Electric Avenue
By Team TMX on 5th Aug 15
TMX enjoys the sound of silence with E-SCAPE
With this in mind are electric MX/Enduro bikes a serious alternative to their gas-guzzling cousins?
One place that's flying the flag for all things electric is E-SCAPE, the UK's first all-electric off-road riding centre based at Preston Brook, Chesire.
So here at TMX/ DBR, we thought it would be a good idea to get staff members down to E-SCAPE, ride some electric bikes and meet the man behind it all, Stuart Rutter, to tell us in his own words how he got E-SCAPE off the ground...
The Idea
"E-SCAPE was conceived in 2004 after I received noise complaints after riding regular dirtbikes at a track I had in mid Wales.
"After running a couple of Hare and Hound events with WOR Events at the track, the local council imposed very tight restrictions on our use and it wasn't viable to keep the track open.
"In looking for quieter alternatives I developed our own electric dirtbike in association with an American company.
"That dirtbike (The Blade T6) demonstrated you could have the same fun without the noise and have tracks in much more accessible locations.”
Stuart began discussions with his local authority in 2006 regarding seven acres of land in the green belt next to his home with a desire to build an all-electric off-road riding centre. Needless to say, they resisted any discussion and thought the idea was unworkable.
The planning application
"As a qualified town planner myself, I continued to harrass the relevant planning officers to the point they were ‘always out' or took early retirement.
"I continued to force meetings and discussions over the next 2-3 years and eventually they agreed to consider a planning application provided that I was able to satisfy a long list of environmental and commercial concerns – as well as gauge local public opinion on the idea. "Gauging local opinion was not so easy.
"My immediate neighbors whose properties bordered the site made it clear that they were not in support of the idea – but could perhaps be persuaded if I gave them an acre of land for extending their gardens!
"Needless to say, that was not an option for me so we ended up with serious public opposition.
"The fact that the bikes were electric and silent was one advantage in my argument.
"But the public opposition chose to ignore that and focused upon the general impact such a traffic, noise from visitors and change of use from agricultural land – as well as a few made-up issues such as floodlighting, petrol quad bikes, tannoys, bus parking and drunken youths!
"My neighbours all became experts in local planning policy overnight and made the mistake of trying to tell the local planning authority how to do their job.
"From that point on, I seemed to have the ear of the Council, and the planning application was approved. By now it was 2011.”
The build
"With the Application approved, I had to plan how to build it.
"Initial contractors quotes for doing all of the track-work, new access road and new building were too expensive.
"I had no choice but to do most of the work myself and bring in trades people as required.
"I initially hired a 13tonne JCB from a friend for demolishing some old buildings on the site, but ended up keeping it for two-and-a-half years.
"It became my second home given that the job required me to be working on site 12-hours a day 365 days a year.
"The track was designed in two parts – A 600m beginners and a 1.2km advanced track.
"However, these can be linked for special events if necessary.
"The track surface was formed from 3,000 tonnes of locally-extracted stone (extracted by me) that was compacted to form a hardpack surface.
"This helps to keep the track rideable in the winter months but also helps the electric motorcycles achieve greater efficiency by decreasing the rolling resistance.
"The track does not aim to be an MX track. It is a hybrid between an MX, Enduro and BMX track and is deliberately tight and twisty to give a good workout and improve a rider's handling of the bike.
"All construction work was completed in April 2014.
The bikes
"E-SCAPE opened with six Quantya Track and two Quantya MMX bikes (as ridden by us) along with six Kuberg Cross bikes for 6-8-year-olds and six OSET 20” bikes for 9-12-year-olds.
"Since then three more of each of the above have purchased as well as buying six KTM Freeride-Es that are the top of the range adult bike. The KTMs are an expensive bike but have proven to be a big hit with E-SCAPE regulars.
"They are fast and handle extremely well. E-SCAPE are KTM's only official E-Park in the UK.
Prices
"Pre-booking is essential at E-SCAPE and they aim to keep prices affordable and in-line with a session of go-karting or quad biking – but hopefully is more enjoyable!
