Posted by: skooks
Posted by: KenN
Posted by: thaaad
It's not about being friends... and it's less of an acknowledgment thing and more of a mutual respect thing. Basically the reason why turn signals and brake lights exist in cars, make people aware of what others (and yourself) are doing for the safety and consideration of everyone when you are in public.
I'm sure nobody appreciates being passed too close at too high of a speed on the highway. Just have some courtesy, let people know you are passing, slow as you go by and give both of you a little room.
It's really not hard at all to treat others with respect, ebikes, cars, sidewalks, whatever.
This ... and it also applies to ebikes tailgating me when I'm huffing my way up something like the GSM climb. My goal is to be able to clean that climb regularly without stopping, and I don't need some dumbass with their high pitched motor whining away, nipping at my back wheel as a not-so-subtle hint that they want me to stop and let them pass. Trust me, I know you're there, and if I spot a wide part of the trail where you can fit, than I will hug the edge and let you pass. Until then, stay the hell back and wait your turn. It's similar to the logic for the "climber has right of way" rule when passing on a bi-directional trail. Climber gets to continue because it's much harder for the climber to stop, reset and restart than the descender. The ebike can stop and restart more easily than the non-e-climber.
I mostly agree with you, although I would rather let an e-bike get past me than have listen to one whining behind my back wheel. My question is are you more willing to stop and let a faster rider pass you on a climb if they are on a pedal-powered bike instead of a motorized one? I'm not trying to stir the pot here, just interested in the answer.
I think any rider that come up behind another rider should stay back a little and wait for a reasonable opportunity (and not put pressure on the lead climber by hugging the back wheel) where the trail is wider and a little more level.
That in mind, I know I'm nowhere near the fastest climber on the hill, but I climb well enough that there aren't a LOT of non-motorized riders crowding up behind me. So my experience is by far the ebikes climbing up my ass.
And, even when a faster climber does catch me, the deltaV isn't nearly as much with the ebiker. So my climbing isn't slowing down the non-moto by a lot (unless it's some World Cup level XC or Enduro racer!). The ebiker comes up fast, hugs my back wheel and stays there, essentially making the silent "get outta my way" statement.
So bottom line, I don't feel I should give way to any climber, I ride so as to be aware of when I can move to the side to let a faster climber pass, and my experience with being pressured to allow a pass is massively tilted toward the ebikers.
