During the summer of 2020, one year ago, Thom and I traded in our regular bicycles for e-bikes. Thom had been reading up on them for a couple of years but we kept resisting the urge. We believed, like many others, that you get a lot more exercise from regular bikes than with “pedal-assisted” e-bikes. But then after about 5 months of COVID with no end in sight, we thought, “Why wait?” Within minutes of getting on my new bike I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face and wondered why we waited so long. But in case you are wondering, you still need to pedal. The pedal-assist option just gives you a little “fun” boost with the process. It also seems to bring back feelings of coasting through life as free as a kid. However, like most things in life there are always a few lessons that can be found and this blog post is a few that come to mind after our most recent ride.
Because we enjoy riding our e-bikes so much we planned from the very beginning to load them on our
Subaru and take them with us to Canada this summer. Our first long-term stay was in Parksville, Vancouver Island where there are several nice bike trails. While we enjoyed riding there, it wasn’t until we got to Kelowna, BC that we were able to experience a truly “wow” ride. All of the photos in this post came from an iconic ride near Kelowna on the Rails to Trail bike path known as the Myra Canyon Trestle Trail. It is 12 kilometers one way, across 18 trestles, with two caves that were formally part of the Kettle Valley Railway in British Columbia.
Here are five lessons that came to mind that I think apply to not only riding an e-bike but also navigating everyday life.
#1 Focus on where you want to go, not where you are. It’s tempting, especially on a narrow trail going over a trestle high over a perilous cliff to look to each side and imagine the worst. STOP it! In fact, fearing the worst can result in “target focus.” Either can cause you to choke, freeze or even fall. Best to pick a spot a short distance in front of you and aim for that. Focusing on where you want to go helps to see more ways to flow around or through any obstacle. Plus, it quiets the voices of fear in your head and gives you something else to concentrate on doing.
#2 Go your own speed. Just like in life there will be lots of people racing by you when you are out for a ride, walk, drive, etc. Don’t let them intimidate you into going faster than you want. And don’t let them irritate you into criticizing those others or beating yourself up for not matching what others are doing. Let them do their thing. Find your own speed and enjoy the ride.
#3 Only go as far as you want. If you have FOMO (fear of missing out) like I do you might find it difficult (like me) to not go as far as everyone else—or the very end of the trail. I can’t tell you how many times I (later) regretted insisting on doing it all and going all the way. For example, during our Myra Canyon Ride a dear friend of mine named Deb went about four-fifths of the way and said, “You all go on without me and I’ll be here when you get back.” And you know what? She was! As it turned out, the rest of the way got a lot colder and far less interesting than the part Deb had already seen. Plus, from what I can tell I didn’t win any prizes for going to the end. The “trick” is to know our limits and to follow our internal guidance enough to know when enough is enough.
#4. Remember to include play in your life! I confess that I am a fair-weather sports girl. I crave the sun and enjoy being outside. But if it’s too hot, cold, windy or wet, I will usually pass on most sports-like-activities—including riding my e-bike. Of course, I realize fun can be very subjective and that sometimes we need to do things than don’t appear to be fun even when we don’t want to. Yet making time to have fun and play can add something to life that is frequently missing as we age.
With so much emphasis on exercise as essential for good health, I think we overlook the fact that if we are just grueling it out just to stay healthy–our mental and emotional health suffers. Remember, an uber-long life is not necessarily a good life. Of course, I’m not saying we should give up exercising or taking care of our physical health. What I am suggesting is that it is important to find ways to make it fun—because they exist. And playing and having fun on a regular basis is just as critical as other experiences in our lives.
Oh, and let me make clear that riding a pedal-assist e-bike is exercise. While some models exist where you don’t have to pedal, on our bikes you must pedal or the motor shuts down. What happens for me is that I end up going much further and attempt far more rides and distances than I ever would without the “assist.” Where before I would resist most hills and inclines, now I just use the appropriate adjustment and take them on. Most importantly (at least to me) is that it is fun and that makes me want to get out there and ride more!
#5 Riding an e-bike is a choice but like all choices—we must live with the consequences of that choice. Sure, riding an e-bike can be wonderfully fun, but there is a chance you can get going too fast and/or make a wrong turn at the wrong time. Yes, I’ve taken a couple of tumbles right after I first got my new bike while learning to adjust to its balance and speed. There is a learning curve. And as we all know, “stuff” occasionally happens that asks us to make choices. Do we get back on the bike and keep riding—or throw in the towel? Do we take precautions—or stop all together? While we can’t always control how/when/where that “stuff” shows up, what we do after and how we choose to think about it and respond, is largely up to us. Yes, I do believe we get to “make it up.”
