Letters

Future fens

Sir, Thanks to John Thompson for the Double Dutch article (Arrivée issue 152). It was a great shame to miss so many regular riders this year due to all accommodation being closed. Here's a picture of happier times – John at Nordelph on the very first event in 2011. The 2022 event is reverting to its usual Double Dutch name but with a couple of changes. I'm hoping to map the route past the few remaining tulip fields near Kings Lynn, and also take it to the "Ship of the Fens" – Ely Cathedral. See you next Easter!

Martin Malins

Electric dreams

Sir, After reading Reid Anderson’s contribution on e-bikes in Audax brevets (Arrivée issue 152), I’ve concluded that e-bikes in Audax are divisive, just as much as the wearing (or not wearing) of safety helmets. I feel for Reid’s nightmare of being overtaken by electric bikes up a hill, but this has only happened once to me – in 2015 going up Pen-Y-Ghent in the Dales, and the lady in question even apologised. It was amusing, rather than frustrating. The reason why it doesn’t happen very often is that most e-bikes on the market are purchased as utility vehicles for commuting, or they’re chunky mountain bikes, rarely seen on tarmac. Of course, you can purchase a state-of-the-art e-race bike, but I’ve only ever seen one on the road. I had an interesting chat with the owner, who bought it as a way to recover from surgery. It became a talking point, a curiosity rather than frustration. But why should we allow cyclists to get away with having a validated card in return for less sweat that mine or Reid’s? The real question is – why not? There are many ways to reduce the effort required and personally I’d rather have a VO2 Max of 70 ml kg-1 min-1, than a 1KWh battery (VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen used by muscles per minute, per kg of body mass, during intense exercise). The former is largely down to good genes and can’t be achieved otherwise, the latter can be bought by anyone. One could say the battery is fairer and more inclusive! But ultimately, we have to appreciate that the challenge of long-distance cycling is still there, even if, for whatever reason, you have a battery on your bicycle. The idea that you can complete a brevet of any meaningful distance without any effort is flawed. Battery developments are very much incremental and there will never be a day when a battery the size of a bidon can power you through the Bryan Chapman. Public charging points are non-existent and will always be scarce outside of cities. On top of that, the charge one can realistically carry through an Audax is and will always be minute. It might, one day, be sufficient to last the 10 hours of a BR, if one weighs in every Watt used with the accuracy of a chemist. So, fear not, battery or no battery, completing a brevet will always require a certain amount of effort and planning, less for some, more for others. Such is life.

Paolo Coppo

FOR SALE

due to ill health, well maintained Dawes Super Galaxy tandem. Also included are the original drop bars, Karradice panniers and bar bag ● ● Graphite grey frame size 23½˝ – 21½˝ £500.00 ono

Available for viewing in Louth Lincs, Any enquiries to: gill.leverton@gmail.com