Disaster Relief Trials

[dasgeh]

Cargo bike olympics!!! Hooray!!!

EDIT: I was so excited that they have a family category, but then I saw this:

Quote:

No electric assist bicycles will be allowed.

So much for inclusivity… (Other trials have an ebike category)

[Sunyata]

@dasgeh 179635 wrote:

Cargo bike olympics!!! Hooray!!!

EDIT: I was so excited that they have a family category, but then I saw this:

So much for inclusivity… (Other trials have an ebike category)

I think the thought behind this is to truly simulate a disaster. In many disasters, access to electricity to charge e-bikes will be limited, if not impossible to find. I believe this is also why the use of GPS devices (including smart phones) is prohibited.

If you want to participate but do not have a non-e-bike cargo bike, I bet we can find one for you to use. Or, maybe you could just take the battery off the one you have? I know it is heavy and probably not a whole lot of fun to ride around with kids and simulated food/medical supplies, but this sounds like an awesome event and it would be great to support one of our own who spent over two years planning and preparing for this really cool way to help more people realize that bikes can be used for something other than just recreation.

[dasgeh]

@Sunyata 179645 wrote:

I think the thought behind this is to truly simulate a disaster. In many disasters, access to electricity to charge e-bikes will be limited, if not impossible to find. I believe this is also why the use of GPS devices (including smart phones) is prohibited.

If you want to participate but do not have a non-e-bike cargo bike, I bet we can find one for you to use. Or, maybe you could just take the battery off the one you have? I know it is heavy and probably not a whole lot of fun to ride around with kids and simulated food/medical supplies, but this sounds like an awesome event and it would be great to support one of our own who spent over two years planning and preparing for this really cool way to help more people realize that bikes can be used for something other than just recreation.

We’re not the first place to do this, and in other places, they have an ebike category, where you have to show off-grid charging capability. In other words, the way you would use ebikes in a disaster. I’m not sure why they’re making this change, and excluding a bunch of folks who have the bikes that will help in a disaster. (Unless it’s just a fitness test, in which case, meh).

Also, if the policy is that an ebike can be used without battery in the normal category, that’s great. They should just say that. About 90% of the cargo bikes I can think of have eassist now. Not that I know everyone, but I know a lot of them, and many add it because kids keep growing.

[Judd]

@smb9600 179631 wrote:

Announcing the Disaster Relief Trials – September 29, 2018! The DRT simulates a disaster blocking roadways, forcing participants to use their bikes to transport food, water, and emergency supplies throughout Arlington while traversing obstacles, such as a physical barrier, water crossing, and rough terrain. Team/Individual and Cargo/Standard bike categories. Join us for the fun! Registration & more information at DRTArlington.com

Hooray! I’m so glad to see that this happening. Might have to finally get the front rack and pannier set up.

Thanks for putting this together Samantha.

[Judd]

@dasgeh 179647 wrote:

We’re not the first place to do this, and in other places, they have an ebike category, where you have to show off-grid charging capability. In other words, the way you would use ebikes in a disaster. I’m not sure why they’re making this change, and excluding a bunch of folks who have the bikes that will help in a disaster. (Unless it’s just a fitness test, in which case, meh).

Also, if the policy is that an ebike can be used without battery in the normal category, that’s great. They should just say that. About 90% of the cargo bikes I can think of have eassist now. Not that I know everyone, but I know a lot of them, and many add it because kids keep growing.

Have you tried e-mailing Samantha and making the case for e-assist bikes to not be excluded?

[Judd]

Is pocket Garmin recording or phone Strava recording permitted? I like recording everything but don’t want to create the appearance that I’m violating the rules or the spirit of the exercise.

[creadinger]

If you have your own mounted chainsaw you should be able to go around the simulated downed trees.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18147[/ATTACH]
For natural disasters

[ATTACH=CONFIG]18148[/ATTACH]
For zombie disasters

[dasgeh]

@Judd 179650 wrote:

Have you tried e-mailing Samantha and making the case for e-assist bikes to not be excluded?

I’ve reached out through channels, this being one of the channels. (I don’t have her email address, but if you want to connect us, that would be great).

[Judd]

@dasgeh 179654 wrote:

I’ve reached out through channels, this being one of the channels. (I don’t have her email address, but if you want to connect us, that would be great).

Sent you a message with her work contact info.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Steve O]

@Judd 179651 wrote:

Is pocket Garmin recording or phone Strava recording permitted? I like recording everything but don’t want to create the appearance that I’m violating the rules or the spirit of the exercise.

How would they know?
I can’t see how if you record the ride for later review that would in any way violate the spirit of the exercise.

[Steve O]

@smb9600 179631 wrote:

Announcing the Disaster Relief Trials – September 29, 2018! The DRT simulates a disaster blocking roadways, forcing participants to use their bikes to transport food, water, and emergency supplies throughout Arlington while traversing obstacles, such as a physical barrier, water crossing, and rough terrain. Team/Individual and Cargo/Standard bike categories. Join us for the fun! Registration & more information at DRTArlington.com

Although the date is included here, I might also recommend putting it on the web page, so people don’t have to click through just to find out when it is.

[Erin Potter]

@Steve O 179663 wrote:

Although the date is included here, I might also recommend putting it on the web page, so people don’t have to click through just to find out when it is.

Point taken, and will be shared back with the team.

[Judd]

@Steve O 179660 wrote:

How would they know?
I can’t see how if you record the ride for later review that would in any way violate the spirit of the exercise.

Oh, they have their ways. I talked to Samantha tonight and she told me that I was allowed to Strava because I am so handsome and dreamy.

[Henry]

@Judd 179670 wrote:

…. because I am so handsome and dreamy.

Hmm, could have been beer goggling.

[Henry]

Also, thanks for all the early interest. We are very excited about this new event. Some clarification:

E-Assist: Yes, we reviewed other DRT events and saw some included e-assist categories. After much discussion we omitted this in the name of simplicity and to simulate a downed power grid. This will limit the number of categories and minimize the logistics to verifying the off-grid charging capabilities.

E-Assist bikes: Absolutely allowed, but with batteries removed. We have clarified this on the website.

As for it being a “Fitness Challenge” vibe, certainly there will be some element of that in any active lifestyle event. But we also have gone against the grain of other DRTs and removed the “race” aspect of event. While there is a 4-hour time limit, you get no bonus for additional speed under that time. So we encourage people to do what they can within that time and have fun with it.

Equity Assistance: We will be adding a discount for those who can’t afford the entry fee. Stay tuned.

We want this to be an inclusive event, but also recognize there are many variable and unknowns. So when making the necessary choices, we tend to err on side of simplicity. Given this is an inaugural event, we will evaluate once it’s over, welcome comments from the public and participants, and are open to changing things next year.

Henry

[Author]

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