First Trail Ride on the sixthreezero EVRYjourney E-Bike: Pedal Assist, Throttle, and Fit on Real Dirt

Riding the sixthreezero EVRYjourney E-Bike on a Trail for the First Time

There is a big difference between reading about an e-bike and actually feeling it roll over a rut, a rock, or a slick patch of mud. So instead of a spec sheet, this article follows a real first ride. Alina, from the sixthreezero team, took the sixthreezero EVRYjourney e-bike out on a dirt trail she had never ridden on this bike before, and she brought a camera along so you could ride with her.

The trail was not a gentle bike path. It started with a steep, bumpy hill going down, moved through muddy sections, climbed several short hills, crossed rocky ground, and finished with a few sharp turns and a relaxed cruise to the end. That mix makes it a great test for a newer rider, because it shows how the bike behaves when things get a little unpredictable.

Alina was honest the whole way through. She admitted she was nervous about slipping in the mud, took the first descent slowly, and figured out the controls as she went. By the end she was calling the climbs and bumps her favorite part of the ride. That progression from careful to comfortable is exactly what most people experience on their first few rides, and it is worth paying attention to how she got there.

In this guide we will cover where the EVRYjourney's display sits and what it tells you, how Alina used pedal assist zero on descents and pedal assist two and higher on climbs, how the throttle works alongside pedal assist, what the suspension did on rocks and bumps, and why she loved the low seat and upright riding position. We will also add practical trail tips from the shop floor, a beginner checklist, and answers to the questions we hear most often.

If you are new to e-bikes, or you are wondering whether an e-bike can handle more than pavement, this ride is a good place to start.

The first thing Alina noticed, right at the top of the hill, was the screen. On the EVRYjourney, the display is mounted on the left side of the handlebar instead of sitting straight in the middle. She called it interesting, and it is one of those small details you notice immediately if you have ridden other bikes.

From that left-side display she could see three things at a glance:

• Pedal assist level. This tells you how much help the motor is adding as you pedal. Alina switched between levels constantly during the ride, so having it in view mattered.
• Speed in miles per hour. At one point on a climb she glanced down and read 9.1 miles an hour while on pedal assist two.
• Battery life. Useful for planning how far out you can go before turning around.

Why does placement matter? On a trail, your eyes should be on the ground ahead most of the time. A screen off to the side keeps the center of the cockpit clear, and you learn quickly to take a short glance to the left to check your level or speed and then look back up. Some riders also like that it leaves room in the middle of the bars for other things they might want to mount, such as a phone holder. If you plan to add accessories, check what fits your specific bike first.

Here is a simple habit worth building on any e-bike: before you roll out, look at the display and confirm your pedal assist level. Alina did this at the top of the first hill and saw she was on zero, which was exactly where she wanted to be for a steep, bumpy descent. Knowing your setting before you move takes a lot of surprise out of the first few seconds of a ride.

It is also smart to check your battery level before a trail ride, not during one. Trails often have more climbing than a neighborhood loop, and climbing on higher assist levels uses more battery. Starting with a full charge gives you breathing room to explore a wrong turn or two, which, as you will see, happened on this ride.

The ride began by heading straight down a hill. Alina kept the bike on pedal assist zero, and she explained why: the hill was steep and full of bumps. Within seconds she was saying the bike was going really fast, and that was with no motor help at all. Gravity did the work.

This is one of the most useful lessons from the whole video. Pedal assist is there to add power when you pedal. Going downhill, you rarely need more power. You need control. Riding on zero means the motor will not add any push if your feet keep turning, so your speed comes only from the slope and from how you use your brakes.

Alina took this first descent slowly on purpose. She said it was her first time on this bike, and she wanted to get a feel for it before letting it run. Several times she noted that the bike was picking up speed and that she was going to slow down again. That is the right instinct. On a new bike and a new trail, you do not know yet how the bike brakes, how the tires grip, or what is around the next corner.

A few downhill habits from the shop that pair well with what Alina did:

• Brake before the steep part, not in the middle of it. Scrub speed while the ground is still smooth, then roll through rough sections at a pace you are comfortable with.
• Use both brakes smoothly. Gentle, steady pressure is better than grabbing a handful, especially on loose dirt.
• Keep your weight a little back on steep descents. This helps keep the rear wheel planted and makes the bike feel more stable.
• Look where you want to go. Your bike tends to follow your eyes. Stare at a rock and you will often hit it.

