As you know, I live on the other hill and come your direction in the morning. I have had one negative comment during my commute. Otherwise, just some curiosity. The one negative comment was someone I passed, after multiple rings of my bell and way away from the person I was going 16 mph when I passed him. People do not like being passed, yet on the flat I would have done the same on my non-ebike. Like you, I have been totally a surprised by the good workout, and needed to do this to save my knees. A friend who raced MTBs on the world circuit level was loaned an emtb, he was surprised by the workout and how fun it is I got to ride that bike, and agreed with him. Being able to use 4 levels of assist make it possible and practical.