Hi Everyone,
I was away for a few days, but I do appreciate the comments people have been making about the 100 mile challenge. Its probably now a good time for me to respond to some of them - only let's please see this as an exchange of information rather than people getting defensive.
First the date. I completely understand that a weekend would have been better for a lot of people. Unfortunately there wasn't one in September that the On Bike team and I could make. Maybe next year it will be different but this year there were too many things all happening together.
The location. Yes, its not in the centre of the country. Sorry, I didn't do that deliberately. What more can I say; its the way it is.
The hills. Hills are an integral part of the event; it wouldn't be the same without them. I admit the afternoon route did have a bit too much, though. Next time, it would be a good idea to set a max gradient and a max climb distance.
The "Challenge". Again, that's what its about. There is always the difficulty of arranging an event so it appeals to a range of participants. There will be some who see it as a competition and don't understand why others aren't taking it seriously, and there will be others just there for the day out who can't understand what all the fuss is about. I'm trying to allow for both, but it is a 100 mile challenge - the aim is to try to cover 100 miles. Its not just a social ride and a pub lunch. OK, there is a social element and there was a pub and we did eat lunch, but there is more to it than that. We are trying to show what e-bikes can do, and to push the envelope a bit.
I think someone mentioned he was put off by the word "challenge" and the "100 miles" bit. In that case, all things considered, a "100 mile challenge" may not be your cup of tea. I think the comment may have been in jest, but in case it wasn't, let's agree its a perfectly valid reason for not going, and take no offence in either direction.
For these and other reasons, I'm reluctant to start toning it down and making it a 100 km or a 50 mile ride. Options to do shorter routes are fine, but the 100 mile target ought to stay. Especially today, on the day that the Tour of Britain goes over some of the same route, its worth thinking about how it looks to the wider world. If we make a fuss about doing 50 miles with electric assistance when other riders are doing 120 without it, we just invite ridicule.
If there's interest, I'm happy to organise something similar next year. If someone wants to organise one on the Pennines, the Yorkshire Moors or wherever, I'll give what help I can, but these things really do need a local organiser and Exmoor is my nearest wild and hilly place.
Equally, if someone wants to organise a shorter social ride, I'll come along if I can. I would have liked to go on the New Forest one, but as I said at the time, it clashed with something else. That's the trouble with weekends.
Nick
I was offered a demo bike to ride on Exmoor. The fact that it was a 'challenge' appealed to me. One other point on the New Forest jaunt - I was away on holiday. But I thought it was a good idea nonetheless. Andy
