E-biking for me has been restorative therapy for a sudden, permanent medical condition. It was the suggested treatment by my primary care doctor for a leg disability. Not like walking steps on the the escalator or a fake experience like professional wrestling.
I've had 4 heart attacks over the past 25 years including a 45 minute cardiac arrest and a quintuple bypass. Add to that resume... stage 1 rectal cancer. The latest... a recently torn femoral nerve/quad muscle and arthritis bad enough to make me walk with a limp. I'm still cycling with the aid of an electric assist.
from electric bike sub-forum...
Originally Posted by
BobG
I've found that my torque sensor rewards me more the harder I pedal thus I'll put in more effort of my own to reap the benefit. In the past I'd twiddle up the 2 mile hill up to my mountainside NH house at 5 mph in fairly low gear, 32x34 or 22x34 on a bad day. If I worked over twice as hard in a slightly higher gear I'd be going maybe 8mph. No return for the effort so I'd go back to the 5 mph and arrive home without even breathing hard. With the electric assist I can ride 10-15-20mph (if I'm feeling spunky) up the same hill in the big chain ring, 44x13 or 15, and arrive home winded and exhilarated. That reward is like a carrot out in front that makes me work harder with the assist than without
Anybody who has a torque sensor pedal assist (such as BionX) will likely ride harder than before without it. That's just how it works. One does not get much reward from the motor without pedaling hard along with it. You quickly learn to minimize use of the throttle and high assist levels in order to extend battery range.
Yes, we will climb hills a lot faster now than the conventional cyclist. This may bruise the ego of the rider passed thus the source of antagonism voiced in this and other forums. I will always point out my motor when passing the 25 year old on a Cervelo so they don't take it personally. When I exceed 20mph the motor cuts off and I'm working harder than the conventional rider as I start fighting the weight and motor drag of my assist.
As previously posted, disability happens. Last year at this time I wouldn't have considered an ebike for all of the reasons posted by others above. But suddenly, without warning, poop happened and I tore the nerve with a simple twisting fall! I've recovered from the cancer and heart attacks but the torn nerve is permanent! Next year it could be BigAura, NoControl, alan s or Tourist in MSN.
I doubt that I can return to long distance bike camping/touring again with just a 40-50 mile range between gas stations but I can still enjoy local cycling and short overnights like the rest of you. I resent the animosity expressed above and below.