Letters

In the last edition (Arrivée 150 winter) we posed the question: Should e-bikes be allowed entry into Audax events? Readers have plunged into the debate with gusto, expressing a range of opinion, but all favourable. Here’s what you had to say:

OLD ENOUGH TO CHANGE MY MIND

Sir, I read with interest your review of The Ribble Endurance SLe range in the winter magazine, and the measured arguments surrounding the acceptance of such machines on Audax events.

More than 70 years on the saddle atop a selection of 531 steel frames, outs me as a traditionalist whose views on electric assistance can be easily envisaged. However, no longer able to enjoy Audax events, my riding is now limited to a few hundred miles a month. I dread the day when even this is beyond me, when I’ll have to reconsider my attitude to e-bikes.

Regarding their acceptance on Audax rides, I feel our stated aims limit any argument for exclusion. They may need their own category and awards system – well within the capabilities of our membership to construct. If for no other reason, this year’s horrors have clearly shown the need for social inclusion, and I hope AUK will seek to address this issue. Alan Linge

I JUST WANT TO RIDE

Sir, I’ve completed two PBPs in the past, but these days I’m much slower, partly due to old age, and partly my health.

I gave up riding with groups of friends a couple of years ago because I couldn’t keep up when going uphill. They were kind and waited for me, but it put too much stress on my heart.

On our group’s trip to Majorca I decided to rent a couple of e-bikes. One of these was a Pinarello, a flashy looking speedster, which was great, though

expensive. Returning home I test-rode the bike Richard reviewed, which was good except that, being a 5ft tall female, the reach was too long and the bars too low. After some research the Pinarello turned out to be the best for me – so I bought one. For winter use, I have my trusty old tourer customised with an add-on battery and motor. It’s still hard work on distance rides, and the e-bike range prevents me from doing much more than 100k. But I’d love to ride again with old Audax friends, but can’t see me getting round in time on a non-electric bike. I don’t want to gain points, I just want to ride!

Gerry Goldsmith GOOD IDEA – WITH MITIGATIONS

Sir, We should welcome the use of e-bikes. Their users have much in Alan Linge common with those riding Audax events, and to exclude them seems perverse. The more people sharing the Audax experience, the merrier. However, we should acknowledge that e-bikes confer a physical advantage and that future developments in battery technology could lead to them being used for pacing riders of un-powered bikes. I know Audax is meant to be non-competitive but the competitive spirit is often in evidence among riders at the front of events. In order to allow e-bikes to ride alongside un-powered bikes in Audax events, I would suggest two regulations – to mitigate against the possibility of future e-bikes being able to provide power-assistance at high speed, we should adopt the regulation that an e-bike shall not provide assistance above 15mph; and to acknowledge the physical assistance given by e-bikes, riders should be awarded e-brevets. So far as annual Audax awards are concerned, I would suggest that e-brevets could not count towards them. I don’t think this would act as any deterrent to e-bike riders and would, I hope, satisfy those riders who like to compete for those awards.

Gerry Goldsmith

Adrian Hanson-Abbott

BREATHE EASY WITH AN E-BIKE

Sir, I really enjoyed your well-written article and Richard Betts’ test ride of the Ribble. The proposal, should it arise at a future AGM, to allow regulation e-bikes on Audaxes, identified to protect the bulk of enthusiasts, would get my vote.

I’ve been in Audax for some time, mainly joining local 200k events organised by my club Beacon RCC. I’ve also completed LeJog and Side-to-Side permanents on an unsupported tandem, and relatively recently attempted the Montgomerie Madness. However, I’m a 74 year old geezer with an asthma problem.

I had my first asthma attack in March 2019. I’d ridden out to marshal a Beacon Time Trial full of beans, stood around in the cold for hours and then wheezed my way back for 24 miles. This resulted in an emergency hospital admission.

While in hospital I thought about replacing my bikes with e-bikes. A Brompton for mixed mode and local trips, a utility hybrid for shopping and towing the trailer and a Ribble for longer rides in the country.

I can still do Audaxes within the time limits, and ride up any of the local hills between Birmingham and the Cotswolds – albeit slowly and in winch gear. I’ve kept fit on a dumb turbo and now do solo rides into the countryside with a picnic to keep my mileage up.

But at what point do you decide that the risk of a heart attack to pursue a healthy hobby, outweighs missing out on the rest of family life and other enjoyments?

The argument for e-bikes for utility use is, I think, won. My e-Brompton means I’m not tempted to use a car for local solo trips in the city and is a good start on my e-bike conversion.

I’ll be checking out the very attractive Ribble range next year. It would be nice to be able to use it for some events.

My asthma was the result of commuting through Birmingham for 40 years, mostly by bike. A recent study from Leeds University, presented at Ideas with Beers Tuesday webinar with Brian Deegan, showed how riding hard in polluted cities can damage lungs and hearts. The author advocated e-bikes because you don’t have to breathe so hard. David Cox OBE

IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSION

Sir, Your articles on e-bikes were well written, and raised an important issue. I really can’t see what the problem is with e-bikes taking part in Audax.

