Mate, whats the range like on your Ebike?
It's the second question that I get after I've told someone that I have an EMTB. The first one is, 'That's cheating, isn't it'. Haha. Honestly, I think that after the 'cheating' comments, many people seem genuinely interested in the bike and how far they can actually go. And then the next question is usually 'Do they recharge as you ride them?'. I love talking to people about my bike. I am a massive promoter of them to anyone who will listen to me so after the first couple of questions I find that people usually want to hear more. Then they hear the price and the subject changes quite quickly!
Despite going on several rides, including trail centres and a couple of visits to Bike Park Wales, I've never really had a full day out to ride the bike until the battery is completely done. I've had a rough idea of what it could do, but wanted to give it a real life test to fully understand these bad boys can do.
I knew a rough idea of the route that I wanted to take. First, the SRAM Code on the front of the bike is a bit dodgy. Just like the Codes on the Kenevo I think that these are having a similar issue (stuck front pistons). So the first stop off was my Local Bike shop, about 6 miles away from home. I wanted to take the most off-road route possible, so pointed my fully-charged bike in that direction and started on my all day battery test.
On the way to the LBS I stopped to film a short segment for the YouTube, and discovered how great the new App that my friend at work recommended to me: Dark Sky. This app is amazing for any cyclist who lives near intermittent weather areas (just like the UK!). I had an alert when I was filming that rain was starting in 3 minutes (yes, it's that accurate). Amazingly, it did! It gave me just enough time to get out the jacket, put away the camera to avoid water damage and crack on with my ride.
When I got the the LBS they booked the bike in for a 'service' (I didn't ever take it in for it's 6 week service) and hopefully they will work out that the front Code needs replacing. I love visiting the local bike shops. Local bike shops are one of the few retailers that are left in the UK where the staff have a real passion for what they sell, instead of generic, big brand, big box stores that don't really seem to really care about, or know anything about the stuff they are flogging.
I started to ride along the Basingstoke Canal heading North towards Swinley Forest. I had a rough idea of where I was heading (quite easy when you're along a canal as there is only one way to go!). After about 5 miles and a downpour of rain I found myself in the military area of Deepcut. Perfect, this was exactly where I wanted to be. At this point I'd used mostly Eco mode on the Levo, which gives approximately 20% assistance from the 250w motor. I'd been riding mostly flat single track, forest and roads at this point, followed by canal towpath, which is flatter than an iron, so barely any assistance needed at all.
I started to ride along the Basingstoke Canal heading North towards Swinley Forest. I had a rough idea of where I was heading (quite easy when you're along a canal as there is only one way to go!). After about 5 miles and a downpour of rain I found myself in the military area of Deepcut. Perfect, this was exactly where I wanted to be. At this point I'd used mostly Eco mode on the Levo, which gives approximately 20% assistance from the 250w motor. I'd been riding mostly flat single track, forest and roads at this point, followed by canal towpath, which is flatter than an iron, so barely any assistance needed at all.
I knew that I'd need to leave the canal at some point. After a few more miles I pulled out the iPhone to check where I was. Good job, I needed to take a swift exit off the canal path and through one of the local woods, near the army barracks and firing range 
. I met a really nice gentleman who gave me directions (about 15 minutes of directions, check the video right at the top of this page!). After listening to his guidance I managed to work my way into a working army barracks which I'm pretty sure the regal public are not supposed to be in. Oh well, no trouble, I managed to sneak through and get my way to the other side!
. I met a really nice gentleman who gave me directions (about 15 minutes of directions, check the video right at the top of this page!). After listening to his guidance I managed to work my way into a working army barracks which I'm pretty sure the regal public are not supposed to be in. Oh well, no trouble, I managed to sneak through and get my way to the other side!
Finally I managed to hit Swinley Forest, the local trail centre to me. Quick battery and mileage check. Yep, definitely on for at least 40 miles for this ride, easily. I was really hungry at this point, hadn't bothered to stop for any lunch at this point so I stopped in at Swinley Bike Hub for some Cliff Bars and a coffee before I hit the red trails at the forest.
After a few laps of the Red and Blue trail it was time to head back home. Usually I have a set route that I take but this time I couldn't as I was a bit short on time. I tried to take a short cut, which ended up being a long cut! I finally managed to work out where I was through the maps on my phone and got back to the road side.
At this point I'd covered about 35 miles. I had around 10% battery left, through a mix of Eco, Trail and a couple of hit of Turbo mode to help me with the steepest sections. Finally, I found a road that I recognised and was within 5 miles of home.
At this point I'd covered about 35 miles. I had around 10% battery left, through a mix of Eco, Trail and a couple of hit of Turbo mode to help me with the steepest sections. Finally, I found a road that I recognised and was within 5 miles of home.
Finally I was on the home straight. I'd been out all day and riding for almost 5 hours. This wasn't the most taxing ride at all, but what I really liked about it was that it was just a regular everyday ride, that anyone can do anytime. I now know that with my bike I can go out all day, discover outdoors, take on anything that I come across and get a good 40 miles plus from my Turbo Levo. That's a good day out to me, mate.
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