trek powerfly s

Trek Powerfly

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Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Trek Powerfly . In summary, this is what cyclists think.

15 reasons to buy

• Owners reported an impressive range of up to 80mi and 7000ft of elevation.
• A 71yo owner easily handled a daily climb of 500ft, on a 25% grade driveway.
• A desert resident said the Powerfly rode easily, through soft sand.
• Tektro hydraulic brakes were deemed responsive and “pulled hard”.
• The 5’s fit and finish was described as “beautiful and rugged”.
• ‘Touring’ mode was great on roads, while ‘eMTB’ mode was excellent in the woods.
• A removable battery made it easy to mount the powerfly on vehicle racks.
• Powerfly drivetrains pedaled smoothly on the flats, despite the bike’s weight.
• The Bosch Performance CX motor exhibited plenty of torque on climbs.
• One owner cooed over the Powerfly 4’s metallic red paintwork.
• The Powerfly 7’s TransX dropper-post made mounting and dismounting easy.
• Overweight riders found the Powerfly’s carrying capacity to be more than ample.
• One reviewer found that the Powerfly 4’s 100mm of fork-travel covered needs.
• Shifting, range and gear spacing were lauded on the Powerfly 5’s drivetrain.
• Some reviewers felt that the weight of the bike aided stability.

7 reasons not to buy

• The Powerfly was heavy, and onerous to pedal up hills without assistance.
• Some owners would have liked to be able to easily add a second battery.
• The Powerfly’s high-level component spec made it a pricey option.
• Some owners felt that the Powerfly’s paintwork was easily chipped.
• One daily user reported delayed engagement of the power assist in snowy areas.
• Schwalbe Smart Sam tires punctured easily, on the ‘Sport 4 Equipped’.
• Some owners sought a way to lock the motor without removing the battery.

Bottom line

Expert reviews, trek powerfly 5.

The Trek battery holds a good charge… I reckon there’s enough power to last 60 to 80 miles if you’re careful.

Trek Powerfly 4 on Exmoor Review

…outstanding fun with steep descents and river crossings followed by challenging climbs which the Powerfly managed with such ease! …I was surprised at the sub-20-mile range I achieved on this test-ride…

User Ratings

Your rating, best electric bikes.

Bike Comparison

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• Powerfly 4 Gen 4

Trek Powerfly 4 Gen 4

Powerfly 4 is our most affordable electric mountain bike. It's built with parts that hold up, like a smooth-shifting Shimano drivetrain, and a powerful Bosch motor. Plus, it features our user-friendly Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system that's fully encased in the frame yet doesn't require tools for removal. This bike expands your boundaries and lets you travel to destinations you never thought you'd reach on a mountain bike. - Trek's Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system looks great and is super user-friendly: it fully hides the battery in the frame for protection, makes it easy remove the battery without tools and lets you mount a water bottle cage - The top-notch new Bosch smart system gives you more control over your ride with navigation and activity tracking through the eBike Flow app - It comes equipped with Walk Assist and an intelligent e-MTB mode that automatically delivers the right amount of power based on your terrain - It's equipped with an external charging port for easy charging on or off the bike - You can boost your Powerfly’s utility by adding a rack and fenders, plus built-in wiring lets you easily install lights powered by the motor

Due to supply-chain issues, Specs are subject to change without notice.

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

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Trek Powerfly 4

Powerfly 4 is our most affordable electric mountain bike. It's built with parts that hold up, like a smooth-shifting Shimano drivetrain, and a powerful Bosch motor. Plus, it features our user-friendly Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system that's fully encased in the frame yet doesn't require tools for removal. This bike expands your boundaries and lets you travel to destinations you never thought you'd reach on a mountain bike. It's right for you if... You're sold on the e-bike revolution and want the capability and versatility of a mountain bike at a price that doesn't resemble the car you're trying to use less. You want bigger, better off-road adventures, and know an e-MTB with the latest user-friendly tech is the best way to get them. The tech you get A tough yet refined aluminum frame that fully encases a long-range 500Wh battery for sleek looks, a Bosch Performance CX (250W, 75Nm) motor that assists up to 20 mph or 32 km/h, a Bosch Purion controller, a 1x10 Shimano drivetrain, an 80mm SR Suntour fork with lockout, and hydraulic disc brakes. Plus, Smart Wheel Sizing means riders of every size get a great fit—29" wheels on larger frames, 27.5" wheels on smaller frames. The final word Our most affordable electric mountain bike comes with the same powerful Bosch motor and intuitive controller as our most expensive e-bikes, with a smaller battery and parts chosen to give you great value. Why you'll love it - Trek's Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system looks great and is super user-friendly: it fully hides the battery in the frame for protection, makes it easy remove the battery without tools and lets you mount a water bottle cage - This bike expands boundaries: the top-notch Bosch system is equally suited to commuting, recreation, and a ridiculously fun time on the trails - The Purion controller has Walk Assist and an intelligent eMTB mode that automatically delivers the right amount of power based on your terrain - It's equipped with an external charging port for easy charging on or off the bike - You can boost your Powerfly’s utility by adding a rack and fenders, plus built-in wiring lets you easily install lights powered by the motor Wheel size: Sizes X-Small – Small: 27.5-inch Sizes Medium – X-Large: 29-inch

Will my bike have a curved top tube?

Smaller frames (S) have a top tube that dips down as it approaches the seat tube. This design makes for a lower standover height, which is good for shorter riders because it allows them to straddle their bike more easily. Larger frames (M and up) have a straight top tube because taller riders with longer legs typically don’t have the same issues with standover height.

Due to supply-chain issues, Specs are subject to change without notice.

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

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Trek Powerfly 4

Powerfly 4 is our most affordable electric mountain bike. It's built with parts that hold up, like a smooth-shifting Shimano drivetrain, and a powerful Bosch motor. Plus, it features our user-friendly Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system that's fully encased in the frame yet doesn't require tools for removal. This bike expands your boundaries and lets you travel to destinations you never thought you'd reach on a mountain bike. It's right for you if... You're sold on the e-bike revolution and want the capability and versatility of a mountain bike at a price that doesn't resemble the car you're trying to use less. You want bigger, better off-road adventures, and know an e-MTB with the latest user-friendly tech is the best way to get them. The tech you get A tough yet refined aluminum frame that fully encases a long-range 500Wh battery for sleek looks, a Bosch Performance CX (250W, 75Nm) motor that assists up to 20 mph or 32 km/h, a Bosch Purion controller, a 1x10 Shimano drivetrain, an 80mm SR Suntour fork with lockout, and hydraulic disc brakes. Plus, Smart Wheel Sizing means riders of every size get a great fit—29" wheels on larger frames, 27.5" wheels on smaller frames. The final word Our most affordable electric mountain bike comes with the same powerful Bosch motor and intuitive controller as our most expensive e-bikes, with a smaller battery and parts chosen to give you great value. Why you'll love it - Trek's Removable Integrated Battery (RIB) system looks great and is super user-friendly: it fully hides the battery in the frame for protection, makes it easy remove the battery without tools and lets you mount a water bottle cage - This bike expands boundaries: the top-notch Bosch system is equally suited to commuting, recreation, and a ridiculously fun time on the trails - The Purion controller has Walk Assist and an intelligent eMTB mode that automatically delivers the right amount of power based on your terrain - It's equipped with an external charging port for easy charging on or off the bike - You can boost your Powerfly’s utility by adding a rack and fenders, plus built-in wiring lets you easily install lights powered by the motor Wheel size: Sizes X-Small – Small: 27.5-inch Sizes Medium – X-Large: 29-inch

