Ebikes on performance rides?

On 29/10/2019 10:24 a.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 09:30:59 UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club. How do you treat a
guy on an ebike?'

I'm not talking about the slower social rides. We have some long-term
members who, through age or health problems, may someday soon need an
ebike to cruise with friends, doing 12 or 13 mph for 25 miles just for
the scenery and sociability. I don't think anyone's going to begrudge
them a little e-help, so to speak.

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other suffer-fests on
a performance oriented ebike. He's riding with guys that train seriously
all year, doing "Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders aren't very
accepting.

I have my views on the matter, which I expressed to another club member
last night. But I'm curious what's happening in other areas, what the
attitudes are there, and what this group's readers think.


I’d say if it’s the social groups etc then fine we have a chap who does
such, but with the balls out racers? That seems to be missing the point of
that sort of riding which is racecraft and such.

It would be a bit mute since in the uk the cut off is 15mph rather than
20mph so a E-Bike would struggle with some of the faster groups, any how.

Roger Merriman

Since I made the original post in this thread, I got into a discussion with
some other cyclists in another state. (I'm traveling.) They complained about
ebike riders blasting by at over 25 mph on rail-trails.

Even 18 mph (the U.S. limit for power assist with type 1 & 2 ebikes) seems
excessive to me. If you're weak enough to need power assist, you should be
content with Britain's 15 mph or even less. I'd say, pick a ride where that
speed works for the group, don't pick a performance ride.

Regarding performance rides: An analogy may be distance running, another sport
where the mindset is training, testing oneself, & extending ones limits. We
have an avid runner* in the family who runs with groups of friends. But I think
those runners would think it weird if someone joined their daily training runs
using roller blades, a bicycle, an electric bike etc.

(* Anybody here ever do a 100 mile run?)

- Frank Krygowski

That's exactly the problem I see with E-bikes on the trails near here. The E-bike riders are traveling at a HIGH rate of speed and seem to have no regard for anyone else on the trail or who might be on the trail around a blind corner. Given that many E-bike riders don't seem to have much in the way of emergency (or normal) handling skills, I wonder how long it'll be until someone is seriously injured by an E-bike on one of our trails.

From what I see it appears that most E-bike riders are looking for the fastest machine they can get and ride it as fast as they can.

Cheers


Well that's probably the crux of the problem. I'm sure some E-bike
riders are like that. Like said above there are idiots everywhere. I'm
also sure there are others that want to extend their distances.

On the other hand, there are those that are just aging a bit and want to
keep the ability to ride with their group.

On Tue, 29 Oct 2019 06:30:56 -0700 (PDT), Frank Krygowski
wrote:

I think
those runners would think it weird if someone joined their daily training runs
using roller blades, a bicycle, an electric bike etc.

(* Anybody here ever do a 100 mile run?)

That puts me of the Joe Palooka comic strip, where Joe always ran
accompanied by Knobby Walsh on a bicycle.

I've never done a ten-foot run, let alone a hundred miles -- I don't
know how to run.

I figured it out fifty or sixty years ago when my niece had toddled
into the road and we saw a notorious speeder coming in a cloud of
dust. But I had no idea how I'd done it.

Nowadays, I don't even nursewalk.

(In the twenties, nurses were forbidden to run lest the sight give a
patient a heart attack. They learned to walk very, very fast without
looking panicked, and I learned from Mom.)

--
Joy Beeson
joy beeson at comcast dot net
http://wlweather.net/PAGEJOY/

On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 11:00:23 UTC-4, duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 10:24 a.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 09:30:59 UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club. How do you treat a
guy on an ebike?'

I'm not talking about the slower social rides. We have some long-term
members who, through age or health problems, may someday soon need an
ebike to cruise with friends, doing 12 or 13 mph for 25 miles just for
the scenery and sociability. I don't think anyone's going to begrudge
them a little e-help, so to speak.

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other suffer-fests on
a performance oriented ebike. He's riding with guys that train seriously
all year, doing "Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders aren't very
accepting.

I have my views on the matter, which I expressed to another club member
last night. But I'm curious what's happening in other areas, what the
attitudes are there, and what this group's readers think.


I’d say if it’s the social groups etc then fine we have a chap who does
such, but with the balls out racers? That seems to be missing the point of
that sort of riding which is racecraft and such.

