@sjclaeys 129695 wrote:
The argument for fully including ebikes (not just in the bunch o’ slackers, which I think would be fine), seems to be: 1) FS is not an athletic competition and the points are meaningless, so 2) the miles and time riding an ebike should be included in determining the number of points that an ebike rider accumulates versus others not riding ebikes. If the points and the competition are so meaningless, why is it so important to include points from riding an ebike (or other motor-assisted vehicle)?
No, my argument would be that there is a wide range of how challenging it is for different people (taking account ALL of the challenges of “riding your bike outside in the winter” which is NOT just about physical strength and stamina but includes things like how much free time you have, what the infrastructure for your commute is like, the quality/quantity of bike(s) and gear you are able to buy, and mostly the mental decision to just get out there and ride), and inclusion of e-assist in the mix shifts the individual challenge a negligible amount in comparison, to not create a meaningful or unfair advantage, and that in the absence of a compellingly unfair advantage, more inclusion is better.
1) Person who has a light, fast, comfortable road bike for long weekend rides AND a winter commuter with a spare wheelset for studded tires, AND a cargo bike for hauling stuff requirements AND the highest quality winter clothing and rain gear AND a commute that is safe and navigable through most of the winter AND a job with an office or locker to stash riding gear once there AND has plenty of free time to ride AND is physically very fit and strong, AND has been riding through winter conditions for a decade and knows how to handle all the various weather and road conditions vs.
2) Person who has one bike, one wheelset, limited clothing options, is a single parent of 3 kids that have 27 different activities every evening and weekend, and works long hours, and has a commute with sketchy bike infrastructure especially in dark or slick conditions, and no personal cleanup or storage space once there, and is not the physically strongest person, and is a relatively new rider who is clueless about dressing for different temps and how to handle slick roads and trails.
Earning 100 points is a lot more difficult for rider 2 than rider 1. Addition of an e-assist bike is not going to move the needle for an individual rider just all that much in comparison to the full range of abilities and circumstances of all freezing saddles riders. While I am admittedly guessing and may be stereotyping, I am guessing that most of the people totally against ebikes are closer to person 1 than person 2. I’d ask that you try to give some thought, with an open mind, as to why any of things on my list that you may benefit from is ok but a little extra oomph on an uphill from an e-assist is unfair. We are not racing each other up hills for extra points, so what does it really matter in relation to this game if the guy on the ebike gets up the hill 10 seconds faster?
I actually don’t think this is primarily an athletic or physical competition** so much as a mental challenge to just get out there and go. I expect that this upcoming year, my points are going to be limited by things other than my physical abilities. I am *physically able* to ride 150 miles a week, probably more. I did it for most of the summer with no ill effects and even during the summer was limited as much by my willingness to devote more time to riding than by my physical ability. Knock 60 miles a week off that number, though, since September, simply because my commuting route is scary and I’m too chicken to do it in the dark. Not a physical limitation. Knock some more off going forward because I’m a baby about the cold and don’t have skills or gear to ride on snow or ice. Still nothing an ebike would help. I’d guess there are more people who will be like me and limited by time, motivation, and logistics more than by physical ability.
And the game is deliberately designed to offer all participants an equal shot at being on the winning team and to allow any rider to make a meaningful contribution to the team effort just by riding their bike a short distance on most days, regardless of physical ability. Two years ago when I was on the winning team, it is true that we would not have won if Subby had not turned himself into some kind of crazy mileage-making machine (or if consularrider hadn’t put in his consistent high miles), but it is also true that we wouldn’t have won if all the rest of us hadn’t increased our miles and days well above our normal rides, which again was not so much about pushing our physical limits as it was about the mental decision to just get out there and go, which would not have been significantly different with an e-bike.
**Edit to add: to be clear, I do think it’s a competition, which is why letting people be on teams and score points matters. I just do not think it is primarily an athletic or physical competition (there is a physical component, but also many other components) such that it is such a big deal if people’s equipment gives their physical abilities a bit of a boost.
.