Some people try to make events harder by riding fixed wheel. Some of us have made them really hard with a not-so-strong stoker on a tandem. These are personal choices and there are “boxes” on the brevet card to show fixed wheel and tandems. What’s so different about an e-Bike?

Least readers think I am pushing a personal cause I have never ridden an e-bike. However, every cyclist I know who has progressed to an e-bike has done it with considerable reluctance.

Audax is a personal challenge so it’s what we achieve that’s important. For many e-bike riders the effort and achievement may be more than that experienced by a fit young athlete.

It’s also worth noting that many of the new breed of e-bikes are hardly distinguishable from a road bike. It’s easy to cheat in an Audax and as an organiser I would not have a clue if someone used a Ribble e-bike, or similar. Hopefully organisers won’t be required to check all bikes with a thermal camera to ensure mechanical doping is not taking place.

However, one of the most important things is that AUK needs to be as inclusive as possible. The camaraderie of all involved is perhaps the best thing about the Audax association.

There is ample evidence that those who have achieved in sport often suffer badly from low self-esteem and depression when affected by reduced performance, particularly where this is related to health issues. It would be great to keep such people actively involved in Audax.

In my opinion we should allow e-bikes on a trial basis with immediate effect, which will provide evidence to allow a suitable redrafting of the rules at the earliest opportunity. Colin Gray

ALL POWER TO THEM!

Sir, I converted my trusty Hewitt tourer to electrical assist in early 2018 as I suffer from a heart condition, atrial fibrillation (AF), that, as I get older (I’m currently 72), is not helped by hard rides.

I find that I now enjoy rides again without worrying about holding up the others, as I used to have to slow down to manage my AF. It also allows me to keep up with younger riders so that I can continue to enjoy club rides and cycle touring.

For my last Audax, back in 2019, I used my new Ribble electric and entered without realising that electric bikes were not allowed. I thoroughly enjoyed the Audax ride with my cycling chums around the Nottinghamshire countryside.

AF is quite a common occurrence in older cyclists and if electrical assist keeps them cycling then all power to them – so to speak. Electric bikes provide huge benefits to older and health-challenged riders.

IT’S THE FUTURE

Sir, I thoroughly enjoyed the thoughtprovoking articles on e-bikes. My view is that Audax should encompass anything legally defined as a bicycle – and that includes e-bikes. If members wanted, all awards could be categorised as either E and Non Electric.

At 71 I’ve just ordered an e-bike. In recent years I have not ridden any events as the effort is becoming too much. I still tour and ride all year-round but my riding is constrained by distance and terrain. An e-bike will, I hope, help me extend my range. I cannot be alone in this.

In some countries e-bikes comprise 40 per cent of all sales. They’re becoming the entry point to adult cycling. Cycling (and Audax UK) needs to attract and hold these people. We also need to extend our welcome to people of all abilities.

None of this takes away from the impressive achievements of those who ride the likes of LEL and PBP. This is less of an issue, dare I say it, than recumbents, trikes and tandems? John Mills

WHO’S COMPLAINING?

Sir, I thought e-bikes were allowed for BP events (says so at the website) but results not validated? So it’s really just a question of validating an e-bike category, not stopping e-bike riders from attending events

I suspect an e-bike category would get very competitive and, for example, battery management would have to be added to all the other variables to be managed on longer rides.

At least one internationally competitive cycle sport, mountain bike orienteering, does allow e-bikes on a non-competitive basis as a separate class, and I’ve not seen anyone complain.

Carl Brancher

WHO’LL VOLUNTEER IF EVERYONE RIDES?

Sir, I’d have no problem with having an e-bike category for Audax. If it helps people to continue to enjoy Audax then it’s good for the sport. But will we lose volunteers if they can all cycle again?

Andrew Beattie

A GAME-CHANGER?

Sir, It was pleasing to see Richard Betts able to get out and about on a bike.

While I understand that nothing is simple, I don’t immediately see why there can’t be an e-bike category, and I for one would welcome the change. E-bikes have the potential to be such a game changer, not just in Audax, but to enable cycling more broadly.

I held this opinion anyway, but more so since developing “Long Covid” this year which has left me feeling pretty tired most of the time – classic British understatement. I feel the Audax community would be setting a strong example by opening up events to e-bikes and I agree with you that it is just more inclusive. Lee Webster

BRINGING THE PLEASURE BACK

Sir, Once a keen cyclist, for one reason or another I drifted away from cycling but recently had the urge to start again. At 62, and having gained a few more kilos, I was finding it pretty hard work on even the gentle hills – and I just wasn’t enjoying it.

I considered of a bespoke e-bike for a while but didn’t really want to buy another bike. Then I stumbled upon the idea of the conversion kits that are now available, and decided to give this a go.

For about £340, I purchased a Yose Power kit (rear hub drive) and set about installing it on my trusty and very comfy steel-framed Rourke. The resulting bike is fantastic. For sure, it’s added some weight but it has brought the pleasure of cycling back and I’ve now done about 500km just in the last month or so.