Will my bike have a curved top tube?

Smaller frames (S) have a top tube that dips down as it approaches the seat tube. This design makes for a lower standover height, which is good for shorter riders because it allows them to straddle their bike more easily. Larger frames (M and up) have a straight top tube because taller riders with longer legs typically don’t have the same issues with standover height.

Due to supply-chain issues, Specs are subject to change without notice.

* Subject to change without notice.

Part Numbers

​​First Look: 2018 Trek Powerfly FS

Trek’s evolved Powerfly e-bike might make you want to stop taking the chairlift

Ask Bicycling: Is riding an e-bike a real workout?

Most of the structural changes on the new Powerfly revolve around integrating the battery into the bike's aluminum frame. The downtube now cleanly surrounds the Bosch 500wh battery where it rested on top of the 2017 model’s. It can be removed without tools and transported with a built-in handle. The 2018 Powerfly FS's geometry and 130mm travel ABP suspension design with Evo Link are identical to the 2017 version.

RELATED:  Your E-Bike Questions Answered

Trek still uses Bosch’s Performance CX 250 motor that produces 75mn of torque, but has updated the controller to the Purion Performance unit with digital display. The backlit display shows mode and battery life, as well as basic speed and distance information.

Trek found that some of its e-mtb riders used the different assist modes instead of shifting gears, so the company's product team developed a new Emtb mode that automatically switches assist modes depending on the rider's torque input. This is supposed to offer a seamless feel on the trail, and is supposed to encourage riders to shift gears more often. There are still four modes: Eco, Tour, Turbo, and Emtb , which replaces the 2017 model's Sport mode. A walk mode is included to assist in hike-a-bike situations.

Trek makes fourteen different Powerfly models, but only offers all of them in Europe (more on this in a bit). For the North American market, Trek will offer two full suspension and two hardtail Powerfly models for 2018.

The full suspension Powerfly 7 FS Plus comes with 27.5x2.8” tires on all sizes and costs $5,000. All other models are outfitted with 29x2.4” tires on sizes 17.5” and larger; 15.5” and 14.5” sizes use 27.5x2.35” tires. These models include the Powerfly 5 FS at $4,500 and two hardtail Powerfly 5 models – a men’s and a women’s that cost $3,500.

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Trek’s goal with the Powerfly is to match the feel of a regular mountain bike as much as possible. I traveled to Verbier, Switzerland to sample the new Powerfly and after a day in the Alps I’d have to say Trek did a pretty good job.

On the trail the overall handing and suspension performance of the Powerfly FS reminded my very much of a Fuel EX, except I felt superhuman at the pedals even though the e-bike is noticeably heavier than the non-motorized version. Power comes on smoothly in all modes, although in technical and low-traction situations I occasionally found the Turbo mode a handful. The new Emtb mode, however, provided ample assist without the surge I sometimes felt in Turbo. Interestingly, our test bikes were programed to European specifications so power tapered off at around 15MPH instead of the 20MPH that we enjoy here in the States for class-one electric assist bicycles.

Like most pedal assist E-bikes I’ve tested, this one tends to work best at a higher pedaling cadence . I tend to have a slow, grinding pedal stroke that didn’t really stimulate the system like a higher cadence will. Although I can’t comment on battery life because I was handed a freshly charged battery during our lunch break, it seemed on par with other bikes in its class .

We rode a variety of alpine trails and roads that really highlighted the versatility of the bike. It has enough suspension travel for aggressive trail riding and the plus tires really help with traction and control. The only place it felt a little outgunned was on a bike park’s more advanced trails where geometry felt a little steep at times. But in most general trail riding situations, the geometry felt spot on.

RELATED:  The Place for E-Bikes

Unfortunately, the Powerfly 9 FS model I rode is not offered in North America. And I say unfortunately because it is spec’d with a (stiffer) e-bike specific Fox 34 fork, SRAM’s e-bike 8-speed drivetrain that shifts better under power, and special SRAM four-piston brakes to withstand the extra heat built up slowing the added weight of a motorized bike.

Each of these components offer fairly significant performance benefits over standard-issue components so it’s a little disappointing that the Powerfly 9 FS is not offered in North America. But it is also an understandable decision on Trek’s part due to the lack of total acceptance and understanding here by the mountain bike community and land managers.

Another model I rode at this launch is the 150mm travel, full suspension, Powerfly LT. It’s not offered in North America either, but it’s worth mentioning because I had an e-bike epiphany that really opened my eyes to the possibilities these types of bikes offer. The Powerfly LT is based on Trek’s Remedy and uses the same Bosch powered system as the shorter-travel Powerfly. In addition to the increased travel, it has slacker geometry and a stouter Fox 36 fork that also has a beefed up e-bike specific chassis.

I did two downhill runs in the bike park on the Powerfly LT, but instead of taking the gondola to the top between runs, I rode to the top. It only took me about 15 minutes to pedal the service to the top in Turbo mode, and I did so with little effort. The electric assist erased all the downsides of riding a heavier, slacker, and longer travel bike uphill. In fact I might even prefer the slacker geometry going uphill in certain technical situations. The experience was superior because instead of getting out of my groove by sitting on a lift or in a shuttle vehicle, I was pedaling the whole time. I was riding a bike more and that’s always a win in my book.

Prior to riding the Powerfly LT I liked riding e-mountain bikes but generally speaking preferred to ride my regular bike or enduro motorcycle. This Powerfly LT bike makes me want one in my life. Although I love riding the shorter travel e-mountain bikes, for me this longer travel version is where it’s at – I just wish it and more like it could be offered here. My guess is that as things evolve bikes like this will become available and hopefully more places to ride them will follow. Mammoth Mountain’s bike park recently approved e-bike use on its trails so we’re getting there.