Alina also hit a few bumps on the way down and called them fun. That is a good sign. When a bike feels planted enough that a bump is fun instead of scary, the rider can relax, and a relaxed rider is a safer rider. Later in the ride she came back to another descent, set the pedal assist back to zero, and slowed down again. Once you build the habit of dropping to zero for downhills, it becomes automatic.

About two and a half minutes in, the trail turned muddy, and Alina was honest about it. She said she was nervous because she was not used to riding in mud and worried she might slip. Plenty of riders feel the same way, and it is worth talking about, because mud and loose dirt are where many people lose confidence.

What she did next was smart. She paused, collected herself, and then decided to give herself a little push to get moving again. That push came from the throttle, which we will cover in the next section. Getting started from a stop on a soft surface is often the hardest moment, because the wheel can spin or wobble before you have momentum. A small, steady boost helps you get rolling in a straight line.

Here are some tips for slippery or soft sections:

• Stay smooth. Sudden pedaling, sudden braking, and sharp steering are what make tires slide. Make every input gentle.
• Keep momentum. A bike moving at a steady, moderate pace tends to track straighter through mud than one crawling along.
• Use a lower assist level in slick spots. Too much power to the wheel on a slippery surface can cause it to spin. Save the higher levels for firm ground.
• Relax your grip. Let the bike move a little under you instead of fighting every wiggle.
• Avoid braking hard in the middle of the mud. Slow down before you get there.

Within about a minute of feeling nervous, Alina was saying the climb that followed was pretty easy and that it was going great. Shortly after that she said she was starting to feel more comfortable and that the ride was fun. That shift happens fast once you see the bike handle a tricky patch without drama.

One more practical note: after a muddy ride, give your bike a gentle clean. Wipe down the frame, the chain area, and the brakes, and let everything dry. Avoid blasting electrical parts, like the display or battery area, with high-pressure water. A little care after a dirty ride keeps the bike working well for the next one.

One of the most useful moments in the ride came when Alina wanted to use the throttle and found it would not give her a push. She figured out why on the spot: she was on pedal assist zero. On the EVRYjourney as she rode it, she had to switch up to pedal assist one before the throttle would kick in. Once she did, she hit the throttle a little bit and got the force she needed to get going.

That detail is worth remembering, because it can confuse a new rider. If you press the throttle and nothing happens, check the display. If you are on zero, bump up to at least one and try again. It is a simple fix, but it is the kind of thing that can rattle you when you are stopped on a muddy slope.

So what is the difference between throttle and pedal assist?

• Pedal assist adds motor power while you pedal. Higher levels add more help. You still feel like you are riding a bike, just a stronger version of yourself.
• Throttle gives you power on demand, whether or not you are pedaling. It is great for getting started from a stop, for getting through a tricky spot, or for a quick boost.

Alina used the throttle in exactly the situations where it shines. She used it to get going from a standstill on soft ground. She used it to help her make a left turn after stopping to figure out which way to go. And she used it again later to throttle up a hill after a pause. In each case she was not cruising on the throttle for long stretches. She was using it as a tool to get moving or get over a hump, then going back to pedaling with assist.

Some throttle tips for trail riding:

• Start gently. Alina said she would hit it "a wee bit," and that is the right approach. Ease in rather than snapping it open.
• Point the bike straight first. Get your front wheel aimed where you want to go before you add power.
• Be ready for the push. Keep a firm, relaxed grip and lean slightly forward so the bike does not feel like it is running away from you.

Used this way, the throttle is a confidence builder. It takes the stress out of restarting on a hill or in a soft patch, which are two of the moments beginners worry about most.

If there is one thing Alina loved most about this ride, it was going uphill. She said it plainly near the end of the trail: back to her favorite part, uphill. Earlier she said that once you get used to the bike, it is really fun to go up hills and over bumps, and that this was her favorite part of the whole experience.

Her approach to climbing was simple and worth copying. On the first real climb she moved to pedal assist two and said it was perfect. As the hills got steeper, she kept adding more: more pedal assist, more pedal assist, more pedal assist, while encouraging herself that she could do it. On a climb about seven minutes in, she was on pedal assist two and reading 9.1 miles an hour going up the hill.

