231669 Craftman’s Mews Presteigne 07734 528571 Coach House Presteigne 07734 528571 Apple Tree House Presteigne 07734 528571 Ivy Tree House Presteigne 07734 528571 Kinsley Villa Knighton 07734 528571 Camping, Caravaning and Hostelling: Rockbridge Park AA 3star campsite £5 /night Presteigne 01547 560 300 or 07977 588731 Pearl Lake Leisure Park Shobdon 01568 708326 Kington Youth Hostal Victoria Road, Kington, HR5 3BX 0870 7706128 Ffryd House Independent Hostal 13 Bridge Street, Knighton, LD7 1BT 01547 520374 TRAINS Without concentrating too much on specific train times (not wise these days). Note that electric bikes are technically banned on rail services, but the more discrete kind are regularly carried by rail without problems: ROUTE 1 via Leominster From Cardiff and Newport (some trains from Swansea) From Shrewsbury, Crewe and Manchester Most trains carry two full-size bikes, and the rule will be strictly enforced at busy times. Arriva Trains Wales recommends booking : 0870 9000 773. The line has a better-than-hourly service, but not all trains stop at Leominster, the nearest station to Presteigne. However, from 16.00 onwards on Friday afternoon, the service is broadly hourly from both directions. On Sunday afternoons, trains leave Leominster about every 90 minutes. The cycle ride (about 12miles) is on mixed, sometimes rather busy, roads. ROUTE 2 via Knighton From Swansea From Crewe and Shrewsbury Most trains carry two full-size bikes, but as they're usually single carriages, booking is recommended: 0870 9000 773. There are four services each way per day, with two on Sunday. On Friday evening convenient trains arrive from bth directions, and there are also a pair of very early departures from Crewe and Swansea arriving in the early morning. Departing on Sunday, there is one train after lunch, and another early evening through to Crewe. The cycle ride is shorter at about six miles, but a big, big climb. Around 600 feet on the slightly longer B4355/B4356, and 700 feet on the shorter and altogether nicer Llanshay lane. A good test for an electric bike!
April 28, 200817 yr Author Hi, Presteigne looks as if it is going to be a superb event this year, we just hope the weather holds out! How many of you are coming to the event? Would it be a good idea to meet and say hi to one another? In the flesh ! FYI here is the program of events written by the organizer Pete Mustill. 2008 TOUR DE PRESTEIGNE & GREEN WHEELS Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 May I am delighted to be able to report that the programmer for this years Tour de Presteigne is in great form. There looks like being a tremendous selection of bikes for everyone to drool over and have a go on. We have already confirmed that there will be bikes from Gazelle, Urban Mover, Wisper,Kalkhoff, Powabyke, Ezee, Heinzmann, Izip, Sun Runner the Brompton Nano plus Electric scooters, motorcycles, cars and vans at the show. There is also a mouth watering selection of events and talks around town for you to take part in and even the entertainment we've laid on looks pretty impressive. This years Rally is aimed not just at amateur electric bike enthusiasts and those wishing to purchase an electric bike but everyone who is unhappy about being dependent on their gas guzzler and is looking for alternatives. We are particularly delighted with the line up for Question Time in the Assembly Rooms on Saturday afternoon which will feature George Marshall the author of Carbon Detox as well as co-founder of Plane Stupid and local hero Joss Garman. The main festival site will make use of a large geodesic dome to provide plenty of covered space for exhibitors and this will be situated on a quiet cul-de-sac that has plenty of hard-standing on which the public can try out bikes. The hill climb and country ramble will set off from the festival site and last but not least the final 1 hour rally on the Sunday will return to the very popular route it used in 2006 around the centre of town. It would help us if you let us know if you are going to enter the rally on Sunday at 2.30. We will then e mail you to tell you how to pay the £10 entrance fee in advance and give you a number. This will make all the organization much simpler on the day. Saturday 11am – 5pm Displays Electric Bikes by 50 Cycles, Powabyke, Urban Mover, Cycle Point, Nano, Wisper, Emotive Control Systems, Valeswood, Green Transport Solutions & The Electric Cycle Company, Powered Bicycles. A chance to try lots of different electric bikes: Gazelle, Urban Mover, Wisper, Kalkhoff, Powabyke, Ezee, Heinzmann, Izip, Sun Runner the Brompton Nano