London to Brighton

[Lloyd]

Last year I tried to enter the the London to Brighton bike ride on an ebike, and was told they weren't allowed. This year I thought with the recent national press they might have changed their minds, but no! I just recived an email back saying that they were strictly against the rules! Is it just me who finds this mad? I mean it's not a race so what's the deal? I could understand it if they were 350w illegal powered bikes, but we are talking about reguar road-legal ebikes here, what's the deal?

What are peoples thoughts on this?

I might have to do it on a BMX now instead

 

[flecc]

A friend and one time neighbour used to enter the London to Brighton and mentioned to me that the odd e-bike would ride along anyway. I remember him telling me of one time when he stopped on Devil's Dyke for a breather and saw a lady sail past on an e-bike!

I agree Lloyd, it seems silly to officially exclude them,and it discriminates against those impaired by minor disability or age who need some assistance.
.

 

[NRG]

The BHF one? If so its a bit mean and short sighted IMHO, however, you would need quite a large battery to get you there or be extremely frugal with its use...

 

[Lloyd]

Yes the BHF one. It is 54 miles, but I would think most hub motor bikes would be able to do it on 2, and Panasonic equipped bikes could do it in one on eco mode. Just that git of a climb right at the end where you would need maximum assistance.

 

[NRG]

Interestingly I looked at the FAQ and 'what bike do I need...' it made no mention of E-Bikes not being allowed.....

 

[eTim]

I think Nick The Mutiny has done this one on a Cytronex, maybe he can add some info...

 

[lemmy]

I'm probably out on a limb here but I'm with the organizers, it's intended for regular cycles. If they allow e-bikes then sooner or later someone will take part with 2 spare batteries in their rucksack and do the whole thing under power.

The only way to keep it argument free is, you do it under your own power.

There's nothing to stop anyone riding to Brighton on an e-bike, a moped. a motorbike or a car if they wish. Why the need to muscle in on someone else's game?

No offence

 

[Bigbee]

The London to Brighton should be for " normal " bikes ,Ive done it twice in my younger days ,its hard work and tbh Id be pissed off if some old codger past me on his ebike.Not in the spirit of the event and Im suprised at you Lloyd.Has an ebike London to Brighton event been mentioned or tried before?It aint rocket science.

 

[themutiny]

Hi

I didn't do the official London to Brighton. I believe that ends with Ditchling Beacon rather than Devils Dyke. I have done it unofficially.

I did do the Capital to Coast last year, which is further but a bit kinder in that it does end with Devils Dyke. Whilst I used my Cannondale Synapse, I had no batteries and a normal front wheel, so to all intents a standard Synapse.

More details here

London to Hove Charity Bike Ride - Capital to Coast 2010

I don't know for definite, but I think it's quite likely that the organisers of this one would be more amenable to e-bikes. They seem a friendly bunch, and don't be too put off by the sponsorship target. It is only a target. Still quite challenging though, what with Box Hill and Devil's Dyke. I'd be up for doing it powered or unpowered. It doesn't attract the stupid numbers that the London to Brighton does. From memory it's around 3000 riders. Very well organised and marshalled. Big party atmosphere at the end.

Cheers,

Nick

PS - is this one of our members?

Photo Gallery Picture

 

[eTim]

Maybe we could enter a team electric ? I'd be up for that, sounds like a good laugh.

 

[Lloyd]

Well to be fair it's not the Tour de France is it? It's a fun charity ride with the emphasis on raising money for charity. The charity in question being The British Heart Foundation, and the irony of it all is that I have lost count of how many people have bought e-bikes to help aid their recovery from various heart conditions .


I do agree though that there would be no point in riding a 'throttle only' bike on the ride, I am talking about pedal-assistance. In reality there would be no point doing an ebike specific L2B or just riding down on your own, that would be far more dangerous. At least on a large scale organised ride you have marshals, feed stations, massive road presence, and a much greater chance of making it to Brighton in one piece!

Nick that other ride looks good, I might look into that as an option, thanks.

 

[themutiny]

Let me know how you get on. Happy to do it with you if you wish?

The route is mainly cycle tracks and country lanes. It's more family oriented and less competitive than L2B

 

[Lloyd]

I have just checked the dates on the Capital ride and it clashes with the south downs way Randonee event that I am also doing. So that's a no-go unfortunately.

 

[fcurran]

Last year I tried to enter the the London to Brighton bike ride on an ebike, and was told they weren't allowed. This year I thought with the recent national press they might have changed their minds, but no! I just recived an email back saying that they were strictly against the rules! Is it just me who finds this mad? I mean it's not a race so what's the deal? I could understand it if they were 350w illegal powered bikes, but we are talking about reguar road-legal ebikes here, what's the deal?

What are peoples thoughts on this?

I might have to do it on a BMX now instead

It seems a shame that they don't recognise electric bikes especially as Powabyke had raised money for the BHF last year when Eddie cycled nearly 2000 miles on a Powabyke to the 4 corners of the UK.

News, Latest news from Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

Good luck anyway on your BMX!

Regards

FrankC

 

[fcurran]

Sorry, wrong link on last post! Try this!

News, Latest news from Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

Regards

FrankC

 

[Lloyd]

Yes it's all organised now. I am entering a team of 4, we will all be riding BMX bikes for the entire 54 miles Really is a shame about the ebikes though, hopefully the more people ride them the more accepted they will become.

And Frank I got a nice shiny BMX here you can borrow if you want to join us

 

[the_killjoy]

I am surprised about the London to Brighton.

I was idly thinking of doing it next year on my wisper (not this year due to the Hernia operation ). It had never occurred to me that you had to register or couldn't use an e-bike.

In my casual view of life I assumed you just turned up and joined in.

 

[flecc]

In my casual view of life I assumed you just turned up and joined in.

That's how we used to live in the 1960s and '70s.

Since then the world has gone legislation mad.
.

 

[NRG]

Yep, so much so that poor Eddie Sedgemore couldn't enter the L2B on his record breaking Powerbye

 

[Alex728]

Sorry, wrong link on last post! Try this!

News, Latest news from Powabyke : Electric Bikes & Electric Scooters

Regards

FrankC

how many batteries did he take? I presume he stopped at hotels and charged up every so often?

Shame it didn't make the local media here..

BTW Lowestoft is not in Norfolk (as some press releases are erroneously stating). The river Waveney flows into the Broads and is the border between Suffolk and Norfolk, with Lowestoft being definitely on the Suffolk side.

Don't let the locals hear you saying Lowestoft is in Norfolk (nor worse, confuse it with "Great" Yarmouth!), or they will be there with their tar and feathers (both Best Stockholm tar and an abundance of various poultry feathers are readily available in this area.. )