The key idea is that you match your assist level to the terrain:

• Downhill: pedal assist zero, so you are in control.
• Flat or gentle sections: a lower level like one or two, so you get help without too much speed.
• Climbs: step up to two or higher depending on how steep the hill is and how much effort you want to put in.

Alina said this herself when she turned up the assist before a hill: it makes it easier to go up hills. That is exactly what pedal assist is for. You are still pedaling, but the motor fills in the gap that would normally leave you out of breath halfway up.

The lean-forward tip. Alina also shared a piece of advice every new e-bike rider should hear. When you are climbing with pedal assist, lean forward. The bike can pick up speed quickly when the motor is helping, and if your weight is too far back, you might drift backward on the bike or feel the front end get light without realizing it. Leaning forward keeps your weight over the front wheel, which helps it stay planted and keeps you steady as the motor pushes.

A few more climbing habits:

• Raise your assist before the hill starts, not halfway up when you are already slowing down.
• Keep pedaling smoothly instead of mashing hard on each stroke.
• If you stall, stop, make sure you are on at least pedal assist one, point the bike straight, and use a little throttle to restart, just like Alina did.

About six minutes into the ride, the trail got rocky. Alina pointed it out and said the suspension force was awesome. For a rider on a new bike, that is a big deal. Rocks are the kind of terrain that can rattle your hands, bounce you off the seat, and make you want to slow to a crawl.

Throughout the video, bumps kept showing up: a bump on the first descent, a bump on the first climb, a couple of bumps in a row once she felt comfortable, and a bump she called a fun little bump at the top of one hill. Again and again, her reaction was the same: fun. When a bike absorbs rough ground well, the rider stops bracing for every impact and starts enjoying the ride.

Suspension does two jobs on a trail. It makes the ride more comfortable by taking some of the hit out of rough ground before it reaches your arms and back. It also helps the tire stay in contact with the ground, which gives you better grip and control when the surface is uneven.

Even with good suspension, your body is part of the system. A few tips for rough ground:

• Keep your elbows and knees slightly bent. Think of them as extra shock absorbers.
• Lift slightly off the seat on bigger bumps if you are comfortable doing so, and let the bike move under you.
• Hold a steady speed. Rolling over a bump at a controlled pace is usually smoother than braking hard right before it.
• Pick a line. Look ahead and choose the smoothest path through rocks instead of reacting at the last second.

Alina's comfort grew right alongside the bumps. Early on she was careful. By the middle of the ride she was talking about how much she enjoyed going over them. That is a good picture of what a capable, comfortable bike does for a rider: it gives you room to learn.

Not every part of the trail was about power. Around the eight-and-a-half-minute mark, Alina hit a run of sharp turns. She called out one very sharp turn, then another, then another coming up. After making it through she said it felt fine.

Sharp turns on dirt are where speed control really matters. A few things help:

• Slow down before the turn. Do your braking while the bike is upright and going straight, then release the brakes as you turn.
• Drop your assist level if the turn is tight, so the motor does not push you wide.
• Look through the turn toward where you want to exit, not at the edge of the trail.
• Lean the bike, keep your body balanced, and keep your outside pedal down if you are coasting.

The ride also had a moment many trail riders will recognize. At one point Alina slowed down because she was not sure which way to go. She chose left, then double-checked, and at one fork there was a little back and forth about straight versus left. That is normal on an unfamiliar trail. The good news is that a low seat and a throttle make these pauses easy. She could put her feet down, take a second to decide, and then use a bit of throttle to get rolling again.

She also took time to enjoy where she was. On one descent she slowed down and mentioned the pretty views, and she noticed what looked like a golf course off to her left. Toward the end she said she was going to just stroll, slowing down a wee bit. That is a reminder that a trail ride does not need to be a race. An e-bike lets you choose your effort, so you can push on the climbs and then cruise and look around when you want to.

If you are riding a trail for the first time, consider bringing a friend, letting someone know your route, and taking a look at a trail map before you go. A few minutes of planning makes the wrong turns more fun and less stressful.

When the ride was over, Alina summed up the things that stood out to her, and fit was at the top of the list. She said you can put the seat down way lower on the EVRYjourney, and she explained why that matters: when you are stopping, you are not bobbing all over the place. You can actually step your feet to the ground. She said she loved that.

