Ecells.com bike trip Kingman, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ Part One

 Remember the best bike company in the world www.ecells.com, tell them Christopher sent you.

First off, note to yourself, ANYTIME you buy a new bicycle there is going to be a learning curve that is needed, in order to work out things you may like or dislike about the bike.  Because we are all different shapes and sizes, and because we are dealing with fallible people and parts (Yes, that includes all of us:-) one has to take time to sort out these things and get them fixed.  For me, I found the E-Cells Bicycle to be perfect for what I want to do which is ride across the USA and experience the freedom of extra time and miles in the saddle that an electric motor affords me.  However, because I want to do this and many other challenging things with this bicycle and am putting it to the test of long distance cruising, there are things I need personally.  This is by no means a reflection on the quality and craftsmanship of the bike, it is just a fact of life for me.

Things I did to prepare my bike for a literal Cross Country trip.  

1. Broken in Brooks saddle

2.) Delta plus cell phone carrier (Keep in mind this holder blocks the back camera which keeps you from being able to video out in front of you, which was a huge disappointment; therefore, I am going to have to do something about this before trekking across Texas. When I return).

3.) a minimum of 2 Extra batteries.  (I have one extra battery now and for all intents and purposes I set out with hoping to keep the assist mode in level one, which if it were possible to do that I could have made over 100 miles on a charge.  But Mountain Ranges and big hills force you to go to assist mode three or four in order to keep up a pace of 12-14 miles an hour under mostly my own power.  That said, I could at times get 60 miles on a charge with the dual batteries that come with it and another 20-30 out of the spare battery.  But on other occasions where I had already been pedaling for hours and days, and was a little tired, I had to stop and recharge the battery packs up to three hours in order to get to my final destination for example on this trip to Wickenburg.  I charged for at least an hour to reach other destinations such as Boulder City, and Kingman.  Most Convenience stores were very kind to me; just make sure you go in and ask permission from the manager first so there is no discrepancies as it will look bizarre with a big charger plugged into an outlet and a big ol bike .  It can seem intimidating to people.  Also, I recommend an extension cord so you can park in a regular parking place and not take up room on the side walk from other passerby’s; or just pull a trailer like I do and have at least two extra batteries with you.)

4.)  Make sure you adjust the full suspension before leaving.  These video’s are helpful for the front and rear suspension.  The first one deals with both the front and rear.  The second video is helpful because it is the actual rear shock we have on our GREAT and AWESOME bikes.  

FRONT: https://youtu.be/z-JtggFcxAA

REAR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op6onk12nLs

You see, when I purchased this bike, it was a prototype from the Company and as such had no front suspension to speak of.  I saw it bottomed out the day I got it, but the technician put some air in it and it seemed okay.  I didn’t know it had a leak.  This is nobody’s fault...and I am still so grateful to get to review and talk about this amazing bike.  The Owner David Cleveland a real stand up guy, said immediately he would send me out a new front fork upon returning to the Cross Country trip and so in one flail swoop, BAM 💥 once again all is well.  This is what I mean.  We live in an fallen world so to speak.  Things made from the elements deteriorate and go from a state of best to broken in a matter of time.  It is a fact of life.  Not a show stopper.  As with every part on that bicycle or any other bicycle you will ever buy eventually all the parts will have to be replaced...  Maybe not by you, but by whoever gets it next, unless of course it is totally destroyed and recreated into a new something else:-)

5.) A pull trailer is a must if you are going to go cross country, because no mater how well you plan there will be times when you need an extra supply of water, food, and shelter, plus a way to haul your gear and extra batteries.  This is imperative for me as I have already taken the bicycle 400 miles, and when I return from my job, I will be taking it another 900+ miles.  

The rest of the items are personal to my brand of comfort, suffice to say you need to choose what you want...  You will need extra tubes, for the trailer mostly but a flat can happen although highly unlikely on the actual bike tires.  Toiletries, sleeping bag, tent, food items, etc... all these things are a side note.  But the bike comes with everything you need as is to plug and play.  The tool kit is extremely useful, and as such the trailer is a blessing, although you want to make sure not to overload it.  Here is the one I am using and a link to how to get one.