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} Bikes & Gear

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Table of contents, trek powerfly fs 9 equipped gen 2 review (2023).

The Powerfly FS range is Trek’s answer to the daily use all-rounder. It’s designed to be a capable bike, which is comfortable on the urban routes, while also a fun ride on the trails. Getting that mix right is a real balancing act for a manufacturer because something has to give if it’s to be adept in both areas.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 is the second-highest-spec bike in Trek’s range, so how does it cope in the mountains? And are there any limitations? We’ve put hours into the pedals on this Trek Powerfly FS 9, to get all the answers for you.

Our Verdict

A reliable bike to take on the daily commutes, but vastly overpriced compared with the competition.

The battery and motor pairing are areas to celebrate, offering great range and a strong amount of power to cart the bike’s heavy bulk around.

However, the manoeuvrability is poor and the bike isn’t suited to challenging, off-road terrain.

It’s too cumbersome; it doesn’t offer great handling, and the tyres just don’t have enough bite.

But it’s the price we can’t get over. It’s far more expensive than some strong competitors in the market.

• Range reliability
• Powerful motor
• Manoeuvrability
• Poor on technical terrain

Trek Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2

Price: $8,330

Weight/frame.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 has a heavy aluminium frame, which brings the sturdiness you need on a daily commute. It moves quickly when it picks up momentum, which is ideal when you’re on concrete cycle lanes, but it does come at a big cost.

It weighs in at a very heavy 27.05kg , which means it isn’t well-suited on twisty sections or for more challenging trail riding. It’s adept on forest paths and wide single-tracks, but the minute you throw in some more challenging terrain, it starts to feel like you’re trying to manoeuvre a tank.

Just how fast does the Trek Powerfly go with that weight, though? It can get up to 26km/h comfortably with the assist on, but faster with momentum.

It comes in five frame sizes, from XS up to XL, and has a few extra commuter friendly features, such as decent mudguard so you can keep your commuting clothes clean if you have an off-road section to tackle.

Plus it comes with a kick-stand, which is handy if you need to leave it outside a shop, especially considering its weight.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes with a sizable 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery . The PowerTube is a strong selection by the folk at Trek, and gives you a decent range.

We found that we could push out around 90km on one charge, with around 1,000m of climbing, and still had a little bit left in the tank to go on the following day.

These are good numbers for a bike designed for daily use – the last thing you want is constant range anxiety with a bike you need to use on a daily basis.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes paired with the excellent Bosch Performance Line CX motor . We’re big fans of the Performance Line CX, which can push out up to 85Nm of torque.

It’s one of the best motors out on the market right now, offering intelligent power delivery, reliability and a very powerful kick.

It works smartly with the Bosch PowerTube battery to release the power conservatively and it helps add to that reliability with the range estimation.

Considering the heavy overall weight of the bike, you need a solid motor accompaniment to drag you up challenging climbs and the Performance Line CX is certainly armed for the task at hand.

You could be mistaken for thinking the bike is much lighter by the way it makes easy work of big inclines, particularly on the concrete or hard-packed terrain; it feels heavier-footed on bobbly ground, though.

Motor Display

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2’s display is another fantastic Bosch product. Not only does the motor itself bring reliability, but the display adds to that, offering many different customisable view options, depending on the demands of the day’s ride.

You can switch between four modes of assistance easily using the handlebar-mounted smart controller: Eco , Tour , e-MTB and Turbo . This offers you more than enough options to take on the type of terrain and routes that you’re likely to want to do on the bike.

You can also link all your data to your smartphone, with handy tools such as mapping data, RPM output, along with all the battery information you need to make sure you don’t run out on a ride.

The Bosch Performance Line CX motor and its display are spot-on products.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes with 120mm travel at the front and 100mm at the rear . It’s set up with SR Suntour Zeron 35, air-sprung forks and RockShox SID Lux Select+ rear shocks .

We mentioned limitations earlier and this is certainly one to note. That suspension setup isn’t made for wild trail riding or even moderate trail riding, to be honest, and it soon comes unstuck on anything more complex than a wide single-track or forest road.

It doesn’t take lumps and bumps well and although it offers a small slice of cushioning, it really isn’t designed for the mountains.

ℹ️ If you’re wanting an off-road-focused bike, this really isn’t the one for you. This offers aspects which can cope in the countryside, but it’s also designed for paved streets. That compromise means that it loses out in certain areas. Suspension is one.

If you’re just looking for some forest tracks or country paths, then this offers an adequate amount of travel to cope with those demands and you switch from road to off-road terrain feeling pretty comfortable. Comfort is what the bike is designed for, but within the parameters we mentioned above.

Wheels/Tyres

The wheel size on the Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 depends on the frame size you go for. The XS and S frame sizes come with 27.5in wheels , whilst the larger models come with 29in wheels – both a Bontrager alloy setup, with Bontrager LT4 Expert tyres .

The alloy wheels add to that stability you feel while riding the bike – they’re robust and give you a strong planted feel out on a ride. However, they are heavy and they contribute to the overall heavy bike weight.

The tyres offer you enough bite to cope with a slice of countryside, but also enough shedding ability so they can move quickly on the concrete, too – it’s another balancing act from Trek to be able to straddle both the off-road and on-road worlds, however, it comes at a cost.

ℹ️ The tyres don’t offer enough bite to be flying into technical corners or anything too steep, off-road. With the heavy weight of the bike, you could find yourself on the deck if you tried to push the bike in those settings.

The Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 comes with Shimano XT M8120 4-piston brakes . They’re a powerful setup, and do offer a strong bite to contend with that weight and the chunky motor.

We felt like they adequately coped with the job in hand and never gave you any cause for concern – a relief considering the tyre issues

This Powerfly FS Equipped is fitted with a Shimano XT M8100 12-speed drivetrain . A very reliable partnering, a bit like the motor and battery – offering smooth shifting and an ease of use.

The price is upsetting considering the bike’s limitations in quite a few areas. However, a decent chunk of that price is going towards the Bosch motor and battery, which are both extremely reliable and very good products to have at your disposal.

That eases the pain to a degree, but we still think it’s vastly overpriced for what you’re getting.

Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2 Facts & Figures

Size configurations.

* All measurements provided in cm unless otherwise stated.

* Please note – spec applies to all sizes unless listed separately

How Does it Compare?

There aren’t a huge number of manufacturers targeting this area because of the compromises you have to make to try and make the bikes work well in both commuting and trail environments.

However, Canyon has tried to step-up to the mark with its Pathlite: ON 5 SUV , so how does it stack up to our Powerfly FS 9 Equipped Gen 2.

