Makes me feel kinda pathetic but I went and did it. I got a pedal assist bike with a dropped top tube to make it easier to step over.
Stress exacerbates my degenerative peripheral motor nerve condition. The last coupla years were very stressful and it seems to have affected my gimpy right leg.
I like riding on the C&O Canal Towpath but I was starting to feel unsure of how far I can go.
With this bike, if I needed a little help, it's just a button push away.
I went on a shakedown run yesterday and without the pedal assist, I went 15 miles.
I used some periodic assist on the way home.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Good for you! I'm still not up to more than 6 flat miles, waiting for nice weather. I could only afford a lower grade Trek Hybrid with the Government Covid Check. The wife goes on 4 to 6 milers with me but avoids the 20-24 mile ones I like when I'm back in shape.

A couple autumns ago, I saw a whole Amish family on the Kokosing Gap trail on E-Bikes, and none of them bothered with pedaling! That you work up to your limits, then expand it some is a great thing.

Ivan

That's the thing I like about this bike, it doesn't assist unless I'm pedaling. My legs are still moving and putting in an effort, it's just that it's a bit less effort if I decide that I need it.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I use both my old Diamond Back knobby tired bike and my newer pedal assist/electric bike by Rad Power, depending on how many miles and terrain type.
No reason to quit riding because of age when these types of things are available.

Good on ya! My retirement job is working in a bike shop, and we've sold a bunch of the "low entry" bikes to older folks who want to remain active in spite of health challenges. You've got lots of company!

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Regards,

Chuck

Absolutely nothing pathetic about it. Congrats on a good move to help you stay in shape both physically and mentally!!!!!!
Jim

You do what you have to do to keep going, Snuffy. I certainly do not think anyone will be looking down on you for it.

My knobby tired bike.


I can him Frankenbike, I built him from bits and pieces from a bare frame.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Interesting bike, snubby. As an avid cyclist I ve often contemplated what I would do in a similar situation. How much does your model weigh?

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213th FBINA

Physical limitations should not prohibit one from an active life with whatever assistance is needed. That bike certainly provides what you need, but why not put a decent seat on it???? I prefer ones I sit on rather then those that become partially inserted in a very uncomfortable place! I had a 1977 Motobecane Super Mirage Road bike that had the narrowest seat I aver owned. Back then, it was not uncomfortable, but as the years progressed, I moved to wider seats and bigger tires, but still am pedaling all summer here.

What I cannot stand is a couple in their 30s with full power electric bikes passing everyone at 30 mph. I do not believe they should be allowed on bike trails and paths.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I like that. I stopped riding a few years ago because I can’t swing my bum leg over the seat anymore and my balance is sketchy between a stroke and neuropathy.That’s got me thinking lol

"What I cannot stand is a couple in their 30s with full power electric bikes passing everyone at 30 mph. I do not believe they should be allowed on bike trails and paths."

One should be mindful of others no matter what kind of bike you ride.

My wife and I bought two bikes about 6 months ago. We did not want e-bikes because the whole purpose for us was to get exercise. I had an e-scooter and recently got rid of it as I was getting no exercise other than my throttle wrist - lol. We also did not want bikes with multiple gears or hand brakes - just simple old fashion cruisers with coaster brakes like we had when we were kids. We wound up getting a his and hers version of Panama Jack Bikes. They are like brand new and we bought them from a neighbor for a "song". They are nothing exotic and not the greatest bikes in the world but for our purposes they are great - and we do ride them often.

Thankfully we are both in pretty good health so we have no restrictions as far as exercising goes. Our bodies tell us when we have gone far enough. We ride around the lake a few times a week and around other parts of the development to keep the scenery new. Our rides go about 5-10 miles a day, 3-4 days a week, depending on our moods - so far so good!

Our community is HUGE on bikes!! Pretty much everyone has them and uses them often. Happy Campers!

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38 pounds, less than I thought it would.

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Keep on Chooglin'

That is a wider seat, to me anyway. I was considering putting a narrower seat on it but after 23 miles, the wider seat felt fine.

The top speed of this bike is rated at 20mph. That's in 9th gear and the highest power setting.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Since the batteries are in the lower end of the down tube, the bike feels very stable.

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Keep on Chooglin'

"The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn't fit, make alterations."
Snubby, my legs are fine and the last time I traveled 15 miles in a day without the use of my car was a couple of decades ago. You keep doing you and don't worry about it. If it gets you out and moving, it's a good thing. Enjoy life, my friend, even if you have to MacGyver some of it!

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The best I can with what I got

That's the thing, I'm using this as a fitness bike. I can leave the pedal assist off and push myself harder without having to worry about making it back home.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I actually wanted to go further unassisted but I ran into a stiff head wind on my way back. My total mileage was 23 miles in 'bout 2.5 hours
Maybe next time.....

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Rock on, Snubby! I’d ride with you.

There's a guy who rides one of these things around the local college campus. He looks like Jerry Miculek except that he's pushing 85 years old. He's riding just about every day even when the weather is lousy and he told me he has put thousands of miles on the bike. Nowadays most people half his age couldn't do that.

A couple of faceplants might change your mind.

Good luck with that thought with regards to the majority of e-bike riders! They are only mindful of themselves not others.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Yes exactly. There are tons of bike paths around me. This time a year when it’s muddy I walk the dogs on these bike paths. My favorite is along the Erie Canal. People on these bikes close on you quickly from behind. You can’t hear them till they’re right on top of you. I yelled at a teenager last week for this. My dogs are on retractable leashes. Most bikers approaching from behind will yell out “ on the left”. I shorten leash and they pass without incident. They are bicyclist. They know the rules. Nowadays they ride these electric bikes like mopeds or motorcycles. I’m really suprised NY doesn’t require registration and insurance on them. If I put an electric trolling motor on my canoe. I have to register it.

I usually ride 20-25 miles each way. Last year I got caught in a unexpected thunderstorm about 15 miles away from the parking lot where my car was.
There are a couple roads passing over the greenway that provide shelter but I was too far away. I got drenched head to toe. Ever pedal in a pouring rain?
I’m thinking e-bike now as I could have outran the storm.
I’ve started looking at Aventon, it has a longer life battery, recommend by a friend who takes it with him when traveling with his Bronco.

As far as rude people on the greenway, yes, you have the speeders, people walking four abreast taking up the whole path, and people failing to notify. On the left or a whistle is sufficient.
Regular bikes speed too and fail to warn others, not just e-bikes.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Some e-bikes remind me of….

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.