Surprising fitness gain from riding the Aurora

[Streethawk]

This morning i left the Aurora in the shed and took my mountain bike to work. Its was easy, really really easy. It appears that because i've used the Aurora and Cyclamatic everyday since returning to work after New Year, my fitness level has gone through the roof without me even realising.

I always pedal my eBikes, but i thought i took it quite easily, however it appears more regular light pedalling has done me a lot more good than 2 days a week without the assistance.

I was agasp at the way i was passing everyone almost as quickly as i do on the Aurora, total journey time was only a few minutes slower too, which could be down to the slightly longer more off-road route anyway.

I dont think i've been this fit for five years and eBikes are the reason! Just thought i'd share.

Now i'm going to try and use my mountain bike a couple of days a week and the Aurora the rest, to further boost my fitness. My MTB buddies are going t be chasing me all summer i suspect!

 

[jerrysimon]

Well done. I have had this similar experience and posted such about a week or so ago.

However after doing it a couple of days in a row you soon begin to miss the help. As you say the trick is to start off slow, alternating between the two.

That said I have been assisting myself a lot more on the EBrompton to a point where I can easily get to work and back on a single charge.

I think the change in weather is also something to do with it. I am so much more motivated to cycle in the dryer, lighter and warmer weather. In the depths of winter when cycling in the wind, dark and cold I hit that thump control most of the journey, evident in that I have to charge my battery before each journey to and from work.

Three cheers for the spring and clocks change next weekend

Regards

Jerry

 

[Trex 850]

Know exactly what you mean,,,, Took my daughters mtb out for a quick spin following a rear tyre change and tweaking of the brakes on Saturday- could not believe how fast I was going!!!
After nearly 4 mths of ebiking my fitness level is definitely on the up -my weight in Nov 10 was 13.9 kilos,,, now down to 13.2 ... So, I've decided to keep on my Izip based bicycle which will be used purely for work and short trips to the shops and I'm going to treat myself to a new Boardman road comp-8.85KG
just for w/ends and sunny days!!!!
I feel like a kid again,,,,,,,,,

 

[Streethawk]

Jerry, i have to agree on the spring weather. Today taking the trail i've not tried since October the mud was fairly dry, at least there was a dry line through it, and being away from the traffic for longer makes my commute even more enjoyable.

I may even start trying to run again, a friend of mine is trying to talk me into a 10k in the middle of May. I thought i was nowhere near fit enough to even consider it, but now i'm not so sure.

 

[jerrysimon]

Now running is a whole different ball game!

I am not a fan of running and much prefer to be on two wheels. Its kinder on my old bones.

Regards

Jerry

 

[dmcgoldrick]

hi streethawk, take a young bike rider like yourself.....put him on a plus 20 kg bike which gives some assist up to 20mph, but which the young fit guy rides at over this speed most of the journey.......do this for 10 weeks.
put guy back on normal 12kg non e bike...........fly away !!!!!!

note ...only works for the already fairly fit under 50's or the super fit under 60's.......

regards

 

[Trex 850]

hi streethawk, take a young bike rider like yourself.....put him on a plus 20 kg bike which gives some assist up to 20mph, but which the young fit guy rides at over this speed most of the journey.......do this for 10 weeks.
put guy back on normal 12kg non e bike...........fly away !!!!!!

note ...only works for the already fairly fit under 50's or the super fit under 60's.......

regards

Sums up my set up almost to the tee,,, my izip based bike weighs 32 kg,
previous one weighed 37 kg , sold that on ebay within 2 weeks,,,
looking forward to new bike- and I'm nearly 52 and fairly fit.

 

[morphix]

Well done, good to hear you're fitter from all the cycling.. it just goes to show, a light regular daily exercise can be more beneficial than intense short bursts..e-bikes are not the lazy option some people imagine them to be. I'm sure cyclists will have fewer health issues like heart disease and mobility problems later in life too.

 

[indalo]

Know exactly what you mean,,,, Took my daughters mtb out for a quick spin following a rear tyre change and tweaking of the brakes on Saturday- could not believe how fast I was going!!!
After nearly 4 mths of ebiking my fitness level is definitely on the up -my weight in Nov 10 was 13.9 kilos,,, now down to 13.2 ... So, I've decided to keep on my Izip based bicycle which will be used purely for work and short trips to the shops and I'm going to treat myself to a new Boardman road comp-8.85KG
just for w/ends and sunny days!!!!
I feel like a kid again,,,,,,,,,

Emm...Trex, I hope you mean stones and not kilos!

Regards,
Indalo

 

[Trex 850]

Sorry, should have meant 13st 9 ,,,,,,,
Just got home from work and coming down from the top of Harrow on the hill,
managed to hit an indicated 34 mph !!,,,
A bit scary when you realise that the brakes take a lot longer to work- will have to upgrade to better items soon,, any suggestions??

Also,if I changed from mtb type tyres to say Schwalbe city jet or marathon plus tyres, would I see a speed increase?

 

[bert11]

I feel the same fitness increase from my 20 mile, 4 times a week assisted commute, feel great

 

[Marchant]

Me too. As I've mentioned on this forum before, my commute incudes some fairly severe gradients but on Sunday (and as has been mentioned, the beautiful weather is a very motivating factor) I tried my 7 mile-each-way commute on my old '70's road bike. It took longer, and I wouldn't want to arrive at work with such rampant armpits on a regular basis but it was most exhilerating! 70 miles a week on the Oxygen and road bike cycling on weekends will do me no harm at all and certainly boring hours in the gym from now on are a thing of the past. Hurrah!