Note: This was originally written for Endless Sphere. It is also featured in Elation website.I took the Elation for the most torturous test to date. Starting from Lausanne then going around the lake Leman (lake Geneva) to Montreux, Vevey, Villenueve then crossing to France - Evian, Thonon and various small towns along the way back to Switzerland in Geneva.
Total distance was 136km and took 11hrs to complete (relaxed riding and enjoying scenery). Hence I took the frugal approach with the battery, basically to use it only on ascending part. And there were *a lot* of it. I saw the first yellow indicator light at 120km past France and approaching Geneva. Then the next 15km saw the first red light. Not bad at all for a tiny battery package!
Route map (google)
Departed 9:30 at the picturesque Ouchy area of Lausanne then on to the road between Lausanne and Montreux. Perfect weather!
Off the beaten track nearing French Border. The border itself was like a toll booth and the person just simply waved me on, not interested in any passport. Visited endless French villages like this at Yvoire. If I had to stop and take pictures everytime I saw something interesting I would never got to my destination!
Everytime I park the bike people would glance at the motor/battery. Why eBike is not yet a primary transport in such beautiful and hilly countries actually beggars belief.
I took the Elation to another long ride, this time up the mountain of Morzine-Avoriaz to see Tour de France.