and many more Green Transport Show Electric scooters, motorcycles, cars and vans; low emissions petrol and diesel cars and Hybrid electric cars plus The Battery Vehicle Society Cool Wall Display of ‘desirable’ energy efficient cars Cycles Regular cycles, tandems, folding & recumbent bicycles & tricycles Stalls Greening Presteigne Local project suggesting easy ways to reduce our carbon footprint Information about Sustrans, Powys County & Herefordshire Cycling Routes, Car & Lift Share Projects, Centre for Alternative Technology, Wheely Wonderful Cycling & Drover Holidays & Bike Hire Rowan Tree Books covering a variety of eco issues Recycled Metal windmills & cars by Bob Rowberry Power by Wind and Sun Sustainable energy from windmills and solar panels with power points to recharge batteries Activities Ramblers Walk 11.30 – 1pm Start and finish outside the Dome, wear sensible shoes and clothes Hill Climb 12noon Assemble 11.30am outside the Dome A chance for bikes to pit themselves against one of Presteigne’s most unforgiving inclines Willow Wheels 1pm – 5pm Creative workshop with Keelin Hawker Question Time 2pm A discussion chaired by Ian Marchant broadcaster & author currently working on The Electric Pilgrim An opportunity to pose tricky questions about the future of transport to the experts: Brigit Strawbridge Big Green Ideas Joss Garman co- founder of Plane Stupid George Marshall author of Carbon Detox Les Lumsdon Transport, Tourism & Cycling specialist David Henshaw editor of A to B magazine Assembly Rooms in Presteigne £3 Country Ride 4pm Collect maps from the Dome for a 12 mile dawdle for all eco-transport round some of the Borders most picturesque lanes Saturday Evening 8pm Live Music in the Dome £6 Cajun jazz trio Blake’s 3 & comic musical duo Your Dad, plus an opportunity to exchange ideas with other enthusiasts Sweet and savoury food, local beers, cider & wine Sunday Display of Electric Bikes, Green Transport Show & Stalls 11am – 4pm see Saturday for details Willow Wheels 11am – 2pm Creative workshop with Keelin Hawker Bureau of Silly Ideas present The Squirt Broad Street 2pm - 4pm Pedal powered environmentally friendly comic amusement Tour de Presteigne 2.30 - 3.30pm The World’s Premier Electric Bike Endurance Rally around the closed streets of Presteigne, with commentary by Ian Marchant and classes for standard & modified bikes Rally Entrance Fee £10 Entrants must sign in by 2pm, be over 14 years old and wear a cycle helmet Contact Details for accommodation information & Entrance Forms broadsheep@aol.com Pete Mustill 01544 267163 Tour de Presteigne http://www.presteigne.org.co.uk Directions Tour de Presteigne Event Site Joe Deakins Road Presteigne LD8 2UF Signs from Presteigne By-pass On Site Catering Bacon Rolls, Venison Burgers & Salad Clay Oven Pizzas Tea & Cakes Local Beers, Wine & Cider Shepherds Ice Cream Site Access Please park in the town Car Parks Disabled Parking &Toilet on site With thanks to our sponsors Environment Wales Double Take Mangar International D & S Bamford Presteigne & Norton Town Council 50 Cycles Wisper The Electric Transport Company Shepherds Ice Cream Sheep Music Hope to see you there, best regards David
April 28, 200817 yr Here is the link to the event: Tour de Presteigne And to the town: Presteigne & Norton Website Nick
May 14, 200817 yr Rail Engineering Work - 18 May 2008 The following info which might be of interest to anyone going to Presteigne by rail from the south this weekend: Rail Engineering Work There are no trains between Hereford and Newport on Sunday 18 May - only buses. Passengers and guide dogs only - no bikes! Regards Geoff
May 17, 200817 yr Author Ride in the Rally If anyone would like to ride a 905se in the rally or any part of the wekend, please call me on 07802 197809. we have a couple spare. FCFS. All the best David
May 18, 200817 yr Did anyone get home yet? Come on guys & Gals, fill all us poor old sods in on all the wizzy bikes you saw:D Regards Paul
May 18, 200817 yr I'm back, but still very exhausted after only 3 hours sleep last night and pedalling like a nutter for an hour in that rally, I was the one with the LEDs in the ends of the axles, managed to complete 18 laps in that hour although my legs are going to pay for it tomorrow... Next year I'm derestricting my bike for the rally, to try and keep up with everyone I had to pedal faster than 15mph which meant no motor help - in fact it became a hinderance. But with an unrestriced throttle I can pedal over 20mph quite easily. One annoyance, forgot to have a go on a recumbent Someone post some pictures of the rally please!
