Originally Posted by
BigAura
So she says she did entire RAGBRAI (without mentioning that she rode an e-assist bike) and then you meet another 69yo women that says she did entire RAGBRAI (100% human pedaling, unmentioned) is that the same thing?
Yep. Unless we are talking about a race, which I do not recall RAGBRAI being, she participated in a fun ride on a bike she had to pedal, even if she was helped out. I know a guy who rode a fat tire on on Michigan's DALMAC daily century ride, should people on road bikes feel like they accomplished less because of his achievement?
Originally Posted by
Caretaker
Where in Europe are you seeing all these electrically assisted cycle tourists? Are they young like the ones I saw in Santiago?
They were all over the tour routes in the Netherlands, and everywhere we stayed that accommodated bikers had charging outlets in the bike storage area. They fit nearly every demographic from kids coming home from school to the elderly on organized tours. It was obvious who they were, and I couldn't have cared less that they zipped past me effortlessly. What sporting equipment others choose to spend their time using affects me in absolutely no way outside of organized competition, which I rarely find myself in.
Originally Posted by
Caretaker
Why do I care and why in particular in the instance I described in the op? In general I believe words matter and they should convey accuracy. The particular instance was a situation where people were arriving and celebrating a physical and mental achievement, some in their 70s, walking from dawn or cycling rough trails and I was shocked to see young fit people arrive on Ebikes. I think it was a normal human reaction but others may disagree.
So again, why were you on a cycle? If others were walking, weren't you cheating by taking an easier option?