What’s an ebike?

At first glance, it can be difficult to tell the difference between and ebike and its traditional cousin, but look a little closer and it all starts to make sense. Cleverly hidden around the bike’s body are motors and batteries designed to give riders a little extra assistance. You still have to work the pedals, but the onboard aids make it easier to travel further and tackle ascents that would have been out of reach if cycling purely under your own steam. 

Electric mountain bikes being charged.
A mountain ebike leaning against mossy rocks.
A man on a mountain bike going through a stream.

Mountain ebikes from WyeMTB, Wye Valley

Where can I ride an ebike?

Anywhere you could ride a normal one. Ebikes come in all shapes and sizes, from full-suspension off-roaders built for berms, banks and rocky jumps, to comfortable tourers more at home on smoother surfaces. You might choose to take one to one of our stellar mountain bike centres, utilising the motor on the uphill stretches so you can conserve your energy for blistering downhill runs.

Or if you’ve been inspired by Geraint Thomas’ Tour de France-winning performances but lack the legs and lungs for similar feats, an ebike can take you to new heights. With a motor taking up some of the strain, even comparatively novice cyclists can experience the thrill of climbing through the steep passes of Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheinion (the Brecon Beacons) - before enjoying equally thrilling descents down twisting mountain roads. Check out the Eryri (Snowdonia) 360 road route for inspiration to explore the wonders of North Wales by ebike.

female on ebike with autumnal landscape.
female on ebike with autumnal landscape.

Cyclist on ebike, Glyndwrs Way, Glaslyn Nature Reserve, Mid Wales 

Where can I try ebiking?

You’ll find ebike hire centres across the country, offering a range of different cycles and experiences. Ebike Hire North Wales, based in Mold, provide tourers designed for exploring the region’s roads and trails. It’s the ideal jumping off point for a spin through the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty made up of moss-coloured hills, limestone cliffs and heather-flecked moorland.

 

close up of ebikes.
ebike on boardwalk.

Ebikes at Llys-y-Frân, Pembrokeshire

Further south, explore the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park - the only fully coastal National Park in the UK. A journey along quiet, traffic free trails between Haverfordwest to the pretty marina at Neyland is perfect for cyclists of all abilities, offering up a stunning selection of sea views, plus plenty of cafés and picnic places for well-deserved pitstops.

For a more intense experience, join one of Wye MTB’s ebike adventures through the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons. You’ll traverse fire roads strung through the trees, tackle tricky technical climbs and face a range of descents – ranging from bouncy boneshakers to high-speed sweeps. 

A large group of mountain bikers on a hilltop.
Mountain bikers on a hillside trail.
Mountain bikers on a track heading toward the sun.

Heading up into the Welsh hills with WyeMTB, Wye Valley

Related stories