K2C & e-bikes

[Robbie Stewart]

Just shout 'Passing right, you useless **#!' and admire how everyone moves to the left with a smile. Easy peasy.

 

 

I must confess I do this as a rule of thumb. It goes like this;

 

"If you can't ride this part, get skilled before entering. I am passing right, make way for those who can ride..."

 

It works like a charm.

My original post was made with a tinge of sarcasm, which was lost due to me using my mobile, and not having comic sans at my disposal.

 

[L.T.G]

Bikes are quite weighty  

don't get the weight issue.. 

surely the "impact/effect" of a rider weighing 90 on a 15kg bike is the same as one weighing 81 on a 24kg bike?

[Shebeen]

You can't please all the people all the time, that much we know is true.

 

I don't think anyone is expecting the front end of the race to be affected here.

 

The other issue is that some people feel that their achievement is diminished by a fellow rider who has not 'earned' the right to ride the route because he's got eskom helping him. How fragile is your ego that you can't handle a vet oom/tannie/lazy oke/rich executive(take your pick) on a pedal assist bike passing you up a hill?

 

I wish the OP all the luck getting his request approved. I'm all FOR more people getting to enjoy this wonderful sport.

[rorydewet]

What about congestion? I don't think you want to push your ebike and as i hear there is a bit on congestion on the course where people have to push

 

most modern e bikes have a walk along function

 

push the button and the motor propels the bike along at a walking pace

 

so e bikers wont have a problem walking

[Shebeen]

More people on BMXes is not a win for XCO or marathon.

More people on road bikes is not a win for XCO or marathon.

More people on downhill bikes is not a win for XCO or marathon.

 

 

Some average XCO mtbers who started in BMX, road, downhill respectively

 

 

 

 

 

http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2012/07/01/2/emxc_dsc7518_600.jpg

[gogo@]

most modern e bikes have a walk along function

 

push the button and the motor propels the bike along at a walking pace

 

so e bikers wont have a problem walking

And that's where it gets interesting... and why CSA/UCI don't want to mix it up.  For now, anyway.

[Forthelove]

 

 

You still must ride, pedal and puff- some are not fit and strong, some have injury’s (my ride partner was in ICE for ten days - he loves riding, but his recovery is 8 months min) and some are just loving the sport and for some reason cant mtb or road ride like they used to!!  So now they must give up the sport because of some selfish person has their own agenda and own ideas- I can only say this is totaly selfish and inconsiderate - you tell my bike partner he can’t ride again!  Now that he knows he can get an ebike to help him along he’s got hope!! yes hope!!!  Take a step back - lets asumes ones of you who dont like Ebikes has a bad fall - it's so bad that you can not ride like you used to and the chances of you comming in the top 100 is 0.  Now you want to ride - but the only way you can RIDE again is if you have a ebike - races are fun -EVEN if you come stone last,, I know this.... but now some persons fees you now must rather sit at home and knitting a sweater for your dog!! I dont think so! I am a supporter of growing the sport of riding bikes and ebike will become part and parcile of the sport. I think rather unite than fight. 

[Forthelove]

don't get the weight issue.. 

surely the "impact/effect" of a rider weighing 90 on a 15kg bike is the same as one weighing 81 on a 24kg bike?

The bikes weights are comming down. Average wegiht now is about 19 -21kg with new bikes at the bike show in EU - 15,6 KG. I have seen some normal steel MTB that way 17 kg and a big heavy rider - you argument does not stack up. 

[eddy]

 

 

 

You still must ride, pedal and puff- some are not fit and strong, some have injury’s (my ride partner was in ICE for ten days - he loves riding, but his recovery is 8 months min) and some are just loving the sport and for some reason cant mtb or road ride like they used to!!  So now they must give up the sport because of some selfish person has their own agenda and own ideas- I can only say this is totaly selfish and inconsiderate - you tell my bike partner he can’t ride again!  Now that he knows he can get an ebike to help him along he’s got hope!! yes hope!!!  Take a step back - lets asumes ones of you who dont like Ebikes has a bad fall - it's so bad that you can not ride like you used to and the chances of you comming in the top 100 is 0.  Now you want to ride - but the only way you can RIDE again is if you have a ebike - races are fun -EVEN if you come stone last,, I know this.... but now some persons fees you now must rather sit at home and knitting a sweater for your dog!! I dont think so! I am a supporter of growing the sport of riding bikes and ebike will become part and parcile of the sport. I think rather unite than fight. 

 

 

I did not say any of that. Don't misquote me.