It comes with exactly the same battery and motor pairing, the 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery and the Performance Line CX motor.

It also comes in slightly under the weight of our Trek, but only marginally at 26.86kg, due to its aluminium frame.

It has 100mm of travel at either end with a similar Suntour forks set-up and comes with 27.5 inch wheels, with Maxxis Crossmark II tyres, which offer a decent bite.

It’s a very similar bike to our Trek, which has the same sort of limitations – good on hard-packed and simple trails, but comes unstuck on anything more technical.

That said, Canyon has managed to keep the price down at $3,605 – nearly $5,000 cheaper than our Trek Powerfly FS 9 Equipped.

It really makes you wonder how Trek are trying to justify that huge difference, considering that the bikes really are very similar.

Final Thoughts

It’s a very overpriced bike, but it does the job it intends to – helping to bridge the gap between the daily commute, with a bit of trail riding.

It certainly has limitations, though.

It isn’t meant for any real degree of serious trail riding and it would come seriously unstuck on anything technical or particularly challenging.

However, it offers a comfortable ride experience for the daily commutes, on simple single-tracks and on forest roads.

It has a top battery and motor pairing, which bring great reliability, a chunky amount of range and a powerful kick to heave its heavy weight around.

We’re pained by the price, though. We just can’t understand the justification for the high price, particularly when you compare it to some competitors operating in this same sphere of the e-MTB world.

There are definitely pros and cons with this one, but it does the job the bike is designed for – reliability being a key theme. If that’s what you’re looking for, then get out there and give it a whirl.

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Trek Powerfly 5 Review

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When it comes to hardtail electric mountain bikes there’s an awful lot of choice (if they’re in stock) from the big-name manufacturers. When one of my friends called me last week to say he’d brought a Trek, I was eager to try it out. In this Trek Powerfly 5 review, I will take a closer look at the specifications and share with you my opinions after spending a couple of hours with it on Bodmin Moor .

Introduction

Trek’s mountain bike heritage goes back to 1983 when they released the 850 – fast forward 28 years and they have a comprehensive range of high-end e-MTBs ranging in price from just over £2500 to up to an eye-watering £11500.

At £3750 the Trek Powerfly 5 sits at the upper end of their hardtail range and benefits from the latest Bosch Performance Line CX motor with a 625Wh battery. The Powerfly 5 also boasts Rockshox forks and SRAM Eagle SX 12-speed drivetrain.

My friend had been talking about upgrading his Cube Acid hardtail e-MTB for some time and we’d previously discussed the merits of the Trek. He recently took the plunge and purchased the bike reviewed here.

First impressions

The first thing that struck me about the Trek Powerfly 5 was how stunning the paintwork finish is – it’s a gorgeous bike in the ‘slate/volt’ colour scheme. Mind you, you’d expect nothing short of this on an e-bike costing more than a decent second-hand car!

Although the 17″ frame was a bit on the short side for me, with the seat post properly adjusted it felt quite comfortable. My friend paid an extra £200 to have the optional Bontrager dropper seat post fitted, which is a must if you’re going to be tackling the trails.

Riding some rock-strewn single track the Trek feels sure-footed. For an older rider like me, the Powerfly 5 inspires confidence (maybe a bit too much) and is great fun to ride. Where this e-bike comes into its own is when the trail turns upwards – it’s not the first Bosch CX I’ve experienced but this motor never fails to impress me with its 85Nm of torque. Riding up steep tracks is helped even further by the trail-busting SRAM Eagle 11-50 12-speed rear cassette, meaning you never run out of gears.

Although my ride was fairly brief I was thoroughly impressed with the off-road abilities of the Trek, it’s a great all-around package suitable for beginners, intermediate or the older more experienced cyclist who’s returning to mountain biking after a long break. Below I will go into more detail on the components.

Check out the 2023 Powerfly 5 from Trek

Electric components

The high-end mountain bike world is dominated by either the Bosch CX or Shimano Steps E8000 / EP8 of Brose motors. It’s good that manufacturers recognised the demand for a greater battery range and the Trek Powerfly 5 comes with the Bosch 625Wh power tube battery which is neatly integrated into the frame.

Bosch Performance Line CX

The Bosch Performance Line CX motor benefits from several upgrades over the previous model, most notably the 85Nm torque output offering the rider up to 340% assistance.

There’s the new Extended Boost mode which makes negotiating rocks and exposed roots on the trail much easier, particularly uphill. This means the bike can be manoeuvred with greater agility on technical sections.

Revised e-MTB mode – This ensures the rider is well-prepared for whatever situation the trail has in store. New sensor and motor control functions give mountain bikers a much wider range of dynamic and natural support.

The Bosch motor is smooth and the whine from the motor is quiet and not intrusive. Performance is as good as you will find on a road-legal e-MTB and it adds a whole new dimension of fun when riding off-road.

625Wh Powertube battery

I first rode an e-bike with a 625Wh battery at the end of 2019 and having the extra capacity will ensure riders can spend more time enjoying the trails. The range will depend on lots of different variables but 50 miles should be achievable when riding off-road – check out the Bosch range calculator for a rough estimate of battery range from the 625Wh battery.

Bike components

Quality components are a must on electric mountain bikes at this price point and the Trek Powerfly 5 doesn’t disappoint. I have gone into more detail on the specification below.

The gearing is comprised of an SRAM Eagle single-click 12-speed shifter with an NX Eagle rear derailleur and 11-50 cassette – as the Bosch uses an ISIS-type crank interface, an SRAM X1 crankset is fitted. The drivetrain is finished off with a high-quality SRAM SX Eagle chain.

Braking is provided by the excellent Shimano MT-420 4-pot calipers with 203mm brake rotors – as expected these brakes work well and will provide more than enough stopping power for most riders. I found them to be excellent, and you only need to use one finger for braking.

If found the 120mm Rockshox Recon RL suspension forks worked very well indeed. Although they are at the lower end of Rockshox forks they feature trickle-down technology from more expensive forks and feature Motion Control™ damping which features low-speed compression adjustment to lockout.

Wheels and tyres

The wheelset is a disc-specific Bontrager Kovee Comp 23 with Boost 110, 15 mm thru axle at the front and a Boost 148, 12 mm thru axle at the rear. Tyres are Bontrager XR3 Comp, wire bead, 30 tpi, 29×2.30″ which seemed to handle the damp moorland trails very well. If you wish to upgrade to a tubeless set-up these wheels are tubeless-ready. The hub is a standard 9/10 speed Shimano freehub.

