Over the last few years, group, or organized rides, have become increasingly popular. Whether it’s the Five Borough Bike Ride, the Montauk Century, or some other organized cycling event, riding with a large group of people is different from riding alone, and presents its own special challenges and rewards. Here are some specific examples:
THE PACE CAN VARY
When you are riding with a group, the pace can vary anywhere from a slow meander to a peloton fast break. When you are rolling with a group that is going faster than your normal cruising speed, the BionX electric drive system gives you the option to use electric assist to keep up the faster pace for as long as you wish without become winded.
TERRAIN MAY ROLL
On rolling, or moderately hilly terrain, the BionX electric drive system gives you the ability to climb hills with the stronger, faster riders, allowing you to avoid falling back into the slower pack without going outside your pedaling “comfort range.”
Dave on his BionX electric bike
I CAN RECHARGE WHILE I’M RIDING?
People often ask if you can recharge the BionX electric drive system while you are riding. The answer is “Yes.” When descending moderate to steep grades, the BionX regenerative braking system allows you to recover energy while braking and feed the energy back into the BionX lithium battery, replenishing energy you have used, and storing energy for future needs.
Group rides tend to “telescope” quite a bit. When the group is starting or speeding up, the riders spread out, getting farther apart from each other. When approaching traffic lights, or other potential obstacles, riders slow down and bunch up. These slowing down moments present another opportunity to use the BionX electric drive regenerative braking system to feed energy back into the BionX lithium battery, just as when going downhill.
For all of the reasons mentioned above, the BionX electric drive conversion system is ideal for participating in group or organized rides. The system installs easily (see previous article: Installing My BionX Electric Motor Kit) and offers four levels of electric assist which allows you to extend your “natural” range by as much as 100% or maybe more. That means that if you can ride 30 miles unassisted, you will be able to ride 60 miles on a BionX-equipped bike. That’s enough to allow you to complete a “metric” century (62 miles). Wow!
Also read about Peter riding the Century on a Brompton bike More pictures on Facebook
(This past weekend, the author rode the 35-mile route in the New York Century on a Specialized Hard-Rock mountain bike equipped with the BionX electric drive system. The New York Century is the major annual fund-raising event held by Transportation Alternatives. More information about Transportation Alternatives)