May 18, 200817 yr I'm back, but still very exhausted after only 3 hours sleep last night and pedalling like a nutter for an hour in that rally, I was the one with the LEDs in the ends of the axles, managed to complete 18 laps in that hour although my legs are going to pay for it tomorrow... Next year I'm derestricting my bike for the rally, to try and keep up with everyone I had to pedal faster than 15mph which meant no motor help - in fact it became a hinderance. But with an unrestriced throttle I can pedal over 20mph quite easily. One annoyance, forgot to have a go on a recumbent Someone post some pictures of the rally please! Hi Haku Sounds like you had a ball. I look forward to the pics. Hope your legs are still in one piece come the morning. Regards Paul
May 18, 200817 yr 35 mph !! 35 mph !! - love to know what he modified on the Agattu to do that - maybe borrowed Lance Armstrongs legs for the day - very impressive Steve The Slowcoach
May 18, 200817 yr Prestieigne - well worth it Id just like to add that my wife and I enjoyed it very much too. Didnt stay for the rally, had to get back for the kids, but Ive learnt a great deal about all of these bikes (its SO good to try them out) My personal favourites in no order were the Wispers, the Ezee E1 prototype, and the Tongxin Trek Conversions with the 'Battery Bottle' - Brill!! The Wispers were fantastic, soo powerful, and sturdy, and the new motors seemed fantastic, and given the off-road button to take you to about 19mph - I was well impressed (plus it was great to chat to Doug and Dave too). I rode these more than any other bike there!!! The new (but expensive at about £1800-ish) Ezee E1 has the battery in a pannier like a Heinzmann, but through having a Magnesium alloy 'quality' frame, it simply took off like a rocket. Truly impressive and Very nice (a 'beaming grin' bike). Finally the Trek Tongxin conversion from No-Hills.com (anew company) is an extremely well thought out design with a small fast charge 26V 156-ishWh Nimh battery in a water bottle (£150 each if you want another), a Tongxin 250W motor in the front wheel, and integrated front and rear led lights running from the battery. Basically not either pedelec or throttle, you simply have bar extensions on the left and right of the mtb-style handlebar with a button on the end. The bike is extremely light and you ride as a normal bike (no suspension, its a touring frame with mtb bars), When you want assistance, click the right button and this takes you to about 12.5 mph without pedalling and maintains that speed (unless you pedal faster), click the left button and upto 15.5mph. The bike will simply try to cruise at that speed, and of course you can pedal as much or as little as you like. Touch the brakes and the bike drops out of power assist and you have to click right to engage again. It may sound odd, but it worked really well and was very simple. The front wheel with motor comes off very very easily too, so you have the ability with this one to simply swap the front wheel at home for a standard one, take off the battery bottle, and you have a completely normal run of the mill lightweight touring Trek bike - cool John
May 19, 200817 yr The new (but expensive at about £1800-ish) Ezee E1 has the battery in a pannier like a Heinzmann, but through having a Magnesium alloy 'quality' frame, it simply took off like a rocket. Truly impressive and Very nice (a 'beaming grin' bike). I look forward to more info on this one. Presumably cyclepoint will be giving us chapter and verse soon. Regards Paul
May 19, 200817 yr Hello, I've posted some pics and words on our blog After last years near washout, it was great to see the Tour de Presteigne returning to its former glory in 2008. We brought the whole family down to this year's event because a trip to Presteigne makes a nice break in itself.
