Speaking of E-Bikes

So, on the Kitsap Color ride last weekend, as we were getting off the ferry and starting to push up that first hill..I heard the slight whirr of an electric motorized bike whooshing by me... Now, I am totally for electric assist bikes for commuters, running errands, if you are going about your daily business and need that for hilly areas. But on an athletic event ride? Really?? What is your opinion on this? Somehow it feels...just not kosher I guess. There you are sweating and grinding up a hill and someone just glides by you. It's not a RACE per se, but still an endurance event. :confused:

I have to agree that it seems weird. Why do a fitness type event with electric assist on the hills? Maybe they weren't actually doing the ride, but just commuting home? It is a beautiful ride, though, and I could see wanting to enjoy the scenery without killing yourself--but you could do that any time you wanted.

Maybe I should give her the benefit of the doubt? She MIGHT have been a commuter amidst the 1000 other cyclists on the ferry. :-) But when you're about to "kill yourself" on the hills, it just felt unfair somehow to be swooshed by an e bike!! LOL.

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Originally Posted by lauraelmore1033

It is a beautiful ride, though, and I could see wanting to enjoy the scenery without killing yourself--but you could do that any time you wanted.

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there is a safety component to having lots of other bikes on the road though.....

On climbs I'm focused on the climb and my body/mind and i don't really think about or care what someone else is riding...if someone wants to just move through the day or do an organized ride on an ebike rather than a conventional one I hope they enjoy the ride.

I have a friend who would not be able to participate on most rides without a motor on his bike to help him on the steep hills. I see no need to tell him he should stay home and not ride because of this.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

I have a friend who would not be able to participate on most rides without a motor on his bike to help him on the steep hills. I see no need to tell him he should stay home and not ride because of this.

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A valid point.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

I have a friend who would not be able to participate on most rides without a motor on his bike to help him on the steep hills. I see no need to tell him he should stay home and not ride because of this.

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I'd be the same, far too many knee surgeries to be able to grind up hills anymore, I walk my bike now... but it would be cool to be able to glide up with a mechanical assist.