Dress for the Cold

Layering is key to staying warm without overheating. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat off your skin, add an insulating mid-layer, and finish with a windproof, water-resistant outer layer. Thermal gloves, a warm hat that fits under your helmet, and a neck warmer can also make a big difference.

Prepare Your Bike

Winter conditions can be tough on your bike. Ensure your tyres have adequate tread to handle slippery roads and. Keeping your battery warm is also crucial, as cold weather can reduce battery efficiency. Store it indoors when not in use.

Stay Visible

Winter days are shorter, and poor weather can quickly reduce visibility. Equip your bike with strong front and rear lights and wear high-visibility clothing or reflective gear. Reflective tape on your helmet or panniers can also help you stand out.

Adjust Your Riding Style

Cold, wet roads can mean longer stopping distances and less traction. Lower your speed and allow extra room for braking. Take turns slowly, avoid sudden movements, and be mindful of ice patches, especially in shaded areas.

Keep Your Bike Clean

Winter cycling can lead to muddy splatters and salty road grime, which can corrode parts over time. Rinse off your bike after each ride, particularly if you’ve ridden through salt-treated areas. Apply a winter-grade chain lubricant to protect against rust.

Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to forget about hydration in the colder months, but it’s just as important as in the summer. Cold air can be dehydrating, and wearing layers increases your sweat rate. Bring an insulated water bottle to keep your drink from freezing.

Plan Your Route

In winter, familiar routes may have new hazards. Opt for main roads where possible, as they’re more likely to be cleared of ice or snow. Alternatively, choose well-lit routes if you’re riding at dusk or dawn.

Know Your Battery Limits

Cold temperatures can reduce the range of your electric bike’s battery. Keep track of your battery level and factor in the reduced range when planning your journey. If it’s particularly cold, plan shorter rides or have a backup route to return quickly if needed.

By following these tips, you’ll find that winter cycling can be a refreshing, invigorating experience. With your electric bike, winter riding isn’t just about braving the cold; it’s about embracing the season and exploring the world from a new, quieter perspective.

The post Cycling in Winter on Your Electric Bike appeared first on Espokes.

The Health Benefits of Riding an E-Bike

Low-Impact Exercise: Riding an e-bike provides an excellent form of low-impact exercise. Even with electric assistance, riders still engage in pedalling, which helps to strengthen leg muscles and improve cardiovascular health. Unlike high-impact exercises like running, e-biking puts less strain on joints, making it suitable for individuals of all fitness levels and ages.

Weight Management and Calorie Burn: Regular e-bike commuting can help with weight management and weight loss efforts. By pedalling and utilising electric assistance when needed, riders burn calories and boost their metabolism, contributing to maintaining a healthy body weight.

Mental Well-being: The endorphins released during exercise can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. E-biking offers the advantage of combining physical activity with the sheer joy of riding, allowing riders to unwind and clear their minds while navigating through scenic routes.

Enhanced Cardiovascular Health: Engaging in regular e-bike rides can improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and blood flow. This can lead to reduced risks of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues, making it a worthwhile investment for long-term health.

Improved Respiratory Function: As e-bike riders tend to travel at slower speeds compared to motor vehicles, they are exposed to fewer harmful pollutants, leading to better respiratory health. Additionally, the exercise from pedalling can strengthen respiratory muscles, benefiting lung capacity.

Integrating E-Bikes into Daily Life

Commuting to Work: One of the most practical ways to integrate e-bikes into daily life is by using them for commuting to work. With the assistance of the electric motor, commuting longer distances becomes manageable, while avoiding traffic congestion and reducing your carbon footprint.

Errands and Shopping: Replace short car trips for errands and shopping with e-bike rides. Most e-bikes come equipped with cargo racks or baskets, allowing you to carry groceries and essentials without a hassle.

Exercise Routine: Incorporate e-bike rides into your weekly exercise routine. You can alternate between traditional biking and e-biking, allowing you to challenge yourself physically while still enjoying the thrill of e-assistance.

