The "E-Pace" Creep: Is it just me, or is the Peloton plugged in?

[BrianMTB]

Hey Hubbers,

I come to you today not as a hater, but as a man hanging on by his literal fingernails.

My local club rides have seen a fantastic influx of e-bikes lately. It’s great—more people, longer loops, fewer calls to wives for "rescue pickups." All good things. However, we’ve reached a new evolution: The E-Bike Ride Captain.

Here’s the deal: Our rides used to be advertised at a civilised 21km/h. I’d finish feeling "good-tired." Now, with a ride leader who has a motor and a battery doing the heavy lifting, that average has crept up to 24km/h.

The real "fun" starts when the road tilts up. In the Old Days (circa 2022), the laws of physics dictated that the group slowed to a dignified 15km/h on a climb. Now? The Captain hits the "Turbo" button, whistles a tune, and maintains 19km/h while the rest of us analog riders are seeing stars and tasting iron.

I’m getting home shattered, depleted, and wondering if I accidentally signed up for the Cape Epic qualifiers instead of a social Saturday spin.

So, I’m putting it to the collective wisdom of the Hub:

1. Is the "E-Pace Creep" a documented phenomenon in your clubs?

2. Is it fair for a ride leader on an e-bike to set the pace from the front?

3. Do I have a legitimate gripe about "advertised vs. actual" speed, or do I just need to shut up, HTFU (Harden The Flip Up), and buy a bigger lung?

Looking forward to the spicy takes. 🍿

[RocknRolla]

Your options are:

1) Decrease font size

2) Add a teaspoon of cement to your hydration

3) Buy E-bike

4) Find an analogue - only group

5) Ride solo.

 

[Martin Albrecht]

In a mixed group like yours, the pace should definitely not be getting set by someone on an ebike. That would piss me off properly as well. 
 

shop around, there must surely be a club/group that has no-ebike groups in your area, otherwise start one. 
 

I, as an owner of an e-bike amongst others, will not ride with a training group that allows e-bikes. It just goes against everything about why I ride.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

It's only real if you feel the need to try and stay with them.

The general rule is that ebikes stay at the back on the climbs and on the front into a headwind 😉

[WaynejG]

I joined a ride where the leader was on a E bike. Won't make that mistake again.

[Pieterlab1]

I'm just here for the comments!

It's not even Friday yet!

[RocknRolla]

3 minutes ago, Pieterlab1 said:

I'm just here for the comments!

It's not even Friday yet!

I find that much like my riding, participation on the Bikehub is slow lately, a head-start is required to get enough group momentum to have some nice pace going into Friday.

(I'm trying to keep my comments cycling-related)

Edited February 24 by RocknRolla
anti-troll context added.

[openmind]

Solo rides are underrated. 

[Zebra]

@RocknRolla brilliant post - gave me a REAL chuckle...

@BrianMTB since you have (good) history with the group, AND seem to generally enjoy the group, maybe have a word with said ride leader; he may SIMPLY be oblivious, and then advise if if he MUST hit the climbs e-Hard® (😉), then he should himself crank the power d-o-w-n, to level the playing field, else move backwards through the field, and not be an e-Twat®

 

[mikkelz]

I must say that I don't hate the large font as much as I would have a few years ago. 👀

[Meezo]

how does one become the leader, is this a natural thing? 

Edited February 24 by Meezo

[zeerpuD1]

Maybe get a new leader on a non ebike. We also have e-bikes in our group and they tend to sit in the back and go as fast as the slowest rider uphill but move to the front in a strong headwind and then only at a pace the normal bike riders can maintain. Everybody is happy and enjoy the ride. If a guy on an e-bike wants to up the speed let him go so he can ride on his own. Maybe then he will see the “light”

[BrianMTB]

50 minutes ago, RocknRolla said:

Your options are:

1) Decrease font size

2) Add a teaspoon of cement to your hydration

3) Buy E-bike

4) Find an analogue - only group

5) Ride solo.

 

Haha, sorry about the font size, I wrote it on my phone and these days bigger is better 🙈

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, RocknRolla said:

Your options are:

1) Decrease font size

2) Add a teaspoon of cement to your hydration

3) Buy E-bike

4) Find an analogue - only group

5) Ride solo.

 

6) bust it up to the front, and grab a pocket for a bit.

[Pure Savage]

You think thats a problem?

Try a Savage Tuesday, gone are the days when it was MEGA to go sub 10 minutes up there. Okes banging out 9:22 up there, 5 top 20 of all times and there are no E bikes, just okes getting faster. When Ben O'Connor or Matt Beers times dont cut it for your morning group ride. I wish I had an eBike to blame. 

I still aiming for a sub 11. But at least they wait at coffee.

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, BrianMTB said:

Hey Hubbers,

I come to you today not as a hater, but as a man hanging on by his literal fingernails.

My local club rides have seen a fantastic influx of e-bikes lately. It’s great—more people, longer loops, fewer calls to wives for "rescue pickups." All good things. However, we’ve reached a new evolution: The E-Bike Ride Captain.

Here’s the deal: Our rides used to be advertised at a civilised 21km/h. I’d finish feeling "good-tired." Now, with a ride leader who has a motor and a battery doing the heavy lifting, that average has crept up to 24km/h.

The real "fun" starts when the road tilts up. In the Old Days (circa 2022), the laws of physics dictated that the group slowed to a dignified 15km/h on a climb. Now? The Captain hits the "Turbo" button, whistles a tune, and maintains 19km/h while the rest of us analog riders are seeing stars and tasting iron.

I’m getting home shattered, depleted, and wondering if I accidentally signed up for the Cape Epic qualifiers instead of a social Saturday spin.

So, I’m putting it to the collective wisdom of the Hub:

1. Is the "E-Pace Creep" a documented phenomenon in your clubs?

2. Is it fair for a ride leader on an e-bike to set the pace from the front?

3. Do I have a legitimate gripe about "advertised vs. actual" speed, or do I just need to shut up, HTFU (Harden The Flip Up), and buy a bigger lung?

Looking forward to the spicy takes. 🍿

Where this this club and what are their club fees….?