TRAILER: https://www.aosom.com/item/aosom-elite-2-in-1-double-child-two-wheel-bicycle-trailer-and-jogger-with-2-safety-harnesses-red~5664-0036NEW.html

So after arriving to Kingman, AZ at around 17:45 and getting checked into the Holiday Inn Express (which is a great place). I went to Sonic which is just a short 5 minute walk away and got some grub.  A very nice cashier there helped me who is trading in for a Management position and after ordering my food and doing a quick survey for her, headed back to the room.  I was pretty tired and wind burnt as well.  It was a very strong head wind most all day and that coupled with the AZ Sun just drains a person no matter how great the bike ride was... and it was a great ride:-). The plan was to head out early the next morning to Wickenburg, But I was tired and the backside just wasn’t ready for such a long ride.  I decided to set the Velo Plush back on for the ride to Kingman to see how it rode for 100 miles, and as soon as I got to the room, and plugged the charger in I switched back to my Brooks.  I got a really great nights sleep and got up rip roaring and ready to go.  unfortunately as is usually the case, Things start to happen in the early morning like constitutions, and wanting to get a video and blog out so I got sidetracked and didn’t leave until 12:00 P.M.  this is a problem when you have over 100 miles to go and mountainous terrain to traverse.  In the next episode (Part 2) I will describe how the next ride was a 20 hour trip and lasted “All night Long”...  Stay tuned and stay active.  Thanks.

Condensed version of my trip from Pahrump, NV to Scottsdale, AZ

 Christopher Langham goes on a

E-Cells bike trip from Pahrump, NV to Scottsdale, AZ

Ultimately we are going to ride from Pahrump, NV back to my home in Kemah, TX.  However, due to me getting the call to start my new job training, I had to cut the trip short and only go as far as my parents home in Scottsdale AZ (a 400 mile journey). The Super Monarch E-Cells E-Bike is amazing.  I have wanted to come and see what a World Class Organization looks like, and that is why I decided more than a year ago that when the timing was right I was going to go and see the E-Cells Company firsthand, and purchase the bike.  I didn’t purchase a new one; and the deal was that I would try out the bike and be the first one to put it to the test of an actual Cross country ride.  I rode it hard and long. The leg from Kingman, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ took 20 hours of hard riding, but the bike stood the pressure and made it all the way.  I have no doubt it will make it the remaining 800 miles when I return from my first deployment and finish the trip six months from now, and offer me many more good years of training and riding.  It is a great training and all purpose bike because after lifting and riding it for thousands of miles when I get on a triathlon bike I am going to be able to fly as it were and easily do the 112 mile bike ride after the 2.4 mile swim.  

The Bike Review

Like with any new bicycle you buy, there is a break in period and a need for making it your own.  For me, that meant putting my Brooks saddle on it (I rode the Velo Plush that comes with it for about 80 miles and still prefer my Brooks saddle), getting a phone mount, getting my gear ready in case I found myself in need of shelter for a night, and working out small defects like getting the suspension right.  I had no trouble contacting E-Cells at any time and they were so quick to help me with problems I encountered on the suspension, they are sending me out a new front fork, so I cannot ask for better customer care.  They set me up for success with an Extra Battery (although for a trip of this magnitude you need two), a trailer, and enough of a discount on the prototype model that I could pay cash and still have enough to take on the expense of the trip.  The bike handles well.  I got 86 miles out of it the first day with the extra battery and stopping for about an hour to charge.  That leg was arduous as it was up and down the steep mountain range between Pahrump and Las Vegas.  I fully expect to get 100 miles a day out of it on the flats of Texas, but the trip from Pahrump to Scottsdale was very mountainous and the head winds were very strong some days.  The bike rides very smooth, but once you get used to assist 3 or 4 it is difficult to go to assist 1 which I would have needed to make a 100 miles a day on that terrain.  The sweet spot was 3 or 4 depending on the terrain.  Also, the throttle is a real gift because if you barely turn it you can still maintain 11-12 MPH without peaking the wattage, and this helps you stand up and remain on the bike longer while still giving your backside and legs a break.  

The tires on two occasions had big roofing staples and steel tread form the semi’s blown out tires protruding out of them.  On all three instances, no flat and no air loss, and keep in mind I was hauling a trailer with at least 100 pounds of gear in it.  

