Pikes Peak Race--Entering?

[neptronix]

Well, it's been a week and a half, 1 voice mail, 4 calls, and no response. I seem to be on ignore.

But in the mean time, I found some cool stuff in Utah, like this:

http://www.saltlakecycling.com/showride.php?rideID=1001

Cars only on even numbered days and bicycles and pedestrians only on odd numbered days.

The ride averages a 7.3% grade

There are more on the site which are much more intense. But this is ideal because there will be no cars to smoosh us.

http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_20629902/park-city-salt-lake-city-by-bike

The city is also talking about putting in a bike trail from Salt Lake City to Park City ( where they have skiing, the sundance film festival, and all sorts of cool touristy stuff - cool little town tucked in the mountains! )

If this whole Salt Lake City move works out, i may just start getting some events together if possible. SLC is more bike commuting oriented, and also seems to have more electric stuff going on. The chances of something coming together is much higher.

 

[Josh K.]

Hey Folks,

Here is a new Idea, How about we go up the Pike's Peak Barr Trail, off road up to the top?

I have heard that it is ridable for a mountain bike, fairly smooth all the way. Dirt, but rideable.

Here is a link: http://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/hiking-pikes-peak.html

Who is in?

Josh K.

 

[neptronix]

The trail itself is a well-marked, packed dirt, rocks and decomposed gravel trail.

I do doubt that it's very rideable. A lot of trails down here, even ones made for hikers are very poorly taken care of, and ones labeled for bike use are very eroded and difficult even with a dual suspension bike. I've heard that there's lots of bike carrying involved on this one, and most people say it is for advanced mountain bikers.

I think my bikes are ill-equipped for the job considering that they don't have suspension.

 

[dcelectro]

Not looking good for ebikes at Pikes Peak this year eh? I've also emailed, called and posted on facebook several times and I haven't been getting a response back from the organizers. I wish they'd give us an answer, only a month left to prepare. If they dont allow ebikes, count me in for a new ebike only race somewhere in the west (maybe Sandia Peak, Albuquerque). It's about time ebike builders have an event to showcase some good ole' fashion American ingenuity.

-Clint

 

[neptronix]

Well you are in luck, maybe

Optibike may, formally or informally, work with me and a few other folks to set something up this year.
I gave them a ring to see if they knew anything about this year's race and it sounds like Pat is doing a stall tactic.
He mentioned setting something else up, but he had to get off the line. He said call next week. So i'll do that and see if we can set something up.

 

[dcelectro]

That'd be great! Even just a small gathering (maybe once a year) of ebike builders and enthusiasts would be a huge step forward. There's nothing for us right now. We get lumped in to events with pedal bicycles or electric cars, but never anything for just ebikes. Theres tons to learn from each other, tons of fun and racing to be had, and a huge opportunity for like minded enthusiasts to spread the word and start this movement that we all know has unlimited potential. Again, count me in. I'll do anything to help. KICK GAS!

 

[neptronix]

Yeah we are pretty deprived here in the mountain states, aren't we? West coast has it's action but the rest of the USA is really missing out.

 

[cbr shadow]

As far as riding up Barr Trail, it's not going to be possible on an ebike.. definitely not a timed race for sure. The trail is well kept up, but for hikers, not bikers. I've hiked up 3 times, and attempted a downhill ride from the top down (partner's bike failed and he wasn't prepared) but it's very rough in many spots, and you'd have to dismount a lot especially without gravity/jumps in your favor.
I hope the Pikes Peak race DOES work out though.. I've been following Neptronix's build and have been excited about hearing how the race goes.

 

[John in CR]

Opti is going to set something up just to get smoked, yeah right. Expect tight rules that their bikes come in just under the cutoff, and then their variable gearing ensures another win.

 

[wildharemtbkr]

I've ridden down the barr trail. It was back in 2000, I drove up pikes peak, thought this would be awesome to come down, well apparently they only allowed bikes on a tour, but they told me about the barr trail. So I threw on my coat ( it was snowing) my stupid click in shoes ( I was running clipless at the time) and hopped on my super V 800. My girlfriend watched me for about the first mile. It is STEEP, I went over the bars at least a dozen times. The rocks are square, so you hit them and stop, but its so steep you fall over, forward. It mellows out a bit after that and is lots more fun, but still constant braking. About halfway is a campground, from there you can actually coast without the brakes for stretches, but it gets into trees also, hitting one at 35+ would ruin your day. My super V is way better now, I would ride it again in a heartbeat. Definitely one of the most fun rides I have ever done! I beat my girlfriend to the parking lot at manitou springs, I can't remember how long it took, but it was fast!

