Josh K.
100 W
Hey Folks,
Josh Kerson here from RunAbout Cycles with a tale from the hill climb. Assault the Peak, 2011, Pikes Peak, Colorado USA.
We rode up Pikes Peak, and gathered some new info for everyone. What a great event, Everyone worthy has to start planning for next years Race, For Sure. This is starting to become THE event, as far as I am concerned. I know this will develop and become the beginning of some Real E bike racing. Let me set the Scene:
After Months of planing, engineering, designing, building, testing, and refining, we stripped down the new Rocha Mountain Drive, taking it off of our full suspension Mountain Bike, and mounted our full system onto a new Cargo bike. It lent itself well to carrying 40 lbs or so of batteries. The Frame is rated for 440 lbs, so at forty or so, it was ready to climb. Equipped with a Dual front brake systems, V brakes and Disk up front, and a good v brake in the back, I knew she was ready to rumble. 24 volts, and 60 amp hours of lithium Iron Phosphate, running through a Castle Controller powered up our Hand built Astro Motor, running through a beautiful helical cut gear reduction, with a free wheeling final drive, through the gears with a nice low mountain drive from Shimano...To the topic at hand, our bulletproof 48 spoke, double sidewall 26 inch Mountain bike rear wheel, with a new Continental tire equipped with a thorn proof Phat tube, and a dash of slime for good luck...
We met up with our rider from Small Planet E Vehicles, Steve Shoemaker, and checked out his new Strommer, a new Mountain climber designed in the hills of Switzerland. Equipped with 36 volts, and 20 amp hours of juice, He made a
great run, making it some 24 out of 26 miles. It was great to see a 600 watt hub motor make the climb under a strong rider without going into a overheating shut down. Way to go! The default settings were fine. He made it at least 15 more miles than last year when the Swiss Flyer made it around ten miles before going into a coma...He came down out of the 30 degree winds and moisture made a safe descent into Manatue.
The Optibike team was there, all ready to ride. Seven Licra Clad folks on high power machines, confident, and exited.
New Batteries, Higher Voltages, New Performance enhanced controller abilities with constant power modes...Possibly
40 mile an hour along the flats capabilities, and Sounds like Angry bees...Raised the bar again, with a one hour run.
These guys are clearly creating the need for Classes of E bikes, like the 1800 watt stock bikes, and possibly 3,500 watt off road pedal Dirt Bikes.
We also saw Chuck A. From Pete's there again with his Kalcauf, a pedal powered machine running power through the pedal drivetrain. and we understand that he too made it up to the top again this year, as he too had made the climb last year.
Way to go Buddy!
Okay, So here we go. It's 7:50 am, and we are lined up at the starting line. E bikes ahead of the roadies, so they won't be drafting off of us! Count down starts, we take off, and Wham, an Optibke rider has just wheelied up her machine, and slammed into the tail end of my bike. I took a hard hit, like in BMX racing, brushed it off, and kept on speeding up...
The pro rider had slipped off her clipless pedal, hit the throttle, and it was an out of control machine that crashed into my bike, and in doing so, tacoed my rear wheel, causing the brakes to cut into my tire, and I flat out of the race before we get out and onto the first road! Bummer, got to go back to the truck to fix a flat...
Changed the tube, Pow, blows right out. Changed it again, and found the cut in the tire...replaced tire and tube. Started out again, out onto the road, and up to the highway, Blam, Pinch a flat on a pothole. No Way, Dam, Got to go back to the truck to fix it, again. Bought a replacement tube from a guy, had a leak. Tried it again, using the only tube that I could find, out behind the dumpster of the shop that was offering tech support. Apparently they had something else to do that morning. No Holes, Looks good, Mount it up, and checkity check, Looks good. Time, 10:30 am, one and a half hours after the winner had taken the win.
So, By recommendation by my partner Elana, I went for a ride, to gather some Data, Up Pikes Peak, 25 miles to go, with no support. Got out on the highway, and decided that instead of the regular way, I would ride on the right. Just kinda seems safer to stay to the right to me. Rode up to the Toll Road, and was stopped by the guard. I explained that I am in the race, and had a few flats, but I have my numbers and would like to ride as far as I can today. He let me through with a smile. His main Job was to stop the cars, as it was a closed course, and I was just getting started on the ride of my life.
