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Over the years I've been inspired by various stories - the Cranes' 1980s adventures; Martyn Ashton's fightback from spinal injury; accounts of HT550 attempts and SDW doubles; Mike Hall's inhuman exploits; Janne Corax's Central Asian wanderings; Pete Fagerlin's pre-Youtube videos.
But that was all done without 'assistance.'
So - come on, hit me with your inspirational ebike tales.
Some bloke passed me on a hill on one on Sunday.
You're welcome.
But that was all done without ‘assistance.’
I'm sure 'gravity' would have provided Mike some assistance on the downhills?
My mrs did a 90-plus mile Ridgeway bikepacking weekend inc a first proper wild camp because she had access to an e-bike. To her it was like riding halfway across the country. Her friends who aren't in the slightest bit interested by the Cranes or the Moes were inspired and interested to hear about it all. Me, I was inspired by how I saw the ride through her eyes, a quite different time on the bike that weekend.
As much as the big rides of others inspires me, tbh these days inspiration comes more from how people deal with or react to situations than how big the situation is. When we build up to these big rides through experience perhaps the relativity to us isn't such a big deal, no bigger than the relativity to her of local pub rides up to 50 miles off-road in a day.
My mate made it from Worthing to Whiteways over the Downs on his ebike last week, couple of laps of the trails and back in 3 hours! AND he's a morbidly obese plasterer!
Mrs BWD's 70-something mum rides one, she does tricks and stuff and is planning on entering the Red Bull Hardline on it next year. Actually I made the last bit up, but I think it's great that she's still cycling daily at an age when a lot of people struggle to walk round a supermarket.
Martyns riding is assisted...
I wasn’t fit enough to clear even the tamest of trail centre climbs, so hardly rode, despite a squadron of nice bikes. Went to a demo day, tried an ebike, loved it, got one. Started riding the 20 mile round trip to stainburn + play time after work. Got used to clearing climbs and generally enjoying riding. Started trying rides unassisted. Was hard work but I got round. Now I’m as fit as I’ve ever been, last year did some solo endurance XC events. Didn’t get anywhere near mid pack, but didn’t die on my arse. Only reason I didn’t ride relentless 24 solo was me tearing a hole in my knee 2 weeks before, though I tried a lap despite the docs saying no go, I got less than a mile in before agony put paid to that.
so, while the ebike wasn’t solely responsible for my fitness, it got me riding again, which opened other doors, and it pisses me off when folk say people won’t get fit/go further/are lazy for riding them, as that is the opposite of my experience
I passed some bloke on one on Sunday, then flew by his mate, and sauntered right by the next guy!
I call that manoeuvre,"Fat mans revenge!". The harumfing and grumbling was a delight as I skooshed right by them all with considerable ease.
You're welcome. 😆
”Fat mans revenge!”
btw, I reckon I'm getting to the real source of the discontent with that point right there! 😆
it pisses me off when folk say people won’t get fit/go further/are lazy for riding them
Relativity and ego again, and 'it's just some people'. Middle-aged bloke says e-bikes are for the lazy while riding 12-15 mile trail centre loops on unassisted MTB. 60 year old audaxer rides 400 and 600km events like it's no big thing and doesn't give a monkeys about what level of effort MTB bloke or the e-bike owner puts in.
Focus on your own ability not that of others.
I went to FOD for a demo day and me and a mate rode about for 90mins up and down all sorts of hills we never would even consider let alone bother with.
We also used them to session Launch pad.
I have also used them at Hadleigh, which actually made the place quite fun, otherwise its a bit hard work for a gravity nut like me.
Some guys I know rode the PBW to raise money for a special needs swimming pool . Among them was a 66 year old bloke who otherwise could not have ridden for long periods and one of the guys wives who said she could not otherwise have committed to a day's riding.
Both of them pedalled as much as they could and used the extra power when they needed it .
My next door neighbour is awaiting a heart transplant. Was in hospital for months and nearly died a couple of times.
He has lost a shit load of weight and is constantly out on his e bike.
Whether he still needs a e bike I don't know.
Anyway he's happy , getting fit and more importantly still here for his wife and kids.
Mate at work went out last night, his pedal came loose and knackered the thread in the crank.
Had a tough 3 1/2 mile push home.