South Downs Way on an EMTB?!

[MrSimmo]

Hi all,

I'm planning to ride the the entire South Downs Way later this year, its 100miles end to end with approx 10,000ft of climbing; and was thinking of either doing it in 2 days with an overnight stop half way or in one go in one day.

I'm thinking of using a Turbo Levo (700wh), so no ability easily to swap batteries (dont really want to carry a full spare). If I did it in 2 days, I could charge the battery over night.

Does anyone know (or could give an educated guess) if an EMTB will have the range capability to either do it in one go or in two?


Cheers, Andy

 

[R120]

I think you would need to work out the duration based off how much elevation you could achieve on each day, as this is likely to be the main factor in draining the battery more than overall distance - lets say as a safe bet you can get 30 miles and 4-5000ft of elevation out of the 700wh battery, you are probably looking at 3 days two overnight stops and setting up the power deliver in Mission Control to achieve that.

I would try and ride a section of it first to get an idea of how much battery you are using and try and figure out a setting that makes in achievable, as you may be able to do it over two days in some sort of custom eco mode

 

[R120]

You could also look at getting a Trailwatts extender battery, which would give you over or under 1000wh of capacity depending on options

Trail Watts Booster Battery Systems

@TrailwattsUK is a member on here

 

[MrSimmo]

Thanks both, appreciate the info - I'll also check out Trail Watts.

Cheers, Andy

 

[Pumpemup]

I attempted to ride the South Downs Way a few years back on a conventional MTB, starting out at Winchester train station, but only got as far as the bottom of Beacon Hill where my mate fell off on a nice downhill stretch and ended up being airlifted to Chichester hospital with a broken collar bone and assorted bruising. Even in the bit that I did manage to cycle, there was an awful lot of hill climbing! These days I have an S-Works Levo (with a 700Wh battery) and when I'm up in Swinley Forrest (lots of uphills in there too), the most I can usually achieve is the equivalent of a 40 mile range from a mix of Eco, Trail and Turbo (set at 30%:30%, 50%:50%, 80%:80%). I guess it depends on how fit you are, your Mission Control settings and how much time you'll be spending in trail and turbo. It might be worth you seeing if there's somewhere near you where you can try and replicate the kind of ascents/descents that you'll be doing on the trip to gauge what sort of range you might expect. I was going to stop for the night in a hotel in Amberley which at 48 miles from Winchester is about half way. I think that an extender battery is a great idea and would be pretty essential for this type of trip. Otherwise, I suspect that you'll end up with range anxiety and paying more attention to the battery level than the scenery. One final thought - it may be worth checking that you're not going to encounter too many stiles or similar barriers. Having to lug these bikes over too many of these obstacles could be a real pain!

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I did in years ago on an old specialized enduro over 2 days, 105 miles dead.
if I did it on the ebike I might be tempted to try it in one day on 2 batteries and with a bit of training. but yea, certainly doable over 2 days

 

[MrSimmo]

Good stuff thanks both. I could it in 2 days on my 'analogue' bike I reckon. I wouldn't be too bothered carrying a second battery and I'd load on bike packing stuff for the overnight stay, but I believe the Levo batteries are about £800 ( !!! ) which is a bit cost prohibitive for me at the moment.

Pumpemup - I've also fallen off at that exact spot! Its a nightmare, slippery chalk and off camber ruts

 

[Pumpemup]

Good stuff thanks both. I could it in 2 days on my 'analogue' bike I reckon. I wouldn't be too bothered carrying a second battery and I'd load on bike packing stuff for the overnight stay, but I believe the Levo batteries are about £800 ( !!! ) which is a bit cost prohibitive for me at the moment.

Pumpemup - I've also fallen off at that exact spot! Its a nightmare, slippery chalk and off camber ruts

It was one of the ruts that caused it. His front wheel got caught in one, launching him over the handlebars (along with his heavy rucksack). Lucky for us I had a GPS route finder with me (phones weren't so smart back then). I gave the emergency service operator our coordinates and within about 25 minutes the rescue helicopter came straight to our spot. The only problem was that I was left with two bikes, two rucksacks, two helmets and to cap it all, it started to rain (I felt a bit like John Cleese in that car sketch when it wouldn't start!).

 

[Paul Mac]

I did the coast 2 coast on my 700wh levo.
The longest day riding was about 60 miles. We managed it with a hour charge while having lunch at a pub.
That way you only have to carry the charger, which is smaller, lighter and free!
I'm sure you could find a similar spot along your route.

 

[MrSimmo]

I didnt think about that - thats a great idea; and excuse for a pub lunch!

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I didnt think about that - thats a great idea; and excuse for a pub lunch!

100% I stopped somewhere and had the biggest mac n cheese ive ever seen in my life.. then went full on posh on the way back and stopped at a tea shop for scones... pure energy

 

[MrSimmo]

That sounds like a solid plan! Always up for that

I know a guy who did the whole thing in one day, and drank beer the whole way along instead of eating! Nutter...