It would be a bit mute since in the uk the cut off is 15mph rather than
20mph so a E-Bike would struggle with some of the faster groups, any how.

Roger Merriman

Since I made the original post in this thread, I got into a discussion with
some other cyclists in another state. (I'm traveling.) They complained about
ebike riders blasting by at over 25 mph on rail-trails.

Even 18 mph (the U.S. limit for power assist with type 1 & 2 ebikes) seems
excessive to me. If you're weak enough to need power assist, you should be
content with Britain's 15 mph or even less. I'd say, pick a ride where that
speed works for the group, don't pick a performance ride.

Regarding performance rides: An analogy may be distance running, another sport
where the mindset is training, testing oneself, & extending ones limits. We
have an avid runner* in the family who runs with groups of friends. But I think
those runners would think it weird if someone joined their daily training runs
using roller blades, a bicycle, an electric bike etc.

(* Anybody here ever do a 100 mile run?)

- Frank Krygowski

That's exactly the problem I see with E-bikes on the trails near here. The E-bike riders are traveling at a HIGH rate of speed and seem to have no regard for anyone else on the trail or who might be on the trail around a blind corner. Given that many E-bike riders don't seem to have much in the way of emergency (or normal) handling skills, I wonder how long it'll be until someone is seriously injured by an E-bike on one of our trails.

From what I see it appears that most E-bike riders are looking for the fastest machine they can get and ride it as fast as they can.

Cheers


Well that's probably the crux of the problem. I'm sure some E-bike
riders are like that. Like said above there are idiots everywhere. I'm
also sure there are others that want to extend their distances.

On the other hand, there are those that are just aging a bit and want to
keep the ability to ride with their group.

All of the E-bike riders I've seen around here fit one of three groups: #1. Idiots who speed on paths without regard to anyone else on the path. #2. Transportation riders and #3. Transportation riders who zoom along sidewalks on their E-bikes.

I wouldn't mind E-bike usage if it weren't for the simple fact that so few E-bike riders hereabouts care about anyone else. Just the other night as I was just getting onto the MUP I was very closely passed be an E-bike rider (on either side of me) that were traveling quite fast and were going to the crek to do some illegal fishing since #1 it was dark and #2 fishing season is over here.

On t hat path I've had countless close calls with E-bike riders and those close calls were not accidents only because I had enough skill to avoid the E-bike. A casual cyclist or someone with a child or dog would not be so lucky.

Cheers

On 29/10/2019 1:02 p.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 11:00:23 UTC-4, duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 10:24 a.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 09:30:59 UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club. How do you treat a
guy on an ebike?'

I'm not talking about the slower social rides. We have some long-term
members who, through age or health problems, may someday soon need an
ebike to cruise with friends, doing 12 or 13 mph for 25 miles just for
the scenery and sociability. I don't think anyone's going to begrudge
them a little e-help, so to speak.

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other suffer-fests on
a performance oriented ebike. He's riding with guys that train seriously
all year, doing "Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders aren't very
accepting.

I have my views on the matter, which I expressed to another club member
last night. But I'm curious what's happening in other areas, what the
attitudes are there, and what this group's readers think.


I’d say if it’s the social groups etc then fine we have a chap who does
such, but with the balls out racers? That seems to be missing the point of
that sort of riding which is racecraft and such.

It would be a bit mute since in the uk the cut off is 15mph rather than
20mph so a E-Bike would struggle with some of the faster groups, any how.

Roger Merriman

Since I made the original post in this thread, I got into a discussion with
some other cyclists in another state. (I'm traveling.) They complained about
ebike riders blasting by at over 25 mph on rail-trails.

Even 18 mph (the U.S. limit for power assist with type 1 & 2 ebikes) seems
excessive to me. If you're weak enough to need power assist, you should be
content with Britain's 15 mph or even less. I'd say, pick a ride where that
speed works for the group, don't pick a performance ride.

Regarding performance rides: An analogy may be distance running, another sport
where the mindset is training, testing oneself, & extending ones limits. We
have an avid runner* in the family who runs with groups of friends. But I think
those runners would think it weird if someone joined their daily training runs
using roller blades, a bicycle, an electric bike etc.

(* Anybody here ever do a 100 mile run?)

- Frank Krygowski

That's exactly the problem I see with E-bikes on the trails near here. The E-bike riders are traveling at a HIGH rate of speed and seem to have no regard for anyone else on the trail or who might be on the trail around a blind corner. Given that many E-bike riders don't seem to have much in the way of emergency (or normal) handling skills, I wonder how long it'll be until someone is seriously injured by an E-bike on one of our trails.