The batteries charge in about 3 hours, but it is best to leave them on for another hour or two even after the green light from the charger comes on.  I found if I did this I got 100% charge on the monitor, and if not, after I would turn on the monitor it would read 96% or 92%.  Having the extra battery gives peace of mind and technically you could carry one on the back, (or the front rack if yours comes with one).  If you are willing to put in some extra leg work and are in good physical shape you can easily make 100 miles a day, get up the next morning and do it again indefinitely.  there is so much more to say about this bike.  I am certain it was a great investment for me, my physical, mental and spiritual health, and I also believe in this company even more than I did prior to the more than 1.5 years of research I have done on it.  I have been in the market for an E-Bike for more than 5 years, but made a commitment not to go in any more debt, and in that time I have studied and looked at many E-bikes.  None come close.  One that does come close is made in Australia and retails for over $9000 USD which is just not practical...and does not do what the E-Cells Super Monarch can do.  

The trip was fun from the moment I left the Company, and headed back to the hotel to prepare.  I got to work purchasing camping supplies, water and food, and left on 02/05/21 to Boulder City.  I stayed in Boulder City an extra day to go and explore the Hoover Dam which was just magnificent.  So much to see, so many people asking and making inquiries about the E-Cells E-Bike.  After my Online Church Service on Sunday 02/07/2021, I headed out for Kingman about 86 miles away.  I got there in less than 8 hours and didn’t stop to charge at all that day.  On 02/08/21 I headed out from Kingman at 12:00 P.M.  It was a late start due to getting video and blog work done.  I set out to large headwinds that day and I stopped and charged for about an hour when I noticed a sign that said next services 56 miles.  I went on from there and made it to Wikieup, AZ where I discovered no hotel rooms available and only a gas station.  The gas station (Shell/Pilot) allowed me to charge up for three hours and then I headed out again.  I still had my spare battery but this trip was 126 miles and was very mountainous, cold, and with headwinds.  I rode all night in spite of the wild animal warning signs and felt great.  It was so much fun and reminded me of my trip across America in 2012 when it was the hottest summer on record in South Dakota and I had to ride at night to avoid the killer temperatures and scorching sun.  I arrived at the Best Western at 06:30 A.M. on 02/09/21.  (BIG SMILE RIGHT NOW remembering how great it felt).  I had to stop about 3 miles from the Hotel and charge about 30 minutes for safety sake, but I also needed a break and to use the restroom, so all worked out well and it was a nice MOBIL gas station.  the hotel served me a decent breakfast, and I slept.  I got up about 7 hours later,  ate a hearty meal and got things together for the final leg of the journey.  On 02/10/21 with much excitement I headed out at 06:30 A.M. bound for Scottsdale, AZ.  I had another 80 miles to go and I knew the roads would flatten out.  It was on my first stop that I discovered the staples in the back tire, and because I knew I had the Tannus Armor on the inside of the tire liner, I did the unthinkable and pulled them both out (on regular tires this would have caused an instant flat).  I have no idea how long they had been in there, but I check my tires regularly, so probably since the overnight to Wickenburg.  No flat, no problem, and I kept riding.  A very funny thing did happen, I passed two Sheriff’s Deputies in their trucks who were on the side of the road, I waved to them and one of them said on his bull horn, I clocked you at 13 MPH.  We both had a great belly laugh and I kept going.  It was a refreshing encounter (and that is exactly how fast I was going on the monitor). The trip that day was amazing.  I had a great lunch packed, and I stopped at Starbucks for a break, got a coffee, had lunch, and changed out the battery.  I encountered many cyclists that Day and talked with them extensively as we rode together.  I found I could keep up with the avid racer bike enthusiasts and that without much effort due to pedal assist.  I made it to my parents house in 7 hours and that with the lunch stops and breaks in between.

The roads were very rough in the early part of the journey into Arizona, and I felt every bump due to locking out my suspension until I can get it fixed, but if the roads are good like in Nevada and Phoenix the ride is pleasant, even with no suspension.  However, I highly encourage you to get the suspension air right from day one before you set out to do any riding, and it requires the assistance of a professional, or at a minimum another person to work with you as you follow the step by step process on Youtube. You will also need a pump that can put higher than normal PSI pressure in your fork and rear shock.  The professional will have this equipment.  

The trip was and will be amazing. The bike is and will continue to be amazing. The support from E-Cells is and will remain amazing with utmost Integrity.  There are only two words to say that sum it all up: “GET ONE!!”

For more fun check out the blog at run14me.blogspot.com or on the YouTube channel at: Run14me