London to Paris on an E-bike – Ed Wiseman’s Journey with Volt, The Times

E-biking across the Channel via The Times

Travel writer Ed Wiseman took on one of cycling’s most iconic challenges — riding from London to Paris — and shared his adventure in The Times. What makes his journey especially compelling isn’t that he treated it like a race or an athletic feat, but that he approached it as a leisure cyclist, exploring scenery, towns and quiet paths over five days with an e-bike as his companion.

Setting off from Richmond Upon Thames “without Lycra” or competitive ambition, Ed stitched together a near-traffic-free route using towpaths, greenways and quieter trails all the way to Newhaven, before hopping a ferry to Dieppe and following France’s wonderfully waymarked Avenue Verte toward Paris. His ride blended scenic rural stretches, historic sites and the everyday pleasures of slow travel — making a journey of hundreds of miles feel genuinely accessible.

But underneath that spirit of exploration was one practical enabler: the electric bike he chose. As Ed puts it in the article’s most telling line:

That quote speaks volumes about what the right electric bike can bring to long rides like these — not just assistance, but confidence, comfort and the freedom to take on hills and tougher terrain without dread.

Why the Volt Connect Makes the Ideal Companion

The Connect hybrid e‑bike, built by Volt, is designed as a versatile, do-it-all machine — perfect for riders who might tackle city streets one day and country lanes the next. It’s built around a quality central crank motor that senses how you ride and delivers power responsively, resulting in a natural-feeling assist that feels like a boost from within you rather than an add-on.

Key features that make the Connect great for longer journeys include:

• Bafang M200 crank-drive motor that adapts assist to your pedalling effort, gradient and speed.
• Shimano 9-speed gears and hydraulic disc brakes for confident, smooth control across mixed terrain.
• Comfort-oriented components like lockout suspension forks, hybrid tyres and integrated lights — all adding up to a ride that’s ready for country roads and towpaths alike.
• 80+ mile range in eco mode, giving real freedom to tackle long days in the saddle.

It’s no surprise, then, that the Connect also caught the attention of BBC Science Focus, where it was featured as one of their “best e-bikes for every type of rider” — praised for its durable build, useful everyday features like full-length mudguards and lights, and a natural, smooth riding character across modes.

On the Road (and Off It)

What Ed’s journey beautifully illustrates is that epic rides don’t have to be the domain of Lycra and ultra-fit athletes. With the right planning, a network of quieter paths and a trusty electric bike, even ambitious multi-day routes between capitals can be memorable experiences.

And when it comes to bikes that enable those experiences rather than complicate them? The Volt Connect is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and quality components come together to open up two-wheel travel in a way that feels both capable and enjoyable — whether you’re cruising traffic-free canal towpaths or ticking off the rolling climbs of the South Downs.

Book your free test ride today.

You can read the full article here.