Practice what you preach? MP cycles to hosp at 2am to give birth

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Forums › Politics › Practice what you preach? MP cycles to hosp at 2am to give birth

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#2821083 29-Nov-2021 15:03

mudguard:

Bung: Also impressed but I'll be the grinch who points out the electric assist on her bike...

I think as a car replacement e-bikes are awesome, on mountain-bike trails I have a different view.

@mudguard, I'm interested to know why you feel that way.

Wifey and I recently did the Timbertrail on rented e-mountain-bikes. We both have commuter-style e-bikes that we use for local transport and relaxation on the local suburban cycle-tracks. We're not mountainbikers, being able to use e-bikes on the trail allowed us to enjoy something that we otherwise couldn't have.

Sometimes I use big words I don't always fully understand in an effort to make myself sound more photosynthesis.

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#2821093 29-Nov-2021 15:28

floydbloke:

@mudguard, I'm interested to know why you feel that way.

Wifey and I recently did the Timbertrail on rented e-mountain-bikes. We both have commuter-style e-bikes that we use for local transport and relaxation on the local suburban cycle-tracks. We're not mountainbikers, being able to use e-bikes on the trail allowed us to enjoy something that we otherwise couldn't have.

I fleshed it out a little before. NB I'm coming at this from a purpose built mountain-bike trail perspective. Timber Trail (which I haven't done but my partner has done several times) Central Otago Rail Trail are all repurposed trails, so considerably wider usually than purpose built mountain-bike trails. I have absolutely no issue with this, in fact I'm all for getting as many people as possible more active.

What I worry about is it makes it easier for less experienced riders to get into difficulty. IE difficult trails were often hidden, or at the end of long, steep climbs, to discouraged the less fit or inexperienced. Now that is pretty easily fixed, better signage etc. I watched a group of riders pondering their choice of three black trails at Woodhill before lock-down, trying to work out how to get down. I was sorely tempted to not tell them about the blue trail descent a couple of hundred metres further up, as they rode by me unannounced, on the climb, and off the trail to get round me. The first I knew I'd been caught was one when rode past me.

Again, these are mostly new rider things, not e-bike specific. I've seen groups of e-bikes roll past queuing riders at the top of a fast descent. What they haven't realised is those riders are waiting to create space, so they can ride the trail quickly. In purpose built bike parks (IE Woodhill, Rotorua etc) it could be pretty easily mitigated. On the flat or descents there's very little between the two types of bikes, but on climbs an e-bike can do three or four times the speed. So have two different climbing trails, one for bikes, and one for e-bikes. The beauty of trail building for e-bikes is you can probably make the climb technical or steeper as you don't have to keep an eye on the gradient so much.

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#2821102 29-Nov-2021 15:37

mudguard:

I fleshed it out a little before. NB I'm coming at this from a purpose built mountain-bike trail perspective. Timber Trail (which I haven't done but my partner has done several times) Central Otago Rail Trail are all repurposed trails, so considerably wider usually than purpose built mountain-bike trails. I have absolutely no issue with this, in fact I'm all for getting as many people as possible more active.

What I worry about is it makes it easier for less experienced riders to get into difficulty. IE difficult trails were often hidden, or at the end of long, steep climbs, to discouraged the less fit or inexperienced. Now that is pretty easily fixed, better signage etc. I watched a group of riders pondering their choice of three black trails at Woodhill before lock-down, trying to work out how to get down. I was sorely tempted to not tell them about the blue trail descent a couple of hundred metres further up, as they rode by me unannounced, on the climb, and off the trail to get round me. The first I knew I'd been caught was one when rode past me.

Again, these are mostly new rider things, not e-bike specific. I've seen groups of e-bikes roll past queuing riders at the top of a fast descent. What they haven't realised is those riders are waiting to create space, so they can ride the trail quickly. In purpose built bike parks (IE Woodhill, Rotorua etc) it could be pretty easily mitigated. On the flat or descents there's very little between the two types of bikes, but on climbs an e-bike can do three or four times the speed. So have two different climbing trails, one for bikes, and one for e-bikes. The beauty of trail building for e-bikes is you can probably make the climb technical or steeper as you don't have to keep an eye on the gradient so much.

