What do you tell people that claim 'you're cheating'?
#101
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Not MUP's, but bike lanes contiguous with a road, and ebikes with PAS-only. There are no hikers, pedestrians, equestrians etc in these bike lanes. Of course there are "manual" bikes exceeding 28 mph on our MUP's too.
#102
Senior Member
Actually, ebike max speed laws are all over the place. It is 20 mph in many states, but some states have a 25, 28, or even 30 mph speed limit.
In addition, ebikes are unregulated in many states. It seems like NY is the outlier with a dejure ebike ban that everyone ignores, including most importantly, police.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws
In addition, ebikes are unregulated in many states. It seems like NY is the outlier with a dejure ebike ban that everyone ignores, including most importantly, police.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws
#103
Cycleway town
Well we share with pedestrians and dog walkers, so naturally we can't be doing 28mph. My e-bike is capable of 50mph but those times are very rare because there just isn't the opportunity to do it.
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#106
Cycleway town
And a kickstand!
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The only thing that such people are being "cheated" out of is: their egos and misconceptions.
Funny, imagining that some Cycling Rules From On-High book exists which everyone has read and sworn to uphold. Who knew?
Funny, imagining that some Cycling Rules From On-High book exists which everyone has read and sworn to uphold. Who knew?
#109
Senior Member
I think the rules are more descriptive of the boundaries before it makes more sense to simple create a new specie or genre --e.g., ebikes are literally... motorcycles, not bicycles. If it's a big tricycle with an electric motor in the front hub and huge a basket in the back is for a battery the size of a small ice chest, not groceries... and, you can sit upright and pedal 30 mph down the MUP with your wife in your wake who's pretty much just following your lead not drafting and hasn't ridden a bike in 30 years... it's probably more a golf cart than a bicycle.
#110
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How will they complain if they cant catch up to voice their concerns? The most annoying thing about an ebike has got to be how much passing you must negotiate and how riders react to it. Dumb roadies will kill themselves trying to keep pace if you let them which is very annoying. I find its best to just nail the throttle and put a mile or two between us. Then once there is a decent gap and I have had a nice rest enjoying the scenery I will go back to riding on assist undisturbed. Somewhere way back there is roadie cursing me for being a cheater but there is no one around to hear nor care.
#111
Senior Member
If you're in a hurry why not, otherwise-- idn't a bit like sticking your finger down your throat and throwing up that cheesecake you... didn't eat? Certainly not going to impress anyone on the 65+ forum, bragging about laying down 70 miles on your birthday.
#112
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There has to be a cheating song about e-bikes...
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I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
#113
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#115
Banned
Eat my shorts (Actually i Dont care , dont own an E Bike, , only 71 I still put out the effort to ride with my legs.
#118
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Just tell them “Not cheating, just having fun”. Or, “my team Bike is being built by the sponsors before the classics. You ARE entering this season aren’t you”. Also, “then you should probably stay off my wheel”
#119
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Great work. Now you're ready for unassisted. Keep the ebike for utility and distance. Get a fast road bike to take your fitness to the next level.
#120
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Thanks, but I rode unassisted for a couple of years prior. A minor(?) heart issue from my cardiologist put fear in me...enough to almost give up cycling. That's why I switched to an ebike. I'm 61 and was a couch potato for about 25 years. I'm kinda happy with the level I am at.
#121
Member
E bike "Cheater"
If I had an ebike I would have fun with this whole cheater subject. I would have professional decals made up for it saying "Cheater".
Last edited by Oldbikeride; 11-18-18 at 06:57 PM. Reason: spelling
#122
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The ultimate cheater would be a motor that was hidden such that when you're out having fun pedaling your max at ~13 mph on average and are passed by stronger rider doing ~15, you can push a button and pass'm down the road doing ~17.
#124
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Been cycling all my life, got into it heavily 8 years ago. Live in the Arkansas Ozarks and there are hills everywhere. I can make it OK, but the last few years I seem to be struggling more and more on the hills. I ride as much as I can with work and other duties I have no more time and never seem to get any better. I am not after speed or ultra endurance, I just want to take on hills without it wiping me out. I am getting to the point where I avoid certain wonderful routes because of hills. I have 8 years of GPS data and the average speed is 10 mph - and dropping.
I just ordered an ebike. The shop is next to a hill that on my normal bike I either have to take in 1st gear front and back or stop midway and walk up, followed by another hill I avoid like the plague. On a test ride I climbed right up them both. With my normal bike on a 55 mile ride on Saturday I had to be picked up 4 miles form home due to stress, heat and quad cramps. So, I made the plunge.
Most of the guys are supportive, a few claim I'm 'cheating'. I look at it in that I would probably be sitting at home instead of biking around if it weren't for an ebike. I've also told them that biking 50 mile son an ebike is like biking 35 miles on a regular bike - and most of them never ride THAT far. But the persist and are now avoiding me because I'm a 'cheater'.
Do you just ignore them? What 'arguments' do you use to justify an ebike? I know I should just grow a thicker hide but it bothers me a bit. Any suggestions?
I just ordered an ebike. The shop is next to a hill that on my normal bike I either have to take in 1st gear front and back or stop midway and walk up, followed by another hill I avoid like the plague. On a test ride I climbed right up them both. With my normal bike on a 55 mile ride on Saturday I had to be picked up 4 miles form home due to stress, heat and quad cramps. So, I made the plunge.
Most of the guys are supportive, a few claim I'm 'cheating'. I look at it in that I would probably be sitting at home instead of biking around if it weren't for an ebike. I've also told them that biking 50 mile son an ebike is like biking 35 miles on a regular bike - and most of them never ride THAT far. But the persist and are now avoiding me because I'm a 'cheater'.
Do you just ignore them? What 'arguments' do you use to justify an ebike? I know I should just grow a thicker hide but it bothers me a bit. Any suggestions?
#125
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Before I put in my 2 cents on "what do you tell people that claim you're cheating", can OP clarify: ARE you cheating?