For many riders, especially newer ones, being able to touch the ground easily is the difference between feeling nervous and feeling in control. Think about the moments on this trail where she stopped: at the muddy section, at the forks where she was choosing a direction, and after pausing on hills. Each time, a seat she could get low meant she could plant her feet, steady the bike, and start again without a wobble.

She also liked that she could sit a little further back in the seat. That let her legs extend more, which makes pedaling more comfortable and efficient, and it let her sit more upright on the bike. She said she really liked that too.

An upright position has real benefits:

• Better visibility. Sitting up lets you see farther down the trail or road.
• Less strain on your wrists, shoulders, and back. You are not leaning heavily onto the handlebars.
• A more relaxed ride. It is easier to look around, enjoy the views, and ride for longer.

Getting your fit right is worth a few minutes before every ride on a new bike. A good starting point: with the seat set, you should be able to reach the ground with your feet when stopped, and your leg should be comfortably extended, but not locked, at the bottom of the pedal stroke. If you are new and nervous, setting the seat a little lower at first is fine. You can raise it gradually as you get comfortable.

Remember Alina's climbing tip, too. Sitting upright is great for cruising, but when you add pedal assist on a steep hill, lean forward to keep your weight over the front of the bike.

About seven and a half minutes in, Alina said something that sums up why so many people end up loving e-bikes: she was getting a workout with a little bit of guidance.

A common worry about e-bikes is that the motor does everything and you are just along for the ride. This video shows how that is not really the case. Alina pedaled the whole trail. She changed her assist level dozens of times based on the terrain, and she worked on the climbs. What the motor did was make the hard parts manageable, so a steep hill became something she looked forward to instead of something she dreaded.

That is the real value of pedal assist for exercise:

• You control the effort. Low assist means more work for you. Higher assist means more help. You can change it any time.
• You can ride farther. Because the climbs do not wipe you out, you can stay out longer and cover more ground.
• You keep coming back. A ride that feels fun is a ride you will repeat, and consistency matters more than any single hard workout.
• You can ride with others. Assist helps even out differences in fitness between riding partners.

If fitness is one of your goals, try this simple approach: use lower assist levels on flat ground and gentle hills to work harder, and save the higher levels for steep climbs or the end of a long ride when you are tired. Over time you may find yourself using less assist on hills that once needed more. That is a nice way to see your progress.

And if the hills on your route are something you would rather not think about at all, the throttle is there to help you get going when you need it. The point is that you choose.

Alina's ride is a good model for a first time out. Here is a simple checklist based on what she did and what we recommend at the shop.

Before you ride

• Charge your battery fully and check the level on the display.
• Set your seat so you can reach the ground with your feet when stopped.
• Check tire pressure and squeeze both brakes to make sure they feel firm.
• Wear a helmet, closed-toe shoes, and gloves if you have them.
• Look at a trail map and tell someone where you are going.
• Bring water and a phone.

At the start

• Confirm your pedal assist level before rolling.
• If the trail starts downhill, begin on pedal assist zero like Alina did.
• Take the first few minutes slowly to get a feel for the bike.

On the trail

• Drop to zero for descents and slow down before steep or rough sections.
• Step up to two or higher for climbs, and raise it before the hill starts.
• Lean forward when climbing with pedal assist.
• Remember the throttle needs at least pedal assist one on the EVRYjourney as Alina rode it.
• Stay smooth and keep your momentum in mud and loose dirt.
• Slow down before sharp turns and look through them.
• Stop and put your feet down if you are unsure which way to go.

After the ride

• Wipe off mud and dirt, avoiding high-pressure water on electrical parts.
• Recharge the battery so the bike is ready next time.
• Think about what felt good and what you want to practice.

None of this is complicated, and that is the point. A first trail ride should feel like an adventure, not a test. Small habits like these let you focus on the fun parts, which, if you ask Alina, are the hills and the bumps.

Based on this ride, the EVRYjourney e-bike makes a lot of sense for riders who want a bike that can handle more than smooth pavement and who value comfort and control. The low seat that lets you put your feet down, the upright position, the suspension that took the edge off rocks, and the mix of pedal assist and throttle all add up to a bike that a newer rider can grow into. Alina went from nervous on the first hill to calling the climbs her favorite part in less than ten minutes.

