Old codger in wellies and flat cap grinding along at 45 rpm

[betty swollocks]

at first.
Surfaced early and had a scenic ride in to work through the countryside.
The final stretch involves 6 miles along a twisty turny B road.
As I turned onto the road I saw ahead through the early morning mists an old codger as above hunched over his treader.
And could I catch him? Not on yer nelly!
Well, at first I couldn't Admittedly, I was loaded up with two full panniers as per here:-

Thought to myself:- 'yesterday the print was too small and blurry for me to read in the Telegraph and now my legs won't go round. Must be getting old.'
Then I put my head down, upped the cadence and started to reel him in....but slowly. Even on the hills the OC just seemed to drift up them with nary change to his rhythm, but huffing and puffing I gradually drew closer.
Then all was clear: I heard a whining noise.
He had an electric motor.
Should've realised.
Silly me.

 

[Ben M]

It'll be the fault of those round pieces of lead that you have fitted to your wheels

Also, why front panniers only?

 

[betty swollocks]

For two panniers only, my preference is for low riders rather than a rack on the back.
I like the handling, especially at speed downhill and I'm better able to judge which gaps in the traffic I can slide through.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

He can't have been THAT old. If he was, surely he'd be going at 78 rather than 45?

 

[downfader]

Know the feeling...

Took 4 days off due to minor knee and wrist problem (I think it happened when I jarred off a rough bit of road at speed on friday) and began riding again today. Feels like I havent ridden the blimmin thing for 6 months.

 

[amnesia]

He can't have been THAT old. If he was, surely he'd be going at 78 rather than 45?

PMSL

 

[potsy]

He can't have been THAT old. If he was, surely he'd be going at 78 rather than 45?

You need to be 'old' to get that joke,fortunately i don't know what you're going on about

 

[dangerousjules]

love the thorn...i ride one too!

 

[betty swollocks]

He can't have been THAT old. If he was, surely he'd be going at 78 rather than 45?

Yeah. Waiting for that to come long: nice!

 

[Arch]

A couple of months back, I was out on the trike and passed a couple on a tandem. As I passed we chatted a bit - they were training for a 60 mile charity ride, and this was to be their first attempt at a 20 mile round trip. I wished them well, and then, showing off a touch perhaps, accelerated away.

Moments later, I was overtaken by a middle aged lady* on a very upright electric bike - just as the road turned uphill, so she left me for dust...

*I must stop saying this, after all, I AM a middle aged lady!

 

[XmisterIS]

Don't those electric bike things only go at 15mph max? You should be able to scalp them like good'uns! 15mph is dawdling speed ...

 

[RedBike]

I wish I knew what sort of electric bike these people are using.

I tried a Gocycle http://www.evanscycles.com/products...oogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle a few weeks ago in a vain attempt to continue riding even though i'm injured.

Despite its carbon frame, lithium batteries etc this thing weighed a ton! On the flat I found it harder work than a normal bike. (It went uphills well though )


A few years ago I used to regularly get passed by a bloke with an electric kit fitted to his bike. He did have an illegal ~1000w motor though.

 

[bobg]

Don't those electric bike things only go at 15mph max? You should be able to scalp them like good'uns! 15mph is dawdling speed ...

I've been thinking about getting one of these. Some of the dear ones are built for off road and have an "booster" button that'll acceleate them to 25/30mph ...... wooooosh ! Now I cant get into my lycra I can scorn all those posers round her ( of which I was one)

 

[bobg]

I wish I knew what sort of electric bike these people are using.

I tried a Gocycle http://www.evanscycl...ampaign=froogle a few weeks ago in a vain attempt to continue riding even though i'm injured.

Despite its carbon frame, lithium batteries etc this thing weighed a ton! On the flat I found it harder work than a normal bike. (It went uphills well though )


A few years ago I used to regularly get passed by a bloke with an electric kit fitted to his bike. He did have an illegal ~1000w motor though.

Funny you should say that RB I tried my first one about an hour ago and it was like riding on sunshine for the first 5 minutes then it got a bit boring and ponderous and clanky. And yes it was heavier than my old BSA Starfire!! Battery took 50 charges, range 30 miles replacement cost £250........ result non viable. Research continues........ ( Giant Suede E BTW virtually unused £350 s/h, sitting in the bike shop round the corner if anyone wants it! )

 

[Arch]

Don't those electric bike things only go at 15mph max? You should be able to scalp them like good'uns! 15mph is dawdling speed ...

They are assisted up to 15 mph - they can of course go faster if you pedal them faster. And uphill my speed on the trike is lucky to stay in double figures.....

It depends what you're used to. Yes, most electric bikes are very heavy - the batteries weigh a fair bit for a start. But then a lot of 'normal' bikes/BSOs weigh a lot too - many of us are just used to having nice light steeds. And it depends how you use the assist, and the quality of the components, just as with any bike... The old Giant Lafree we had at Company of Cyclists for try out was lovely - people said it felt so nice and easy - and then we told them they hadn't even got the power on yet. It was just a decent bike, as compared to a BSO or badly maintained clunker.

I've ridden a Gocycle, and thought it was ok, although I found the motor cut-in a bit sharp - I guess you've get used to it, like you get used to the acceleration in a new car.

What someone needs to do is publish an electric bike magazine so that people can get independent advice and reviews...

Ah!

Electric Bike Magazine

(apologies for the shameless plug )