Posts
39
Joined
3/8/2010
Location
Clinton, TN
US
This past weekend my son and I raced a local enduro with some big miles and stages with a decent amount of pedalling. In the pro category I raced 22 miles with about 4500ft of vertical. So between the 2 days (training and racing) it was a big weekend. I don't really race that much anymore but this one race I like because of how big it is. In my opinion its what enduro should be. Big days, self reliant with a good mix of tech, fast, pedalling and a huge dose of ENDURance.
However this year I noticed a massive increase in people using ebikes on Saturday to practice the tracks. None of the guys in the pro category did but several of the amateur and even kids did this. As a result some of the amateur times were insanely faster than the pro winning times. This could be due to a couple of factors:
1. Using an ebike during training saves your legs.
2. The amateurs only did 5 stages, whereas the pros did a 6th which had an extra 1000ft climb to the last stage.
3. Perhaps with the time saved during training they could have done multiple training laps.
Its unfortunate that the promoter did not address this in his rulebook. Even though he does mention no shuttling during training (unless provided as part of the race) and that only one bike must be used for the event. Maybe none of these factors played into this, but logic argues that it does. I get that there is no putting the cat back into the bag. Ebikes are hear to stay, but fundamentally that are not the same sport. In any discipline with pedalling there is no scenario I can think of where an ebike is not an advantage. Are we just in the infancy of this and eventually it will sort itself out. But when you are driving home and your 13 year old kid asks why the kid that beat him was allowed to train/practice on an ebike. It is tough to some how make it sound fair....
Its unfortunate that local level competition based on human-powered sport has come to this.
However this year I noticed a massive increase in people using ebikes on Saturday to practice the tracks. None of the guys in the pro category did but several of the amateur and even kids did this. As a result some of the amateur times were insanely faster than the pro winning times. This could be due to a couple of factors:
1. Using an ebike during training saves your legs.
2. The amateurs only did 5 stages, whereas the pros did a 6th which had an extra 1000ft climb to the last stage.
3. Perhaps with the time saved during training they could have done multiple training laps.
Its unfortunate that the promoter did not address this in his rulebook. Even though he does mention no shuttling during training (unless provided as part of the race) and that only one bike must be used for the event. Maybe none of these factors played into this, but logic argues that it does. I get that there is no putting the cat back into the bag. Ebikes are hear to stay, but fundamentally that are not the same sport. In any discipline with pedalling there is no scenario I can think of where an ebike is not an advantage. Are we just in the infancy of this and eventually it will sort itself out. But when you are driving home and your 13 year old kid asks why the kid that beat him was allowed to train/practice on an ebike. It is tough to some how make it sound fair....
Its unfortunate that local level competition based on human-powered sport has come to this.
i'm inclined to agree with a number of the points you mention (more laps, being fresher on race day, etc), but also as it can create a disadvantage for riders (and parents of young riders) who can't afford an e-bike on top of an enduro race bike. this is especially true for kids, many of whom probably have enough challenges convincing their parents to get them an enduro capable race bike in the first place. dropping several grand on a bike that might fit a kid for 2-3 seasons at best can be a hard sell (i get the resale value aspect of it, but there's still the upfront investment).
I think that says it right there. "Only one bike."
Unless you are a paid pro and cheating the rules is involved I don't see an issue. Yes I ride an ebike.
Actually that sounds kind of fun!
Anyway life isn't fair, so it's a life lesson for your kid.
https://youtu.be/r3UjxGvTCBY
I also agree with some of the others about grassroots racing being fun and there are way too many things that people take too seriously, amateur enduro racing is one of them.
Profro, just get a moto for practice, and run a few of these kids down. After all, life isn't fair.
Post a reply to: Lets be honest... (Ebike related)