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.
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 Brycheiniog (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.
Where can I try ebiking?
You’ll find ebike hire centres across the country, offering a range of different cycles and experiences.
Hire an ebike from Beics Antur Bikes in Caernarfon, and spend a few hours following the mostly traffic-free Lôn Las Menai and Lôn Eifion routes. Enjoy views over the Menai Strait and riding through woodland along a disused railway line.
Snowdonia Bikes in Llanrwst hire out all-terrain electric bikes, perfect for exploring Eryri. The mixed terrain trails in the region take in ancient native forests, glacial lakes and rugged mountains, with plenty of opportunities for food and brew stops.
Near Merthyr, book ebike hire in advance at BikePark Wales to try out your skills on the excellent, purpose-built mountain bike trails. Improve your flow with expert coaching and guided rides in this stunningly beautiful part of Wales.
Head to Tours de Presteigne if you fancy exploring the Wales/England borderlands with one of their powerful ebikes. The passionate and friendly team can help you plan a self-guided route depending on your requirements - they know all the best cake and coffee spots!
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.
