E-Bike Racing One Night Only August 14
E-Bike Racing is on at Over the Hump Tuesday August 14.
E-Bikes aren’t legal everywhere, and in OC Parks and Trails they currently have not been allowed for various reasons.
This is what happened at our first Ebike Race in 2017…
The conversation is ongoing, and we (the Mountain Bike Community) need to do our part to allow that process to go forward with the due course and not force the issue or break existing Park and legal guidelines.
Over the Hump’s stance on E-bikes in Parks is simple
ONLY RIDE AN EBIKE ON OPEN ROADS, OR DESIGNATED PARKS AND TRAILS IN YOUR AREA…WHERE IT IS LEGAL TO DO SO. It is currently illegal to ride on bike trails and parks in Orange County. Until it is legalized we will not ride E-bikes in the parks and support our friends at OC Parks and encourage riders to seek out places where E-Bikes are loved and encouraged. (see below suggestions).
BUT you can race your E-bike legally at OTH this week
Some of you are looking and have been asking for a legal place to ride, demo and race. So, as Pedal Assist Electric E-bikes are gaining traction in the marketplace and looking for legislation to support the movement the burden is on us. We need to help prove safety, responsible riding, establish safe operating protocol and educating riders to trail etiquette on an E-Bike where it is legal.
Oh and Revolution Bike Fest will have Ebike racing and demos to your heart’s content November 9-11 in Santa Clarita, CA
At Over the Hump we understand both sides, and we want to address the interest on the racer and industry side of the conversation, so we’ve introduced this exhibition race on Tuesday, August 14 before the large field race
While we all wait for the E-bike dust to settle locally, adoption in the United States is progressing to see the value of E-bikes, and allow them in some jurisdictions…Commuters to health challenged riders have been able to see the benefits of a standard pedal assist bike, where they may have struggled through motivation and fitness, and now seeing the benefits of a healthy outdoor activity.
Personally, I’ve seen friends start riding, and watched husbands and wives rediscover their love of bikes, as they enjoy the sport together in places where E-bikes are currently legal like Santa Clarita, CA trails and parks, and the dirt playground of Sky Park at Santa’s Village. Sky Park maintains amazing trails. Though there is no lift service at Sky Park you can ride your E-Bike to the top and skip all altitude induced lung implosion getting a bit of a boost to the top.
Rules of Ebike Race Tuesday
- This is an “OPEN” race, meaning all ages and genders will race together same race same time
- All rules other than “no ebikes” pertain to the race rules…namely Have Fun!
- Class 1 Ebikes only with max speed of 20MPH (No monkey business, or you forfeit/testing device onsite) Definition here
- All laps will be completed inside the main event area, and E-bikes must stay on designated trails.
- Top 30% get an OTH Winners pint glass
- You may register for the Ebike Race and also race in the Main Event, provided you are able to start with your group…the Adult and Junior Classes will not be held to accommodate you racing in the second event. Both race entries will use same number plate, but require you register for both, either onsite or online.,
E-bike Race Course
This Exhibition Race will be timed. Course will be approximately 10 minutes and incorporate 2 laps of 2-3 miles…short course, fun to watch, and a punchy sections that will challenge and show the E-bike Experience
Looking forward to Tuesday, come as you are…don’t hack!
Tuesday’s featured shop is eVeloPros. You can also find Ebikes available through all of our Manufacture sponsors at Over the Hump. Giant, Specialized, Trek, Cannondale and Felt.
2 Comments
Please don’t put the e-bikes on same courses with us, don’t feel like getting ran over !
Barry, have no fear, there will not be E-bikes on the race course during the 1 hour 6:00 main event…they race before, on a short course!