So, the ebike works… and my confidence is up! What were my takeaways from the shakedown ride and what are the kinds of rides I’m considering for 2025 and beyond for my electric wonder?

Housekeeping

Live Show! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm PT - topics TBA, and of course it’ll be the pod for the following week if you can’t make it live. Links and more at pedalshift.net/live.

We have a new adventure lined up in a totally new to me state! Preview episode next week!

Takeaways

The bike works and I might be a better mechanic than I thought

I may have underestimated the range on this battery

I may have underestimated the recharge capabilities of the "slow charger" but maybe not

I need more hand positions (Jones Bar? Something else?)

I really should finish the bike but if I’m cutting cables I want to figure out the handlebars and height first

I’m going to buy all the things to outfit this without borrowing from my other bikes

The Future

I considered bringing this bike for my annual Florida ride, then reconsidered

Positioning an ebike for a ride is complex because transportation has to be by ground or shipping

I want to do more shakedowns before going "over the wall"

C&O to Cumberland and back (or train)

Full GAP/CO

East Coast Greenway segments from DC north and south

Connect OTET to Katy (Dayton-St. Louis)

KC to Denver

Denver to the Pacific Coast

What are you interested in hearing about?

On this episode, I take my new ebike on its first shakedown ride to test its capabilities, from battery life to chain tension to, well… does this thing work? It’s a 40 mile round trip from my cabin in West Virginia to a campsite outside of Hancock, MD on the C&O towpath complete with terrain, headwinds, hills and riverside overnight!

Housekeeping

Lael Wilcox’s ride is weeks old now but shout out to listener and former guest Cyrus Fairivar for not only meeting with Lael, but getting an unnamed shout out on her pod!

Live Show announcement! Friday December 6 at 9pm ET/6pm PT - topics TBA, and of course it’ll be the pod for the following week if you can’t make it live. Links and more at pedalshift.net/live.

eBike Project - Shakedown Ride

Bike Setup & Preparation:

• Fully charged battery, loaded with two rear panniers, and adjustments for the first e-bike adventure.

• Changes from the last ride: added a stove for coffee and packed some food from Maria’s Taqueria.

Ride Experience:

• Initial observations on battery performance: The e-bike flattened the hills, averaging around 20-25 mph with minimal battery usage.

• Headwind and hill performance: Noted how the pedal assist (at level 4 and 5) made hills easier and allowed for faster cruising speeds.

Comfort Adjustments:

• Noted some tingling in the hands and plans to possibly add bar ends or horns for a better grip.

• A potential move to a more upright riding position, requiring cabling adjustments.

Battery Management:

• Discussed the range and recharge performance, observing that the battery was only down 25% after 20 miles of riding, even with heavy pedal assist.

• Insights on ideal battery storage and how the e-bike’s range matched expectations.

Camp Setup:

• Arrived at camp and shared thoughts on the bike’s potential for longer tours, with plenty of battery for return rides.

• Reflections on camping alone and observations on trail conditions and other cyclists.

The Ride Back:

• Further testing of the battery on uphill sections, confirming impressive performance with ample pedal assist.

• Final reflections on e-bike touring possibilities, noting a vastly improved return ride compared to previous acoustic bike tours.

Statistics

Miles biked: 40 miles

Average Speed on Flats: 23 mph
Battery confidence: 100%

Efficacy of using coffee stirrers as chopsticks: 3%

Flats: 0

Originally recorded live from Hedgesville, WV, this episode of the Pedalshift Project includes the (semi-doomed) 2018 fall tour reveal and gear tips for your fall bicycle touring. Plus banter with you… because it was live! Originally podcast September 27, 2018.