I do agree with this. I am determined to get back on my bike. I have a simple fat tyre E-Bike so very soon I hope I can ease myself back into trail riding. There is no way I want to myself and experienced riders in harms way by being in a place that I shouldn't.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

afe66

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#2821120 29-Nov-2021 16:11

mudguard:

floydbloke:

@mudguard, I'm interested to know why you feel that way.

Wifey and I recently did the Timbertrail on rented e-mountain-bikes. We both have commuter-style e-bikes that we use for local transport and relaxation on the local suburban cycle-tracks. We're not mountainbikers, being able to use e-bikes on the trail allowed us to enjoy something that we otherwise couldn't have.

I fleshed it out a little before. NB I'm coming at this from a purpose built mountain-bike trail perspective. Timber Trail (which I haven't done but my partner has done several times) Central Otago Rail Trail are all repurposed trails, so considerably wider usually than purpose built mountain-bike trails. I have absolutely no issue with this, in fact I'm all for getting as many people as possible more active.

What I worry about is it makes it easier for less experienced riders to get into difficulty. IE difficult trails were often hidden, or at the end of long, steep climbs, to discouraged the less fit or inexperienced. Now that is pretty easily fixed, better signage etc. I watched a group of riders pondering their choice of three black trails at Woodhill before lock-down, trying to work out how to get down. I was sorely tempted to not tell them about the blue trail descent a couple of hundred metres further up, as they rode by me unannounced, on the climb, and off the trail to get round me. The first I knew I'd been caught was one when rode past me.

Again, these are mostly new rider things, not e-bike specific. I've seen groups of e-bikes roll past queuing riders at the top of a fast descent. What they haven't realised is those riders are waiting to create space, so they can ride the trail quickly. In purpose built bike parks (IE Woodhill, Rotorua etc) it could be pretty easily mitigated. On the flat or descents there's very little between the two types of bikes, but on climbs an e-bike can do three or four times the speed. So have two different climbing trails, one for bikes, and one for e-bikes. The beauty of trail building for e-bikes is you can probably make the climb technical or steeper as you don't have to keep an eye on the gradient so much.

Why would you not want to tell them about an easier trail as you have pointed out they seem to be beginners and may not know the/your "Rules"

That again seems mean spirited.

The more people who share your hobby, the more money facilities etc are available for all bike riders. Like for example improving the signs.

(A bit like not pointing out to snow plowing skiers they are about to enter a black trail)

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#2821124 29-Nov-2021 16:19

mudguard:

I have no idea if they make them. As I mentioned, the only pain points are the climbs. I might be slogging my guts out at 180bpm in granny gear doing six or seven km/h knowing that I need to keep an ear out for the more fit. E-bikes can ascend much quicker so there's less warning.

If the sneering, superior, puerile boys on this thread want to know what real pain feels like, just try childbirth! Genter gets my vote all the way.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

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#2821127 29-Nov-2021 16:29

Rikkitic:

If the sneering, superior, puerile boys on this thread want to know what real pain feels like, just try childbirth! Genter gets my vote all the way.

After being with my wife through four child births it never ceases to amaze me how the human race has continued. How my wife did that four times still has me in awe after all these years.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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mudguard

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#2821129 29-Nov-2021 16:31

afe66:

Why would you not want to tell them about an easier trail as you have pointed out they seem to be beginners and may not know the/your "Rules"

That again seems mean spirited.

The more people who share your hobby, the more money facilities etc are available for all bike riders. Like for example improving the signs.

As I said, they rode a train around me on the way up, off trail, I realise that may not seem obvious to all riders, but it widens the trail, they risk riding into a rut/hole/obstacle , fall over or wobble into me. If you catch someone on single-track you wait until it's wide enough or the slower rider can pull over. I could have easily kept my mouth shut.

Plus they have a motor. I don't cut past slow riders downhill, don't do the same going up.

Again, none of this stuff is written down. It comes with experience. But now we have newer riders who can access trails without.

afe66:

(A bit like not pointing out to snow plowing skiers they are about to enter a black trail)

If said snow plower cut you off in the uplift line would you be so accommodating?