From what I see it appears that most E-bike riders are looking for the fastest machine they can get and ride it as fast as they can.

Cheers


Well that's probably the crux of the problem. I'm sure some E-bike
riders are like that. Like said above there are idiots everywhere. I'm
also sure there are others that want to extend their distances.

On the other hand, there are those that are just aging a bit and want to
keep the ability to ride with their group.

All of the E-bike riders I've seen around here fit one of three groups: #1. Idiots who speed on paths without regard to anyone else on the path. #2. Transportation riders and #3. Transportation riders who zoom along sidewalks on their E-bikes.

I wouldn't mind E-bike usage if it weren't for the simple fact that so few E-bike riders hereabouts care about anyone else. Just the other night as I was just getting onto the MUP I was very closely passed be an E-bike rider (on either side of me) that were traveling quite fast and were going to the crek to do some illegal fishing since #1 it was dark and #2 fishing season is over here.

On t hat path I've had countless close calls with E-bike riders and those close calls were not accidents only because I had enough skill to avoid the E-bike. A casual cyclist or someone with a child or dog would not be so lucky.

Cheers


It's not much different here but we are talking (I think) about E-Bikes
in cycling clubs riding in groups.

On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 14:51:27 UTC-4, duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 1:02 p.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 11:00:23 UTC-4, duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 10:24 a.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 09:30:59 UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club. How do you treat a
guy on an ebike?'

I'm not talking about the slower social rides. We have some long-term
members who, through age or health problems, may someday soon need an
ebike to cruise with friends, doing 12 or 13 mph for 25 miles just for
the scenery and sociability. I don't think anyone's going to begrudge
them a little e-help, so to speak.

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other suffer-fests on
a performance oriented ebike. He's riding with guys that train seriously
all year, doing "Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders aren't very
accepting.

I have my views on the matter, which I expressed to another club member
last night. But I'm curious what's happening in other areas, what the
attitudes are there, and what this group's readers think.


I’d say if it’s the social groups etc then fine we have a chap who does
such, but with the balls out racers? That seems to be missing the point of
that sort of riding which is racecraft and such.

It would be a bit mute since in the uk the cut off is 15mph rather than
20mph so a E-Bike would struggle with some of the faster groups, any how.

Roger Merriman

Since I made the original post in this thread, I got into a discussion with
some other cyclists in another state. (I'm traveling.) They complained about
ebike riders blasting by at over 25 mph on rail-trails.

Even 18 mph (the U.S. limit for power assist with type 1 & 2 ebikes) seems
excessive to me. If you're weak enough to need power assist, you should be
content with Britain's 15 mph or even less. I'd say, pick a ride where that
speed works for the group, don't pick a performance ride.

Regarding performance rides: An analogy may be distance running, another sport
where the mindset is training, testing oneself, & extending ones limits. We
have an avid runner* in the family who runs with groups of friends. But I think
those runners would think it weird if someone joined their daily training runs
using roller blades, a bicycle, an electric bike etc.

(* Anybody here ever do a 100 mile run?)

- Frank Krygowski

That's exactly the problem I see with E-bikes on the trails near here.. The E-bike riders are traveling at a HIGH rate of speed and seem to have no regard for anyone else on the trail or who might be on the trail around a blind corner. Given that many E-bike riders don't seem to have much in the way of emergency (or normal) handling skills, I wonder how long it'll be until someone is seriously injured by an E-bike on one of our trails.

From what I see it appears that most E-bike riders are looking for the fastest machine they can get and ride it as fast as they can.

Cheers


Well that's probably the crux of the problem. I'm sure some E-bike
riders are like that. Like said above there are idiots everywhere. I'm
also sure there are others that want to extend their distances.

On the other hand, there are those that are just aging a bit and want to
keep the ability to ride with their group.

All of the E-bike riders I've seen around here fit one of three groups: #1. Idiots who speed on paths without regard to anyone else on the path. #2. Transportation riders and #3. Transportation riders who zoom along sidewalks on their E-bikes.

I wouldn't mind E-bike usage if it weren't for the simple fact that so few E-bike riders hereabouts care about anyone else. Just the other night as I was just getting onto the MUP I was very closely passed be an E-bike rider (on either side of me) that were traveling quite fast and were going to the crek to do some illegal fishing since #1 it was dark and #2 fishing season is over here.