Recreational Rides: Utilise ebikes for recreational purposes, exploring nearby parks, nature trails, or scenic routes. It’s an enjoyable way to spend time with family and friends while reaping the health benefits of outdoor activities.

Group Activities: Join local e-bike clubs or organise group rides with friends and neighbours. Group activities not only make the experience more enjoyable but also provide an opportunity to socialise and motivate each other towards a healthier lifestyle.

The post Embracing the Ebike Revolution: A Healthy and Sustainable Commute appeared first on Espokes.

Wincanton is situated on the main A303 London to Penzance Road. Lying in the extreme southeast of Somerset and on the Dorset / Wiltshire borders. Wincanton is in easy reach of many places of interest which makes it the perfect location for exploring whether you are on foot, bicycle, or horseback.

Market town with a long history

Thought to be the site of a market since medieval times it was not until 17th March 1556 when Queen Mary granted a charter for two annual fairs and a market every other Wednesday that Wincanton turned into a thriving and attractive market town

The making of woolen cloth was Wincanton’s main industry, in addition to silk and linen, and Mill Street, possibly the oldest and prettiest street in the town, leads from the Market Place down to where the old mill once stood.

Wincanton’s other thriving businesses were pottery, brick making, and clocks as there were several clockmakers in the town.

Gory Battles

Wincanton was the scene of several bloody battles between the Britons, Danes, and Saxons. One battle between the army of King James II and invading forces of Prince William of Orange took place on November 1688. Six men were hanged, drawn, and quartered after.

On 13th May 1707, a fire destroyed most of the older buildings in the High Street and the town centre.

Coach and Rail Travel

Wincanton was on the stagecoach route from London to Exeter and many coaches called at the town. This led to a post office opening, and coaching inns being established. By the 1790s post was dispatched to London six days a week. Coach service to London and Taunton ran three times a week, while several wagons went regularly to Bath, London, Sherborne Taunton, and Weymouth.

The Dorset Central Railway line reached Wincanton in 1861

Ankh Morpork

Wincanton was twinned with the French town Gennes and Les Rosiers on 19^th July 1975 and with the German town Lahnau on 16th October 1991.

On 7th December 2002, Wincanton was twinned with a place that does not exist – Ankh Morpork. This is a fictional city created by Terry Pratchett in his Discworld books…and there begins another story.

You can find our Wincanton showroom within easy reach of the A303; Unit 4, Lawrence Hill Business Centre, Saxon Way, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9RT call us on 01963 824700

The post Wincanton – Twinned with Ankh Morpork appeared first on Espokes.

‘“Made in Germany”, is a conviction by which Kalkhoff lives.’ Kalkhoff Ebikes for daily use, engineered in Germany. Kalkhoff is developing reliable electric bikes for carefree everyday and leisure riding.

Quality German Engineering

1919. 16-year-old Heinrich Kalkhoff started trading in bicycle parts from his home in Cloppenburg, Germany. A year later, he expanded into selling second-hand bicycles.

In 1923, he produced his own bicycle frames, and a new bike manufacturer was born.

In 1927, the first complete bicycle left the production plant.

Nine years later, Kalkhoff became an internationally operating company, employing around 40 people and producing around 250,000 bikes.

Over a 100 years later Kalkhoff combines traditional values and modern technology to bring unique designs to their bikes: Clean lines, state-of-the-art integration, pure and style-conscious colour schemes with a Nordic character.

The War

During the war years the Kalkhoff factories were forced to produce arms. After the end of the war, the company carried on by producing non-bike-related industrial goods.

In 1950 due to a demand for bicycles, production started once more with a daily output of 5,000 frames.

In 1970 a new factory and distribution warehouse were opened in Cloppenburg.

Two years later, the five-millionth bike left the Kalkhoff plants.

in 1972, Heinrich Kalkhoff died and the company passed to his three sons Berthold, Karl, and Heinz.

in 1988 Derby Cycle Werke was established and Kalkhoff became part of the international Derby Group.

