This is a week of testing for me, three different visits to one hospital to check out my heart and blood and diabetes.
I read about Simon Cowell’s e-motorcycle accident (yes, I do know about it), and on impulse, pulled into a bicycle shop in Saratoga Springs and asked about e-bikes.
I got on one and rode it around the parking lot, this bike was made for older people like me who wanted to ride for exercise and fun but who also might need some help on hills and longer rides.
The cardiologists love exercise, but also get nervous about it. They keep telling me to take it easy.
Cowell’s e-bike was a SWIND EB-01, the most powerful e-motorcyel sold. The starting price is about $20,000. The ones I looked at today were much less powerful, like one-tenth as much.
The one I looked at was $2,500, which I can’t afford either.
It was comfortable and well designed, I could easily get on it off. There were three buttons to push to give me support when I needed it, but I would be pedaling all of the time, the bike (which is battery powered) would just help me if and when I needed it.
I have never been good at any other exercise than walking, I dislike gyms or stationary bicycles. I don’t really know why I just don’t like them. It might be because my father was a lifelong jock and sports fan, and he often suggested I was a sissy for not playing basketball.
I am reluctant to even think about buying something that without being 100 percent certain I would use it. I could save up for it I was convinced it would help.
When you have diabetes and heart disease, you are told again and again that exercise is critical for good health. My walking is limited due to my knees and medications that react to extreme heat or cold.
I have a lot of good things to live for.
E-bikes are good for knees, there is always support if needed.
I think an e-book would be a good thing for me to have, but I am uncomfortable taking on any debt or spending so much money. Would it be good for me? Would I use it? Would it justify using up some of my savings or putting some of the cost on a credit card?
Maria thinks it could be a good idea for me, but she says it’s up to me.
I am a bit muddled about it, but I think the answer is no. Spending that much money on a bike just seems out of whack to me.
I will go back on Friday and take another look and I will also talk to my doctors about whether they think it is worth saving up for or thinking about it.
It’s a strange world when Simon Cowell would lead me into an exploration of a new technology that would put me on a bike I could ride around near the farm.
Maybe all of these tests I’m having this week will tell me something that would be useful to know.
Kindness activist? I don’t think so. Arrogant, opinionated to the point that he won’t hear another person’s point of view. A total jerk
My doctor said biking was good for my knees also, but recommended a spinner bike. It took a little getting use to, but now I love it! Walking with the dogs is a close second?
Simon fell off an electric motorcycle, bot a bike. I love my electric bike. So will you. It makes biking fun again.
Never learned to ride a bike when I was little. I bought an adult tricycle about 20-25 years ago & used it very little. I traded it to someone on a scavenger hunt for a bag of mis-matched golf clubs. LOL! Now I use my husbands bike in a gizmo that turns it into a stationary bike, and that works really well for me. I use it less than I should, but I have bad knee days when the idea of any exercise is too much. Go with your gut, and if you think you will enjoy it (and if it can be used safely on uneven land around the farm), go for it! Maybe they make one built for two, and you & Maria could ride around together.
Jon, I too have been thinking of an e-bike. There is a very popular model called RAD that have shops in Oregon (yes, I know, that’s across the country). They can be purchased online, and are way less expensive, but still a good bike. However, they can be powerful. I joined the FB group (and left it) twice. Tried to convince myself I need it and would be safe. I have bad knees, arthritis in my foot, and am nearing 65. The falls scare me. I’ve read about people accidentally veering off the sidewalk onto grass or loose gravel and falling, dislocating shoulders, breaking ankles, hitting their faces and missing teeth! Then there are others who love their bikes, say they’ve lost weight, their knees hurt less because of the exercise and weight loss, even ride with kids on the back or in a wagon.
It’s very tempting. But scary! I used to ride horses (in my 40’s and 50’s ) and fell several times. It hurts!
Good luck in your decision. Looking forward to seeing what happens.
Martha.
I just want to shout at you to eat a (much) more plant based diet and a lot less animal products. I know I’m making assumptions about your current diet but, regardless this is good advice.
Check these resources:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=291615615455320&id=237262303019544
nutritionfacts.org
Thanks Deborah, I don’t discuss my diet online,and I have very good medical advice, thanks..