"The Basic Training conducted by their ACU approved instructors, Stuart and Jack Machin, is just £15 and is compulsory for all people wishing to ride at E-SCAPE.
"Following this training, you receive a free membership that then enables you to hire bikes. The Quantya bikes can be hired for £18 for 20 minutes on the main track or for £25 can be hired for 35 minutes which can be split in two with a break in-between.
"Given the higher performance of the KTM Freeride-E's, these are priced at £20 for the first 20 minute session and then £15 for subsequent 20 minute sessions.
"E-SCAPE often get serious riders doing two or three sessions back-to-back as part of their training for MX and Enduro racing.”
So back to the staff ride
When we arrived at E-SCAPE all of us were really impressed with the set up and location and the track looked bigger than we imagined.
We were greeted by Stuart's wife, Lesley who ran the very impressive cafe, which serves loads of hot and cold food, drinks and even cake!
Stuart then sat us down and went through how the day would pan out for us.
Out of the six of us only one – TMX Youth Editor Beth – had any substantial time riding a bike, so Stuart went through the basics with us.
Next it was time to get our kit.Boots, helmets, gloves and goggles are provided but you can bring your own stuff. Once we were ready we went down to the practice track to begin the lesson. Here is a personal account from each member of staff on how their day went.
Martin Woodhead -TMX Classified Advertising
"On arrival, my first impressions were of a competent, professional set up fit for purpose and after introduction to Stuart and being shown around the cafe, kit room and looking at the workshop and tracks, Stuart`s intent for E-scape is clear.
"That is to provide a safe, friendly and professional environment where people of all ages can come and ride or learn to ride Electric dirtbikes with experienced supervision and tuition.
"Starting on the beginners loop, we were introduced to the bikes and their controls and given some basic safety and riding information on seating position and cornering techniques before moving onto the intermediate track for a couple of laps.
"They were punctuated by Stuart advising us of the next obstacles we would encounter and the best way to tackle them.
"We were then allowed onto the main track for a couple of laps before a delicious lunch.
"We finished off the day with 30 minutes or so on the main track where each of us, with huge grins on our faces gradually increased our speeds whilst trying to remember the tips and techniques we were taught to enable us to get the most enjoyment out of the day.
"And a great day it was too, with excellent, patient, clear and informative instruction by Stuart and his staff.”
Beth Hoggarth -TMX Youth Editor
"It's not often that we get to escape from TMX Towers during the working week, so when the guys from E-SCAPE invited us town to have a go at their purpose built facility I jumped at the chance.
"As I had already ridden a motocross bike before (not very well though) I was unsure of how I would find it – especially as the rest of the group were total novices.
"During the morning session it was a chance for Stuart to gauge our riding abilities, and while this was aimed at the total beginner, I still found it good to get a go on the electric bikes.
"The bikes were very different from your usual combustion engine – no sound, no vibrations and no gears!
"I was very surprised at how speedy they were!
"The afternoon session was the part I really enjoyed, as we got change to have a good blast around the track on our own.
"The track was a decent length with jumps, tight corners and decent strength to really get up to speed.
"I also managed to get my mitts on one of their KTM Freerides and those bikes were awesome!
"Being quite short I have always struggled to touch the floor on most bikes – even 125s, so it was ace to be able to get both feet on the floor.
"The Freerides just felt so compact, and very responsive.”
Gavin Mycock - DBR Art Editor
"ON arrival, the first thing that hit me was quality.
"The quality of the gates at the entrance, the quality of the building and décor of the inside and just how welcoming the place felt along with the chatty and friendly staff.
"From just a quick glance you can see that exciting motorsport isn't the only thing on offer.
"The cafe was very inviting and the selection of food was exceptional (and very tasty) together with various hot and cold drinks.
"I have never been on a powered two-wheeled bike before and I was both nervous and excited to try it for the first time.
"My first attempt around the training oval was, obviously, terrible but that wasn't down to the lack of explanation or training because the guidance on how to use the bikes from how to turn it on to what to do if you come off the bike was excellent.
