High Voltage!

The event – High Voltage – was aimed at kids with their own machines and the public to come and hire and try an adult KTM Freeride around a purpose-made track at the famous quarry.

The event was supported by all the industry players involved with the electric off-road bike scene. 

Electric Motion were the events official main partner, with KTM, Kuberg, Ripe/ BSA, Mecatecno, and OSET all supporting the event. 

One of the main supporters of the event was Stuart Rutter from E-scape – the UK's pioneer of all-things electric off-road and owner of the UK's only dedicated electric trail park. 

Kicking at 9am and running till 1.30pm was an open trail ride around the quarry for all riders and ages, with the guys and girls from E-scape hiring out the brilliant KTM freerides for the public to try. 

There was also a proper kids' ‘first time try out zone', with a nice collection of trials sections set out too. 

A few of the youth riders even took off to famous sections of the Tough One course, such as  the ‘Root of all Evil' and ‘The Boulder Dash' to show how capable these bikes really are. 

Matthew Alpe from Inch Perfect Trials Display was on hand blasting around and doing very impressive demos on the Electric Motion Trials bike.

The competitive element of the day however was reserved for the very first Electric Bike Hare Scramble race. 

The E-Scape Hare Scramble had 21 riders and three heats, with the top two from each heat going through to the Super Final and was top quality racing from the outset. 

The riders really did put on a full display of racing and tackled the challenging Hare Scramble track with speed, enthusiasm and grit, just like on normal petrol engine bikes.

The crowd whipped up a great atmosphere as they cheered on the riders, especially in the final.

As the six top riders of the day lined up for the Super Final it dawned on all present that they were part of something unique. 

The start was eerie as it was so quiet. Then off they went at the same speed, if not faster, than normal bikes – but with no noise other than chain rattle and some stones flying!

Riders had four laps in front of them and Kieron McAvoy was the first man back to lap scoring and held that lead looking really at home on the KTM freeride and holding off the hard-charging George Price in second. 

An off near the race control zone saw Price lose some time on McAvoy but a technical glitch hampered Keiron as Price rode through to take the lead to become the first-ever winner of an official Electric Bike Hare Scrambles race.

Runner-up was the stylish Brad Adams who looked every inch as smooth and quick on the electric machine as he does on his petrol bike, with Kev  Freeman joining him on the podium.

Kev was taking the event as seriously as he does a normal hare scramble.

Stuart Rutter presented the awards and Steve Ireland thanked all the supporters of the event.

The Nantmawr venue had hosted another first, just as it did when WOR pioneered the Extreme Enduro Scene in the UK with the Tough One nearly 12 years ago. 

One thing for sure is that just like the Tough One, The Electric off-road Enduro bike scene is about to grow and prosper.

WOR Events Steve Ireland said: "What a day, I'm so pleased with how this has gone. Now watch out for High Voltage 2!”