MEAT Engines 2023...

Two guys on sur-rons blew past me heading up Hyannis trail on Sunday generally riding like assholes, weaving around the usual Sunday assortment of kids on run bikes, strollers, etc. Just generally causing havoc. I was literally embarrassed to be there on a bike in the wake of them. 

I agree with the general narcissism comment, but bikes like sur-rons open up a whole new level of trail dickhead, imo. Just goes to show you give people an inch, they'll take a mile. We point at ebikes as the harbinger of sur-rons and other electric motorbike bullshit, but I suppose hikers would point at mountain bikes as the harbinger of all of it, and I guess they'd have a point. It gets depressing if I think about it too much...

I find a similar thing with e cars - it's like the drivers don't think it will hurt if they hit you because their car is electric... as a result they drive like assholes.... or maybe it's more about the "entitled" nature of the drivers.

Posted by: Kenny

Two guys on sur-rons blew past me heading up Hyannis trail on Sunday generally riding like assholes, weaving around the usual Sunday assortment of kids on run bikes, strollers, etc. Just generally causing havoc. I was literally embarrassed to be there on a bike in the wake of them. 

I agree with the general narcissism comment, but bikes like sur-rons open up a whole new level of trail dickhead, imo. Just goes to show you give people an inch, they'll take a mile. We point at ebikes as the harbinger of sur-rons and other electric motorbike bullshit, but I suppose hikers would point at mountain bikes as the harbinger of all of it, and I guess they'd have a point. It gets depressing if I think about it too much...

I’d guess we saw the same Surrons. They slowed for my group (with kids). 

The fact that mountain biking was also a human-powered-only activity was the dam. 

If Vik’s powered exoskeletons for hikers and runners will just hit the market for mass adoption soon we’ll be back on equal footing.

Posted by: fartymarty

I find a similar thing with e cars - it's like the drivers don't think it will hurt if they hit you because their car is electric... as a result they drive like assholes.... or maybe it's more about the "entitled" nature of the drivers.

I have been 4-way-stop double-tapped in my car and on my bike so many times lately.

Writing a little piece about it but just a bit behind at the moment.

Posted by: fartymarty

I find a similar thing with e cars - it's like the drivers don't think it will hurt if they hit you because their car is electric... as a result they drive like assholes.... or maybe it's more about the "entitled" nature of the drivers.

Or is it that you simply don’t hear them coming?

Posted by: AndrewMajor

If Vik’s powered exoskeletons for hikers and runners will just hit the market for mass adoption soon we’ll be back on equal footing.

https://youtu.be/uj4G9wmwCNI

Pre-Orders are open! Much cheaper than an e-bike. Same idea. You, but MOAR!!!

https://www.hypershell.cc/

Can’t wait for something else to do my walking for me. Just carry my bloated carcass around for selfies. Finally we are really making the most of technology.

Posted by: cooperquinn

I do see e-bikes as a real concern for access in some areas, but I'm honestly less concerned about e-bikes creating access challenges than the explosion in mountain biking as a whole, and just people generally being narcissistic, entitled..... nevermind. If you don't have anything nice to say...

It's crazy how so few people want to give this point serious thought.

In terms of trail access where I live I don't see ebikes getting trails closed per say, but I certainly could see some trails getting set aside exclusively for walkers/runners/dogs. There was always some tension between riders and peds on certain trails closer to town, but now that everyone can ride at Olympic level power/speeds, even uphill, the problem will be exacerbated. Assuming it happens that won't be a ton of trails as the range of folks on feet is [for the most part] fairly low. 

Other places that have more delicate land access issues may see more serious changes due to ebikes. There is nothing stopping the Rise of the Machine so we won't have to theorize for too long.

Posted by: AndrewMajor

I have been 4-way-stop double-tapped in my car and on my bike so many times lately.

Writing a little piece about it but just a bit behind at the moment.

4-way-stop double-tapped?

Posted by: heckler

Posted by: fartymarty

I find a similar thing with e cars - it's like the drivers don't think it will hurt if they hit you because their car is electric... as a result they drive like assholes.... or maybe it's more about the "entitled" nature of the drivers.

Or is it that you simply don’t hear them coming?

I see them long before I hear them but maybe it's the lack of engine noise and gear changing that makes their speed less obvious to their drivers.

Posted by: Vikb

In terms of trail access where I live I don't see ebikes getting trails closed per say, but I certainly could see some trails getting set aside exclusively for walkers/runners/dogs. 

With increasing volumes of all types of trail users it seems to make good sense to start designating trails for a particular type of use, whether it be hiking, mtb'ing, ebiking, or directional use.

Posted by: heckler

Posted by: fartymarty

I find a similar thing with e cars - it's like the drivers don't think it will hurt if they hit you because their car is electric... as a result they drive like assholes.... or maybe it's more about the "entitled" nature of the drivers.

Or is it that you simply don’t hear them coming?

Different type of engine same shitty human.

A min max type question that recently came to mind. I know that certain Shimano hydraulic brake levers work with Magura calipers. Out of curiosity what others have cross compatibility.

Was thinking this while helping a friend with their Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.