Innovative Technology and Design

In 2007 the Kalkhoff Ebikes was launched marking the start of the most successful chapter in Kalkhoff’s recent history.

in 2011 the Impulse drive system was launched together with a successful stock market flotation. A year later, Derby Cycle was taken over by the Dutch Pon Group.

in 2015, Kalkhoff relaunched its brand, unveiling the Kalkhoff Integrale, the first commercially produced e-bike with a mid-motor and fully integrated battery. They are now one of the leading e-bike manufacturers in Europe.

Continuous Innovation of Kalkhoff Ebikes

Bikes for daily use, effortless, stress free and sustainable. Feel the wind in your hair without having to battle against it. Fly past the traffic with ease.

Offering a range of models, the Excite, Advance and Move with a selection of frames such as the Diamond (DI), solid, lightweight and sporty. The Trapez (TR) a sporty, highly stable frame, low in weight with a dynamic streak. The wave (WA) a compact aluminum frame for flexible use. The comfort (CO) making you feel even safer with its extra-wide step-through frame.

See and experience these great bikes for yourselves!

Our test ride service is the ideal way; choose between coming to our Basingstoke Showroom; Wincanton outlet or we can even come to your home, workplace or location of your choice.

We are always happy to help with any questions you have and advise you on the best ebike for your lifestyle.

Come and test ride BOOK NOW email info@espokes.co.uk or call us on 01256 353465

The post Kalkhoff Ebikes – Pure Freedom appeared first on Espokes.

The risk to the Uk is now high.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 have been put in place to reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission in this country by keeping individuals in isolation.

Amid this developing situation, being a responsible Electric bike supplier, we would like to assure you the health of both our customers and our team members is our biggest priority. We are closely following the advice of Public Health England and the World Health Organisation and introducing a wide variety of measures to minimise the impact to public health.

Safety & Hygiene

Cleaning in our show room has been intensified, with our teams regularly sanitising their hands and maintaining distance when working with customers.

We will still carry on with test rides as these are done outside and assure you that each bike is then thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.

We encourage customers to use contactless payments where possible and the bigger transactions can be done by us on the computer with a receipt emailed instantly.

None of us have been abroad in the last nine months and if any team member were to show even mild signs of flu-like symptoms we will follow the government advice surrounding medical care and self-isolate.

Try At Home Service

For those of you who don’t want to be out and about all our store products are available to order direct online from our website We use Royal Mail for our smaller items who are doing contactless delivery. They will knock on your door, place your item on the doorstep before stepping away to a safe distance for you to retrieve it. For ebikes ordered online or over the phone we can also arrange a contactless hand over.

We will continue to offer our try at home service; where we take several bikes out giving customers the chance to try the bikes before purchasing.

With bases in Basingstoke and Wincanton, we are regulars of the A303 corridor. We can easily cover Hampshire, Berkshire, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

If you wish to book a test ride on any of our electric bikes please call us on 01256 353465/07771 927354 or email info@espokes.co.uk

Cycling For Health

All this has caused many of us to have anxiety and start to get depressed. Worry not! We know due to a 2018 study by Vitality Health; cyclists’ levels of depression are 25% lower than that of sedentary people making them more satisfied with life in general.

Cycling regularly improves physical and mental health. It is also a good remedy against sedentary illnesses and halves the risk of obesity, heart disease and cancer. Giving a fitness level equal to someone ten years younger.

Special Offers

In view of all this; we at Espokes would like to help get us all through this phase the best way we can. We want to keep everyone fit and healthy in mind and body. Here are some offers we have put together to help make cycling more accessible;

Our Ex-Demo Hunter Step through is now only £999 saving you £51.

We are giving FREE selected accessories with EZEGO ebikes sold.

£100 off the Raleigh Motus Open making this Bosch powered Raleigh electric bike an absolute steal at only £1,700

Click on the ebikes below for more information

Finally

We are continuously monitoring the situation. Following direction given by the government. We will take whatever action is necessary to protect the health of our customers and our teams.

Cycling can be a key part of the transport solution. Many of our core service workers such as NHS staff still need to travel to work. Cycling is a much better solution to maintain social distances than on public transport. For this reason we plan to remain open as long as is possible. If you need to purchase an ebike, bicycle accessories or if you rely on your bike and need us to help keep it running we will be here.

