E Bike cheats

[Patchelicious]

What's with all the references to golf?

When cycling became the “new golf”, according to every CMO in the financial services sector in SA, things changed. For the better mostly though.

[King_Crispy]

IMO that won't work either, not enough e-bikes out there, so an e-bike event would have like maybe 50 riders. Look at SS events, not many participants when comparing to geared events.

 

Allow them in normal MTB events but they start in the first batch maybe 15 minutes before the A batch starts, that way they will not interfere with the rest of the field. Also give the normal peddlers something to chase - Imagine the bragging rights "I caught and passed 9 e-bikes"

 

If wifey on an e-bike wants to ride with hubby on his normal bike then he has to start with her in the e-bike batch.

 

No podium, prizes or official times for e-bike cat.

 

They should impose and enforce a "Give way" rule. So an e-bike always has to give way to a normal bike in any situation. Like they do in boating, Motor power vessels always have to give way to wind power vessels. So on a single track climb, descent or flat, the e-bike must wait until he has a gap to pass and must give way to

 

In a group if the e-bike rider wants to stay with the group they must be relegated to the back of the group.

 

E-bikes have entered the MTB arena in a big way, now they coming into Road as well, no doubt next will be gravel. Event organizers need to find a way to accommodate everyone. Maybe not everyone will be happy, but even without e-bikes, not everyone is happy

There are not many of us singlespeeders left anymore. I can't compete with an ebike

[porqui]

What's with all the references to golf?

 

Friday is still a way off - wait and then ask again.

[porqui]

Why does this thread even exist ???

[waynen]

Holy smoke this topic got some traction. It seems that some agree, some dont and well for some poor souls lets just say they are special.

 

I think the underlying message here is that there are groups of individuals that ride bicycles for different reasons. We should respect each others choices including those that ride Ebikes, they are not going away and if the trend carrys on there will be more and more on the trails in years to come.

 

I think because its relatively early days we are in a transition period with Ebikes and im sure as the numbers grow event organisers will categorise them accordingly. Strava will probably start to look for ways to automatically detect Ebikes i.e. how many normal riders will see their heart rate recover during a climb.

 

In the interim Ebike riders need to be respectfull of the fact that operating a powered bike in a bicycle race or posting a ride to Strava will be an issue to those that hold this part of the hobby/sport important to them.

[Thor Buttox]

Why does this thread even exist ???

Because when it comes to the request for understanding and respect of those who stand for fair play in sport, some people apparently require an eBrain to help them get up the hill. Now we're not talking about eBrains being unnecessary in areas like traffic, politics, etc. Just in sports competitions like quizzes, chess, etc.

[Patchelicious]

Why does this thread even exist ???

 

Because it seems some people dont understand the below.....

 

snip

 

In the interim Ebike riders need to be respectfull of the fact that operating a powered bike in a bicycle race or posting a ride to Strava will be an issue to those that hold this part of the hobby/sport important to them.

[MudLark]

Why does this thread even exist ???

For the same reason women are complaining about transgender former men competing against them in various sports.

 

It's called (the absence of) an even playing field.

[jimmy hardtail]

The first e bike world champs is in 2 weeks time. Keen to see the track that they have built. I'm thinking dh track in reverse

[eddy]

surely its either sub 3 or try again next year...

In mass participation events i suspect that time is much more important to most people than position and most would choose to finish 361st in 2h59 than 3h01 and "top 250" at CTCT.

 

Which brings me to my (slight) gripe.

 

I had a really k@k 94.7 last year and just missed my targeted time. Had I jumped onto the bunch drafting behind two e-bikes on the drag into the headwind on the M2, I would have made it.

 

I felt it a bit unjust that others took the advantage, but then again, I drafted a tandem which was also mechanically superior to a single and in a different category because of it.

 

So no real complaints.

[eddy]

I've been here since 2004 and have never received a warning. Maybe this will be my chance:

[Fat Boab]

I do believe it was unjust, but it's lowest common denominator human behaviour.

 

As for your comment about the tandem, a greyer area I'd say. More efficient, yes. Downhill, certainly. Uphill? Depends on the riders I'd guess. However one looks at it, tandems don't put more power on the road than the riders develop, unlike an ebike...

 

In mass participation events i suspect that time is much more important to most people than position and most would choose to finish 361st in 2h59 than 3h01 and "top 250" at CTCT.

 

Which brings me to my (slight) gripe.

 

I had a really k@k 94.7 last year and just missed my targeted time. Had I jumped onto the bunch drafting behind two e-bikes on the drag into the headwind on the M2, I would have made it.

 

I felt it a bit unjust that others took the advantage, but then again, I drafted a tandem which was also mechanically superior to a single and in a different category because of it.

 

So no real complaints.

[Frosty]

From the Cycle Challenge website:

1.  
   
2.  
   
3.  
   
4.  
   
5.  
   