As on a ski hill, my favorite time to ride is when nobody is around. It was so beautiful with rich forest, steep hills, hot weather, and lots of little animals scampering around in the car free environment. I actually love being able to ride without having to worry about being hit by a diesel truck, or to have to breath all the unburned Hydrocarbons. I get into a Zone, between hammering to hard where my legs burn, or breathing to hard where my lungs hurt, or I start to pass out. Then I just back it off a bit, and focus on duration, that is making it to the top, no matter what. Then it was a nice 2 and 3/4 hour ride.
Then the Optibike Punks started to come down the hill, Fast. Must have been 40-50 miles an hour, two guys at a time. The first ones just kinda scared me a little bit. Then, the next ones I yelled at, Craig your a punk, Your punks! Punks...I guess I just head to say something, Fast! These were the fastest guys to the top, and apparently, they are starting a downhill addition to the race. Perhaps once some classes of E bikes are established, and rules get put in place, maybe they could do a Up and Down Hill 50 mile race to the death, or something.
I had planned on getting my water from the support tables along the rout, and did not bring my own...The first stop was abandoned, table flipped over, bottles emptied, food removed, people gone. Sigh, got on the bike and headed on. The next one, by the lake was fully operational, and like a starving bear, I went through the water, Gatorade, and P B N J's with out care for socially imposed values or moreys.
They assured me that I could at least ride to the cove, a few miles further than I had last year. I had made it 15 miles on a 36 volt brushless hub motor that cooked, and stank like (insert your own Favorite Burning Death like smell) Black Smoke...
Made it up to the Cove, and went over the wire for a time slip. The Guys gave me a look like way to go Man, only 4.5 hours, and told me to go up, turn to the right, and head over to the table for some food. Nobody was there. My Bike was running Well. I headed up and started to head to the right, but found that I was unable to turn right, and headed back up the road towards the top. I think their might of been some yelling or something behind me, they might be yelling kind words of support? Not sure, my hearing is getting bad these days, anyways, I got back into my rhythm, breathing, pedaling, Motoring, climbing upwards and into the alpine country. Somebody pulled up near me and said something about having to turn around, something about the race director telling everybody to turn around now...I said I was sorry, but I can't do that. The race ends at 2 pm, and I am going to make it by 1:15 at 7 miles per hour...He drifted off back and down the hill, and it was quite again. I felt great, and agreed that if they stopped a vehicle in front of me, I would stop. But for now, "I know we can make it if we try" was the tune I was a singing as I started passing road riders.
These guys had started at 8, and were now going around 1 or two miles an hour, most were walking in this slow-mo kind of Walking on the Moon thing they were up to. I don't get it. I just blew by them like they were standing still. Sometimes I would push it into the 750 watt area, but most of the ride I just rode at around 500-600 watts. I used 1150 watt hours of energy in 2.75 hours to go 30 miles. I had gone back and forth a little at the bottom of the hill, trying to get it together...
The Top was surrounded by dark clouds, the wind was breezy, not too bad, but the sprinkles and the lighting was a little scary. Got my photo taken at 1:15 on the top, and headed to the building for some food, water, and my rain gear. It was fun to look around, and see the surrounding mountains. We made it without rain, and the clouds were clearing.
So I headed down the hill with my two front brakes, and my rear disconnected as to keep the rubber on the rim. I took My time, snapped a few shots, and let it roll a few times. Made it most of the way, when I lost a front tube. Popped and lost air really fast. I dropped my crotch to the top tube, and skied my feet into my best self arresting slide I could do. Stopped ok in about a moment or two. Walked a couple of miles to the Toll Booth. Got a 700 c tube, into the 26 inch tire, and pumped for all it was worth, before heading out on the highway with police escort. Made it a couple of miles before it blew out again, everyone kept going. Walked for a few miles, then a nice Mountain Biker lady stopped, and hooked my up with a new tube, and a floor pump. I told her I would pass it on.
Made it back into town around 4, to meet up with Steve, His Wife Rachel, and my Partner Elana. My own little Personal cheering crowd. Life is good. Thanks Soo much to Elana and Rachel who helped me out a bunch as I got started up the hill.
With enough sheer determination, you can achieve anything you put your head to.
So, More Stats to Follow, as I record them off of my Cycle Analyst photos...
Possibly a U tube of the wild ride Start, showing the dangers of uncontrollable power, and some photos.
Peace, Josh K.
