POWER PLAYS

E-bikes are here to stay, like them or not (we like them a lot). But there are equally idiotic people riding both E and standard bikes – it’s just harder to ride away from motorised morons, so we think we see more of them. Some avuncular advice (for both sides of the battery pack):

Not all e-bikers were created equal. Embrace their presence, and the irritating minority will irritate you less.

Engage. Ask them why they ride e-bikes, what they feel makes them better, what their recommendations would be should you want to go that route. Not only will this be interesting, it will slow them down to your pace, and let you sneak onto the singletrack first.

Educate: tell them you should go first because you’ll be faster down the gnar than they will, and why, without being antagonistic about it. Most come from a nonbiking background, and will not have thought it through.

Don’t accuse them of cheating. Unless you’re in a race, and they’re robbing you of prize money, they probably aren’t. You’re both out in nature, getting exercise – enjoy your ride, rather than focusing on somebody else’s.

Try one. Borrow it for a few rides, not just around the car park. It will be like the first time you rode a mountain bike, all over again. So much fun, and a jolly good workout, no matter what you might think.