LOOKING A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH
I had the invitation to join a group of MTB guys and enjoy an evening pu!ng and panting up hill and down dale, only to find that a few months of idleness had taken their toll and that ‘enjoying’ turned into ‘wishing I’d stayed at home’. I figured there had to be another way. A way to keep up with the pack and enjoy the ride, despite my lack of fitness.
Enter the e-bike. I took the opportunity to hire a full-suspension, 650b-wheeled beauty. Now, there are those who look upon these as a ‘cheat’, but the same could be said for instant co"ee or tea bags! They’re not mopeds, because the motor only works when you do. But, like a crutch, it keeps you moving when your body would want to stop.
I took myself to Glenlivet – a track I’ve always enjoyed, but never to the fullest, due to my fitness – and reached the summit in record time. More importantly, I reached it in a fit state to enjoy the never-ending downhill. If most riders were o"ered a lift to the summit, they’d bite that hand o". So I don’t think e-bikes are a gimmick or phase. For many, they o"er a new lease of life, letting us enjoy what we always did with those still fit and young enough to do it.
Kevin Davidson, viaemail Glad to hear you had a blast on your e-bike, Kevin. We’ ve had some fun on them too, and can definitely see the appeal for those struggling with fitness or wanting a more e co-friendly alternative to up lifting in vans. Anything that keeps people riding is good by us–though it’s hard to beat the feeling of be sting a nasty hill under your own steam!