2016 ACF Commuting Challenge (AT) Endomondo

[jools]

Thanks for the show of support guys - I was half expecting a lynch mob

To give you a bit more background, last year I did about 4,200k's and I'm aiming to do better this year, but I have no chance at all of cracking the top 10, even with an ebike. My ride to work is about 15k's by the most direct, bike friendly route and I'm not in the habit of long diversions for extra saddle time. The idea of getting an ebike isn't to rack up extra miles, but to make it easier on those days when fatigue is sapping the enthusiasm. The bike I'm thinking of is the eZee Viento, which is a small wheel folding bike that may also be attractive to other members of my household and get them cycling.

My numbers so far this year are fairly low due to holidays, bad weather and a busted bike. I've only got one roadworthy bike at the moment and when it's off the road, so am I and that's why I'm now looking for another commuter. Realistically I will probably end up with the Oppy S1, but I want to test ride the Viento this weekend to see if it is viable for someone my size (193cm / 110kg). I just think ebikes are fun and friendly and might just encourage my wife and daughter to go out for a ride too.

[westab]

westab - that'd be 4 endomondo accounts

[westab]

Thanks for the show of support guys - I was half expecting a lynch mob

That can be arranged - just transferring post to the road bike section (hope you have your flame suit on)

In seriousness great strategy - hope you enjoy riding with the wife and daughter. Let us know about the bike.

[AlexHuggs]

he won't take the sheep station even if you quadruple it

Questions:
2. Does it count as a commute if I ride to it to look at it/dream of winning it?

As long as you count the sheep while you're there.

FWIW I'm all for ebikes, as long as someone isn't using them to cheat, which really would make no sense anyway. If they haven't been illegally modded they're not an imposition on other cyclists (in terms of speed) and have the benefits of a regular bike, but maybe extended a bit.

[Releng]

Thanks for the show of support guys - I was half expecting a lynch mob

While I am not suggesting a lynch mob I would not like to see a precedent set here. E bikes are closer to motorbikes than they are to pushbikes. In fact the definition of a motor bike is exactly that "a bike with a motor". Using the same logic I could run the fireblade to work one day a week because I was feeling a bit of fatigue and claim the ks. I would not do this because it is not in the spirit of the competition, the same as the use of motors is not in the spirit of the challenge.
As it is the E bikes that I come across on my commute annoy me. They are generally ridden by people who are pretty inexperienced in traffic and tend to do dangerous things and interrupt traffic flow. Sorry to have a contrary view but I would not like to encourage people onto e bikes in place of push bikes. For me they are not too dissimilar to the smelly petrol powered bikes. Whether they are using petrol or coal fired electricity they are motorbikes.

[jasonc]

Releng - most ebikes I come across are ridden by people who don't care about road craft or any other road users.

In Australia ebikes are classed as bicycles.
This challenge is for everyone. I say we have a vote. Majority rules.
if it helps jools build up to 5 days a week, I say yes. We'll give it til Friday lunch. If people want to pm me the votes, I'm ok with that
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[Grgic]

What about a separate comp ladder for ebike riders?

[westab]

Grgic - I don't think that would be practical with just 20 riders. This challenge is simply for fun with nothing riding on it - it was started (if memory serves me well) simply to motivate people into riding more often. As far as precedent goes as long as it's considered a bicycle by the road rules (ie power below 200W on the "assistance" motor) then that's good enough for me. This challenge in previous years has been very flexible regarding what are considered commutes - simply to encourage riding and better health. I would hate for that flexibility to be lost.

For me personally the challenge is there to encourage riding bicycles - I don't care what type.

On another note its been a huge week for me - 239.64 kms so after I logged I was up to 3rd - that won't last as I have to travel to Perth this week so no more riding.

[Mugglechops]

I rode my Fatbike today, does that count

[jools]

I finally managed the time to replace the chain on my bike so I'm now mobile again. Yay! Although for the moment I'm running as a 1x9 while waiting for the replacement front derailleur to arrive and get it back to 3x9. I might actually find that 1x9 is sufficient for the daily commute, just depends on the top end.

I also managed to have a look at some e-bikes and take one for a test ride - doing 27km/h up a steep hill was interesting - there was still a reasonable effort involved in pedalling, but nothing like trying to do it on a regular bike. I don't have too many hills on my commute and I tend to cruise faster than an ebike, so I'm not sure there is much in it for me. The ride also wasn't as nice as my Dawes, so I think I might just stick with a regular bike for the moment.

[AlexHuggs]

I rode my Fatbike today, does that count

Wheels are twice as wide so you should get twice the kms

[fat and old]

2 days and I'm on page 2?

Oh yeah, vote. Si.

[jasonc]

just an FYI - challenge is now CLOSED. So if anyway else wants to join, whim me

[RyanA]

Finally made it to the podium! I'm going to cherish this moment as I'm being sent to Korea next week for work.
Edit: That was short lived...

[fat and old]

Decided to bring the 2 pool filter cartridges down to Rye on my back, to legitimise the ride as a commute.

What an idiot

I'll be copping the return tho

[Mugglechops]

1.24kms off the top 10.

Might have to put my son in the trailer and ride to the shops to get the paper tomorrow morning

[westab]

Back riding again this week after a trip to Perth last week for work - dropped back to 7th in the current log jam below the top couple. Hope to smash out some kms this week with longer commute to Bible study (at a different location), Little Athletics Regional comp. Tuesday night netball grading, soccer grading, and a couple of trips to the hardware / pet shop required. I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike.

4 days off realy reminded me how much I do miss riding even at my relaxed pace.

[CXCommuter]

Dropping down the ladder slowly- not much I can do until middle of March as I am on holiday in Japan for two weeks. Might bring my Gramin for some tracking of Mama Chari utility riding

[jasonc]

i'll drop out of the top 3 this week

[jools]

New bike arrived on Sunday so I now have a spare bike. All geared up for the assault on position 18!

[westab]

Down to 9th currently but with about 180 kms to upload on Monday - depending on requirements over the weekend should see me back in the log jam that is positions 3-9. This is going to be a fun winter with lots of us going for it.

With limited time - netball / Soccer and other commitments i'm working on extra pace to keep increase my distance traveled.

[jasonc]

I've still got ~5 weeks before commuting becomes priority one
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[DavidS]

I'll see if I can catch you in the next 5 weeks

DS

[cancan64]

I am finally off the mark and now chasing the leaders down

[jasonc]

I am finally off the mark and now chasing the leaders down

i suppose 1.85kms is better than zero