As promised earlier this week, here it is, but first the tldr: not for me, perhaps for thee, but only for good reason. Even so, there's a very good reason to test ride one, so read on.
Last Saturday after finishing the 50 mile Epic (see yesterday's post), a mechanic from Tallahassee, another rider, and I were discussing e-bikes. The other rider had just finished the Epic also, but additionally had just wrapped up chemotherapy the previous week. Now that's a legit use for an e-bike. A couple of tents over in the campsite there was a guy who'd had heart surgery in October, and he'd ridden the half-Epic as well on an e-bike. Yep, legit. A friend here in town has trashed-out knees from a lifetime in motion, and he too rides an e-bike. Totally legit. What's more, I can see other valid uses as well, such as a pro working on handling skills while giving the legs a rest day, as part of a structured training schedule. I'm sure the list goes on.
So I got talked into a test ride on Sunday. Showed up with my driver's license and a credit card (no charge, just as hostages to ensure return of the bike), one of the mechanics tuned it to my parameters, and said "Go!" so I went. And I must say, it was a pleasant experience. Rode a mile out on the Cowbone Trail, a mass of small-to-moderate limestone rocks, over which its 47 pounds performed beautifully. Paused briefly at the bottom of the long slope to chat with a friend, then pointed it upward on the Dr. Ruth Trail; not a bad path, but with a few easy technical climbs.
And that's when it occurred to me why e-bikes have such allure. At the top of each climb, I felt great! It's a feeling I remember, from some time ago. That's the real question e-bikes present:
If someone offered you a pill that would instantly make you 30 years younger and 20 pounds lighter, would you accept it?
And at what price?
(read on – answers below!)
I turned the bike in at the Specialized tent, said my thanks, and went back to camp for my pedals-only bike, and went on for another eight or so miles before calling it day. Still a little tired from Saturday's 50, yes, and I didn't want to push it and injure something before the drive back on Monday.
Returning to camp after the ride, I talked with a couple from North Carolina who were packing out. The husband had bought an e-bike a couple of years ago to supplement his regular bike and said that choosing it for a ride was akin to opening the refrigerator and choosing the healthy keto drink or the chocolate milk. It's chocolate milk every time baby, and after a year, that new 20 pounds around the middle showed. So he's back to his bike, and getting the weight back off.
Anyway, that's the real value of taking an e-bike for a test ride. It showed me that I really do need to lose that 20 pounds and how much better life could be if I will do it. (Sorry, can't do anything about the 30 years. Or the lung damage.) That bike held up a magic mirror and said "This is what you can get back, if you'll just get to it" and for that I am most grateful to the folks at the Specialized tent.
If you've read this far, I'm guessing you're thinking "Nice, but exactly how much would that magic pill cost? Asking for a friend." $15,649.99 S-Works Turbo Levo R; click through and show some proper bike lust. I have to hand it to the Specialized reps, they hooked me up with the best damn ride they had.
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