Deborah: I eat lots of fruits and vegetables but obtain my protein from animals. I am on a diet where I don’t eat grains, nuts, seeds, bean, eggs, dairy, or nightshade vegetables (and have lost weight doing this). Feed lots are awful places. Cows produce methane because they aren’t fed their natural diet of foraged grasses and forbs. They aren’t meant to eat grains, let alone just one kind of grass. That said, I mostly eat fish, chicken, turkey. Fred Provenza’s book, Nourishment might be of interest to you.
Hi Jon,
I love that you are considering the investment of an e-bike. Test riding, researching and really being honest with yourself about if/when/how much you will use are all important considerations particularly when the $ is beyond what one would normally invest in a bicycle. As a massage therapist, I’ve observed that many times, exercise in a controlled and safe environment can be extremely beneficial rather than not doing regular exercise of our joints and muscles. As for e-bikes: I love them for myself and many of our customers at our bicycle shop have made the investment, especially those in the 50-75 year range. I’ve noticed commonalities among them: they love the outdoors, would love to cover more distance but get too fatigued on a regular bike, often have a spouse or friend who is a superior cyclist so now they can keep up and ride with them (this is huge!), and others have commented that they use it more than they originally speculated they would. Sometimes that extra $ investment “encourages” one to use it more (get your money’s worth, right?).
They do come in a variety of types/classes which also influences the $. I found an article that gives additional information. https://electrek.co/2019/04/18/how-to-buy-first-electric-bicycle/
I’m glad that you are going back to check it out again. Bicycles of all types are particularly challenging to acquire at this time however, I want to stress the importance of getting what you want and not feeling like “this is all they have”. Ask your bicycle shop as they can let you know what is possible. Some have found renting one for a day or a week allowed them a better perspective (some communities have that option).
I appreciate the extra challenge health issues can bring. I have found that class I e-bikes really allow those who were unable to ride a bicycle long enough to truly reap the health benefits an extra opportunity to do so. Being outside in nature, the wind through your hair, getting your heart rate up, seeing your community from two wheels gives so many additional physiological benefits. I’m hopeful you will continue to choose your health as that is the true measure of wealth in my opinion.
Thanks Donna, that is very helpful information..
I am absolutely THRILLED for you in your investment of an e-bike for your physical and mental health. I share in your joy/fear/apprehension/bliss mixture of feelings and applaud you in acknowledging and facing these concerns. Whenever something brings up fear and the impulse to run away for me…I now turn toward those fear feelings for further inspection as I know the reward on the other side. I wish you exceptional health on your two wheeled journey!
When I had my last herniated disc 12 years ago I had been using my bike for transportation (work, doctor’s appt. and leisure). I was able to still ride my bike since it relieved the stress on my lower spine. I then proceeded with my 2nd back surgery. I concur with using a bicycle to maintain exercise level.
Jon, I am 78-years-old and as co-ordinated as an ashtray. The only reason I didn’t fail PE in prep school is because I was a good student and well-behaved cheerer from the sidelines at all those god-awful field hockey and lacrosse games. But in the last 5 years I have ridden an e-bke on the back roads of France, Viet Nam, Chile, Denmark and Holland. Here at home my husband and I ride about 10 miles every Sunday–and I do most of my daily errants on my bike. Buy one…put it on a credit card and pay it off over time. It will be SO worth it. Just wear a helmet and don’t ride through mud, gravel or sand–the only times I’ve fallen. ONWARD.
Great note, Casey you are my new hero…I think I will take your advice…
Casey, you are my hero, as well, and I also love your humour. “. . . as coordinated as an ashtray.” LOL
That’s the way I feel somedays, with my arthritic knees. I am waiting for a knee replacement – it was scheduled for June pre-COVid – but who know when it will be now – and my ever-so-empathetic orthopedic surgeon pointed me out to his resident as having a “peg-leg.” Next time I see him, I’m wearing a pirate hat and carrying a skull and crossbones flag.
This is a very interesting conversation for me as I have been contemplating an e-bike as well.
Donna Stone, I will take your advice and try one out at a local bike shop, if and when they are available for rent.
Thanks for opening up the discussion, Jon.
And I’m buying one tomorrow..I’ll keep you posted..