6. Only conventional bicycles and conventional tandems may be ridden. BMX bicycles and tandems with disc or covered wheels are deemed to be conventional. Bicycles and tandems with fairing or attachments to improve airflow, recumbent, extended bicycles, tricycles, machines known as human powered vehicles (HPVs) and other similar machines are deemed to be unconventional and are not permitted to enter without the express permission of the organisers. Please apply for special dispensation in writing to the Race Office.
   
   1. Bicycles, tandems and other machines fitted with unconventional handlebars including triathlon-bars, aerobars, clip-ons, prayer-bars, turned-up-bars and cow-bars are not permitted in any category. ATB bar-ends are permitted on Mountain Bikes.
      
   2. Any participant who is in any doubt about whether his bicycle, tandem or machine is suitable to be ridden in the event and, if so, in which category, is advised to contact the organisers well beforehand.
      
   3. E-Bikes may be ridden in the 94.7km event ONLY. The participant must select the E-bike category when entering online.
      
      1. The definition which distinguishes E-bikes permitted to enter the 94.7km race are as follows:
         
         1. the pedal-assist, i.e. the motorised assistance that only engages when the rider is pedalling, cuts out once 25 km/h is reached (ie no permanently powered bicycles), AND
            
         2. when the motor produces maximum continuous rated power of not more than 250 watts
            
         
         
      2. An E-bike cyclist may not start or attempt to start before his/her designated start group. Any cyclist who does so will be disqualified. A cyclist may move down to a slower start group without being penalised.
         
      3. E-bikes may not be ridden in any racing categories (CSA licensed categories) / qualify for any prizemoney. E-Bike results will be marked as such in Racetec results and may not be used for seeding for other cycling events.
         
      4. Members of Cycling SA who participates in sanctioned events on an E-Bike will also forfeit any potential claim for medical assistance, as the use of E-Bikes falls outside of the scope of the federation’s rules and regulations.
         
      5. Participants riding E-bikes must adhere to all the rules of the race.
         
      6. Should an E-bike participant change his entry to / from an E-bike category without properly applying for such a change through the Race Office, he / she will be disqualified. No protest will be entertained in this regard.
         
      
      
   
   

[scotty]

Seem to have covered most of the issues and gripes, I do however expect it not good enough for critics. 

[Skubarra]

Seem to have covered most of the issues and gripes, I do however expect it not good enough for critics. 

 

Why so cynical?     Given that they actually "cover the issues and gripes" means that those issues and gripes were valid in the first place?

 

As long as they start back far enough that they are not interfering with those cyclists that take the event seriously I think it's workable compromise.

 

Interesting to see that they are still not allowed at the 94.7 mtb event.

[madmarc]

 

From the Cycle Challenge website:

1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6. Only conventional bicycles and conventional tandems may be ridden. BMX bicycles and tandems with disc or covered wheels are deemed to be conventional. Bicycles and tandems with fairing or attachments to improve airflow, recumbent, extended bicycles, tricycles, machines known as human powered vehicles (HPVs) and other similar machines are deemed to be unconventional and are not permitted to enter without the express permission of the organisers. Please apply for special dispensation in writing to the Race Office.
   1. Bicycles, tandems and other machines fitted with unconventional handlebars including triathlon-bars, aerobars, clip-ons, prayer-bars, turned-up-bars and cow-bars are not permitted in any category. ATB bar-ends are permitted on Mountain Bikes.
   2. Any participant who is in any doubt about whether his bicycle, tandem or machine is suitable to be ridden in the event and, if so, in which category, is advised to contact the organisers well beforehand.
   3. E-Bikes may be ridden in the 94.7km event ONLY. The participant must select the E-bike category when entering online.
      1. The definition which distinguishes E-bikes permitted to enter the 94.7km race are as follows:
         1. the pedal-assist, i.e. the motorised assistance that only engages when the rider is pedalling, cuts out once 25 km/h is reached (ie no permanently powered bicycles), AND
         2. when the motor produces maximum continuous rated power of not more than 250 watts
      2. An E-bike cyclist may not start or attempt to start before his/her designated start group. Any cyclist who does so will be disqualified. A cyclist may move down to a slower start group without being penalised.
      3. E-bikes may not be ridden in any racing categories (CSA licensed categories) / qualify for any prizemoney. E-Bike results will be marked as such in Racetec results and may not be used for seeding for other cycling events.
      4. Members of Cycling SA who participates in sanctioned events on an E-Bike will also forfeit any potential claim for medical assistance, as the use of E-Bikes falls outside of the scope of the federation’s rules and regulations.
      5. Participants riding E-bikes must adhere to all the rules of the race.
      6. Should an E-bike participant change his entry to / from an E-bike category without properly applying for such a change through the Race Office, he / she will be disqualified. No protest will be entertained in this regard.

 

 

I hope there be an E-bike in my start group that I can wheelsuck for a PB