Frame and finishing kit

For the frame Trek use their Alpha Platinum Aluminium which is their premium lightweight aluminium designed for maximum strength and minimum weight. As I’ve mentioned above the finish is exquisite and looks incredibly hard to wear.  The frame also benefits from internal routing for lights (should you choose to fit them) and a direct kickstand mount.

All of the finishing kits are all by Trek’s in-house brand Bontrager which is of excellent quality. This bike also had the optional Bontrager Line Dropper seat post fitted which costs an additional £199.99.

If I was in the market for a capable hardtail electric mountain bike I’d be very tempted by the Trek Powerfly 5. It’s great fun to ride and feels very capable on a rough single track – the handling inspires confidence and that Bosch motor is the icing on the cake!

There are cheaper options available and if you’re new to electric mountain biking you may not want to spend quite so much on your first purchase.

Having said that, if I had the money to spend on a nice hardtail e-MTB the Trek would certainly be on my shortlist. Other plus points are the excellent brakes, SRAM 1 x 12 gearing and the 625Wh battery.

My friend has brought this e-bike with the intention of keeping it for a good few years and I’ll post any relevant updates here.

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments please leave them below.

Meet Tony, a passionate e-bike advocate and enthusiast who discovered the life-changing benefits of electric bikes back in 2016. Tony’s technical experience within the e-bike field was gained while running a successful electric bike conversion business for 5 years in his home county of Cornwall, UK.

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Thanks for the review, even though I discovered this after buying my Powerfly 5, I still found it useful and relatable. I picked mine up in November and have given it a good testing over the winter months – what a brilliant bike! Even though I could have spent less for a Cube reaction, which I almost did. I’m glad I spent more on this. The only issues I have encountered are tyre pressures since going tubeless, but I think that’s more the tape inside rather than the rims thenself.

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Trek Powerfly 5 Women's

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Colour / Matte California Sky Blue

Size / 15.5, 17.5"

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame WSD Alpha Platinum Aluminum, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur routing, Balanced Geometry
• Wheels Shimano TX-505 front hub; Shimano M3050 centerlock rear hub; Bontrager XR850 32-hole 28mm wide double-walled rims
• Wheel Size 27.5"
• Tires Bontrager XR3, 27.5x2.35"
• Crank RIDE+ aluminum 15T w/chainguard
• Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio M430
• Shifters Shimano Altus M370, 9 speed
• Brakeset Shimano M315 hydraulic disc, 180mm rotors
• Handlebar Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 690mm width
• Saddle Bontrager Evoke 1 WSD
• Seatpost Bontrager SSR, 2-bolt head, 31.6mm, 12mm offset
• Stem Bontrager alloy, 31.8mm, 7mm rise, Blendr compatible
• Headset Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom

Q: What size wheels does the 2017 Trek Powerfly 5 Women's have?

The 2017 Trek Powerfly 5 Women's has 27.5" wheels.

Q: What size 2017 Trek Powerfly 5 Women's should I get?

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Tour de France

Bike check: lidl-trek’s new madone for the tour de france is nearly all stock, the brand new trek madone heads to the 2024 tour de france with virtually no changes, but there’s still a few pro gear tricks to see..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

The big bike tech news this week, other than all the goings on at the Tour de France , is a major Trek Madone revamp.

I spent quite a bit of time with the new frame which has gone on quite a diet while getting marginally faster, and what I loved about it was its do-it-all nature.

I reviewed the top-spec Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS , and, for the most part, that’s exactly what Lidl-Trek is using. Some of that is down to the fact that Trek is a title sponsor, but I have to believe some of it is down to how good that bike is in diverse conditions.

In terms of the specific builds, even those mirror the bike I reviewed. The latest SRAM Red AXS takes care of the groupset, including Time pedals , while the handlebar and stem is the same as the production bike. As I noted in the review, Trek narrows the hoods to make the rider more aero. Even most of the saddles are the Aeolus RS, the bottles are the aero bottle system, and the wheels are all the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 shod with Pirelli P Zero Race RS rubber .

The only unusual detail as far as the build is the inclusion of a K-Edge outfront mount. This isn’t surprising given that K-Edge is a sponsor but it does mean there’s a new product coming soon. Although K-Edge makes excellent mount options, there isn’t currently a K-Edge mount available for the Gen 8 Trek Madone.

The other place that K-Edge shows up is some of the front chainrings. In my Tour De France tech predictions I discussed massive aero front chainrings paired with wide-range cassettes and that’s what you can see on some of the bikes. Up front is a SRAM 54T chainring — far from the largest TT chairings, but still plenty big —with a K-EDGE 1x Race W Chain Guide while outback there’s a 10-33T cassette.

Will we see Mads Pedersen winning a stage on this slimmed down Madone? Time will tell. In the meantime, you can buy this exact same bike down to the colorway from Trek.

Gallery: Lidl-Trek Trek Madone Gen 8

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What ultimately happened to the USS Discovery in the 'Star Trek: Discovery' series finale?

Strangely, the Star Trek: Discovery ship's far-future fate was revealed in 2018 'Short Trek' episode 'Calypso'.

What happens to Discovery at the end of season 5?

How is the uss discovery sentient.

• What happens next?
• What is Zora's final mission?

Over five seasons of "Star Trek: Discoverywe got to know Michael Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery, but the show's final scene is reserved for its eponymous starship. In the series finale " Life, Itself ", self-aware computer Zora fires up the spore drive for the final time to embark on one last mission. 

We still have no idea why she's given a top-secret Red Directive to wait indefinitely at these particular coordinates, but a 2018 " Short Trek " episode "Calypso" has already revealed the next stage of her journey. Here's what's in store for Zora and Discovery a millennium down the line — watch out for spoilers. (And if you need a refresher on all things Trek, check out our Star Trek streaming guide for how to watch nearly every series on Paramount Plus .)

Paramount+ Essential (ads): $5.99 /mo Paramount+ with SHOWTIME (no ads): $11.99 /mo

Catch up on the adventures of Michael Burnham and the crew of the Discovery on Paramount+. As the home of Star Trek, signing up means you'll also get access to an enormous library of other Star Trek shows and movies.

Several decades after the Discovery crew tracked down the Progenitor technology — long enough for Admiral Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker to see their son, Leto, rise to the rank of Starfleet captain — the ship is assigned one final mission.

Burnham arrives on the bridge to give the ship's sentient computer, Zora (voiced by Annabelle Wallis), her briefing. "I'm going to bring you to a set of coordinates in deep space," explains the admiral. "Then me and your crew will leave. After that, you wait."

"For what?" Zora asks, but she doesn't get a definitive answer. 

