Electric cycles welcome at mountain bike charity challenge event near Oswestry

In the past, e-bikes were frowned upon in the world of mountain biking but James Davies, the owner of Mule Cycle Shop in the main car park in Oswestry, says that the new generation of e-bikes are great machines and are now welcomed at most events.

James, a staunch member of the local cycling community said, “I like the physical challenge of just rocking up to a mountain and cycling over it, but some people want the same result but have less energy available, so the E-bike is definitely the answer.

"People are still getting exercise, fresh air and a sense of achievement, with a little less puff. Covid has seen an explosion in cycling in general and e-bikes in particular. I hope we see lots of them at this year’s Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge in May.”

The Borderland Mountain Bike Challenge which numbers Mule among its sponsors will be held on May 7 at 10am, starting at Rhiwlas Village Hall, and there are spaces left. To book visit borderland-mtb-challenge.org

The 22-mile challenge takes the riders over green lanes and farm tracks, up and down the foothills of the Berwyn Mountains, and is available to riders of all competences.

However, organisers say it’s not for the faint hearted as there is only about 300m of tarmac and probably no more than that on level ground.