Josh Kerson here from RunAbout Cycles with a tale from the hill climb. Assault the Peak, 2011, Pikes Peak, Colorado USA.
We rode up Pikes Peak, and gathered some new info for everyone. What a great event, Everyone worthy has to start planning for next years Race, For Sure. This is starting to become THE event, as far as I am concerned. I know this will develop and become the beginning of some Real E bike racing. Let me set the Scene:
After Months of planing, engineering, designing, building, testing, and refining, we stripped down the new Rocha Mountain Drive, taking it off of our full suspension Mountain Bike, and mounted our full system onto a new Cargo bike. It lent itself well to carrying 40 lbs or so of batteries. The Frame is rated for 440 lbs, so at forty or so, it was ready to climb. Equipped with a Dual front brake systems, V brakes and Disk up front, and a good v brake in the back, I knew she was ready to rumble. 24 volts, and 60 amp hours of lithium Iron Phosphate, running through a Castle Controller powered up our Hand built Astro Motor, running through a beautiful helical cut gear reduction, with a free wheeling final drive, through the gears with a nice low mountain drive from Shimano...To the topic at hand, our bulletproof 48 spoke, double sidewall 26 inch Mountain bike rear wheel, with a new Continental tire equipped with a thorn proof Phat tube, and a dash of slime for good luck...
We met up with our rider from Small Planet E Vehicles, Steve Shoemaker, and checked out his new Strommer, a new Mountain climber designed in the hills of Switzerland. Equipped with 36 volts, and 20 amp hours of juice, He made a
great run, making it some 24 out of 26 miles. It was great to see a 600 watt hub motor make the climb under a strong rider without going into a overheating shut down. Way to go! The default settings were fine. He made it at least 15 more miles than last year when the Swiss Flyer made it around ten miles before going into a coma...He came down out of the 30 degree winds and moisture made a safe descent into Manatue.
The Optibike team was there, all ready to ride. Seven Licra Clad folks on high power machines, confident, and exited.
New Batteries, Higher Voltages, New Performance enhanced controller abilities with constant power modes...Possibly
40 mile an hour along the flats capabilities, and Sounds like Angry bees...Raised the bar again, with a one hour run.
These guys are clearly creating the need for Classes of E bikes, like the 1800 watt stock bikes, and possibly 3,500 watt off road pedal Dirt Bikes.
We also saw Chuck A. From Pete's there again with his Kalcauf, a pedal powered machine running power through the pedal drivetrain. and we understand that he too made it up to the top again this year, as he too had made the climb last year.
Way to go Buddy!
Okay, So here we go. It's 7:50 am, and we are lined up at the starting line. E bikes ahead of the roadies, so they won't be drafting off of us! Count down starts, we take off, and Wham, an Optibke rider has just wheelied up her machine, and slammed into the tail end of my bike. I took a hard hit, like in BMX racing, brushed it off, and kept on speeding up...
The pro rider had slipped off her clipless pedal, hit the throttle, and it was an out of control machine that crashed into my bike, and in doing so, tacoed my rear wheel, causing the brakes to cut into my tire, and I flat out of the race before we get out and onto the first road! Bummer, got to go back to the truck to fix a flat...
Changed the tube, Pow, blows right out. Changed it again, and found the cut in the tire...replaced tire and tube. Started out again, out onto the road, and up to the highway, Blam, Pinch a flat on a pothole. No Way, Dam, Got to go back to the truck to fix it, again. Bought a replacement tube from a guy, had a leak. Tried it again, using the only tube that I could find, out behind the dumpster of the shop that was offering tech support. Apparently they had something else to do that morning. No Holes, Looks good, Mount it up, and checkity check, Looks good. Time, 10:30 am, one and a half hours after the winner had taken the win.
So, By recommendation by my partner Elana, I went for a ride, to gather some Data, Up Pikes Peak, 25 miles to go, with no support. Got out on the highway, and decided that instead of the regular way, I would ride on the right. Just kinda seems safer to stay to the right to me. Rode up to the Toll Road, and was stopped by the guard. I explained that I am in the race, and had a few flats, but I have my numbers and would like to ride as far as I can today. He let me through with a smile. His main Job was to stop the cars, as it was a closed course, and I was just getting started on the ride of my life.