We will notify you of any changes to our working hours or the way we operate as it happens through our Facebook

The post COVID – 19 Update appeared first on Espokes.

Walking, parking and cycling are all forbidden. There are no traffic signals, intersections and junctions with other roads, or property access. Overpasses and underpasses service railway and pedestrian paths.

Due to the Increased use of the motorcar and the demand for faster movement between cities, this led to dual carriageways being built in the 1920s. Read on to learn all about the Motorway History.

The First Motorway

The oldest motorway in England opened in 1958. Primarily the Preston Bypass in Lancashire, eight and a quarter miles long and now part of the M6 the longest motorway in the UK. It runs from Junction 19 of the M1 near Rugby to Gretna and the A74 (M) near Scotland; spanning 232 miles and covering nine counties.

The M40 was Britain’s first motorway going from Oxford to London along a similar route to the A40.

Britain’s first full length motorway was the M1. This opened in 1959 and recognised as a London to Birmingham motorway.

The M3

The M3 ran from the outer edges of London to Popham, west of Basingstoke, where it splits to allow traffic into the A30 and A33. It was built as a three lane motorway except for the two lane section from junction 8 (A303) and 9. Lightwater/Bagshot to Popham was opened in 1971 and in 1995 Winchester to Otterbourne. It carries traffic to and from London from the west of Surrey, north of Hampshire, South of Berkshire, Southampton, Bournemouth and Poole via the A31 and the South West via the A303.

The very ancient and important hill fort known as St Catherine’s Hill was kept intact by squeezing the Winchester Bypass between the hillside and the river Itchen along a twisting path. This caused controversy with the opening in 1995 of the final section.

Built in the 1920s this was the oldest dual carriageway in the UK.  Most unsuitable for a motorway which had to be cut through high ground to avoid the ancient monument whilst destroying picturesque and scientifically interesting countryside, regarding Twyford Down as the beginning of the backlash against road building.

The M3 starts in London and ends in Southampton. It is 61 miles, passing Staines, Bracknell, Basingstoke and Winchester. It connects to the M25 and A282, M27, A34 and the A303.

As a result we at Espokes are within easy reach from many towns because we are located not far from Junction 6 on the Hassocks Wood business park. With easy parking even in your motorhomes or horseboxes. We are the ‘must place’ to pop along to and give our great Ebikes a test ride.

The post A Little Motorway History appeared first on Espokes.

Due to modern technology and our more sedentary lives, there are now also growing levels of obesity among young people. Making this a good time for teenagers to join the e-bike boom. Electric bikes give them freedom cycling to school and visiting their friends; without relying on the taxi of Mum or Dad.

To get the most reluctant teenager to exercise start by using the lure of smart watches, route planners and performance trackers as the incentive these digital natives need to get out on two wheels; especially ones powered by the latest technology to help them achieve that weekly cardio goal.

As the e-bike revolution gathers pace; manufacturers are now looking at making ebikes accessible to teenagers as the next obvious step.

The RooDog Striker

Look at one such bike, a great fun ebike and a real head turner in gorgeous glossy red.

A fun, versatile and cost-effective ebike to ride!

The Striker eMTB is a super comfy ride. It is both light and robust enough to handle the more rugged mountain terrain. It suits riders from 5’4ft – 6’3ft tall.

The 250watt motor assists up to 15.5mph (the maximum speed allowed by UK/EU regulation). It is powered by a 36-volt 11Ah lithium-ion battery. Giving a range of up to 30 miles per full charge; with an option of a bigger battery upgrade for even more miles.

Not only will they be able to keep pace with or cycle past their parents; but the combination of pedal assistance and long battery range means they will be able to ride further. Hills and trails will also feel that little bit flatter encouraging and inspiring more teens to take up cycling.

Fun and Family Days

Cycling will become fun and be a boon for the whole family; spending time together; stopping at cafes for delicious hot chocolate and cake; cycling back through forests and off-road; where even muddy tracks and steep hills become most enjoyable adding to those great adventures.

