As I get ready to return to cycling after a three years absence and a relatively minor heart attack, I'm sorting out my options.

I've concluded that it's time to sell the Mazi; it's just too much bike for me in the foreseeable future here in hilly, windy Reno. I'm having the Specialized hybrid tuned up and will be picking it up today.

The "problem" with the hybrid is that I can't easily ride it right out of my garage because I live in mountain foothills and the hills are just too much for me. I've lost a lot of my fitness from my days living in San Diego. I know I can recover some, or maybe all of that, but until then, I'm forced to transport my bike to a flat MUP 5-6 miles away in order to ride. The hassle of loading/unloading the bike just to ride it will dissuade me, I know, from spontaneous rides.

All of which got me thinking...

First, I considered moving to a 'bent. Or even a 'bent trike. These bikes would be far more comfortable, from what I can tell. But they don't solve the "ride out of the garage" problem, as far as I can tell. And, there is NO local LBS store where I can test ride, purchase, and service a bike like this.

That led to me to begin exploring electric bikes. Especially when used simply as peddle-assist, it would seem a bike such as this would allow me to enjoy all aspects of cycling, on the road or on a MUP, with a "little help from my friends," (the motor).

I've been looking at an e-bike made by Specialized, and will also be looking at Trek as well as others, such as Raleigh.

I'm not sold on the idea yet - they're expensive, for one thing. But I am intrigued about them. Wondering if there are any e-bike riders on the 50+ Forum. While a part of me thinks of them as somehow "cheating" another part of me has me convinced that if I had one, I'd be out on the road FAR more often this spring. I think of an e-bike as something like an escalator or a moving sidewalk. Sure, the motor is helping you along, but you can still use your own power to walk as well. You just get somewhere faster and aren't out of breath when you get there.

Interested in your thoughts and insight. Thanks!