"This is a Red Directive; we both know how transparent those are," replies Burnham, referring to the beyond-classified instructions that have become the mysterious Dr. Kovich's stock-in-trade. "I did hear a word in passing," the admiral adds. "'Craft'. I'm not sure if that's a person or a vessel or…"

That word will prove to be important, but as Burnham correctly predicts, she'll be long gone when Zora finds out what it means.

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After this emotional farewell, Discovery is waved off by an armada of Starfleet vessels and a few bars of Alexander Courage's iconic " Star Trek " theme. Then, Zora fires up the spore drive and jumps away to her mystery destination. 

Related: Star Trek: Discovery is at an end: Here are 5 things season 5 needed to fix

Starships often come to feel like characters in their own right, but never has this been as true as it is for Discovery.

Zora is much more than some glorified Siri or Alexa substitute, thanks to Discovery's 23rd century computer merging with hundreds of thousands of years of data collected by an ancient alien Sphere. Discovery was protecting this precious information when it jumped forward to 3189. 

The newly created super-computer gradually develops sentience, emotions and a personality, and decides to name herself Zora (which means "dawn" in several Alpha Quadrant languages). She's eventually recognized as a lifeform in her own right, and awarded the rank of Specialist by Starfleet.

What happens next? And what does it have to do with 'craft'?

Not a lot. For around 1,000 years, Zora sits and waits at the designated coordinates, getting some "alone time" inside some kind of interstellar storm cloud. Then she runs into an escape pod with a sole occupant — a man who calls himself Craft. 

This "reluctant" soldier (played by Aldis Hodge) hails from Alcor IV, and has spent the last decade at war with the V'draysh, which — based on comments from criminal boss Zareh in " Discovery" season 3 — appears to be a Pidgin word for the Federation. (This may explain why the enemy vessel Craft has commandeered contains an extensive collection of Earth cartoons from "the long ago".)

During their time together, Zora introduces Craft to tacos, the concept of Tuesday, and her favorite movie, 1957 Audrey Hepburn/Fred Astaire rom-com "Funny Face." She falls in love with the visitor, but he ultimately departs in the hope of finding his wife and son. She refuses to give him a lift home in Discovery, however, reasoning that she has to maintain position to complete her mission.

All this was revealed in 2018 "Short Trek" episode "Calypso", though back then — before season 2 had aired — we had no idea that Discovery would depart for the 32nd century, that the Sphere data would help Discovery's computer evolve into Zora, or that Burnham (then a science officer) would be promoted to captain. These days "Calypso" makes a lot more sense. 

So what exactly is Zora's final mission?

Beyond waiting for a long, long time, that remains unclear. But, seeing as her mission has top secret Red Directive status, it's pretty much certain that Dr Kovich — now revealed to be Temporal Agent Daniels of " Star Trek: Enterprise " fame — has a plan for Zora, and that her bumping into Craft is no accident. 

But whoever she encounters next, it's sure to have major ramifications for the galaxy — and perhaps beyond. Burnham promised a "new beginning" for Zora when she eventually comes back. Who knows what that might mean…

All five seasons of 'Star Trek: Discovery' and the 'Calypso' 'Short Trek' are now available to stream on Paramount Plus. To find out where to stream every other Star Trek movie and show, check out our Star Trek streaming guide .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Richard's love affair with outer space started when he saw the original "Star Wars" on TV aged four, and he spent much of the ’90s watching "Star Trek”, "Babylon 5” and “The X-Files" with his mum. After studying physics at university, he became a journalist, swapped science fact for science fiction, and hit the jackpot when he joined the team at SFX, the UK's biggest sci-fi and fantasy magazine. He liked it so much he stayed there for 12 years, four of them as editor. 

He's since gone freelance and passes his time writing about "Star Wars", "Star Trek" and superheroes for the likes of SFX, Total Film, TechRadar and GamesRadar+. He has met five Doctors, two Starfleet captains and one Luke Skywalker, and once sat in the cockpit of "Red Dwarf"'s Starbug.  

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Screen Rant

I think star trek: ds9 actually gets good before worf shows up.

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Best Star Trek: DS9 Episode From Each Of The Show’s 7 Seasons

I can’t believe that we’re now living in a star trek: ds9 episode, i'll never forgive the cw for canceling its best vampire diaries replacement.

• Star Trek: DS9's growth starts in season 3 with character arcs and continuity.
• Relationships and friendships become more important in season 3.
• Season 3 sets up key storylines for the Dominion War in later seasons.

I think Star Trek: Deep Space Nine actually gets good before Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn) shows up in DS9 season 4. Challenges like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 's inevitable comparison to Star Trek: The Next Generation and uncertainty about DS9 's space station setting mean it takes time before Deep Space Nine figures out the type of show that it wants to be . Besides successes like Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) meeting Bajor's Prophets in DS9 's pilot episode, "Emissary", and DS9 season 1, episode 19, "Duet", which examines Major Kira Nerys' (Nana Visitor) prejudices against Cardassians, the first season of Deep Space Nine can be forgettable.

Common advice to new viewers is that the first three seasons of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are worth skipping or slogging through, because DS9 doesn't really get good until Deep Space Nine season 4. Lt. Commander Worf's arrival in DS9 season 4, episode 1, "The Way of the Warrior", drastically changes the dynamics of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 's cast , and Deep Space Nine season 4 represents the escalation of the Dominion War , which dominates the remainder of DS9 's run. There's no doubt that DS9 season 4 is excellent, but there are earlier signs that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is some of the best Star Trek there is.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had an astonishing run of episodes across seven seasons, but which of its 173 episodes best represent each season?

Character Arcs In DS9 Season 3 Prove Continuity Works In Star Trek

Star trek: ds9 season 3 zeroes in on character relationships to build great stories.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3 slowly builds its own continuity with smaller character arcs that prove serialized storytelling actually works in episodic television, and in Star Trek in particular. Episodes that seem like filler on the surface contain important beats that tell stories across episodes , like Odo's (Rene Auberjonois) growing feelings for Major Kira in DS9 season 3, episode 10, "Fascination", and episode 14, "Heart of Stone"; or the slowly unraveling mystery of Garak's (Andrew Robinson) Obsidian Order history in DS9 season 3, episode 7, "Civil Defense" , episode 20, "Improbable Cause", and episode 21, "The Die is Cast".

Relationships and friendships start mattering more in DS9 season 3.