We at Espokes say; “come on people, it’s not just silver cyclists enjoying the e-bike revolution, everyone from 14years upwards can join in!!”

To find out more and book a test ride visit our website

The post Ebikes for teens appeared first on Espokes.

Easter isn’t just about chocolate. It’s about the celebration of the last week of Jesus’ life, his death, and his resurrection following Lent; 40 days of penance and fasting. For Christians, all over the world, Easter symbolises the dawn of a new life.

The origin of Easter dates to the pagan festival “Ishtar” pronounced “Easter” when Anglo-Saxons honoured Eostre, goddess of spring and fertility, also known as Ostara the goddess of the dawn and a bringer of light. At the feast of Eostre  an ox was sacrificed  and its crossed horns carved into the bread became a symbol of the season and this is how the hot cross bun originated (the word ‘bun’ being the Saxon word ‘boun’ meaning ‘sacred ox’).

If you are wondering where the Easter bunny fits into all this there are several different theories. One theory being that in pagan tradition, Eostre’s animal symbol is that of a rabbit. Also known for their energetic breeding symbolising fertility.

Another theory is that the Easter Bunny or Easter Hare originates from German Lutherans. At the start of the season of Eastertide, the “Easter Hare” originally played the role of a judge, assessing children’s behaviour seeing if they were good or disobedient.

If your children have been little angels this holiday. Why not get the Easter Bunny to pick up a Frog Bike from us to deliver to them. That way once they have eaten their choccies they can burn it all off on their new bicycles.

We have recently become an authorised stockist of these egg-cellent kids’ bikes. Designed with the child in mind; they have lighter frames, shorter cranks and small drop handlebars. This is to ensure cycling is a positive experience for younger riders. Check out our Frog page for more information or pop into our showroom.

Now onto the chocolate egg. In England the first chocolate Easter eggs were made by Fry’s of Bristol in 1873. John Cadbury was already making ‘French eating’ Chocolate since 1842. Though it was not until 1875 that the first Cadbury Easter eggs were made. These were made of dark chocolate with plain shells enhanced by chocolate piping and marzipan flowers. 1905 saw the launch of the famous Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate Easter egg which established them as seasonal best sellers. These were often filled with sweets and given to children at Easter.

In 1883 Faberge produced their first Gold Eggs eggs. They were made as an Easter gift for the Empress Marie of Russia from her husband, Tsar Alexander III. It featured a small gold egg in an outside shell of platinum and enamel. It’s possible they made as many as 69 of which 57 survive today.

If you’re feeling as generous as Tsar Alexander III and want to treat your other half to an electric bike for their Easter Gift, check out our range online or visit our showroom in Basingstoke.

We do still have a couple of ebikes left in our Spring Sale, so there is no reason for you to miss out on cycling in the sunshine.

I’ve just checked my weather app and it looks like we are in for a gloriously sunny Easter with highs of 20 degrees. So treat yourself and your whole family to new bikes this Easter, and enjoy the outdoors.

We will be open as usual over the Easter period; Friday & Saturday 10 am – 4 pm Sunday & Monday Closed. If you require an appointment outside those hours or days please call us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

The post Easter Ebike Egg-citement appeared first on Espokes.

The snowdrops and crocuses have risen to join the early daffodils. The days are getting longer and warmer. Now is the time to get the bike out and give it a little spin. Not too far to make our limbs hurt. Maybe into the village to the nice café with seating outside. Or around country lanes to appreciate the spring lambs and to get that fresh glow on our cheeks. Everything is right with the world and for that moment whilst on two wheels, we feel happy.

Wait! Don’t jump on that saddle, ‘what should a cyclist check before starting a spring ride?’

The bike has been in the shed for a few months so make sure it is in tip-top condition before heading out. You want to avoid having to do any roadside repairs or if you’ve got an electric bicycle any breakdowns or flat batteries.