So, I hope my “playful” suggestions got you thinking about how they might apply to your life. And because I so love e-bikes as a way to do it, I highly recommend them to anyone who is interested and able. Of course, like most life lessons, it is SMART to notice that these lessons likely apply to all of us to a certain extent as we cruise through life.
Boy, that IS a narrow trail, but it sure looks like you had fun!
We too got e-bikes in the summer of 2020 (our covid entertainment). We love them, have clocked well over 1k miles on many bike trips.
We too were hesitant to get them thinking they were for “lazy” people. However you can get quite a workout riding them based on the level of assist you choose.
We always have big smiles on our face when riding them. I tell my dh it is the best purchase we every made!
Hi Becky! Nice to hear from other ebike riders! And good for you for over 1,000 miles. I’m “almost” there! Isn’t it one of the easiest ways to bring a smile on our face? And where are you from? If you check this would love to know where you are and who knows? Maybe we will see you on the trails. ~Kathy
Kathy we are on the east coast, Virginia. We have done almost every bike trail in our state as well as those around the Washington, DC area.
We are heading to Hilton Head, SC. next week. We have vacationed there many times with our regular bikes but looking forward to taking the ebikes. Miles and miles of bike trails there.
We are also lucky to live in a community with quiet streets and very little traffic so we easily hop on our bikes after dinner and take a 10 mile ride several times a week.
It’s also been great for our relationship, in that it is an activity we both equally enjoy.
The only negative is getting those heavy bikes on and off the bike rack. Takes the two of us.
Hi again Becky! Good to know about the trails back your way although we have no plans to go that way any time soon. But you never know right? And yes, I so agree that riding e-bikes is an activity that you can do together. E-bikes sort of level out the playing field so that you can always keep up if you want to. And I agree about the bikes being a tad heavier. We always take the batteries and bags off our bikes before putting them on the car bike racks but still better when there are two of us. Oh well, small price to pay IMHO.
Keep riding and enjoy yourselves. E-bikes make the future much brighter for those of us who enjoy riding! ~Kathy
I love my e-bike SO MUCH! I would write almost exactly what you did. It makes me grin like a kid! And I’m discovering new routes that I can do now that I’m not afraid of hills.
Hi Nancy! Always nice to find other e-bike lovers. I’m not sure if others really “get” the fun level unless they get on one. And discovering new and fun places to ride is always great. I do belong to a couple of FB groups that focus on e-bikes but from what I can tell there isn’t a national website that lists all the best bike paths or trails available. If anyone knows of one, I would love to hear about it. Keep riding Nancy and who knows? Maybe our paths will cross sometime in the future! ~Kathy
My favorite quote in here is “find your own speed and enjoy the ride”!
Hi Pat! Yes, isn’t that a great reminder to us all–every day!!! ~Kathy
Kathy, I throughly enjoyed your article. I’ve been riding my e bikes for over a year too, and the points you make are on target. Riding a bike again is invigorating and I see so many things that I had no idea we’re nearby if I didn’t ride the bike trails. It’s truly a joy! My husband bought his e bike a couple of months ago and sometimes we ride together. He rides to the gym, works out and rides back home (about 12 miles round trip). He’s 75 and I’m 74 so having electric bikes makes riding fun! Thank you for setting the record straight about these bikes as there are so many misconceptions surrounding them. I appreciate you!
Hi Elaine. Thanks. And thanks for pointing out that it is easier to see things all around you when you’re on a bike and moving slower. (Although I sense that some riders are so hellbent on speed that they don’t see too much either!). Good or you (and your husband) for finding that e-bikes are not only great transportation but fun as well. Keep enjoying your bikes! ~Kathy
What a great article, Kathy, and I love the pictures and videos. It looked like you were having a ton of fun and that’s important, I agree. I love the five points you used and referenced them back to life. You are absolutely correct – they all apply. A lot of people don’t pay attention to “themselves” and what their wants and desires are. The only race or job you have in life is to be a better you than you were yesterday, I think.
I had heard of e-bikes and our “cruise son” (LOL) owned one. Unfortunately, he took a bad tumble and broke his leg/ankle and had to have major surgery. So, that kind of made us hesitant. Now we might have to reinvestigate e-bikes because I want to have the same big, cheerful, joyful smile on my face that you did.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, pictures and videos. Great post and subject once again! 🙂
Hi Debbie! Oh sorry to hear about your son. I think a lot of younger (mainly men) get an ebike with as much power as they can and I’m guessing your son might have done the same. Men tend to want to go a LOT faster than me and I see them wizzing by all the time. It’s that, “just because you can doesn’t mean you should!” My optimal cruising speed is about 9-10 mph and that allows me to enjoy the ride and look around. Fortunately Thom doesn’t seem to mind either. Again, I think it all has to do why you are doing it and what you hope to experience. Give it a try if you get the chance. ~Kathy
PS. We head home on Thursday. We’ve had a wonderful visit here in your country. If you make it down south any time soon. Please let us know.
