Ebiking in Switzerland

[Swissrider]

Ebiking in Switzerland is really taking off - a combination of great trails, an outdoor culture and general wealth making ebikes relatively affordable. Ebikes also open up possibilities that previously were only open to super fit athletes, especially for those of us who are “mature” mountain bikers (I’m 63). I’m lucky enough to live in a ski resort which has numerous trails, good uplift (not so important now!) and few people. I started with a road ebike last year and have done 2500k from daily rides, touring and shopping. Most recent big trip was from Brientz to Grindlewald Via Grosse Scheideg and then up to Kleine Scheideg under the Eiger, down to Lauterbrunnen and then make to Brienz Via Interlaken. This trip is the best part of the famous “Alpine pass route” and would be very hard work on foot or normal bike - about 100k and 3000m of ascent. It is interesting to note that restaurants are now used to ebikes approaching them with chargers in hand and they quickly direct you to the nearest electrical socket. Without these top ups, this kind of trip would not be possible.
I decided for mountain biking I needed a bike which was at least equivalent to my old mountain bike (180mm suspension enduro bike) and bought a Kenevo this summer which can cope with the steep, technical and sometimes rocky descents locally. This was the only long travel ebike at first our annual test day last year. This year, every manufacturer seemed to have one. After a superb Summer and Autumn, Winter has suddenly arrived, with snow in the garden and the dry and dusty trails gone until next year. Time to start writing about mountain biking!

 

[Interpaul]

I love Switzerland, spend a lot of time there skiing each season at my 'local' resort Engelberg which isn't that far from the region you are from as the crow flies.

I also did my summer holiday there this year, my Swiss mate and his family were on holiday in Africa for month in August so we went out to house/cat sit for him. MTB'd every day. Awesome lift served trails and loads of natural trails as well.

I notived a lot of eBikes being hired out, I was using my mates Spesh Enduro so didnt need to hire one out as was using lifts to get me up, but loads of people are using them to do hut to hut trips and longer days out - its like ski touring with a bike so right up my street

I am gonna drive out next Summer to Engelberg with our ebikes so we can go explore, also gonna drive round to Flims and Chur to ride the trails there, looks a really good bike park above Chur.

Unser Park

 

[R120]

I wish i lived in Switzerland! Spent a fair amount fo time in the mountains there in my youth

 

[Ron]

Share some photos when you can

 

[Interpaul]