Pikes Peak Race--Entering?

[Josh K.]

Hi Folks,

I will be hitting the hill again this year, and we have a stronger, faster system, and look forward to doing better.

I am thinking that I will run one of my best recumbent bikes, A Rans, well equipped with a Rocha drive system. Astro flight RC Drive,
mounted as a mid drive, going through a 9 speed derailleur. Wind fairing, Wrap around Sock for less wind drag. Liquid cooler around
the motor...

I took second at Portland international speedway with it, 32 miles in an hour, on 412 watts of energy. I would like to bump it up to 36
volts, carry 40 amp hours, and run it with a mega drive large cog on the back...

After climbing Mount Washington twice, Climbing Pikes Peak Twice, and racing at Portland International raceway for efficiency, I do
believe that we are learning a few things, and will give the challengers a run for their monies. But, I am going to keep it real, and will
limit my power input to 1,000 watts, shooting for a continuos duty run of 750 watts as an output. Using Aerodynamics, a high efficiency
drivetrain, and my best pedal power, we will be shooting for the top spot...

I am hoping to find a few more partners in crime, come on out, and let's meet up at the Lone Duck Camp Grounds, where the motor
cycle hill climbers hang out, and grow a group of challengers that can set records. Josh K.

[neptronix]

Josh, i may be living in your neck of the woods come spring. Hit me up if you're ever near Colorado springs..

[Alan B]

Josh, are you going to come to the Mega-Enduro 102 mile in Mid February? Near King City, CA. Your setup should do well on that ride. A number of ES folks are planning to be there. There's an ES thread on it.

[Josh K.]

Hi, thanks for the interest, Sounds like a great event coming together though.

But I don't think that I can make it this year, we are getting our new shop together again...

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120 ... kes-flight

Check in with our buddy Bill Bushnell, as he should be there. He has taken first place at Portland international a couple of times...

Josh K.

[neptronix]

It looks like the pike's peak race length has been cut in half. Also, the entry fee is cut in half.

http://www.pikespeaksports.us/group/roadcycling/forum/topics/assault-on-the-peak-date-moved-to-july-14

July 14 is the date now, apparently.

There is no official news on the assault on the peak facebook page though. And their website is showing a default web hosting page... that's not good

This is great news, if it's true! Now more electric folks people can enter without worrying about melting their hub motors.

[nicobie]

This is great news, if it's true! Now more electric folks people can enter without worrying about melting their hub motors.

What's the fun of that?

[dogman]

If it's the top half they still run it will still be a stout challenge. Bottom half my commuter could do it easy. It's done much harder climbs already. Hope I can get well enough to show up. But kinda doubtfull.

[liveforphysics]

12miles... I would think a healthy electric bicycle on excellent rubber and an excellent rider should be able to average 80-90mph on the paved straights and 30-40mph on the tight stuff. Might be able to complete the event in sub 15mins.

[John in CR]

12miles... I would think a healthy electric bicycle on excellent rubber and an excellent rider should be able to average 80-90mph on the paved straights and 30-40mph on the tight stuff. Might be able to complete the event in sub 15mins.

You said it, so now we want to see it. Hope you can make it. It's looking like my oldest son will be there.

John

[neptronix]

Guys; the shorter length and date ( July 14th, i think? ) have officially been confirmed.
I was at a bike shop today ( CS West bikes ) and the owner apparently knew the guy organizing it. He called the organizer to ask him what was up, after he overheard me and a lycra talking about it in the shop, lol!!

I heard a rumor from 'Tom Tom' ( local ES user here in CO springs ) also that they may open up the pike's peak highway to bicycles ( ??? ) this would be excellent, and would prevent me from driving 30-100 miles away just to ride some REAL hills that are comparable to the peak.

[dogman]

Any word which part of the 22 mile course will be run in the 12 mile version? It should be the top half.

Even going up the top half would be nothing so difficult for any of the racing bikes built for the tracks in CA. Duration would be well under the 30 minuites to meltdown typical of a 9c motor overvolted.

Still hard to believe bikes are banned from riding that road on a normal day. What? can't trust car drivers to see a bike? Stupid rule. Not stupid to enforce speed limits downhill though. But banning them altogether? soooo lame.

[Tom Tom]

Any word which part of the 22 mile course will be run in the 12 mile version? It should be the top half. .

Yup, course is the same as the Pikes Peak Hill climb auto race-the upper 12 miles

Link to article about allowing bikes-

http://www.gazette.com/opinion/peak-133 ... pikes.html

[Josh K.]

Hi Folks,

Might have to use this New Electric Mountain bike to tackle the hill....

This is our New frame design, from Ron Rocha, and a Pedal puller design that fits well. Now to install the new Elite power solution Batts...


Josh K.

[mrbill]

Is this the event?

http://www.ridepikespeak.com/

I see no mention of an e-bike class. Or, do e-bikes do the "fun ride"?