How fun! We’ve considered getting e-bikes. And I completely agree on #4. I know so many people who “exercise” inconsistently, because they are trying to “motivate” themselves to do something they hate! Yuck, nope. We are very active, because we would rather be outside playing, than sitting indoors. But you will never see any of us forcing our way through a “boot camp” class or anything similar! (More power to the people who actually enjoy those!)
Hey Bethany! Glad you liked the post. And good for you for making movement “fun” instead of a competition or a drudge. I just can’t!!! I guess it is the same difference I tend to see on joggers vs. walkers. Joggers always look so serious–while us walkers can laugh, talk and smile while getting outside. Obviously you and I are in the same crowd! ~Kahty
Kathy great article and visuals. Would you believe I had no idea what an ebike was? I thought a new kind of stationary bike and when you said you took them with you I was having a true head scratch moment! I looked it up and realized I was seeing the ebike in motion. You guys are so adventurous…I love it! If I every give one a try I will be sure to let you know.
Hi Amanda! I am very pleased that I was able to introduce you to something new. Especially something that can be so much fun! Check out your area and see if you can rent one locally, but like I said to Annie, they can be REALLY addictive! ~Kathy
Thanks for sharing your experience. We are thinking of getting e-bikes so this is timely and helpful.
Hi Annie! Yes, yes yes!!! If you enjoy riding a bike you will LOVE riding an e-bike. It is especially nice if you live in a city/town where there a good bike trails. We have a good carrier to take them to other locations but it is really nice if you have trails in your own back yard. ~Kathy
Kathy
Thank you for sharing, love your analogies. Now I am very curious about the e-bike for myself
Jamie
Hi Jamie. They are quickly become the latest “fad” for baby boomer because they make riding a bike so much more pleasurable. Of course lots of mountain bikes are now coming with the option because they can really help going over hills. Sometimes you can tell it is an e-bike and sometimes it is a lot harder. Like I mentioned to Deb, if you’re interested, they are becoming very accessible to rent in most places these days. Let me know if you try one! But be careful, they are addictive!!! ~Kathy
I see an e-bike in my future, Kathy! Thank you for such an informative look at them.
Deb
Hi Deb! They are VERY fun and I think you would enjoy them. I didn’t notice what bike trails were in Naniamo but you might want to check around before you decide. I’m not big on riding on busy streets even if they provide a “bike lane.” What makes them really fun is taking a dedicated bike path and not having to worry about cars. The good news? You can rent them in LOTS of places now to see if you like them. And if you ever get over to Kelowna they have some great trails here. (see my FB post from today!). ~Kathy
Looks like relaxing and rejuvenating fun. Is “Focus on where you want to go, not where you are” different than mindfulness?
Hi Gary! Good catch! I actually thought about addressing that seeming paradox but didn’t (in the article at least) But I do think that it is a both/and sort of thing. Obviously you want to be present to the experience, but where your focus goes and “targets” can definitely effect your ride. I think we can stay present AND look forward at the same time and I’m guessing you do too! ~Kathy
Great life lessons! Those trails are so gorgeous… so different than riding in a city. If I get another bike (and your adventures are encouraging me to think seriously about it), it will definitely be an e-bike.
Hi Janis! Yes it was truly an amazing ride and extremely unique. You don’t need an ebike to ride this trail but it sure makes it a lot more fun. They have a bike rental place at the start and I’m guessing most people did that. There were also quite a few walkers because it was such a gorgeous day but I doubt they went the entire way. Put it on the list if you come back to BC. ~Kathy
Great article! & I’ve so enjoyed our rides here in Kelowna!
Yes Deb! You’ve helped to make both of rides lots of fun. Keep riding! ~Kathy
Hi, I also have been thinking about buying an e-bike for a long time. Would you mind sharing the type of bike you both got?
Thanks! Jackie
Hi Jackie. We very purposely choose to get the same brand of bike as our original bikes–Townie Electra. They are a model of beach cruiser making them very comfortable to ride. (you sit upright not bent over) and you can easily touch the ground. We have the 8i version which means we have 8 gears (like any regular bike can have) and then we have 5 different power levels. Our bikes can go approximately 60-80 miles easily on one charge. I tend to use more “power” than Thom and we have never even come close to using that much. Any other questions just ask. ~Kathy