Snoek Velomobile: the mortal enemy of Zone 2

For velomobiles, the mortal enemy of Zone 2 is not a climb, after all, we won't fall over, so we can go at walking speed if necessary. The mortal enemy is a fast e-bike. We can chase them without going into VO2Max training, Zone 5, e.g. 4 mins. We can chase them in the so-called garbage training zone. P.S. if you watch through to the end, do notice the PVC dashcam footage is improved in stability. No image stabilization was used in post. Simply by improving the gap tolerance for the GoPro QR buckle mount, we make it more rigid.

[@TheFlamingEyeball]

I've gotten to the point in life where, even in a velo, if someone wants to pass me and work out - great. Have fun. I'm enjoying my own ride. Even most velos can't compete with an e-bike. They just don't need the rest between sprints! Averaging around 24 mph on that crowded trail is nuts.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

Yes, have to be careful. Would not recommend a newcomer do this. Ridden thousands of times as it's my commute, so I know every bump and turn, and when to hold back and be ready to stop.

[@RichardLigburger]

wauw. great workout/race. Lovely ride and a interresting mural on the side

[@shenzhenpingpong]

That mural on the left side is kinda new. It's very nice. In Tucson, they are upping the number of murals. www.visittucson.org/blog/post/murals-wall-art-in-tucson/

[@RichardLigburger]

Thank you for the link, Sandiway. I love murals / gorgious graffity on bike rides.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

@@RichardLigburger , mural map lists 25 in Tucson, I didn't know there were that many!

[@CompteGoogle-yh3wh]

Following other riders with cruising speed is supposed to be very confortable on such a busy cycle path, in terms of safety, rather than of interest for competition. Enjoyed your video.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

Yes, safety is of primary importance. It's my commute route, ridden thousands of times, so I know it very well.

[@susanmaclachlan9861]

That was fun to watch and I loved the commentary, even if most of the racing was only in your own mind. It looked like he was running a Bafang BBSHD with nominal power of 1,000 watts and around 1,500 watts peak output for short periods, so if you were close it was because he let you be that way, very considerate of him. Even a basic ebike like a Aventon Aventure will cruise at 50 to 55 kph when unlocked with the phone app, good for about an hour at that power consumption but an excellent effort by you and a fun bit of competitiveness to break up the ride. (y)

[@deezynar]

The trail system there frowns on people riding at the speeds you mentioned. But it seems like you don't know how fast a velomobile can go, even without electric assist.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

@@deezynar we need to be careful and respectful of other trail users. So e-bikes are the kings of bike paths but cannot go all out. I run on the path. Also ride tandem with my son on the back. So, riders should not exceed their ability to handle the vehicles, and be prepared to stop.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

Yes, on my commutes, some e-bikes have blasted past me and cars easily on the roads.

[@jotham123]

You done well! Just to highlight how difficult it would be to do what you just did: to be maintaining 40-45kmph in slight headwinds the guy on the ebike will almost certainly using 100% of that bafang 1KW motor. Probably can't sustain that for more than 30 minutes I'd guess. 20kms range is not very far.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

30 mins range? That's not much.

[@amosvesa9290]

Woww, that turning radius at the intersection at 9:57 is huge. I'm curious how do you handle it in the city.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

some turns are 3 point turns, some are 5 or even 7.

[@JimmPratt]

fun to watch! thanks for sharing! but why is the cycle road so full of full-width cracks? that constant jarring would get on my nerves after a while. :D

[@shenzhenpingpong]

Best tarmac we have. The cracks could be from the desert heat and winter freezing. Also flooding in monsoon season doesn't help.

[@jeffrey5961]

Does it help to draft a diamond bike? That ebiker went home and started looking for a larger motor. Glad you have recovered.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

A good question. Yes, you can feel the draft benefit when close.

[@DonaldDuck666]

hey dude go to light bycicle and order 88 falcon carbon rim for the rear. you will save up to 40 watts at 31 mp/h most air drag is caused by the rear wheel opening. if you want sidewind stability get moto g1 20 inch rim aswell. they cost about 150 bucks each.

[@shenzhenpingpong]

My rear wheel has a Lexan cover for most of the opening. Same goes for the front wheels.

[@DonaldDuck666]

@@shenzhenpingpong no the fibration of carbon is better then alu

[@shenzhenpingpong]

@@DonaldDuck666 I’ve not seen people run carbon rims on the back of a velomobile