The Theory and Philosophy of Electric Bike Racing
Purpose of this discussion. Every time some sort of ebike race or competition is proposed there is a chorus of people saying "what is the point, what does it prove?" This thread is to debate these issues. I hope thereby that we can concentrate the discussions here, and not overload threads about actual events with these questions. Therefore, please don't ask "what is the point?" about this discussion.
So, what is the purpose of an e-bike race, what does it prove?
Only a non-racer would ask these questions. The purpose is to come first. It proves that, at that place and time, the winner is a better person than the losers. Whether any wider meaning can be read into it, or whether any useful conclusions can be drawn is a different debate, and the purpose of this current discussion.
Do bikes have to be legal?
A fair question, but only a non-racer would ask it that way. A true racer would ask "When are the rules published, what are the names of the scrutineers, what are the penalties for being caught?"
Are modified bikes allowed?
My own view is that if they are not, then it really is a pointless exercise. Unmodified bikes belong in the manufacturers' test departments.
Nick
Purpose of this discussion. Every time some sort of ebike race or competition is proposed there is a chorus of people saying "what is the point, what does it prove?" This thread is to debate these issues. I hope thereby that we can concentrate the discussions here, and not overload threads about actual events with these questions. Therefore, please don't ask "what is the point?" about this discussion.
So, what is the purpose of an e-bike race, what does it prove?
Only a non-racer would ask these questions. The purpose is to come first. It proves that, at that place and time, the winner is a better person than the losers. Whether any wider meaning can be read into it, or whether any useful conclusions can be drawn is a different debate, and the purpose of this current discussion.
Do bikes have to be legal?
A fair question, but only a non-racer would ask it that way. A true racer would ask "When are the rules published, what are the names of the scrutineers, what are the penalties for being caught?"
Are modified bikes allowed?
My own view is that if they are not, then it really is a pointless exercise. Unmodified bikes belong in the manufacturers' test departments.
Nick