As she put it at the end of the video, it is nice that there are different bikes for different people. That is true, and it is worth thinking about honestly. A two-wheel e-bike asks you to balance, especially at low speeds and when starting and stopping. Many riders are completely comfortable with that. Others would rather not think about balance at all.

If that sounds like you, take a look at sixthreezero's electric tricycles. Three wheels mean the bike stays upright on its own when you stop, which many riders find relaxing. If comfort is your main goal, the upright position electric tricycles offer a similar sit-up-tall feeling to what Alina liked about the EVRYjourney. Riders who want extra power for hilly areas can browse the 750W electric tricycles.

The EVRYjourney name also shows up on three wheels. The sixthreezero EVRYjourney electric tricycle rickshaw is built around carrying a passenger, and you can see more options in the e-bike rickshaw collection. If you want to learn more about how riders set these up, this article on customizing an e-trike for passengers and cargo and this one on fitting almost anything on an electric trike are good reads.

Planning to carry more than yourself? The cargo and delivery tricycles and electric tricycles with a large basket are built for hauling. For storage on any ride, browse sixthreezero baskets, and check that a basket is compatible with your specific model before ordering.

The best way to decide is to think about where you will ride most. If your plan includes dirt trails, hills, and a bit of adventure, Alina's ride shows that the EVRYjourney e-bike is up for it. If you mostly want relaxed, stable rides with errands and passengers, a trike may be the better fit.

Can the sixthreezero EVRYjourney e-bike handle dirt trails?

In this ride, Alina took it down steep bumpy hills, through mud, over rocks, and up several climbs. She said the suspension handled the rocks well and found the climbs and bumps to be the most fun part. As with any bike, ride at a pace that matches your skill and the trail conditions.

Where is the display on the EVRYjourney?

The screen sits on the left side of the handlebar rather than in the center. It shows your pedal assist level, your speed in miles per hour, and battery life.

Why won't my throttle work?

On the EVRYjourney as Alina rode it, the throttle did not respond on pedal assist zero. She had to switch to pedal assist one before the throttle would give her a push. If your throttle seems unresponsive, check your assist level on the display first.

What pedal assist level should I use going downhill?

Alina used pedal assist zero on steep descents so the motor would not add speed. Downhill, you want control more than power.

What pedal assist level is best for climbing?

Alina found pedal assist two worked well on moderate climbs, and she added more assist as hills got steeper. On one climb she was going 9.1 miles an hour on pedal assist two. Raise your level before the hill starts.

Should I lean forward when using pedal assist?

Yes, especially on climbs. Alina pointed out that the bike can pick up speed quickly with assist, and leaning forward keeps your weight over the front so you do not drift backward on the bike without realizing it.

Can I reach the ground on the EVRYjourney?

Alina said the seat goes down much lower, so she could put her feet on the ground when stopping instead of bobbing around. That made her feel more in control at stops and on the trail.

Is the riding position upright?

Yes. Alina liked that she could sit further back in the seat, extend her legs more, and ride in a more upright position.

Will I still get exercise on an e-bike?

Yes. Alina pedaled the entire trail and described it as getting a workout with a little bit of guidance. You decide how much help you get by choosing your assist level.

I am nervous about riding in mud. Any tips?

Alina felt the same way. Stay smooth, keep steady momentum, use a lower assist level on slick spots, and avoid hard braking in the middle of the mud. If you stop, use a little throttle to get rolling again in a straight line.

What if I would rather not balance on two wheels?

Consider a three-wheel electric trike. sixthreezero offers several, including upright and cargo-focused models, so you can enjoy similar comfort with extra stability.

Every rider has a first time on a new bike, and most of them start the way Alina's did: a little nervous, a little slow, and very aware of every bump. What made her ride a success was not speed. It was using the tools the EVRYjourney gave her at the right moments, like zero assist on the way down, more assist on the way up, a touch of throttle to get moving, and a seat low enough to put her feet down whenever she needed.

If you are thinking about taking an e-bike off the pavement, start with a trail you can handle, give yourself time to learn the controls, and let your confidence build one hill at a time. You might find, like Alina, that the climbs become your favorite part.