"You feel very at ease with what to expect and the trainer gave me very clear instructions that helped me with what I was doing wrong and also gave encouragement if I was doing something well.
"The three courses are aimed at the development of your own confidence when on the bike.
"Just under an hour into training I felt ready to take on something more challenging and the advanced course is, well, advanced indeed.
"To be honest I lost concentration half way around the track but for the first half the bike handled awesomely and I pushed it a few times around the track to see what both I and what the bike can do. The bikes themselves are so good.
"You really get a sense of immediate acceleration due to the direct motor power and I frankly couldn't get used to feathering the throttle enough to get smooth running all the way around the track.
"But when you can open it up on the ‘back straight' you do indeed get a feeling of how fast those things can go.
"You just have to have the balls to do it!
"My overview is, excellent venue, friendly and informative staff, all the kit you need to experience motocross, amazing vehicles, all in a surrounding that a BBC wildlife programme would be proud to film at.
Allan Morris-TMX/ DBR Graphic Designer
"Is trepidatious a real word? I wondered as I sat in the car getting worryingly closer to our destination – E-scape – electric off-road riding centre.
"This was an off-road riding experience day in Cheshire so why was I taking up a seat when I'd had little to no riding experience? "Trepidatious is what I was feeling.
"After all, I'd only had one ‘go' at age 15 with a ten yard full-throttle slalom to park my mates Lambretta in a privet hedge.
"In the four-plus decades that have passed since then I have only ever chucked my leg over push bikes.
"The only off-roading I'd done was on a mountain bike so could I even do this, or would I end up through the fence at the first corner?
"Not a chance. Clear and comprehensive instruction from owner Stuart and his team soon had me doing a few laps, and I was left in no doubt that I would end up in the pond at the bottom of the hill if I over-gunned it.
"I liked the personal track-side instruction. I was learning skills on a full-size motorbike and having fun on-the-go.
"And there was fun to be had on the track. Whoops, jumps, gullies, banked turns and hairpins all carefully crafted into the landscaped hillside kept my smile levels high.
"No boring dusty oval here. And I got me some air too. Not much, but enough for the bike to land with a satisfying clunk as if I'd just touched down a plane load of holidaymakers. Every time! Sweet as...!
"Yes I got out of shape a time or two and overcooked some corners, but it was a real test for me on a real bike.
"Like the banked turns that took my eye every time I came to one – choosing the tighter inside line rather than the faster but much scarier looking high line... so some unfinished business for next time.
Sarah Booth - TMX Display Advertising
"I arrived at E-scape with a certain amount of trepidation, having never ridden before.
"But any nerves I had went, due to the friendly welcome from the team. Once we had finished our coffees, we got into our kit for the day, all supplied by E-scape.
"Starting on a training oval, we were shown the basics and after a couple of times round, we moved onto a small track with some small jumps.
"We then had a lunch break and after this were let loose on the main track.
"It was exhilarating – one of the team told me, "screaming doesn't make you go faster!” I didn't realise I was.
"Stuart made everything so clear, he was extremely easy to follow. Making this new experience such an enjoyable one.
"I will definitely be back and will be recommending E-scape to everyone, whether novices or experts. You will have a brilliant day.”
Electric dirtbikes are here to stay and they are only going to get better. Surely it will be only be a matter of time before there are electric-only series on the racing calendar.
Yes, if you ride competitively you are going to need your standard petrol bike but an electric alternative is now a real alternative you what you are used to.
At the moment KTM have the monopoly in the electric market with the Freeride E the only high-spec bike readily available, but they do come at a price, you won't see much change from £10,000.
But once that initial cost is out of the way running costs are pretty low, just plug them in and wait for them to charge.
E-SCAPE have bee assisted by Kendal-based KTM dealer, Triple D, but check your local KTM off-road dealer to find out more on the latest Freeride E models.
If you want to try it for your self or you just want some info on anything electric off-road contact Stuart at E-SCAP.
Call 03330-117233 or email Stuart@e-scape.org.uk and get a session booked, you won't be disappointed.