On t hat path I've had countless close calls with E-bike riders and those close calls were not accidents only because I had enough skill to avoid the E-bike. A casual cyclist or someone with a child or dog would not be so lucky.

Cheers


It's not much different here but we are talking (I think) about E-Bikes
in cycling clubs riding in groups.

I guess that's what the original post was asking. I guess I too am guilty of instigating topic drift. LOL At least it still pertains to the topic.

I do wonder though just how E-bikes would fit in with a performance group if pacelines and drafting were used?

Cheers

On 29/10/2019 3:30 p.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 14:51:27 UTC-4, duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 1:02 p.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 11:00:23 UTC-4, duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 10:24 a.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 09:30:59 UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club. How do you treat a
guy on an ebike?'

I'm not talking about the slower social rides. We have some long-term
members who, through age or health problems, may someday soon need an
ebike to cruise with friends, doing 12 or 13 mph for 25 miles just for
the scenery and sociability. I don't think anyone's going to begrudge
them a little e-help, so to speak.

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other suffer-fests on
a performance oriented ebike. He's riding with guys that train seriously
all year, doing "Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders aren't very
accepting.

I have my views on the matter, which I expressed to another club member
last night. But I'm curious what's happening in other areas, what the
attitudes are there, and what this group's readers think.


I’d say if it’s the social groups etc then fine we have a chap who does
such, but with the balls out racers? That seems to be missing the point of
that sort of riding which is racecraft and such.

It would be a bit mute since in the uk the cut off is 15mph rather than
20mph so a E-Bike would struggle with some of the faster groups, any how.

Roger Merriman

Since I made the original post in this thread, I got into a discussion with
some other cyclists in another state. (I'm traveling.) They complained about
ebike riders blasting by at over 25 mph on rail-trails.

Even 18 mph (the U.S. limit for power assist with type 1 & 2 ebikes) seems
excessive to me. If you're weak enough to need power assist, you should be
content with Britain's 15 mph or even less. I'd say, pick a ride where that
speed works for the group, don't pick a performance ride.

Regarding performance rides: An analogy may be distance running, another sport
where the mindset is training, testing oneself, & extending ones limits. We
have an avid runner* in the family who runs with groups of friends. But I think
those runners would think it weird if someone joined their daily training runs
using roller blades, a bicycle, an electric bike etc.

(* Anybody here ever do a 100 mile run?)

- Frank Krygowski

That's exactly the problem I see with E-bikes on the trails near here. The E-bike riders are traveling at a HIGH rate of speed and seem to have no regard for anyone else on the trail or who might be on the trail around a blind corner. Given that many E-bike riders don't seem to have much in the way of emergency (or normal) handling skills, I wonder how long it'll be until someone is seriously injured by an E-bike on one of our trails.

From what I see it appears that most E-bike riders are looking for the fastest machine they can get and ride it as fast as they can.

Cheers


Well that's probably the crux of the problem. I'm sure some E-bike
riders are like that. Like said above there are idiots everywhere. I'm
also sure there are others that want to extend their distances.

On the other hand, there are those that are just aging a bit and want to
keep the ability to ride with their group.

All of the E-bike riders I've seen around here fit one of three groups: #1. Idiots who speed on paths without regard to anyone else on the path. #2. Transportation riders and #3. Transportation riders who zoom along sidewalks on their E-bikes.

I wouldn't mind E-bike usage if it weren't for the simple fact that so few E-bike riders hereabouts care about anyone else. Just the other night as I was just getting onto the MUP I was very closely passed be an E-bike rider (on either side of me) that were traveling quite fast and were going to the crek to do some illegal fishing since #1 it was dark and #2 fishing season is over here.

On t hat path I've had countless close calls with E-bike riders and those close calls were not accidents only because I had enough skill to avoid the E-bike. A casual cyclist or someone with a child or dog would not be so lucky.

Cheers


It's not much different here but we are talking (I think) about E-Bikes
in cycling clubs riding in groups.

I guess that's what the original post was asking. I guess I too am guilty of instigating topic drift. LOL At least it still pertains to the topic.

I do wonder though just how E-bikes would fit in with a performance group if pacelines and drafting were used?


I think it's more to do with the rider than the bike.

On Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:40:37 -0400,
Duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 3:30 p.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 14:51:27 UTC-4, duane wrote:

On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club.
How do you treat a guy on an ebike?'

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other
suffer-fests on a performance oriented ebike. He's
riding with guys that train seriously all year, doing
"Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders
aren't very accepting.

I???d say if it???s the social groups etc then fine we
have a chap who does such, but with the balls out
racers? That seems to be missing the point of that sort
of riding which is racecraft and such.

It's not much different here but we are talking (I think)
about E-Bikes in cycling clubs riding in groups.

I do wonder though just how E-bikes would fit in with a
performance group if pacelines and drafting were used?

I think it's more to do with the rider than the bike.

Perhaps. On the other hand, I have experience that is probably
relevant.

My wife and I have ridden our tandem in pretty high paced group
rides--mostly with nothing other than singles, but occasionally
with groups of tandems. I'm talking about rides that come in with
a 20 mph moving average--so not elite, but not toodling along,
either.

After years of experience in this, I can say with no doubt that
the tandem groups are *much* easier to ride with--mostly because
tandems do not accelerate as quickly as singles. I expect some
similar challenges could occur if e-bikes join fast groups.

--
Ted Heise West Lafayette, IN, USA

On Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 10:03:31 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 2:30:59 PM UTC+1, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club. How do you treat a
guy on an ebike?'

I'm not talking about the slower social rides. We have some long-term
members who, through age or health problems, may someday soon need an
ebike to cruise with friends, doing 12 or 13 mph for 25 miles just for
the scenery and sociability. I don't think anyone's going to begrudge
them a little e-help, so to speak.

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other suffer-fests on
a performance oriented ebike. He's riding with guys that train seriously
all year, doing "Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders aren't very
accepting.

I have my views on the matter, which I expressed to another club member
last night. But I'm curious what's happening in other areas, what the
attitudes are there, and what this group's readers think.


I’d say if it’s the social groups etc then fine we have a chap who does
such, but with the balls out racers? That seems to be missing the point of
that sort of riding which is racecraft and such.

It would be a bit mute since in the uk the cut off is 15mph rather than
20mph so a E-Bike would struggle with some of the faster groups, any how.

Roger Merriman

Since I made the original post in this thread, I got into a discussion with
some other cyclists in another state. (I'm traveling.) They complained about
ebike riders blasting by at over 25 mph on rail-trails.

You have idiots everywhere and on every vehicle.


Even 18 mph (the U.S. limit for power assist with type 1 & 2 ebikes) seems
excessive to me. If you're weak enough to need power assist, you should be
content with Britain's 15 mph or even less. I'd say, pick a ride where that
speed works for the group, don't pick a performance ride.

On this side of the pond no one turnes up at a performance ride with an Ebike. Most clubes have a A group, B group and a gentlemens group. If some stranger rides along with an A group with an Ebike he will soon be ending up in a ditch after some 'subtle' warnings. But here this is just a theoretical problem.

Yes, I've heard of just this one guy who does this. I guess he doesn't realize how unusual he is.

- Frank Krygowski

On Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 3:54:44 PM UTC-4, Ted Heise wrote:
On Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:40:37 -0400,
Duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 3:30 p.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 14:51:27 UTC-4, duane wrote:

On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club.
How do you treat a guy on an ebike?'

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other
suffer-fests on a performance oriented ebike. He's
riding with guys that train seriously all year, doing
"Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders
aren't very accepting.

I???d say if it???s the social groups etc then fine we
have a chap who does such, but with the balls out
racers? That seems to be missing the point of that sort
of riding which is racecraft and such.

It's not much different here but we are talking (I think)
about E-Bikes in cycling clubs riding in groups.

I do wonder though just how E-bikes would fit in with a
performance group if pacelines and drafting were used?

I think it's more to do with the rider than the bike.

Perhaps. On the other hand, I have experience that is probably
relevant.

My wife and I have ridden our tandem in pretty high paced group
rides--mostly with nothing other than singles, but occasionally
with groups of tandems. I'm talking about rides that come in with
a 20 mph moving average--so not elite, but not toodling along,
either.

After years of experience in this, I can say with no doubt that
the tandem groups are *much* easier to ride with--mostly because
tandems do not accelerate as quickly as singles. I expect some
similar challenges could occur if e-bikes join fast groups.

