Why weren’t more people on the 100 Mile Challenge?

[AndyOfTheSouth]

Before the Exmoor ride becomes too distant a memory, albeit a delightful one, it might be useful to gather some information about why more people didn’t participate. Perhaps this may help Nick for next year’s jaunt or other similar ones.

Just to get the ball rolling … I nearly didn’t go. Here’s why.

1. I don’t have a working ebike at the moment. Fairly fundamental, you might think , but David of Wisper kindly offered a demo bike, then Pete of Onbike lent me his when David was ill. Implication: could manufacturers or dealers make more of these occasions to let people try their products?

2. Uncertainty about the difficulty of the route. Never having been on one of these trips, I really didn’t know if I could manage the course. In fact, it was fine, thanks to the power of the eZee Forza (and my own efforts, you understand ). Implication: could the overall ride be presented as less daunting? Not a ‘Challenge’? A 25 mile section emphasised as an alternative to the 100 miles?

3. Cost. Participation cost nothing, Nick’s organisation was superb and the company great. However, I did wince slightly in advance at the hotel cost. Actually, it was very pleasant and the food was good. It may nonetheless have been a deterrent for some. Implication: publicise a wider range of accommodation eg including local B&Bs and camping?

Comments, please. I thought the day was fantastic. If there could be more such events, I’d be very pleased.

 

[Cyclezee]

Personally, I think a weekend event would attract more people. Many of us have work comittments and other reasons why a weekday is not possible.

Regards,

J hn

 

[Mussels]

I would have liked to have done it but a few things stopped me.
Being a midweek event was the main stopping point, I don't have any spare holiday to use.
It isn't cheap, it's a long way to travel and a hotel is out of my budget.
An event in the midlands or home counties would be much easier to get to and people could attend without staying overnight. A campsite option would be good for those of us less flush with cash.
Maybe the peak district would be a good test of ebikes.

 

[Fecn]

It was the midweek thing that finally did for me, but the hotel was a bit pricey too. If it had been a weekend at a campsite, I would almost certainly have been there.

 

[frank9755]

Midweek event was what would have made me stay away, with travel to a corner of the country, until I managed to combine it with a couple of other things and make a long weekend of it!
Even if a weekend isn't possible, a friday or even mon / thurs would generally be better than a wednesday for me.
Frank

 

[Barnowl]

Off the top of my head:

1. Working
2. 4 amp battery
3. 4 amp legs
4. My cars not well and won't carry a bike
5. My mum said I couldn't go

 

[fishingpaul]

I would be looking at needing at least three extra batteries ( at £400 each to take part on my torq 2 ). the huge cost of the batteries needed for a one off ride like this,together with a midweek date and a massive jump in distance,would put most people off.

 

[tigeravenger]

Why not more people

Midweek as said , most people work all day mon to fri, and too far south, there are lots of people north of watford gap, where the people are friendly, the roads are emptier, the weather is wonderful and the scenery is breathtaking.
And the old (silly) and oftquoted by those who know no difference adage "its grim oop north" is so innacurate its laughable.
Anyway why not try a ride in the beautiful Yorkshire dales or Derbyshire Peak district.

My wife and I along with our 15 yr old and 3 yr old in his trailer, just did a fantastic weekend in this area.

Wisper 905 se sport made it easy riding !!!!!!

Lets focus on the whole country not just the busiest 10%. i,e south east and south (not south west) which is I agree more like a cider version of Yorkshire.

Happy Cycling

Ian

 

[Mussels]

Midweek as said , most people work all day mon to fri, and too far south, there are lots of people north of watford gap, where the people are friendly, the roads are emptier, the weather is wonderful and the scenery is breathtaking.
And the old (silly) and oftquoted by those who know no difference adage "its grim oop north" is so innacurate its laughable.
Any way why not try a ride in the beautiful Yorkshire dales or Derbyshire Peak district.

My wife and I along with our 15 yr old and 3 yr old in his trailer, just did a fantastic weekend in this area.

Wisper 905 se sport made it easy riding !!!!!!

Lets focus on the whole country not just the busiest 10%.

Happy Cycling

Ian

I was agreeing with you until you said 'the weather is wonderful'
And I don't think Somerset is anywhere near the busiest 10% of the country.

 

[Tiberius]

Thanks guys.
Keep it coming - feedback always welcome, and it helps for next year.

Nick

 

[themutiny]

I nearly didn't go. Mainly for the reasons already cited, ie, battery cost, hotel cost, midweek etc.