As I mentioned, what could be really interesting is if trail builders start building trails to accommodate. After all, trail builders build what they want to ride (unfortunately, usually at the expense of beginners), so if they decide climbs are to be 20% and have obstacles, normal bikes will get pushed up!

afe66

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#2821146 29-Nov-2021 16:52

If said snow plower cut you off in the uplift line would you be so accommodating?

Yes I would, beginners do silly things.

Dont assume malice when ignorance is more likely

mudguard

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#2821148 29-Nov-2021 16:56

Rikkitic:

mudguard:

I have no idea if they make them. As I mentioned, the only pain points are the climbs. I might be slogging my guts out at 180bpm in granny gear doing six or seven km/h knowing that I need to keep an ear out for the more fit. E-bikes can ascend much quicker so there's less warning.

If the sneering, superior, puerile boys on this thread want to know what real pain feels like, just try childbirth! Genter gets my vote all the way.

Believe me, I'm not trying to compare riding a push bike uphill to giving birth!! I have derailed this topic far too much already!

mudguard

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#2821150 29-Nov-2021 16:58

afe66:

If said snow plower cut you off in the uplift line would you be so accommodating?

Yes I would, beginners do silly things.

Dont assume malice when ignorance is more likely

I could have been too out of breath to explain where the blue trail was 🤣 Perhaps I was ignorant in assuming they were beginners, they didn't climb like beginners!

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#2823205 2-Dec-2021 12:49

This thread is frankly disgusting...

Complaining about it being virtue signalling or a media opportunity (except she's done it twice and by all appearances is consistent on her love of cycling), complaining that generators may have been using coal when she charged her bike, complaining that JAG isn't perfect at minimising her carbon footprint (I can basically guarantee she does more than you), complaining that the hospital might use fossil fuels so what's the point, etc etc

Get a grip! Just how small is your world view, and how narrow-minded are you, how scared of 'different' are you, and how bitter & twisted are you that that is your immediate response to someone riding their bike?

Why do I get the feeling if this was a story about a male, National MP none of this response would come out particularly from some of the users? Perhaps I'm wrong but I get the distinct sense this attack is only because it's JAG and the Green Party.

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#2823284 2-Dec-2021 15:10

antonknee:

Why do I get the feeling if this was a story about a male, National MP none of this response would come out particularly from some of the users? Perhaps I'm wrong but I get the distinct sense this attack is only because it's JAG and the Green Party.

I totally agree with you. If it was about a male giving birth it would have made bigger headlines! (Not impossible these days, but definitely more unusual).

And of course it is because she is a Green MP. But if you signal your virtue publicly, don’t be surprised if your virtue is examined. Particularly by those who don’t hold the same world view.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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#2823296 2-Dec-2021 15:23

IDK I kinda wish she had more to say about Auckland Light Rail being such a stuff up with she was Associate Transport Minister, but we didn't hear a peep then. So IDK, photo opps are great but actual substantive stuff that could change cities is another.

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#2823309 2-Dec-2021 15:38

MikeB4:

Rikkitic:

If the sneering, superior, puerile boys on this thread want to know what real pain feels like, just try childbirth! Genter gets my vote all the way.

After being with my wife through four child births it never ceases to amaze me how the human race has continued. How my wife did that four times still has me in awe after all these years.

Because humans cannot recall pain. Not the actual pain. They can remember it hurt like bejeesus, but not the actual physical pain :)

antonknee

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#2823320 2-Dec-2021 16:14

Dingbatt:

antonknee:

Why do I get the feeling if this was a story about a male, National MP none of this response would come out particularly from some of the users? Perhaps I'm wrong but I get the distinct sense this attack is only because it's JAG and the Green Party.

I totally agree with you. If it was about a male giving birth it would have made bigger headlines! (Not impossible these days, but definitely more unusual).

And of course it is because she is a Green MP. But if you signal your virtue publicly, don’t be surprised if your virtue is examined. Particularly by those who don’t hold the same world view.

To be clear - I didn't mean a male National MP giving birth. I meant a male, National MP practising what they preach.

Also, is it really virtue signalling if it's something you genuinely believe in and you actually do the thing? Doing the thing you think is right/tell other people to do is by definition not simple virtue signalling. Also your points around whether the hospital burn fossil fuels are not exactly in her control - but her chosen method of transport is. I am sure that you don't like JAG and the Greens so you are happy to write off anything they do as virtue signalling.

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