It's the future, it's inevitable and I don't think there's nothing wrong with it. If you check out tourists in germany, I'd estimate 90% are now riding e-bikes. While we rode through I tried spotting conventionals and they were really quite rare. I even tried one e-bike when a nice fellow tourist let have a go. It was fun but not really my thing, at least not yet.

Most german tour bikes have a Bosch bb mounted engine and a down tube battery (check out hai bikes). I really didn't like the bosch as it was creaky as heck. If I ever go E I'll either have a front wheel drive, a non creaky bb mount or a rear wheel drive.

Also considering that an E-bike with one battery pack weighs only a few pounds more than your average tour bike (at least the one I tried was only 2 kilos heavier than my bike) you could even do remote touring and only use battery power when needed.

I also don't blame young people who could also not use electric assist. This for one reason and revelation I've had on this tour I'm on. Touring is only a vacation. There is nothing higher, nothing noble or cool about it. It's just a way to have a good time. And an E-bike gives more flexibility to have fun as it allows for longer daily distances, more speed etc.

I find that for a young person using electric assist would somehow be unacceptable is frankly one of the stupidest comments I've seen on this forum in years. Shame on you Caretaker.