We do a lot of group rides on our tandem. It's certainly true that a tandem
doesn't blend in as well as a single bike. We have no problem with level
cruising or slight upgrades. We're perhaps a little slower than I would
otherwise be on moderate uphills, but we're significantly slower on steep
climbs. And on even moderate downhills, we're either braking a lot or (more
likely) coasting far off the front. (I always check with the ride leader to
be sure that's OK with them; and none have ever complained.)

I think the situation is similar for a lot of recumbent riders. The climbing
and descending characteristics are similar to tandems.

- Frank Krygowski

On 10/29/2019 12:02 PM, Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 11:00:23 UTC-4, duane wrote:
On 29/10/2019 10:24 a.m., Sir Ridesalot wrote:
On Tuesday, 29 October 2019 09:30:59 UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, October 28, 2019 at 5:33:11 PM UTC-4, Roger Merriman wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote:
Let's try for a bicycling related post.

I little controversy has popped up in our bike club. How do you treat a
guy on an ebike?'

I'm not talking about the slower social rides. We have some long-term
members who, through age or health problems, may someday soon need an
ebike to cruise with friends, doing 12 or 13 mph for 25 miles just for
the scenery and sociability. I don't think anyone's going to begrudge
them a little e-help, so to speak.

But one guy has been showing up for "A" rides and other suffer-fests on
a performance oriented ebike. He's riding with guys that train seriously
all year, doing "Hill Repeats" rides, interval training and roller or
trainer work all winter. Word is those real "A" riders aren't very
accepting.

I have my views on the matter, which I expressed to another club member
last night. But I'm curious what's happening in other areas, what the
attitudes are there, and what this group's readers think.


I’d say if it’s the social groups etc then fine we have a chap who does
such, but with the balls out racers? That seems to be missing the point of
that sort of riding which is racecraft and such.

It would be a bit mute since in the uk the cut off is 15mph rather than
20mph so a E-Bike would struggle with some of the faster groups, any how.

Roger Merriman

Since I made the original post in this thread, I got into a discussion with
some other cyclists in another state. (I'm traveling.) They complained about
ebike riders blasting by at over 25 mph on rail-trails.

Even 18 mph (the U.S. limit for power assist with type 1 & 2 ebikes) seems
excessive to me. If you're weak enough to need power assist, you should be
content with Britain's 15 mph or even less. I'd say, pick a ride where that
speed works for the group, don't pick a performance ride.

Regarding performance rides: An analogy may be distance running, another sport
where the mindset is training, testing oneself, & extending ones limits. We
have an avid runner* in the family who runs with groups of friends. But I think
those runners would think it weird if someone joined their daily training runs
using roller blades, a bicycle, an electric bike etc.

(* Anybody here ever do a 100 mile run?)

- Frank Krygowski

That's exactly the problem I see with E-bikes on the trails near here. The E-bike riders are traveling at a HIGH rate of speed and seem to have no regard for anyone else on the trail or who might be on the trail around a blind corner. Given that many E-bike riders don't seem to have much in the way of emergency (or normal) handling skills, I wonder how long it'll be until someone is seriously injured by an E-bike on one of our trails.

From what I see it appears that most E-bike riders are looking for the fastest machine they can get and ride it as fast as they can.

Cheers


Well that's probably the crux of the problem. I'm sure some E-bike
riders are like that. Like said above there are idiots everywhere. I'm
also sure there are others that want to extend their distances.

On the other hand, there are those that are just aging a bit and want to
keep the ability to ride with their group.

All of the E-bike riders I've seen around here fit one of three groups: #1. Idiots who speed on paths without regard to anyone else on the path. #2. Transportation riders and #3. Transportation riders who zoom along sidewalks on their E-bikes.

I wouldn't mind E-bike usage if it weren't for the simple fact that so few E-bike riders hereabouts care about anyone else. Just the other night as I was just getting onto the MUP I was very closely passed be an E-bike rider (on either side of me) that were traveling quite fast and were going to the crek to do some illegal fishing since #1 it was dark and #2 fishing season is over here.

On t hat path I've had countless close calls with E-bike riders and those close calls were not accidents only because I had enough skill to avoid the E-bike. A casual cyclist or someone with a child or dog would not be so lucky.

Cheers


I'm not excusing e-bicycle maniacs, but the net effect to
cyclists is different from texting idiots smoking dope or
half drunk how exactly?

There just are fewer electric bicycles. So far...

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971