* * * Tour de Presteigne 2008 Details * * *

[Wisper Bikes]

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!

 

[Wisper Bikes]

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

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

 

[Tiberius]

Here is the link to the event:

Tour de Presteigne

And to the town:

Presteigne & Norton Website

Nick

 

[Exem]

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

 

[Wisper Bikes]

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

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

Did anyone get home yet? Come on guys & Gals, fill all us poor old sods in on all the wizzy bikes you saw

Regards
Paul

 

[Haku]

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!

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

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

 

[stevebee]

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

 

[JohnInStockie]

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

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

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

 

[Tim]

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.

 

[ElephantsGerald]

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

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

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

 

[Tim]

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.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

What a day!

Presteigne was an amazing success!



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!



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!



Thanks also to this chap, who offered to ride the 905eco 200w in the race sorry I didn't catch your name.



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!



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

 

[burncycle]

Great pictures.
Thanks David.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

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!



All the best David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

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

 

[alanterrill]

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?