OP here!
It's been a year since this post and I've learned a lot about ebikes. Including the fact that well made ones you can pedal without the hub power. It's just more difficult up hills and into gale force winds.

This is my first year of pedalling to work and back full time. 48 km's a day, 5 days a week.That's a 1000 km's a month, and I would not be able to do that without some 'help'.

I still ride my tour bike and tandem without any assist, so I don't believe I've gone soft. I pedal everywhere I go, after all this is motor-assist, not replacement. As a rule I'm really thrilled with being able to bike everywhere without using a car at all. I figure I'm saving at least $10,000 a year by that alone. Since I sold my car 17 years ago I've saved more than $150,000. I'm healther, a lot trimmer and a whole lot happier. If you include the health club membership I don't need, then I've saved even more.

I'm just building up a new bike right now using all the lessons I've learned in the past 2 years. I'll let you know how things are going once it is finished. In the meantime I carry an extra fuse.