May 19, 200817 yr What exactly is the point of the Tour de Presteigne then? Having read Tim's blog on the Tour it seems clear that race leaders/winners were going considerably faster than 15mph throughout the race. If this is the case then why not get a bit of competitive advantage by removing the unused and therefore unnecessary weight of the battery and motor? In fact why not race with a bike that never had a battery/motor installed in the first place. That'd probably be really light so you could go really fast if you were fit enough. Oh no! Wait a minute, a bike that never had a battery/motor installed in the first place is ... just an ordinary bike Am I missing the point somehow? Regards, Elephants Edited May 19, 200817 yr by ElephantsGerald
May 19, 200817 yr Having read Tim's blog on the Tour it seems clear that race leaders/winners were going considerably faster than 15mph throughout the race. If this is the case then why not get a bit of competitive advantage by removing the unused and therefore unnecessary weight of the battery and motor? In fact why not race with a bike that never had a battery/motor installed in the first place. That'd probably be really light so you could go really fast if you were fit enough. Oh no! Wait a minute, a bike that never had a battery/motor installed in the first place is ... just an ordinary bike Am I missing the point somehow? Regards, Elephants Elephants The bikes were modded so that electric assist was provided at higher speeds. On the pro connect and aggatus this can be effected by changing the rear sprocket for a smaller one. The project x bike has a rear drailure instead of a hub gear and I suspect the aggatu did too. This allows very high speeds to be acheived. That said, I reckon that flat out, it is unlikely the motor could keep up with the cyclist no matter what gearing is used. It just means you get assistance upto maybe 20-25mph depending on the gears used. Regards Paul Regards Paul
May 19, 200817 yr Elephants The bikes were modded so that electric assist was provided at higher speeds. On the pro connect and aggatus this can be effected by changing the rear sprocket for a smaller one. The project x bike has a rear drailure instead of a hub gear and I suspect the aggatu did too. This allows very high speeds to be acheived. That said, I reckon that flat out, it is unlikely the motor could keep up with the cyclist no matter what gearing is used. It just means you get assistance upto maybe 20-25mph depending on the gears used. Regards Paul Regards Paul Once Lloyd has recovered, he's likely to reveal what he did do to modify that poor (hub geared) bike. To be honest, I looked at it and couldn't quite understand what was going on. Half the innards ended up outside the bike.
May 19, 200817 yr Author What a day! Presteigne was an amazing success! [ATTACH]275.vB[/ATTACH] Well done to Pete Musthill and his supporters. It was certainly the best weekend of ebike gossip and fun ever! The weather was fantastic, not a drop of rain all day on Sunday, indeed I came home with a sun tan! The range of bikes available for trial was superb! There must have been at least 50 bikes fully charged and ready to go! The scandal and intrigue was fascinating and very amusing as Ezee and 50 cycles saber rattled and became oh so, so, so competitive in the rally (well a race really). With culprit drawing pins being waved aloft as prizes were awarded. Proof it was a puncture! The reason why the race wasn't won, by a highly tweaked Agattu (over heard in the pits) with a cyclist in Lycra with legs that made Mr Universe's look puny and pathetic! [ATTACH]273.vB[/ATTACH] The crowds turned up in force to enjoy a superb race (if you look carefully you will spot David Henshaw from A to B) with the super cyclists on souped up works bikes competing against some excellent home made numbers including a 1.5kw monster with batteries on the bike, in panniers on the rack and on in a rucksack on the riders back! An electric three seater tandem and a wonderful bike drawn carriage with team of young lady pushers. Overall a great race and a lot of fun! [ATTACH]277.vB[/ATTACH] Thanks also to this chap, who offered to ride the 905eco 200w in the race sorry I didn't catch your name. [ATTACH]274.vB[/ATTACH] Well done to Pedelec member "John of Cambridge" who rode his 905se Sport demonstrating much talent and although was never going to win the race had a great ride. Congratulations to Ian for winning the race and to who ever it was that made that superb cup! [ATTACH]276.vB[/ATTACH] To conclude Presteigne 2008 was a great event and is a "must see" for 2009.... so all those who didn't to make it in 2008, book the time as soon as the dates are set. All the best David