As it was, I decided to go albeit somewhat under equipped with just 2x4ah batteries. Having just returned from a weekend in Brendon, which was inspired by what I missed with the punctures, I can say with some certainty that although the punctures prevented me from completing the first leg, a lack of battery power would have prevented me completing the second. The Brendon/Porlock hills are formidable, but at the same time very exhilarating. Thanks to Nick (Tiberius) for introducing me to such a wonderful part of the world. In terms of cost, I would point out that there was a B and B literally just a stones throw from the venue which was 'only' £50 per night for a couple. Probably not beyond budget for most. I think the midweek thing was problematic - I only managed to attend as a result of some serious favour-calling. I am very glad I did though.

I would urge everyone to consider next year's challenge (wherever it may be) because the chance to meet up with like-minded souls was in my view priceless. I can only speak for myself, but my social/peer group just don't get e-biking. They are either Lycras or couch potatoes. The former look down on me (even though like-for-like I can outpace most of them), and the latter just don't get it. To be able to spend time with like-minded souls is fantastic, (for me at least), and I felt a great camaraderie, even though in other respects we probably had little in common.

My only observation therefore, would be to keep the distance, but don't go over the top with the route. By all means include a killer hill, or even two (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), but make it achievable by the majority, not impossible for all. IMHO it shouldn't be a celebration of technology for technology's sake, rather a celebration of what we all have in common - a love of e-bikes and e-biking.

Cor - gushed a bit there



PS - are there any of us who wouldn't attend if something could be organised which would ensure the attendance of our guru, Flecc?

.

 

[Fecn]

PS - are there any of us who wouldn't attend if something could be organised which would ensure the attendance of our guru, Flecc?

I have been tempted to try and organise a ride somewhere just south of the M25 - most likely along route 20/21 down from Grenwich to either Brighton or Eastbourne. Flecc would have to work very hard to find excuses not to be on at least part of that ride since it goes straight through the middle of his town. - Would anyone be interested in a 50-60 mile weekend ride? (or longer if you like)

 

[themutiny]

I would certainly be up for it. I did the capital to coast ride unassisted earlier this year, and the route would be ideal. It takes in both Box hill and Devil's Dyke and is predominantly on quiet lanes. Not as challenging as Nick's route, but still a challenge. The distance is around 60 miles. I would be interested to see how much I could better my 4.5 hr time by on an e-bike.

Capital to Coast - the London to Hove Charity Bike Ride

 

[Fecn]

Sounds great to me - So that makes two of us now.

When shall we do it? I'm free for the next couple of weekends, but booked up for a few weeks after that.

 

[themutiny]

I can't do Saturdays as I work, but I'm free most Sundays, including the next couple of weeks. I'll have to try and remember the route! Would be good to get a few of us together..

 

[Fecn]

I'm free either this Sunday, or the next.

Let's start a new thread for this...

 

[GT3]

My impression was the event was to set a benchmark rather than be inclusive. I would be interested in the future, but if a benchmark is the aim, why not use a flat route and to be as inclusive as possible consider a single 20/25 mile loop.

I guess most e-bikers aren't the overly athletic types and the thought of running out of assistance 5 miles from home scares me, never mind 25!

 

[Conal]

Assistance

For this year's chalenge I offered lifts and would be happy to extend this offer for future events.

I have a Volvo Estate and a Thule three bike carrier.

I also have have a roof box so three passengers would not be out of the question if anyone has roof rack bike carrier (I have the roof rack!).

The cost of transport divided by three or even four would not be an issue - the 460 mile round trip from near Stansted Airport cost me £45 in fuel.

The day was great and I commiserate with "themutiny". He would have completed the morning 50 miles if not for two punctures.

Events like this need more and different bikes, and the support of other bike distributers to supply spare batteries for the day (thanks OnBike). I am sure that a reasonable hire charge would be acceptable.

Good to see that David (Wisper) is up and about again.

Conal

 

[themutiny]

Hi Conal


THanks for the commiserations. I was discussing another ride with Fecn

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4630-capital-coast-sunday-ride.html

Would you be up for it?

Cheers

Nick

 

[monster]

i wanted to go but i forgot about it untill the day before the event and then couldn't get a decent bike/fast charger together in that time that would give me a chance of winning. also i forgot to book the time off work. weekend would have been better. i would have loved to just ride with other ebikers on a long endurance ride.

the thought of getting beat by lycras putt me off a little. it seemed like the rules were designed to even out the odds between fittness and motor power. this is ok for some but fitness doesn't really apeal to me. i didn't feel like shaving my legs or wearing lycra and i don't even have dropped handle bars. also 40kg is a bit extream for 100 miles. thats a lot of pedaling required there. or lots of investment in lithium batteries.

i was thinking about a large heilium ballon to float under the weight limit!