While the characters in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine have never been particularly static, DS9 season 3 doubles down on the concept of character growth by maintaining continuity. Relationships and friendships start mattering more in DS9 season 3, like the way Kira still grieves Vedek Bareil (Phillip Anglim) throughout the season, Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) and Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) form one of Star Trek' s best friendships , and Jake Sisko's (Cirroc Lofton) influence on Nog (Aron Eisenberg) makes the young Ferengi determined to join Starfleet. All these smaller, individual story lines act as a test run for epic ongoing plots that have become a hallmark of DS9 's excellence.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine takes a memorable turning point in DS9 season 3, episodes 11 & 12, "Past Tense", a time-travel story that could be considered filler, but grows terrifyingly more prescient with the systemic disparities that lead to the Bell Riots in Star Trek 's version of 2024.

Star Trek: DS9 Season 3 Sets Up Multiple Important Storylines

The alpha quadrant response to the dominion matters to later ds9 seasons.

The Dominion War ramps into high gear in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 4 because of key setups in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3. After encountering the Dominion late in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 2, DS9 season 3 establishes how different Alpha Quadrant powers respond to the looming threat. Starfleet takes a wait-and-see approach while arming Sisko with the fully-armed USS Defiant, and sends Lt. Michael Eddington (Ken Marshall) as a trusted security officer to counter Constable Odo's authority. The Cardassians and Romulans form an alliance to pursue the Founders. After a Cardassian peace treaty, Kai Winn (Lousie Fletcher) destabilizes Bajor with power grabs.

As tension looms with the Dominion, the characters and galactic powers on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine unravel mysteries and become more tight-knit in stronger alliances. Seemingly disparate political plots are woven together throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3, with these different threads pulling tight on each other to influence the shape of the overall story. The serialization, complex character dynamics, and intricate political plots that elevate Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are all present long before Lt. Commander Worf's arrival in DS9 season 4 , and that's why I think DS9 actually gets good in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 3.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

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Moscow Oblast, Russia

The capital city of Moskovskaya oblast: Moscow .

Moscow Oblast - Overview

Moscow Oblast is a federal subject of Russia located in the Central Federal District. Moscow, the capital city of the country, is the administrative center of Moscow Oblast. At the same time, Moscow is not part of this region, it is a separate federal subject of Russia, a city of federal importance.

The population of Moscow Oblast is about 7,769,000 (2022), the area - 44,379 sq. km.

Moskovskaya oblast flag

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Moskovskaya oblast latest news and posts from our blog:.

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History of Moscow Oblast

The territory of the Moscow region was inhabited more than 20 thousand years ago. In the first millennium AD, this land was inhabited mostly by the Finno-Ugric peoples (Meryane and Meshchera). In the 9th-10th centuries, the Slavs began active development of the region. The population was engaged in hunting, fisheries, agriculture, and cattle breeding.

In the middle of the 12th century, the territory of the present Moscow region became part of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, the first towns were founded (Volokolamsk in 1135, Moscow in 1147, Zvenigorod in 1152, Dmitrov in 1154). In the first half of the 13th century, the Vladimir-Suzdal principality was conquered by the Mongols.

In the 14th-16th centuries, Moscow principality became the center of unification of Russian lands. The history of the Moscow region is inextricably linked to military events of the Time of Troubles - the siege of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery by the troops of False Dmitry II, the first and second militias.

More historical facts…

In 1708, by decree of Peter the Great, Moskovskaya gubernia (province) was established. It included most of the territory of present Moscow oblast. In 1712, St. Petersburg became the capital of the Russian Empire and the significance of the Moscow region as the country’s economic center began to decrease.

In 1812, the Battle of Borodino took place near Moscow. It was the biggest battle of the Russian-French War of 1812. In the second half of the 19th century, especially after the peasant reform of 1861, the Moscow province experienced economic growth. In 1851, the first railway connected Moscow and St. Petersburg; in 1862 - Nizhny Novgorod.

The population of the Moscow region increased significantly (in 1847 - 1.13 million people, in 1905 - 2.65 million). On the eve of the First World War, Moscow was a city with a population of more than one million people.

In November, 1917, the Soviet power was established in the region. In 1918, the country’s capital was moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow that contributed to economic recovery of the province. In the 1920s-1930s, a lot of churches located near Moscow were closed, a large number of cultural monuments were destroyed. On January 14, 1929, Moscow Oblast was formed.

In 1941-1942, one of the most important battles of the Second World War took place on the territory of the region - the Battle for Moscow. In the postwar years, the growth of economic potential of the region continued; several science cities were founded (Dubna, Troitsk, Pushchino, Chernogolovka).

In the 1990s, the economy of Moscow Oblast experienced a deep crisis. Since the 1990s, due to the motorization of the population and commuting, road traffic situation in the Moscow region significantly deteriorated. Traffic jams have become commonplace.

Pictures of Moscow Oblast

Moscow Oblast scenery

Author: Mikhail Grizly

At the airport in the Moscow region

Author: Evgeny Davydov

Nature of Moscow Oblast

Author: Alexander Khmelkov

Moscow Oblast - Features

Moscow Oblast is located in the central part of the East European Plain, in the basin of the rivers of Volga, Oka, Klyazma, Moskva. The region stretches from north to south for 310 km, from west to east - 340 km. It was named after the city of Moscow, which however is not part of the region. Part of the administrative authorities of the region is located in Krasnogorsk.

On the territory of the Moscow region, there are 77 cities and towns, 19 of them have a population of more than 100 thousand people. The largest cities are Balashikha (518,300), Podolsk (309,600), Mytishchi (262,700), Khimky (256,300), Korolyov (225,300), Lubertsy (209,600), Krasnogorsk (174,900), Elektrostal (149,000), Odintsovo (138,900), Kolomna (136,800), Domodedovo (136,100).

The climate is temperate continental. Summers are warm, winters are moderately cold. The average temperature in January is minus 10 degrees Celsius, in July - plus 19 degrees Celsius.

One of the most important features of the local economy is its proximity to Moscow. Some of the cities (Odintsovo, Krasnogorsk, Mytishchi) have become in fact the “sleeping districts” of Moscow. The region is in second place in terms of industrial production among the regions of Russia (after Moscow).

The leading industries are food processing, engineering, chemical, metallurgy, construction. Moscow oblast has one of the largest in Russia scientific and technological complexes. Handicrafts are well developed (Gzhel ceramics, Zhostov trays, Fedoskino lacquered miniatures, toy-making).

Moscow railway hub is the largest in Russia (11 radial directions, 2,700 km of railways, the density of railways is the highest in Russia). There are two large international airports - Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo. Vnukovo airport is used for the flights within the country.

Attractions of Moscow Oblast

Moscow Oblast has more than 6,400 objects of cultural heritage:

• famous estate complexes,
• ancient towns with architectural monuments (Vereya, Volokolamsk, Dmitrov, Zaraysk, Zvenigorod, Istra, Kolomna, Sergiev Posad, Serpukhov),
• churches and monasteries-museums (the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Joseph-Volokolamsk monastery, Pokrovsky Khotkov monastery, Savvino Storozhevsky monastery, Nikolo Ugresha monastery).

