by Alexia Wdowski
E-bike Summer in Aberystwyth
It’s a gorgeously sunny day in Aber, one we truly deserve after lots of rain. Strappy tops are in, swimmers are out, and paddle boards wait in rows along the beach. August is looking good!
A light breeze blows and, if I’m not mistaken, some brave person is about to sky-dive off the top of Constitution Hill. What I am attempting today is not quite so dramatic, but it is highly adventurous nonetheless. I’m going on my very first e-bike ride!
Meeting the E-Bikes
I met my friend and fellow e-bike novice, Yohanna Best of Mashed, Aberysywyth, at Eco Hub Aber, where a range of different e-bikes are now available to hire. We have vague cycle path plans and discuss options with Eco Hub’s Kate Rolt. There are two main cycle routes in Aber, The Rheidol Cycleway a 17 mile waymarked route which runs from Aber all the way to Devil’s Bridge and The Ystwyth Trail, a 20 mile cycleway which follows parts of the old railway line towards Tregaron. We decided on an experimental loop which follows the river as part of the Ystwyth Trail before heading down to Tanybwlch Beach.
The Tern HSD 9 vs The Benno eJoy
Our two e-bikes are waiting outside. We are taking out two different kinds of bike, the Tern, a well-engineered, modern-looking e-bike and the Benno eJoy, a vintage ladies’ loop-frame design, to put them through their paces, in the most genteel way possible, while heroically stopping halfway for a picnic.
The Tern HSD 9
The statuesque Tern has a belt drive instead of a metal chain meaning it doesn’t rust. It is fitted with turn gears and a wheel lock as well as space saving features like FlatFold and vertical parking. Its matte black frame looks like something out of the matrix but the centre of gravity is low and it has a step-through frame for easy mounting. As we set off on a practice run round the block, the Tern feels very stable, comfortable and easy to manoeuvre.
The Benno eJoy
The Benno eJoy seems like a familiar friend with its vintage-style low frame and sky-blue colour making it a heavier version of a ladies push bike. It has an upright riding position and is fitted with a Bosch mid-drive electric motor. It is a very smooth cycle and its aluminium frame can also carry a bit of heft as well as being 100% compatible with most premium child seats.
Fun and Freaky Features of E-Bikes – The Nitty-Gritty
E-bikes have a range of power modes including Eco, Turbo and Sport depending on the model. You can switch modes for what terrain needs tackling and how much battery you want to use. We start in Eco Mode and enjoy the bikes pulling forward like stallions raring to go.
Both bikes also have normal gears to fine tune torque. The Tern’s handlebar gears twist and the Benno eJoy’s gears are controlled by a click. On both bikes the frames are noticeably heavier when pushing, but when riding they feel stable and we find it is easier to look around and put your arm out to signal than when riding a push bike.
Call of the Wild – Dolphin Spotting at South Beach
After an impromptu photo-session in the square we are finally waved on our way. Adventure awaits! We start by cycling along the seafront towards Aberystwyth Castle. The weather is perfect and we cycle side-by-side past South Beach where Yohanna told me she had spotted dolphins this morning. I have always epically failed to see dolphins in Aber, so she gave me some expert tips:
- look out to sea if a person is pointing their DSL camera at something.
- look out to sea if a bunch of seagulls are weirdly gathering around something.
I look towards the beach, but can only see a man pointing his camera directly at the sand below his feet. No dolphins for me today. However, the sea is full of delightful lapping wavelets under a mediterranean-looking sky. Not bad. South Beach would be a perfect place to stop, lock up your e-bike, eat some lunch and try a bit of dolphin spotting.
All the Freedom of the Trail with Less of the Effort
We cross down by the harbour where there is a map of the Rheidol Trail which can take you all the way to Devil’s Bridge. Both the Rheidol and Ystwyth trails are well waymarked by blue cycle route signs. We cycle under Bridge Street before turning right and heading towards the footbridge over the river.
The cycle path takes us through the grounds of a small block of flats before guiding us across the main road and up a not inconsiderable amount of hill, one that would have caused quite some energy expenditure had we been on ‘normal’ bikes. When the mode was changed to ‘sport’ we passed a puffing cyclist feeling like swans gliding past a puffin. ‘I’m not even breaking a sweat,’ Yohanna commented. ‘Does it even count as exercise?’ I wonder. ‘Who cares!’ she replies.
The Ystwyth Trail
The Ystwyth Trail, named after the river Ystwyth, runs parallel to the aforementioned river meandering down to Rhydyfelin with views across to Tanybwlch beach (of the washed-ashore cocaine fame). The blue stretch of sea looks flawless as we slowly circumnavigate a few ambling dog walkers.
We both enjoy attempting to find the perfect level of bell-ring. One that is neither too aggressive nor too quiet. We decided that the e-bikes had a very friendly bell sound, neither too sharp nor irritating. A very important detail often overlooked.
We discover to our delight that these bikes can actually move along by themselves. Along the tarmac bike path they are both incredibly smooth and pull us passengers along without us having to do hardly anything except look at the view. This part of the ride is simply gorgeous and we enjoy the freedom of the open road without expending any of the effort.
We decide to take the road less travelled up another effortless hill, leaving the river to ride through a dappled woodland pathway. On the way back down my Tern takes flight, its speedometer telling me I am at 17 mph already! Watch out for 20mph speed limits on this little thrill-seeker!
We come back to the road and head towards the beach, perilously tackling opening and closing two gates en route, no small task with heavy e-bikes.
Lessons in Fun from our E-Bike Ride
The entire cycle loop takes under two hours including the stop for tea and bike gossip by the beach on a handily provided driftwood bench. We conclude that the Benno eJoy is perhaps more of a town bike, its elegance made for smooth tarmac, hard ground, and well-maintained bike paths. The Tern is a little more likely to deal with a bit of light off-roading. Overall we learn that e-bike riding is safe, comfortable and most of all, fun. What we miss out on in endorphin sweats, we more than make up for in joy and swan-like smugness as we glide up steep hills.
Top Tips from us for Riding an E-Bike
E-bike tip #1 – do not politely stop half-way up a slope and wait for pedestrians as your e-bike will conk out and not be able to start again. If you do find yourself in this predicament, get into the lowest gear possible to head off again. Also do not pause to look at the view with your companion behind you. ‘Get out the way, I can’t stop,’ they might shout if you make this rookie error.
E-bike Tip #2 – allow gates to be held open for you by nice women dog walkers. E-bikes can be heavy when pushed and the larger models need two hands to manoeuvre. Always (get someone else) to shut gates behind you.
E-bike Tip #3 – lock up your bike on the prom before heading down to sunbathe and enjoy some beach action.
E-Bike Hire in Aberystwyth
A wide range of e-bikes are available to try from Aber Eco Hub and can be hired out for leisure and business from short rides to longer weekly or monthly hires. Special summer offers are available throughout July and August. Maps of local cycle routes are available here. Aber Eco Hub can also advise on suitable cycle routes, activities and timings.
Please be aware when hiring out bicycles that a competent level of cycling and road safety awareness is needed along with suitable footwear. Bikes come prepped and fully charged, paniers are available on some models and helmets and locks are provided. Follow Eco Hub Aber on Social Media for more information.
Remember to have fun out there on the trail, always avoid those pesky sand-dunes, and happy e-cycling everyone!