Ideally, you or your bike shop should have given it a full service but at the very least give it a good clean, (We recommend Pedro’s Green Fizz) inspect the frame, lube the chain and make sure all your gears and brakes are working properly. Check your tyres for any nicks, cuts and road debris. Also, make sure they are pumped up to the correct pressures, these can be found on the side wall of most tyres. Check the batteries in lights if you have any and either replace or recharge as necessary. Hopefully, you have all been taking your ebike batteries indoors over the winter. They like to be kept at a consistent temperature of about 20 degrees. If you haven’t done so you should charge it and make sure it is working.

Don’t want to ride solo? Ride with a friend or two. It has been said that our best times on the bike often involve group rides. Want to make new friends and explore new avenues? Join a club, there are many local clubs that do social rides. Look at British cycling who put on many rides, both guided rides for everyone through to their Breeze networks which are for Women only. We have been running a series of Breeze cycle rides in Somerset throughout January and February for their Breeze Through Winter initiative. We have one more left this month which you can sign up to now; https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/breeze-through-winter-february-rides-1

You don’t have to be a hardened or proficient cyclist to join any of these as they look out for each other and make sure everyone is happy. Come on, restore your physical and mental wellbeing get that bike out!

Email info@espokes.co.uk or call 01256 353465 to book your bicycle into our workshop.

The post Spring Cycling Check List appeared first on Espokes.

Shivering with cold whilst glancing outside the window at the dreary weather, feeling sluggish and overweight from lack of sleep and overindulgence, it is easy for us to slip into the January blues.

But what exactly should we be doing in that limbo time between Christmas and New Year?

Research shows “there is good evidence that being more active, physically and mentally, connecting with others and getting absorbed in interesting activities all help people to feel better.”So, finish off the leftover turkey, polish off the quality street and treat yourself to those yummy scrummy Turkish delights which have been twinkling away at you, but you have so far managed to resist because this year you are going to treat yourself and plan just one New Year’s resolution!

Buying an electric bike is a good investment. With many car journeys being under ten miles – you could easily swap these for your electric bike. So not only will you be keeping your New Year’s resolution this year – you will be cycling off those mince pies and helping keep air pollution and congestion down.

Electric bicycles offer the same benefits as regular cycling; the difference is due to the motor and the power setting you choose which means greater distances and longer rides. Great news for the heart, lungs and blood pressure, so browse through our electric bikes and grab yourself a real bargain in our January sales, which we have started early just for you. After all, with a shiny new electric bike about to land in your garage – you will soon be making excuses to go cycling, come rain, shine or snow.

At Espokes we have four ex-demo electric bikes in our January sales. These are ebikes which have gone out on short test rides or been taken to shows throughout the year. Some of them may have cosmetic imperfections and additional mileage. More information can be supplied upon request – and you are more than welcome to come and see for yourself. These are fantastic ebikes at bargain prices and all come with a one year warranty on the frame, battery and motor.

Here is our favourite ex-demo ebike bargain

With 27.5” wheels and powered by the industry-leading Bosch performance centre drive motor, this ebike will reinforce your own muscle strength with speeds of up to 15.5mph. Guaranteeing you a fast and comfy ride.

Also up in the sale – we have a range of brand new electric bikes at discount prices. Stock on these items is limited, so you had better be quick.

Here is our favourite discoutned ebike

Ideal for that commute to work or a leisurely ride around town. The Shimano Steps mid motor system combined with the maintenance free Shimano Nexus 7 internal hub gear system give you a sophisticated riding experience.

Our favourite couples bargain

The ideal bargain for couples who like to mountain bike together. These his and her Ex Demo electric mountain bikes are high-performance off-road hardtails with minimal mileage. Deal applies in-store only.

Take advantage of these fantastic deals right away by visiting our online shop.

Call 07771 927354 to book an appointment in either Wincanton or Basingstoke from now until Wednesday, January 2nd where we will resume normal opening hours 10 am – 4 pm in Basingstoke and you can visit our showroom and browse our range of electric bikes and accessories; we will be on hand to answer any ebike related questions and take you for your free test ride.

The post January Sales – Best Ebike Deals appeared first on Espokes.