 

But if that is your response to something I said, you misunderstood. Ride your e-bike, just don't enter a race for human powered machines as an e-bike is not one.

 

If you want to race, enter a race for e-bikes. If there isn't one, create one.

 

 

ps. 

 

I broke a leg in a motorbike crash many years ago and I went through everything your hypothetical friend went through.

 

At no stage did I consider the Comrades marathon association selfish for saying that until I can run it under my own steam, I cannot enter on a moped, or a motorised wheelchair, or any mechanical device.

[Skubarra]

 

 

 

You still must ride, pedal and puff- some are not fit and strong, some have injury’s (my ride partner was in ICE for ten days - he loves riding, but his recovery is 8 months min) and some are just loving the sport and for some reason cant mtb or road ride like they used to!!  So now they must give up the sport because of some selfish person has their own agenda and own ideas- I can only say this is totaly selfish and inconsiderate - you tell my bike partner he can’t ride again!  Now that he knows he can get an ebike to help him along he’s got hope!! yes hope!!!  Take a step back - lets asumes ones of you who dont like Ebikes has a bad fall - it's so bad that you can not ride like you used to and the chances of you comming in the top 100 is 0.  Now you want to ride - but the only way you can RIDE again is if you have a ebike - races are fun -EVEN if you come stone last,, I know this.... but now some persons fees you now must rather sit at home and knitting a sweater for your dog!! I dont think so! I am a supporter of growing the sport of riding bikes and ebike will become part and parcile of the sport. I think rather unite than fight. 

 

 

Forthelove - I'm certain (most) people don't have an issue with old/injured/disabled people who just want to ride and are content to just doddle along at the back of the field.

 

But it is also pretty naive to think that the scenario that you describe applies to every person or even the majority that would enter a race on an ebike - as it stands nothing would stop ebike riders from interfering with the front half of the field. It really only takes one idiot..

 

I think in the long term seperate events are the way to go, but it is probably going to be a while until there are enough ebikes around to support their own events.

[Pure Savage]

Took the family to Bootlegger Tokai for coffee on Sunday, me on MTB, Kittel on his Frog bike and Wifey and Swift on her Ebike. Was a lekker morning adventure from Constania village. 

 

The amount of eBikes I saw going up Tokai and at the Bootlegger was amazing! They all had smiles, all ordered flat whites and banana bread. They are like normal cyclists. They also all had wild cards and I am guessing more people on the mountain probably make it safer or make the call for more safety easier. 

 

Its lekker to see!!

 

Was a little proud of Marcel when he loudly pointed out from the table that the only "real bike" parked at the Bootlegger was some okes Cannondale road bike. 

[Pure Savage]

Forthelove - I'm certain (most) people don't have an issue with old/injured/disabled people who just want to ride and are content to just doddle along at the back of the field.

 

But it is also pretty naive to think that the scenario that you describe applies to every person or even the majority that would enter a race on an ebike - as it stands nothing would stop ebike riders from interfering with the front half of the field. It really only takes one idiot..

 

I think in the long term seperate events are the way to go, but it is probably going to be a while until there are enough ebikes around to support their own events.

I saw groups of MTB'ers with E bikers with them, they were not chucking their GU's at him, they seemed pretty happy. Unless an e bike starts popping into the top 20 of events its like sprinting for 15325 place at fun ride world champs.

[L.T.G]

The bikes weights are comming down. Average wegiht now is about 19 -21kg with new bikes at the bike show in EU - 15,6 KG. I have seen some normal steel MTB that way 17 kg and a big heavy rider - you argument does not stack up. 

how so?

What you've just said echos my words.

an Ebike's  weight  makes no difference to it's claimed negative impact on the trails.  

[Eugene Oppelt]

It's a bicycle race. Ebikes are not bicycles. No discrimination at all.

 

 

This post requires a mic drop gif thingie

[Skubarra]

I saw groups of MTB'ers with E bikers with them, they were not chucking their GU's at him, they seemed pretty happy. Unless an e bike starts popping into the top 20 of events its like sprinting for 15325 place at fun ride world champs.

 

Big difference between events and riding on trails with mates, I have zero issue with the latter.

 

And I have seen first hand at a stage race where a back marker given an ebike for the day (as an promotion) effortlessly kicked the race leaders arses the next day, even had time to take long stops at the waterpoints. So yes I can see them popping into the Top 20 and not just interfere with the mid-bunch mamils who take their 15000th place far too seriously.

[Eugene Oppelt]

BRAAP!!! [emoji869]

 

 

Spaz red nogal