Our Terrain
Why West Linn Is Our Testing Ground
West Linn isn't just where we live. It's the perfect proving ground for eBike testing.
We have steep terrain that separates capable eBikes from pretenders. We have weather that reveals poor design. We have real roads and real challenges. If an eBike works here, it works anywhere.
What We Know About West Linn
Elevation & Grades West Linn sits in a valley with significant elevation changes. Notable climbs: - Sunset Park: 20% grades (the big one) - Hidden Springs Road: Sustained steep grades - Tanner Creek area: Gentler terrain for learning - Mixed elevation throughout
Infrastructure - 200+ miles of established pathways and bike-friendly roads - 25+ historic sites worth exploring - Growing connections to regional trails - Rapid connection to Portland infrastructure coming soon
Weather - Oregon rain (real-world testing) - Temperature variation (battery performance changes) - Wet pavement (traction and braking matter) - Seasonal changes (not testing just in perfect weather)
Community - Growing number of cyclists - Real people with real needs - Underserved by honest eBike information - Perfect demographic (50+ focused)
The Routes We'll Explore
We haven't ridden these on eBikes yet. But we know these roads. Here's what we'll test:
Tanner Creek Loop: Our Confidence Builder
What it is: Gentle, paved, scenic loop through creek side pathways Why we're starting here: First rides should be stress-free What it tests: Basic motor engagement, control, comfort, confidence What to expect: Beautiful surroundings, minimal technical challenge, perfect for learning bike controls
Real-world value: This is where we'll answer: "Can we actually do this? Is the bike intuitive? Do we feel safe?"
When we'll ride it: Week 1-2 of eBike ownership
Sunset Park: The Real Test
What it is: West Linn's signature challenge. A sustained 20% grade climb with real elevation gain. Why it matters: This is where eBikes prove themselves.
The Climb Details (what we expect): - Sustained steep grades (not short bursts) - No flat sections to recover on - Real-world weight distribution challenges - Motor performance under continuous load - Cadence control at different assist levels
What it will test: - Motor power delivery (does it have enough torque?) - Motor responsiveness (smooth or jerky at high effort?) - Range consumption (how much battery for this climb?) - Rider comfort on steep sustained effort - Gear system logic (how does it shift under load?) - Heat management (do motors throttle in hard work?)
What we'll measure: - Actual climb time - Assist level needed - Cadence response - Speed consistency - Battery consumption - Rider exertion level (heart rate, perceived effort) - Comfort during and after climb
When we'll ride it: Week 3-4 when we're confident enough for the real test
Expected challenges: - Paige's joint impact on steep grades - Carlos's blood sugar management during hard effort - Learning proper cadence for maximum assist efficiency - Understanding how different assist levels affect performance
Mary S. Young Park: Off-Road Reality
What it is: Mixed terrain loop with packed dirt, gravel, and technical sections Why we're testing it: Real-world eBikes need to handle varied surface types
What it tests: - Suspension performance (is it smooth or harsh?) - Tire grip on packed dirt - Comfort on rough terrain - Handling precision on variable ground - Motor response on uneven surfaces - Braking performance on descent
What to expect: - More challenging than paved routes - Technical sections (roots, ruts, small obstacles) - Elevation changes (climbing and descending) - Creek crossing (shallow water interaction) - Scenic forest environment - Real-world durability assessment
When we'll ride it: Week 3-4 after building technical confidence
What we'll learn about our eBikes: - How well-suited are they to multi-surface riding? - Do suspensions actually help comfort? - How responsive is the motor on rough terrain? - Do riders feel safe on technical sections?
Willamette Falls Heritage Route: History & Riding
What it is: A documented route exploring West Linn's historic sites Why we're mapping it: EBikes give us access to exploration we wouldn't have without assistance
Historic Sites We'll Visit: - Willamette Falls: The geographic and historic heart (40-foot falls that powered mills for 150+ years) - Historic Trolley Route: Electric transit from the 1800s (ironic that we're using electric bikes to explore where electric trolleys once ran) - Camassia Natural Area: Historic food source for Indigenous peoples, now nature preserve - McLean House: 1927 historic architecture - Local heritage markers: Throughout the route
Why This Matters: West Linn's history is tied to water power and electric innovation. Riding eBikes along these routes closes a circle—we're using modern electric technology to explore where earlier electric systems (trolleys) connected communities.
What we'll test: - Comfortable pace for exploration and conversation - eBike reliability for longer distances - Navigation and route-finding ease - Social riding (will we want to bring others on routes like this?) - Photography while riding (can we safely capture moments?)
When we'll ride it: Week 2-3 as part of confidence building
Long Range Loop: The Battery Test
What it is: A combined 22-mile circuit testing actual range and durability Why it matters: Real-world testing of manufacturer range claims
The Route: Combination of the above routes into one extended circuit: - Start at Tanner Park (baseline familiar terrain) - Include Sunset Park climb (real battery drain) - Include Mary S. Young terrain (varied surface testing) - Mix in heritage route exploration - Return to start
What we'll measure: - Actual miles completed on single charge - Battery depletion at different assist levels - Impact of terrain type on range - Weather effects (will we test in rain?) - Rider weight impact - Average speed and energy efficiency
Expected findings: - Manufacturers claim 50+ miles - Real-world range typically 60-70% of claims - Weather will affect results - Our body weight (two 50+ riders) affects range - Total elevation gain matters more than distance
When we'll ride it: Week 4-5 when we've learned the system
Why this matters: This is where reality meets marketing. We'll know exactly how far our eBikes actually go, in our actual conditions, on our actual terrain.
The Seasons We'll Test
We're not just testing in perfect weather:
Spring (Now): Initial testing, first impressions, confidence building on varied terrain
Summer: Extended range testing, heat impact on motors and batteries, peak season exploration
Fall: Wet weather performance, rain handling, material durability
Winter: Cold weather battery impact, safety on slick terrain, real-world seasonal challenges
What We'll Document
For each route, we'll share:
GPS Data Actual altitude, distance, speed, timing. You'll see the real numbers.
Photos Real moments from real rides (including when things don't go perfectly).
Video Footage Unscripted reactions, challenges, discoveries.
Data Points - Battery consumption per mile - Motor performance at different grades - Comfort assessment - Challenges encountered - Surprises (good and bad)
Honest Assessment What worked. What didn't. What surprised us.
What Success Looks Like
For us, testing on these routes means:
Tanner Creek (Week 1): "We can safely control these bikes on familiar, easy terrain"
Sunset Park (Week 3): "This motor can handle our real challenges. Here's how."
Mary S. Young (Week 3): "These bikes work on varied terrain. Here's what we learned."
Heritage Route (Week 2-4): "EBikes give us access to exploration we didn't have before"
Long Range Loop (Week 5): "Here's the honest range. Here's what that means for real riding."
Join Our Exploration
As we ride these routes, we're documenting everything. Not polished content—real content.
Questions we'll answer: - Can eBikes actually handle West Linn? - What surprised us about real-world riding? - How capable are we as 50+ riders? - What makes a route enjoyable vs. just technically possible? - How does terrain change the eBike experience?
What do you want to know about these routes? Email us: carlos@westlinnebike.com
This Is Just the Beginning
These routes are our testing ground. As we ride them, we'll discover: - Which terrain challenges matter most - Where our limits are (and how eBikes extend them) - What makes riding actually fun vs. just possible - What other riders like us need to know
The answer to "Can 50+ riders with real bodies explore West Linn on eBikes?" is about to become a lived experience.
We're starting this month.
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