In Part 2 of Race Organisers, I’m offering opinions from a few more race organisers.

This week……

Part 2
Chris Roberts – Naked Racing
Mike Marsden – Borderline Events (BC National Downhill Champs, Borderline DH Series and others)
Carl Davison – Northern Downhill (North regional DH and Enduro series)

Chris Roberts – Naked Racing

I’m Chris Roberts, a race organiser and sometimes racer when time allows. We organise 4Cross, Downhill, Enduro, pump track and Dual races.
www.minienduro.tv is now sponsored by Haibike and have a dedicated e-mtb

1. Who do your race events cater to?
   Well everyone who can ride a bike really, with all different disciplines there are race type for everyone including eBike riders.
2. A pretty open ended question – what do you think of eBikes?
   I love them! They’re great for all sorts of things.  We use them to go exploring in the forest to find new tracks, we can cover a much larger area and find lots of new stuff, this also works for anyone. People only have so much time to ride and I would guess to maximise their time on a bike they will have loop they do each weekend; the only real time you discover new tracks is when someone shows you the local secret trails, with an eMTB you can just explore and find this stuff, ride more, improve your riding and just have a much better time riding bikes.
3. Do you or would you consider an eBike race category?
   We have had an eBike category in our mini Enduro races for the past 4 years. It’s developing all the time, after listening to the riders we have added an extra stage just for them which is mostly uphill which has enough technical sections to make it about the rider.
4. Do you allow eBikes on track during practice?
   Only riders who are racing in the eMTB category can practice on one, should riders who are racing a traditional bike be allowed to practice on one?  Then no, to keep it fair.
5. What do you think about eBike coverage in the press/media?
   It goes both ways really, the journalists that know, know, and the others just use it to get comments and stir it up for some reaction.
   There have been some very well written pieces that make good reading on what can be done on an eMTB.
   I do see a lot rubbish written on the subject, like eBikes are banned from trail centres; they’re motorbikes with engines; they scare walkers, etc.
   I think the most common comment is “it’s cheating” and that comes from the uneducated who have never ridden an eBike or are jealous of you going past them up a hill.
6. What’s your opinion on dongles (de-restricted eBikes)?
   It’s a shame the manufacturers didn’t build them to what the law requires so they could not be dongled.  I still think the current max speed is to low, but then if it was 20mph we would wish it had been 25mph etc but on the flat a “normal mountain bike” is quicker so 20mph would have been ideal.
7. What do you think about the future of eBikes in MTB and also a wider sense?
   Ebikes will develop to point of its normal to have one.  We will also be launching the eBike games later this year, it’s going to be an eBike only race with multiple events during the day.
   We also have new www.instagram.com/emtbracing page if you would like to share that with your readers.

Mike Marsden – Borderline Events

1. Who do your race events cater to?
   Throughout the wide range of events we organise, we cater for all levels: from complete beginners aged 10 through to Professional athletesriders and everyone in-between.
2. A pretty open ended question – what do you think of eBikes?
   I think eBikes are great.  I’m sure other people think differently but for me they offer those that are either less able or older to get out and ride but also offer anyone the ability to go further in less time.  Riding bikes is about seeing things and if we can see more in one day then we’re winning right?
3. Do you or would you consider an eBike race category?
   Yes of course we would consider it – It’s not something we have done yet, but certainly not something we­­­­­’d rule out in the future.
4. Do you allow eBikes on track during practice?
   We don’t currently allow e-bikes at any of our events at any time, but if someone came along and said they were less able or were disabled then of course we’d look into it and try to accommodate them.
5. What do you think about eBike coverage in the press/media?
   I try to ignore negative press if I can help it – Someone will always complain about something.
6. What’s your opinion on dongles (de-restricted eBikes)?
   The issue is what someone is allowed to do legally.  If someone de-restricts any vehicle then they’re probably breaking the law.  That could be fettling a 50cc moped so it goes faster or in this case an e-bike.  The two are no different and puts into invalidating both insurance and warranty.
7. What do you think about the future of eBikes in MTB and also a wider sense?
   I think they’re great – My Dad for example (Who’s 72) could easily get himself an eBike and utilise it to either help him get fit or just generally get out and someone who is less able than perhaps they used to be for either age related or health related reasons can continue to enjoy the outdoors.    Those two reasons alone are great and everyone wins.

Carl Davison – Northern Downhill

Hi I’m Carl from www.northerndownhill.co.uk
We started off catering for hardcore DH race fans, but soon realised there was only a very small hardcore.  We run ND(H)Yeo events which are advanced level races along with Funduros taking in Trail Centre Stages. We also run what we call Trail Bike TT events which are basically DH races on trail centre trails, so a great events for 1st time racers meaning you only require your weekend trail bike to get stuck in.  These help people riders to decide which way their racing is heading: DH or Enduro.

1. Who do your race events cater to?
   Kinda covered above.  We mainly cater for a local crowd, with a friendly relaxed vibe. However, the ND(H)uros have people travelling from further afield and our Kidland trails, for example, have people travelling from Fort William and the South Coast to tackle the steep fresh trails.
2. A pretty open ended question – what do you think of eBikes?
   E bikes…… I want one can’t afford one.
3. Do you or would you consider an eBike race category?
   I would, I just haven’t checked out the insurance cover.
4. Do you allow eBikes on track during practice?
   We have not yet had that bridge to cross, but in our Enduro races bikes are not interchangeable so it would be against the rules to practice on one bike and race on another.
5. What do you think about eBike coverage in the press/media?
   I think there’s a lot of  ignorance and arrogance really.  They’re not going to have a huge impact on the land as as you still have to put the effort in.  If you are a fit experienced rider you will probably be faster under your own steam.  They won’t make it into the lakes or Snowdonia as they’re too heavy to lug about once the terrain gets serious.
6. What’s your opinion on dongles (de-restricted eBikes)?
   Dongles – that’s a hard one!!! I personally would have one, but I know I would’nt be using it on the roads or anywhere public.  I’d use it for more power so I could use it as an uplift machine. Towing a couple of mates at secret spots!
7. What do you think about the future of eBikes in MTB and also a wider sense?
   Dongles need to be frowned upon.  As technology becomes cheaper, I guess these bikes will become more affordable and give more people a greater range to have epic days out.  I just hope the ignorance can be overcome.

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Thanks so much to all of the contributors in this blog.  There will be more opinions soon.  Still to cover:

• Trail Centre and Bike Park managers/owners/promoters
• Professional athletes and race team managers Part 2
• Journalists / photographers / videographers
• Bicycle holiday companies
• General industry tyres (distributors, brand rep’s and large retailers)

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