The Knee-Jerk Purchase I'm So Thrilled I Made

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You know that expression, “it’s as easy as riding a bike,” when trying something for the first time in a long time? At 64, it’s been well over a decade since I last perched myself on a non-stationery two-wheeler. But just last week, I purchased an e-bike from Amazon. It was such a spontaneous, knee-jerk purchase as I didn’t even know that I was in the market for one.

So, what was the trigger for this spontaneous purchase? Completely FOMO, aka, fear of missing out! More of our friends have been vacationing with e-bike travel groups, exploring the backroads of European destinations or even scoping the scenic routes of their own hometown. I wanted in!

I have never been a bike enthusiast. I’ve owned them and rode them but found little incentive to ‘cruise’ on them. There was always an uphill aspect that undermined the enjoyment. And I never took any pleasure in stationary bikes.

Then e-bikes presented a new option, biking the hills without the struggle. Brilliant! It's still exercise. You still pedal, although you don’t have to feel the pain to gain. This is a bicycle with a rechargeable electric motor that assists a rider with pedaling. The motor provides different levels of assistance.

But until recently, the cost of owning one was impractical. The average cost of an entry level e-bike, in essence, a beginner’s bike that includes a single speed with three levels of pedal assistance, was $1000 to $2,000. Now you can get a new model starting at about $300 (and of course the price climbs upward) by surfing the multiple styles and sizes online.

It makes sense that the e-bike is gaining popularity with seniors. We can ride without strain. We can ride for distance. We can ride for pleasure and get exercise as a bonus.

The pedal-assist feature allows riders to control their own level of ease. And the beauty is that no one ever needs to know what level you choose. In fact, the bikes are designed so that the motor blends into the frame. Its neither an eyesore nor an eye-catcher.

My Amazon bike arrived 80 percent assembled. My job was to attach the handlebars, the seat, the front tire and the pedals — just about every instrument that enables one to crash if not done properly. But, hey, I paid about $350, delivery and tools included, for an entry-level option, so I expected some do-it-yourself work.

It took the best part of the afternoon for me to complete the assemblage, relying on four different YouTube videos and three Google searches in conjunction with the packaged instructions. Though, four hours later, with only one leftover bolt, my bike was ready to mount.

I strapped my helmet to my head, pushed the button for the electrical power, positioned my butt onto the seat and cautiously pedaled around my cul-de-sac to get my bearings and ensure my balance. And you know what? It was as easy as riding a bike! I was ready to venture into the neighborhood.

As I approached the first hill, I pushed the “plus” button on the small instrument panel that was attached to the handlebar, easily accessible with my left thumb, while still maintaining a firm grip on the handlebar. It was as if someone gave me a swift kick from behind and never stopped kicking. I was traveling uphill without any strain or resistance. What a glorious feeling to enjoy the wind-in-my-face going uphill, without the sweat.

I rode for another 10 miles, easily switching from the assisted to unassisted settings, feeling like my seven-year-old self when my dad let go of my bike without training wheels for the first time.

Even though I was constantly pedaling, I never felt fatigued. I had three power modes at my fingertips, and easily used them all! The beauty of the e-bike is that you don’t need to focus on gear changes as you’re traveling diverse terrains.

Like standard bicycles, e-bikes come in a variety of sizes and styles, many suited for those of us over 60.

Bike enthusiasts will agree that a wider tire will soften the shock of the open road. And e-bikes are designed closer to the ground, so when we stop, we can easily and quickly get our feet planted on the foundation, which is good for the less accomplished rider and for those whose balance is challenged.

There are e-bikes with a throttle that allows you the luxury of complete effortless riding. There are three-wheelers and fold-ups. There are ones with batteries designed to take you as far as a 60-mile trek. Some offer baskets or an extra seat depending on your cargo.

Since my knee-jerk purchase, I have bought handlebar mirrors and a lock, not to mention a padded seat cover and then later padded shorts. No matter how much pedal assistance you choose, there seems to be no escaping the bum-burn. Your butt will still feel the ride, sometimes for days.

It's now been five months of ownership. I have made multiple short trips to the pharmacy, to Starbucks and to lunch. And I have cruised to nowhere in particular except to feel the bravado of the adventure. The best part of biking is that it doesn’t require planning or even other people. I love the solitude of the ride.

Just recently, though, I convinced my husband, who cringes at the idea of a walk around the neighborhood, to get back on the saddle. I committed us to our first cycling adventure in Croatia, five days entirely on e-bikes. We’ll see how this goes!

A last word of advice: make sure that you are on the unassisted mode when you’re preparing to stop, otherwise the vehicle keeps propelling you forward. An encounter with my garage door, unfortunately, has taught me that valuable lesson.

 
Have you ever tried an e-bike? Or do you prefer a regular bike? Let us know in the comments below.