Beyond Presteigne...

[halfmedley]

Is the 'Tour de Presteigne' the only ebike event in the country where people can see a variety of cycles in action and try them out?

After venturing to the event it occurred to me how 'off-the-beaten-path' this might be for others.

Without wishing to usurp the Presteigne event (hats off to the organisers) might there be a case for another ebike show in the calender? If so, what would forum members suggest?

Personally I'd like to see an event at an easily accessible location with more bikes...

 

[flecc]

Good idea Halfmedley, the more promotion for e-biking the better, with local press, TV and radio involvement.

In this connection I mentioned the HPVA in another thread. Maybe despite their name Human Powered Vehicle Association, they would be prepared to include part human powered vehicles in their competition events. At present it could only be an open class race with some attempt to divide the machines into classifications.

For that I'd initially suggest it be based on watt/hour groups until more accurate classifications were found through experience.
.

 

[coops]

Yes I agree halfmedley, good idea - you read my mind!

Another year I will hopefully try to make it to Presteigne, but if I do it would be by bike & train and, while I enjoy any opportunity to escape from the city and especially to the mid-wales & welsh borders area, its not the most accessible even for me from here, and I think there is definitely room for more ebike events, each possibly having unique characteristics & appeal, but certainly for me, not to be critical of the Presteigne event as I say which must have taken a huge amount of organisation & dedication & hard work by the organisers - I take my hat off to you all! - events in locations more accessible to many by bike & train for instance would be more in-keeping with the spirit of ebiking, and would quite probably by virtue of a more central & accessible location attract more publicity & promote ebikes more widely too.

I wonder if there's a venue big enough to hold an indoor race, if the weather was inclement as at Presteigne this year? Like the Birmingham Exhibition Centre (whats it called? The NEC, is it? You know the one!) or even GMEX could even be an international event, except that would be even less transport friendly...

 

[flecc]

Yup, NEC = National Exhibition Centre, location chosen for it because it was central and with motorway, rail and airport access on the doorstep. They've even got the canal network connections, so boats ok as well.
.

 

[coops]

Hmmmmm.... bike & canal boat... interesting travel combination. Good canal network from here too

We could build an indoor "motocross"-like circuit for ebikes - plenty of space for wheelies & jumps then, flecc

 

[Ian]

The Birmingham Indoor Arena would be better, far more facilities for people to arrive by bicycle. The NEC has road, rail & canal access but precious little for anyone riding a bike, you'd need a deathwish to attempt the A45.

PS, just read Stuarts post and changed my mind, riding from a canal boat does appeal, there is a canal by the indoor arena though.

 

[Ian]

plenty of space for wheelies & jumps then, flecc

Flecc should be able to do wheelies with his rear wheel drive.

 

[flecc]

Flecc should be able to do wheelies with his rear wheel drive.

Certainly would Ian. The Quando wasn't prone to wheelies as it's saddle has normal bike positioning, unlike most folders, but the Q bike is only too eager to do them, whether away from the lights or up the very steep hills. If I ever added a second battery mod it would be best vertically on the front of the handlebar stem!
.

 

[coops]

Flecc should be able to do wheelies with his rear wheel drive.

Rather scarily for him, Ian, he already has! (see the last paragraph of that post)

Stuart.

 

[flecc]

I think this is the one you meant Stuart.

 

[coops]

The Birmingham Indoor Arena would be better, far more facilities for people to arrive by bicycle.

That sounds good then, would be so good to arrive safely & relaxed by bike: I don't like the sound of the A45, sounds too much like many roads around here .

Indoor space not essential of course, just an idea, and location-wise I'd prefer not too urban, but for transport links maybe thats unavoidable. How about a location renowned for cycle- or eco-friendliness, if there is one?!

Or the Manchester Velodrome ?!

P.S. cheers flecc, I've edited that link

 

[Ian]

I think this is the one you meant Stuart.

Thanks for the link, found it now

 

[Ian]

I don't like the sound of the A45, sounds too much like many roads around here .

Too right Stuart, the NEC entrance is from the roundabout where the M42 meets the A45, 5 lanes and no-one knows which one is correct.

Or the Manchester Velodrome ?!

Is there one?

 

[coops]

Is there one?

Certainly is, though I've not been there (could easily check it out ). I think it was built not too many years ago & used in the Commonwealth games when they were here. It's said to be very modern & a good facility I think.

You thinking of an electric bike indoor speed record attempt then Ian?

 

[coops]

Hey, how about an electric bike marathon ? a kind of "endurance" event over distance, rather than time like the Presteigne 1hr rally?

It wouldn't have to be the standard 26 mile whatever length, we could reinvent the marathon if necessary, but I think to hold it in or near a major poulation area could attract good publicity, it wouldn't have to be competitive per se - could even be categories for entrants like "load-carrying" or "commute" etc. and the distance & times involved would capture the attention of the many who are unaware of ebike's capabilities: I think on a reasonably even course 26miles could easily be done in sub-marathon run record time of about 2 hrs?

It could even follow a marathon route? I doubt that bikes/ebikes would be allowed to take part in an actual marathon running event though .

 

[Ian]

You thinking of an electric bike indoor speed record attempt then Ian?

I doubt the powered speed would be more than on the road, but I'd love to see what I could pedal the Torq up to on a track, and the sheer bliss of no bumps.. something I've never experienced.

 

[Ian]

A long distance cycle path such as the high peak trail would be a good route, it has some steeps hills at the cromford end climbing about 1000 feet, and some long level sections, and importantly no traffic, and very importantly a couple of pubs en-route.

 

[coops]

Yes, an event with stop-off points for recharging would be good; the bikes could use some too

The UK's no.1 centre for ebikes must be considered for an event - Hull/Grimsby!

 

[electric.mike]

coops

to hold it in or near a major poulation area could attract good publicity, it wouldn't have to be competitive per se - could even be categories for entrants like "load-carrying" or "commute" etc. and the distance & times involved would capture the attention of the many who are unaware of ebike's capabilities:

what a great idea, flecc with his trailer full of rubbish, BaboonKing a couple of bags of cement, me with a bag of spuds.

mike

 

[Ian]

The UK's no.1 centre for ebikes must be considered for an event - Hull/Grimsby!

I do intend to ride across the humber bridge one calm day.