There are five power levels to choose from but typically I leave it on level three which normally means that the motor is helping just on the inclines or in strong headwinds. On this level, my average speed typically comes out at 24.5 kph, which was the sort of speed I used to ride at when younger and fitter.

I’m all for e-bikes and would hope that sufficient numbers of older folk and those with health issues can add enough weight to allow the addition of a separate category for this type of rider.

Stuart Evans

I JUST WANT TO GET AROUND

Sir, Having read Richard Betts story I can relate to it. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in the early 1980s when I was about 25/26 years old, I had a lot of pain and I’ve been on medication since then. As a result, I’ve never really done much sport as I would suffer with my joints afterwards, I’ve had RA for 40 years now and still on medication.

In 2013 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Peripheral Neuropathy, my nerves had died in my feet and hands and they felt numb and tingly and I could feel this creeping up to my knees, at one stage I was told I could be in a wheelchair by the time I was 60 after seeing a Neurophysiologist.

In the middle of 2013, I was put on eight courses of chemotherapy, this stopped the progression of the Neuropathy in my legs, however it didn’t help my hands or feet, my feet are uncomfortable the whole time, when I walk it feels like I’m walking on a pebble beach and wearing shoes two sizes too small. On the plus side my RA went into remission, apparently it was due to a drug called Rituximab which I was given when I received the chemo.

I was advised by my doctor to do exercise to keep my joints moving, I tried running but it was agony on my feet! I decided to try cycling, no impact on my feet, which I really enjoyed. I went out two or three times a week and got the bug. In 2016 I’d done an organised 10-day LeJoG, and over the last 6-years I’ve done 40 Audaxs, Ride London, numerous sportives and The Dragon Ride, I’ve also done my own version of a Coast to Coast, Brighton to Western-super-Mare, 200 miles in 24 hours.

Since 2018 my RA has flared up again, I’ve had to have fluid drained from my knees and Cortisone injections in some of my joints, but I’ve still managed to carry on cycling, even wearing elasticated supports on my knees, elbows and wrists. In 2019 my son in law and I did the Dartmoor Devil, I think it’s the hardest Audax I’ve ever done, my son in law hasn’t ridden with me since.

Although I’ve managed to ride 4000 miles this year it’s been a struggle with my RA and the last few weeks It’s been an effort knowing that I’m going to struggle on hills! So I’ve decided to get a e-bike for the winter months, so I can go out for a 50/60 mile and enjoy the ride and the surroundings, stop for a break when I want to, and feel okay when I get home despite the elevation, I’m not interested in Strava PBs I just want to get round!

I agree with Richard Betts that there should be a separate category for cyclists who need some assistance. Most riders do a Audax for the enjoyment of cycling new roads, good atmosphere and great food at the finish. There’s a good choice of Audaxs in the south so plenty of roads to explore. Cycling is for everyone.

My medication at the moment is steroids and my consultant has started me on Rituximab again, which is administered as an infusion twice a year, so hopefully I can get back on my normal road bike this year. Steve Morgan races and it will certainly extend the participation age for all members. Certainly, users of such bikes will have to seriously consider the terrain and length of the event before participating viz-a-viz battery life. I am attaching a link for a new back wheel invention. My wife wanted to buy one for me, but they are sold out for now. If successful, this type of development could also impact cycling greatly, and not dependent on motors and battery. (See Cycling Shorts on page 6-7)

John Holding MANAGING THE E-ADVANTAGE

Sir, I read the articles, concerning e-bikes, in Arrivée 150 with interest. Generally, I believe we should welcome the use of e-bikes in Audax events. There is so much that their users have in common with people riding audax events that to exclude them seems perverse. Also, the more people out sharing the audax ride experience, the merrier. However, we should also acknowledge that e-bikes confer a physical advantage and that future developments in battery technology could lead to them being used for pacing riders of un-powered bikes. (I know audax is meant to be non-competitive at heart and that group riding is allowed, but the competitive spirit is often in evidence among riders at the front of events.) In order to allow e-bikes to ride alongside unpowered bikes in audax events, I would suggest two regulations: First, to mitigate against the possibility of future e-bikes being able to provide power-assistance at high speed, I would suggest adopting the current UK government regulation that an e-bike shall not provide assistance above 15mph. Second, to acknowledge the physical assistance given by e-bikes, I would suggest awarding e-brevets to their riders (e.g. 100-e; 200-e; 300-e etc.). If this were done, I cannot see why there should not be an SR-e or an RRTY-e if any one of the qualifying brevets was an e-brevet (e.g. brevets 200; 300-e; 400; 600 result in SR-e). So far as annual audax awards are concerned, I would suggest that e-brevets could not count towards them. I do not think this would act as any deterrent to e-bike riders and would, I hope, satisfy Steven Morgan those riders who like to compete for those awards. IT’S NOT A RACE I hope these points of view can be Sir, I think like you, that the approach to added to the debate on what to do about e-bike participation in audaxes in the e-bikes in audax events. future has to be looked at. They aren’t Adrian Hanson-Abbott