Love ’em or hate ’em, e-bikes are poised to change the sport in a big way.
Sales of e-bikes are growing exponentially and the recent Giro-E d’ Italia race showcased just how fun, competitive and popular e-bike racing can be.
Gran fondo promoters (and e-bike manufacturers) are no dummies, seeing an opportunity to attract more riders and sell more bikes, they are adding e-bike categories to events.
Just this year in North America, RBC Granfondo Whistler, Ride Santa Barbara 100 Gran Fondo and the iconic 14,271′ Pikes Peak Hillclimb Gran Fondo have joined the e-bike movement and are offering e-bike categories.
“We’re excited to introduce this all-new class and invite e-Bike riders to join our community and enjoy the beautiful cycling and scenery of Santa Barbara,” said Ride Santa Barabara Director Jamie Monroe,” who is partnering with Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles.
To ride in a gran fondo e-bike category, you need a pedal-assist Class 1 e-bike. That means the battery powered motor only assists when you pedal and only up to 20mph.
Since most riders can’t climb to the top of Whistler, Gibraltar or Pikes Peak faster than 20mph, expect e-bikes to lead the charge to the summit – as long as the battery does not die.
We wonder if neutral support vehicles will start carrying spare batteries along with spare tubes??
GRAN FONDO CALENDAR NORTH AMERICA here
GRAN FONDO CALENDAR EUROPE here
GRAN FONDO CALENDAR UK GREAT BRITAIN here
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