New to eMTB and having a blast!

[Ender]

This week I've been in northern Minnesota exploring a couple of excellent mountain bike parks for the first time: Tioga in Grand Rapids and Redhead in Chisholm. These are both in old iron ore mining areas with rolling trails through hills winding around lakes or old pit mines.

I've been riding electric bikes for a little over a year, and after trying some local singletrack trails, I knew I liked it, but I knew suspension would make it better. So just got a Cannondale (yes, Cannondale!) Moterra SL. This is a full suspension mid-weight full-power mid-drive mountain bike that makes easy work of those pesky hills while still giving lots of fun on those rolling trails. I had a blast. It's like riding a rollercoaster, but you decide how fast to go and what line to take.

What's amazing to me is even with a good electric MTB, it is still very tiring! I only lasted about an hour for each outing. My arms turn into wet noodles by the end and I'm exhausted. I have tons of respect for the guys without power riding those trails.

Anyway, here's a few pics of the trails:

Tioga:

Redhead:

https://www.redheadmtbpark.com/

 

[Tom@WashDC]

...I had a blast. It's like riding a rollercoaster, but you decide how fast to go and what line to take.

Have at it! It is a blast!

 

[Prairie Dog]

This week I've been in northern Minnesota exploring a couple of excellent mountain bike parks for the first time: Tioga in Grand Rapids and Redhead in Chisholm. These are both in old iron ore mining areas with rolling trails through hills winding around lakes or old pit mines.

I've been riding electric bikes for a little over a year, and after trying some local singletrack trails, I knew I liked it, but I knew suspension would make it better. So just got a Cannondale (yes, Cannondale!) Moterra SL. This is a full suspension mid-weight full-power mid-drive mountain bike that makes easy work of those pesky hills while still giving lots of fun on those rolling trails. I had a blast. It's like riding a rollercoaster, but you decide how fast to go and what line to take.

What's amazing to me is even with a good electric MTB, it is still very tiring! I only lasted about an hour for each outing. My arms turn into wet noodles by the end and I'm exhausted. I have tons of respect for the guys without power riding those trails.

Anyway, here's a few pics of the trails:

Tioga:

Redhead:

https://www.redheadmtbpark.com/

Congrats on the new ride. That Moterra really packs a wallop. SL emtbs have drastically improved since they first hit the market. Plenty of power and slimmer batteries give them the appearance of a svelte non-powered enduro bikes. It’s also nice to have trails in your neck of the woods which makes riding even more enticing.

I recently added a lightweight analog mtb to the fleet so that I can ride with friends none of who own emtbs. Makes me feel more in sync with the group. It still can’t replace my Levo on solo rides which is a sinful delight on steep technical climbs.

 

[E biker]

You're lucky to live in a area that is open minded enough to allow sensible adults to enjoy their sport.
I can't wait until the rest of the world has the same attitude.