[mrbill]

12miles... I would think a healthy electric bicycle on excellent rubber and an excellent rider should be able to average 80-90mph on the paved straights and 30-40mph on the tight stuff. Might be able to complete the event in sub 15mins.

They have a more appropriate event for motorcycles the week before. I don't see an e-motorcycle class, but they might create one if enough such entrants show up.

http://www.usacracing.com/ppihc

I like Josh's idea of seeing what he can do with a limit of 1000 watts in or 750 watts out. Keep the human contribution relevant.

Josh, you need to draft some strong, skinny 25-year-old to race your bike.

[Josh K.]

Hey Thanks guys,

I think it is important to do these rides at the legal assist level. Last year, yes, it took me a while, and at 500 watts.

But, this year, we have a much more robust electronics package, and I should be able to run at 750 watts, continuous duty.

This will be a lighter bike, and I am in better shape as well. I have been packing in the miles, preparing for ride the Rockies,
which will be a much bigger event for me this year. 442 miles of mountainous terrain with 1,999 roadies...not sure that anyone
has tried to do this event with a E assist yet.

Can't wait, lot's of riding to do, Peace, Josh K.

[neptronix]

Hey Josh & others who have experience, i think this should be asked in the thread..

https://www.usacycling.org/myusac/index.php?pagename=registration&eventid=1792&year=2012#

Registration this year is here..
What category do us eBikers enter in as?

Or does the eBike thing happen during the fun ride?

https://www.usacycling.org/myusac/index.php?pagename=registration&eventid=1791&year=2012

This is my first racing event so i'm a little on the clueless side.

[Josh K.]

Well,

It's not exactly a race, per say...

It's a fun ride, that is timed for your own ability to push yourself, year after year, to do better and better.

Their is a section that gets to go first, for people who are using electric assist.

Then everyone is on the road together.

It may seem like a race, with it being a timed event, and some people boasting about winning year after year, but, not really.

So, if you can sign up, as a cyclist, then your in, and you will want to start up front with the rest of the cyclists who are using electric assist.

Josh K.

[neptronix]

So okay. Us electric guys sign up for the fun ride then, instead of the usa cycling race? that's how it works?

Just want to be clear before i fork over.

[Green Machine]

I am going to take a shot at pikes peak this year again. I am getting together my race bike. It's a surprise...can't wait to show you guys.

I hope to see you guys there.

I am willing to cart a 12 pack of beers to the top of the hill for any endless sphere members to enjoy who makes it to the top.

Can anyone else volunteer to tote up hot dogs? We can have a weenie roast up at the top and see if we can down all beers before the Optibike guys show up.

[neptronix]

I don't eat meat, so that's on the rest of ya.
Would be cool to haul some lawn chairs up there along with the beers

[Josh K.]

I am glad to hear about the optimistic ideas...

It will be great to have some new partners in crime this year.

I do recommend the Lone Duck camp ground, where we can have a fire, and drink a couple of beers after negotiating our decent off of the mountain...

My Electric Mountain touring bike is coming together nicely, and I look forward to running it in the Ride the Rockies event starting June 9th. It's a five day,
442 mile adventure, ending up in my hometown. How lovely.

Peace, Josh K.

[neptronix]

BTW, i talked to Pat ( coordinator of the whole event ). I asked him if i just enroll in the fun ride or what.. he said that he is not sure what he is going to do about eBikes this year, and that he will email me?

I get the feeling he is not stoked on the idea, maybe? he mentioned the optibike incident last year, and asked what i was bringing.. i told him it went 25mph and he said that's fast. He didn't seem enthusiastic at all about the idea..

That's not what i wanted to hear

Well, waiting on his response via email.

[mrbill]

BTW, i talked to Pat ( coordinator of the whole event ). I asked him if i just enroll in the fun ride or what.. he said that he is not sure what he is going to do about eBikes this year, and that he will email me?

I get the feeling he is not stoked on the idea, maybe? he mentioned the optibike incident last year, and asked what i was bringing.. i told him it went 25mph and he said that's fast. He didn't seem enthusiastic at all about the idea..

That's not what i wanted to hear

Well, waiting on his response via email.

Perhaps if you suggest that he allow ebikes that are limited to a maximum 750 watts output power (or 1000 watts input power), the common legal limit, he would be more amenable to the idea. It would in any case be more sporting than allowing what are essentially electric motorcycles into a bicycling event.

[neptronix]

Well, i guess that would mean i can forget competing against optibike since they wouldn't qualify, nor would i.. they also ran over the legal power limit 2 years in a row and got to use that as publicity for their product. Last year they ran something with a peak power of ~3000 watts ( their words )

That would be rather screwed up if he changed his mind at the last second and i'd basically have to scrap 5 months of tinkering & testing.. $1,200 of money spent.. prolonging a move - staying in this shitty city ( Colorado Springs ) for far longer than i'd like.. long enough to be around for the race.. just 2 months before the actual event.

Time to block that idea you just presented out of my head. .....