 

[Josh K.]

Okay, ok, it was just an idea.

Maybe we will have to create our own event, maybe at Mount Evans instead...


http://bicyclerace.com/

Anybody else going to be doing the ride the rockies this year?

Josh K.

 

[jkbrigman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNbv9KPx3z0

It's a road, so there's ebike smoosh risk, but hey, it's a cool place..

JKB

 

[sk8norcal]

Josh K., I want to know more about this bike....
who makes that frame?

 

[Green Machine]

Sk8r From what i understand that is a custom frame made by josh and ronz. If you call them maybe you can talk them out of selling one.

 

[Josh K.]

Hi Folks,

Yes, we are building this new bike frame, here in Fort Collins. It's our new Electric Mountain touring bike.

It's a purpose built, electric human hybrid, utilizing a Rocha Mountain Drive, that pulls the pedals, and bumps up your cadence
when you feel a need for speed. We are building ten frames now, and will have some 26 inchers, and 29ers available in July.
These are about a 19 inch frame, and will carry the Rocha Mountain Drive, two Batteries, for a 24 volt, 750 watt continuous
duty system. Please check out our Ride the Rockies thread for the Stats on our latest test ride. Here is a shot of our new machine
up on top of Independence Pass, after passing absolutely hundreds and hundreds of roadies climbing for hours, and hours.

Please do check out the "Ride the Rockies" thread, here on endless-sphere. Lot's of Photo's and Stats from the great event.

Please do check out our new website too, for more information. http://www.runaboutcycles.com

Peace, Josh K.

 

[dogman dan]

Though mixing with cars is a hazard, you could just call it a " group ride" and do a run on any other public highway. Overpowered homemade motorcycles would of course be taking the risk of a bust though.

Nothing beats a good hill for testing ebikes. It's been handy for me to have Augustine pass 6 miles from my doorstep. Only 8% max, but about three miles of a good hill that tests a motor hard if it's already 100F out there that day.

Lots of good hills in Colorado besides Pikes Peak. Independence pass, etc etc. I would love to see a race from Lake Valley to Silverton. That would be a REAL ebike challenge.

 

[adrian_sm]

Please do check out the "Ride the Rockies" thread, here on endless-sphere. Lot's of Photo's and Stats from the great event.

Here is the direct link: http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=37848

 

[Josh K.]

Well Folks,

At this rate, as of fires, I doubt that their will be a Pikes Peak Race this year.

I have heard, through Craig at Optibike, that they are allowing E bikes to enter, but I am not sure what they enter under.

I let people know what I learn, as info comes in.

Peace, Josh K.

 

[John in CR]

....At this rate, as of fires, I doubt that their will be a Pikes Peak Race this year....

Why not? Do wild fires burn roads too? I'm sure the peak isn't going anywhere.

 

[neptronix]

John, those fires are raging out of control right now. And there seem to be not enough resources to fight it.

http://www.kktv.com/
http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/...d_Because_Of_Waldo_Canyon_Fire_160625215.html

They could literally still be going on by the time the race happens. That would make for some great television, but i'm sure they'd not allow it

I am very grateful that i moved from the area a week and a half ago. The only reason i was staying is because i thought the bike race was going to happen. There is still not an answer about what power levels are allowed in the eBike race, just weeks before the race! So forget it.

Thanks Pat McDonough, for being a flaky bastard, which lead to me leaving early :lol: Karma works in strange ways :lol:

 

[John in CR]

Sorry, I wasn't even thinking the race was soon. I had September in my head for some reason. Dramatic pictures for sure.

 

[dogman dan]

Man, that is super nasty. Of course, every house has a tree touching it. You want a tree, but the house lot is small. You see the same thing in Los Alamos, which burned or nearly burned twice in recent years. But nobody is cutting down that tree in the yard.

Freind of mine in Ruidoso had their cabin make it through the big fire there that is still burning but contained. Neighbors houses had trees, they are gone. Freinds house had the trees cut that were too close, and it's still there. Only house on the block still there.

 

[itchynackers]

So,
Is anyone going to ride in this? It's coming up quick!

 

[chisixer6]

Pike's peak race postponed till August 12th

 

[itchynackers]

Ya, don't think so. You must be from Opti.