Customer Stories: Exploring the Rugged Scottish Landscape on E-bikes

One of the best perks of working at VOLT is meeting our amazing customers and hearing their stories. Customers just like Sam Hayles, a passionate VOLT rider and talented graphic designer. We joined him on an exhilarating ride through the stunning landscapes of Aberfeldy, Scotland.

Riding his beloved VOLT Alpine, Sam shares his journey to find the perfect e-bike with the help of Mark Sinclair at Sinclair Cycles in Kinross. Sam and his wife, Murielle, who rides the Pulse LS, explore hidden lochs and scenic rivers, capturing breathtaking moments with his cameras and drone.

From boosting creativity to enhancing physical and mental well-being, discover why his VOLT Alpine is more than just a bike—it’s a gateway to new adventures and unforgettable experiences.

Sam’s Story…

My name is Sam. I live in Aberfeldy, Scotland. I’m a graphic designer. When I wanted to purchase an e-bike, I was looking online, and I just basically looked on our local Facebook page. I just asked the question: “Where can I find a local e-bike?”

One thing which was really important for me was to be able to try the bike, and I was lucky to find Mark Sinclair, who has a shop about an hour’s drive from where I live. We talked online a bit, and he said, “I got these great bikes, Volt bikes, and you can come over and try them.”

So I went there, I met Mark, and he was fantastic, showing me the bikes. We tried a few, and when I tried the Alpine, I just knew in a few minutes that I liked this bike straight away. I went for a couple of minutes up the road and down. I was like, “Wow, this is so comfortable. I feel safe straight away on it.”

I brought it back to the shop, and Mark looked at me. I said, “Oh, you saw that big smile on my face when I tried that one. I think that’s going to be the one.”

He said, “You know, I think so. It looks great, that’s for sure. The throttle is fantastic, and you’re not afraid of hills anymore. That’s a great thing. It’s just comfortable, and you feel safe on it. The brakes are fantastic. It’s a fantastic bike.”

The benefits to mental health are significant, for sure. Physical health too. If I’m working and I’m not able to find the creativity I need, I just go out on the bike for a couple of hours, and I get back with all this energy. I can work, and ideas start coming in.

You go to places you wouldn’t be able to go to in a car. For example, I’ve been up there quite a few times to take photos with my drone. Of course, it would take ages to walk there, but on the bike, you get there in 20 minutes. You discover places too. You just try that lane, go up there for a few miles, and suddenly you discover this loch on the top of the hill. It’s easy to go there with an e-bike.