May 19, 200817 yr Author Oh I almost forgot! Doug and I had a fantastic time selling all our demo models to people who wanted to take them away on the day. The height of the weekend for me was meeting Dave Brok of Hawkwind and his lovely wife Kris who, after trying every bike available decided the 905se with it's monster range and superb hill climbing ability were spot on for their wine tasting trips around France, they drove away with two of them on the back of their van! [ATTACH]278.vB[/ATTACH] All the best David Edited May 19, 200817 yr by Wisper Bikes
May 19, 200817 yr Author Having read Tim's blog on the Tour it seems clear that race leaders/winners were going considerably faster than 15mph throughout the race. If this is the case then why not get a bit of competitive advantage by removing the unused and therefore unnecessary weight of the battery and motor? In fact why not race with a bike that never had a battery/motor installed in the first place. That'd probably be really light so you could go really fast if you were fit enough. Oh no! Wait a minute, a bike that never had a battery/motor installed in the first place is ... just an ordinary bike Am I missing the point somehow? Regards, Elephants Hiya Elephants I totally understand your confusion and quite frankly I was more than a little confused for a time. I think the best way to answer your question is that the race is just a bit of fun and does not have any bearing on the quality or ride-ability of the bikes entered. It's an event that all can enter whether you are a keen electric cyclist and just want to join in, a home made ebike enthusiast who wants to put his bike up against the best in the world or a manufacturer or seller of ebikes who simply want to win the only electric bike race available. I believe all three elements go to make the race great fun it certainly is not scientific and nobody really takes it very seriously. I agree that a decent rider on a 7kg carbon fiber racer would win every time. We did consider making a special high powered bike and putting a TDF type on it but after just a little thought we felt it was a bit silly! On a serious note, what worried me a little was the speed that some of these guys were flying past the kids in the crowd, I think in the future the race will have to be regulated or put onto a proper track, which would be a terrible shame. All the best David
May 19, 200817 yr I think elephants has a good point - the 'race' has now diverged into two factions, or maybe three -those that just want to bring their standard bike along and have a gentle race and have a look at other peoples bikes; those that want to dress up and have fun, and those that want to win on highly modified bikes, ridden by muscular types who would do well on a standard bike anyway. Having seen the three or so speed fiends rushing up past helpless folk on shopper bikes and tricycles, I can't help feeling there's an accident waiting to happen, and that sooner or later this event, if it continues, has got to split into a 'fun' race and a 'serious speed' event. It started as a fun event, whose purpose was to get a range of electric bike out in one place, and to see how many would last for an hour on one battery. We've rapidly passed that point, and decisions will have to be made as to where this event goes. With a narrow High St and a circuit that crosses through a churchyard on a footpath, I can't see how this will ever be safe for real races. Another site on the trading estate, or another separate event, maybe?
May 19, 200817 yr That's me near the back: http://www.haku.co.uk/pics/Presteigne1.jpg http://www.haku.co.uk/pics/Presteigne2.jpg I saw a lot of photographers around the course during the race & a few video cameras, so more pics & clips please! next year I'll be racing with a headcam to show people just how hairy it got going round some of the corners, I have the necessary equipment here but didn't have enough time to get it all together as I was too busy on Saturday cleaning+tuning up my bike and finishing off the lighting setup (which I'm sure people couldn't have failed to see during the race...) Amazingly my legs don't ache today even with my normal riding but I am still feeling a big exhausted, I had a go on a couple of other bikes and wished I had the confidence to go up and ask to have a go on more to see how they compared to mine but nevermind, I'm still very happy with what I got.
May 19, 200817 yr Heres some pics of the bikes at the Presteigne 2008 show link Great pics John. I think the last one is the pro connect step through though and not an agattu. Regards Paul
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