Originally Posted by
rawly old
Much as I would like to cycle totally under my own power,
I recently have had to abandon denial for the realization that
I am no longer 20. Don't get me wrong; even now in winter I
spend 30 min. a day on a stationary cranked down to hi load
seven days a week. 1/2 an hour aint enuff to go on a long
tour, and where I live sure aint Kansas, Dorothy. (lotsa topo-
graphy here)
Loathe as I am to admit it, i need a motor. Some years
back I runover shattering my left leg, (4 pieces above knee,
13 below the knee). My right leg was ripped open to the bone
from my shattered kneecap to mid thigh.
Now in my 60's, i seem to have lost a wee mite of my endur-
ance, but not my desire to travel ..... affordably. Electric
just won't cut it. Not too many outlets on the Cascade trail
or the desert of eastern Oregon. I've built up a good tourer,
upgrading an old technium MB and manufactured a surpris-
ingly good single wheel trailer after a myriad design changes.
Anyone have any suggestions for a viable engine setup
that's cheaper than a used car?
With an Artifical left hip, and a deformed left knee, and Arthritis in just about every other joint I've got; I've been thinking about an Electic Assist Bicycle of some kind so that I can take longer trips myself.
You state that you beleive... "Not too many outlets on the Cascade trail or the desert of eastern Oregon". But, my question would be, do you know of many Gas Stations, in those areas as well? Just my opinion, but I would rather pack a couple of extra Nicad, or Lithium Batteries any day over packing gasoline with me on a long distance tour. I would think the likelihood of finding an electric outlet at a Ranger/Comfort Station would be higher than a gas station. Plus, most electric bikes can be set to where it will assist with pedaling to different strengths, and the more you can pedal, the greater the range out of a battery charge... Just a couple thoughts.
P.S. Just another quick thought... The Gas Powered system says it gets 225 miles per gallon, but doesn't say how big the tank is on the unit. A gallon of gas to lug around would be a bit of a problem I would think...