As on a ski hill, my favorite time to ride is when nobody is around. It was so beautiful with rich forest, steep hills, hot weather, and lots of little animals scampering around in the car free environment. I actually love being able to ride without having to worry about being hit by a diesel truck, or to have to breath all the unburned Hydrocarbons. I get into a Zone, between hammering to hard where my legs burn, or breathing to hard where my lungs hurt, or I start to pass out. Then I just back it off a bit, and focus on duration, that is making it to the top, no matter what. Then it was a nice 2 and 3/4 hour ride.
Then the Optibike Punks started to come down the hill, Fast. Must have been 40-50 miles an hour, two guys at a time. The first ones just kinda scared me a little bit. Then, the next ones I yelled at, Craig your a punk, Your punks! Punks...I guess I just head to say something, Fast! These were the fastest guys to the top, and apparently, they are starting a downhill addition to the race. Perhaps once some classes of E bikes are established, and rules get put in place, maybe they could do a Up and Down Hill 50 mile race to the death, or something.
I had planned on getting my water from the support tables along the rout, and did not bring my own...The first stop was abandoned, table flipped over, bottles emptied, food removed, people gone. Sigh, got on the bike and headed on. The next one, by the lake was fully operational, and like a starving bear, I went through the water, Gatorade, and P B N J's with out care for socially imposed values or moreys.
They assured me that I could at least ride to the cove, a few miles further than I had last year. I had made it 15 miles on a 36 volt brushless hub motor that cooked, and stank like (insert your own Favorite Burning Death like smell) Black Smoke...
Made it up to the Cove, and went over the wire for a time slip. The Guys gave me a look like way to go Man, only 4.5 hours, and told me to go up, turn to the right, and head over to the table for some food. Nobody was there. My Bike was running Well. I headed up and started to head to the right, but found that I was unable to turn right, and headed back up the road towards the top. I think their might of been some yelling or something behind me, they might be yelling kind words of support? Not sure, my hearing is getting bad these days, anyways, I got back into my rhythm, breathing, pedaling, Motoring, climbing upwards and into the alpine country. Somebody pulled up near me and said something about having to turn around, something about the race director telling everybody to turn around now...I said I was sorry, but I can't do that. The race ends at 2 pm, and I am going to make it by 1:15 at 7 miles per hour...He drifted off back and down the hill, and it was quite again. I felt great, and agreed that if they stopped a vehicle in front of me, I would stop. But for now, "I know we can make it if we try" was the tune I was a singing as I started passing road riders.
These guys had started at 8, and were now going around 1 or two miles an hour, most were walking in this slow-mo kind of Walking on the Moon thing they were up to. I don't get it. I just blew by them like they were standing still. Sometimes I would push it into the 750 watt area, but most of the ride I just rode at around 500-600 watts. I used 1150 watt hours of energy in 2.75 hours to go 30 miles. I had gone back and forth a little at the bottom of the hill, trying to get it together...
The Top was surrounded by dark clouds, the wind was breezy, not too bad, but the sprinkles and the lighting was a little scary. Got my photo taken at 1:15 on the top, and headed to the building for some food, water, and my rain gear. It was fun to look around, and see the surrounding mountains. We made it without rain, and the clouds were clearing.
So I headed down the hill with my two front brakes, and my rear disconnected as to keep the rubber on the rim. I took My time, snapped a few shots, and let it roll a few times. Made it most of the way, when I lost a front tube. Popped and lost air really fast. I dropped my crotch to the top tube, and skied my feet into my best self arresting slide I could do. Stopped ok in about a moment or two. Walked a couple of miles to the Toll Booth. Got a 700 c tube, into the 26 inch tire, and pumped for all it was worth, before heading out on the highway with police escort. Made it a couple of miles before it blew out again, everyone kept going. Walked for a few miles, then a nice Mountain Biker lady stopped, and hooked my up with a new tube, and a floor pump. I told her I would pass it on.
Made it back into town around 4, to meet up with Steve, His Wife Rachel, and my Partner Elana. My own little Personal cheering crowd. Life is good. Thanks Soo much to Elana and Rachel who helped me out a bunch as I got started up the hill.
With enough sheer determination, you can achieve anything you put your head to.
So, More Stats to Follow, as I record them off of my Cycle Analyst photos...
Possibly a U tube of the wild ride Start, showing the dangers of uncontrollable power, and some photos.
Peace, Josh K.
Bicycle stuff really is very poor for ebikes.