The most famous estate complexes:

• Arkhangelskoye - a large museum with a rich collection of Western European and Russian art of the 17th-19th centuries,
• Abramtsevo - a literary and artistic center,
• Melikhovo - an estate owned by A.P. Chekhov at the end of the 19th century,
• Zakharovo and Bolshiye Vyazyomy included in the History and Literature Museum-Reserve of Alexander Pushkin,
• House-Museum of the composer P.I. Tchaikovsky in Klin,
• Muranovo that belonged to the poet F.I. Tyutchev,
• Shakhmatovo - the estate of the poet Alexander Blok.

The architectural ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest museum of the Moscow region is located in Serpukhov - Serpukhov Historical and Art Museum.

The places of traditional arts and crafts are the basis of the souvenir industry of Russia:

• Fedoskino - lacquer miniature painting,
• Bogorodskoe - traditional manufacture of wooden toys,
• Gzhel - unique tradition of creating ceramics,
• Zhostovo - painted metal crafts,
• Pavlovsky Posad - fabrics with traditional printed pattern.

Some of these settlements have museums dedicated to traditional crafts (for example, a toy museum in Bogorodskoe), as well as centers of learning arts and crafts.

Moskovskaya oblast of Russia photos

Landscapes of moscow oblast.

Nature of the Moscow region

Country road in the Moscow region

Moscow Oblast landscape

Author: Mikhail Kurtsev

Moscow Oblast views

Author: Asedach Alexander

Country life in Moscow Oblast

Author: Andrey Zakharov

Church in Moscow Oblast

Author: Groshev Dmitrii

Churches of Moscow Oblast

Church in the Moscow region

Cathedral in Moscow Oblast

The questions of our visitors

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Swimmer completes 14-hour trek from Bay Bridge to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

Katie Pumphrey, who lives in Baltimore, said she had become the first person on record to complete the swim from the bay to the harbor.

Katie Pumphrey waded into the dark waters near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge — and then took off.

Her first stroke — at 3:19 a.m. Tuesday — marked the start of a 14-hour-long swim. By 5:13 p.m., Pumphrey had reached the Harborplace Amphitheater in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, marking the milestone of a swimmable harbor.

She was sunburned, her body loudly telling her the cost of such an ambitious swim. Pumphrey, who lives in Baltimore, said she had become the first person on record to complete the 24-mile swim from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Harborplace Amphitheater in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

“It’s my love letter to Baltimore because it is more than a swim,” Pumphrey, 36, said in an interview hours after completing the swim. “It’s a huge message about the progress of the harbor and all the work that Waterfront Partnership and so many organizations have done, but also just how awesome the city is.”

Pumphrey, an artist , grew up in the water, competing in a summer swimming league at 5 years old, joining a club team and continuing to compete while a student at Middletown High School in Frederick County. While studying painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Pumphrey coached a children’s swimming team and worked as a lifeguard at a YMCA in Baltimore.

In June 2010, she tried the 4.4-mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim and loved it. She remembers hugging her mom and saying: “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I want to do it again.”

By August 2018, she earned the triple crown of open water swimming, a challenge that includes swimming about 36 miles in the English Channel between England and France, 20 miles in the Catalina Channel between Santa Catalina Island and the California mainland, and 28.5 miles around Manhattan.

But for years, Pumphrey had dreamed of the day the harbor would be swimmable, telling anyone who would listen: “The moment it is declared so, I’m jumping in.”

So when Pumphrey watched a video of staff and advocates with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore jumping into the harbor last September to demonstrate the improved water quality, Pumphrey saw her chance. She reached out to the group, a nonprofit that has worked to improve the harbor’s water quality, and asked whether she could collaborate with them to swim it in a celebratory way.

“We immediately started meeting with Katie and talking about logistics and how we would announce the swim,” said Adam Lindquist, the group’s vice president. “Katie is a true Baltimorean and she’s doing a wonderful thing for Baltimore City today.”

She had planned to swim the distance in mid-May. But the March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which left families and a city grieving the six lives lost and disrupted the supply of cars, coal and other goods, left her plans uncertain.

She ended up pushing the swim to late June and decided to allocate 10 percent of proceeds raised to support the cost of her swim to the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund . This swim, she thought, would be an opportunity to celebrate the resiliency of the city she loved.

Less than two days after about 150 people jumped into the Baltimore Harbor for the Harbor Splash public swimming event, Pumphrey began her journey from Sandy Point State Park.

As the hours ticked by Tuesday and Pumphrey swam through heat and exhaustion, she reminded herself she was swimming toward home. This was a city that didn’t have enough “positive stories” told, she said — a city that is resilient, where people show up for each other. She kept going.

And with each stroke, her 19-person crew between two boats cheered her on, supported her and documented the journey.

Her husband made sure Pumphrey took breaks for water or changed her pacing. Her physical therapist was on board, as well as support swimmers and observers logging data such as her stroke rate and the water temperature. There were filmmakers and journalists. Her niece and two older brothers alternated hopping in a kayak.

During the last few hours of the swim, her older sister Laura Madoo, 41, organized a group to sail on Urban Pirates, a popular boat tour company in Fells Point. Those present included Pumphrey’s parents, other relatives, friends and the media. Madoo said she brought inflatable toy swords and eye patches and played music she knew her sister would enjoy, like “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” from Disney’s “Mulan” movie.

With just half a mile left, Pumphrey had a celebrity escort: Mr. Trash Wheel — a trash-trapping machine that has removed 1 million pounds of litter and debris from the water each year since its installation in 2014.

Lindquist said he hopes all the attention from the Harbor Splash and Pumphrey’s swim helps raise awareness of the harbor’s potential. There could be triathlons, paddleboard races and swim meets in the harbor.

Still, Lindquist said, there is much work ahead. For example, the city needs to improve sewer infrastructure and reduce stormwater runoff.

“The Baltimore Harbor still has good days and bad days,” Lindquist said. “We don’t want people jumping in the harbor whenever they feel like. We want them to do it as part of a planned and specially supervised event, like Harbor Splash or like Katie’s swim.”

Shortly after 5 p.m., Pumphrey swam toward cheering supporters and tapped her right hand on the Inner Harbor wall. She had finally made it. She looked around her and threw both her arms up in celebration.

“That was the most magical swim finish into Baltimore with so many Baltimoreans cheering,” Pumphrey said. “I’m a bit in shock about all of that and just over the moon that I was able to do this swim and celebrate my love for Baltimore with so many people.”

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