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I have a little first-hand experience with this (well, second-hand, I guess). I have been on a number of rides with relatively inexperienced (or out of practice) dudes who were riding ebikes. In both cases, being on an ebike didn't make them any more likely to clear (or even attempt) a technical feature. They still got stuck on technical climbs and they still hesitated on technical descents. So, my experiences tell me that an ebike probably isn't going to make it possible for inexperienced riders to suddenly start riding really technical trails. In fact, they might be a hindrance in this situation. If a new rider on an ebike is trying to ride really techy trail, they are going to end up walking their bike a lot. And while that motor really helps on long, grinding uphills, it's really no fun to try to muscle it up a hill or over obstacles. Now, for an experienced rider I'd say yes, ebikes could make technical trails easier. Technical climbs, that is. Even in Eco mode (which boosts your power by about 10%, I think) the motor may give you just enough to get up and over that root or ledge, or get around that tight switchback where you might have otherwise stalled out. I've attempted a few sections on ebikes and I can say with 100% certainty that an ebike would help me clear certain obstacles or sections that I normally wouldn't be able to clear on my bike.

Haha I was just laughing about how we have to use drainage ditches for our sledding hill...dusted off the snowboard and made a nice size tx snowman Sent from my SM-A115AZ using Tapatalk

This neighborhood retention field quickly became the local sledding spot.

Today is the 7th anniversary of surviving my heart attack. This is obviously a big day for me. I got lucky and was able to walk away with 5 stents. A bypass is obviously a LOT worse. If you are ignoring any symptoms, don't. If you are living a less then healthy lifestyle, get regular checkups, it can literally save your life. If you are living an active, healthy lifestyle, good for you! I was already an active cyclists and gym rat. The doc that saved me in the ER says that probably allowed me to survive it. I wasn't getting regular checkups prior to the event, but I am now. You should add a heart attack to your reverse bucket list, the one with things you NEVER want to do. Thanks for listening, I'm sure no one cares about my problems, but please do what you can to not end up like I did.

there are a lot of good reasons why a recreational e-mtb is useful and fun. I will keep reminding people, though, that the general embracement of putting a motor on everything is leading toward this: I stand by this assessment. for everyone who is able, HTFU and pedal a bike with the legs God gave ya.

The Round Rock

My ankles hurt just thinking about it. That place makes you earn your turns for sure.

At least 3-4" in CP/Leander. There's gonna be a fair bit of trail cleanup after this, trees down all over the place from the wet, heavy snow!

Play at 2:44. It's interesting to see just how much assist it gives.

I'm going to either rent or borrow one. The only way to know if I like it or not. They certainly ain't cheap.

something doesn’t smell right

As an unrepentant hardcore sci-fi nerd, Wall-E stands alone as my all time favorite sci-fi movie. absolutely flawless, funny, and prescient of social and technological change.

Hard to believe just how accurate wall-e and idiocracy were^ Think @olddbrider nailed it. IMHO, most "beginner" riders that we are theorizing as the majority who are purchasing these e-bike exist with the same fear and sense of self preservation, motor or not. Just because they have electric assist doesn't mean they are going to start sending road gaps on the way back down.

Could someone go give Mittens a jacket for his rattle?

Meet Jordan, the non-binary snowperson. Complete with all the tropes of 2020 including Q tinfoil hat

Despite the chilly temps yesterday, it was a great day for a lap around the lake. Trails were in great shape! Chose my preferred starting point this time around - Tejas Park going CW. I like using that long stretch of flat ground as a warm-up. It was great finally getting to meet @ATXZJ for a ride. Hope you enjoyed your first LGT lap bro!

Went to snail today, its been awhile and man it's looking awesome out there..good work guys I appreciate it. Sent from my SM-A115AZ using Tapatalk

I don't get this argument at all. So you want to limit the population of riders on the trail to: People that know about them Riders that are skilled enough to get there under their own power and ride down them safely Riders that are wealthy enough to afford an e-bike .....and you want to do this so you don't see any other riders on the trails?? Should there be an entrance exam that you have to pass before getting to ride City Park? I'm not trying to be an ass but I really don't understand. We could have made the same argument about suspension, gears, tubeless tires, dropper posts, etc. "As more people put dropper posts on their bikes, more people will start riding all the fun trails." Anyway, it's neither here nor there. e-bikes are here and they are not going away. We can learn how to work them into the biking community so those riders become part of the community (trail work, advocacy, etiquette, etc.) or we can treat them like they don't belong.

I wonder how many mountain bikers are also e-bikers? I have very limited experience, but those e-bikers I have visited with are also regular mountain bikers (maybe a bit long in the tooth) OR are riding with a significant other that benefits from an e-bike. I am actually thinking of getting my wife an e-bike to do social rides with my son & I. Undoubtedly in short order she would understand the etiquette, just like on a golf course. Is it us vs them or us vs. us?