Lots of great stories of inspiration here,

I'm awaiting delivery of my first ever e-bike this week after following there development for the past 10 years. Although technology has changed a bit since then, unfortunately attitude here in the UK hasn't and we're still years behind the likes of Germany, The Netherlands, China etc. It needs to shake off the unfit, middle aged men, old people with ailments tag if it's ever going to really take off here. I guess it's a victim of the GB success in the sport that cycling is still mainly seen as such or keeping fit and healthy and not just getting from A to B or simply for leisure like me.

 

 

I'll post back here with my 'life changing' story

Edited April 3, 201610 yr by KevinMull

Last July I collapsed with a brain aneurism. The result of this was that I had to give up my driving licence. I was stuck at home with the town centre a good 25 minutes walk. I decided to build myself an electric bike and the journey now takes me 4 minutes. It has totally transformed my life. I have my independence back. I have now built my girlfriend one and we regularly go out on 30 mile runs. I am chuffed to bits with the bikes. Wish I had done it years ago.

Having an e-bike has got me out of my 4x4 and onto the bike for my commute to work and for local tasks (exercise class etc). Its turned the fifteen minute commute to/from work from a 'chore' to a pleasure!

I broke 2 vertebrae in neck a few years ago, lost use of left arm for a while but back to around 60% now.

Sutuation made worse by recent knee replacement, had to pack in Windsurfing( its how I did neck) Thiught I,d never enjoy a sport as much ever again..Wrong...since having electric mtb ( Haibike) I,m averaging 85 miles a week off road.

Climbing higher, faster and going further than pre accident mountain biking..

Can actually clean sections I couldn't 20 years ago...looking forward to next ride before finishing present. Fantastic and only beneficial to knee and beck..Love it..Every cloud and that...

Bought my first ebike approx ten years ago, as a commuting machine. It did that job well, and improved my fitness level to the extent that I switched to a conventional hybrid/road bike. That's been great to have as well, and fitness levels have gradually improved several notches further - my weight has reduced by a fair margin, with a mix of ebike and non-powered cycling helping me to lose well over 30 lbs. I'm now retired, and have just bought a new ebike to help extend my range, fight those headwinds, and try some off-road ebiking. I had my first experience of non-tarmac cycling today, testing out the new bike (an eMTB). Wow. An intoxicating sense of freedom, blasting along a slightly muddy bridleway at dusk. Didn't realise it could be such fun! Or offer so much potential.

 

It'll take me while to pluck up the courage to try the really hilly bumpy stuff, but the sudden realisation, that the tracks, trails and paths that I'd always thought were for "serious" cyclists only are now in reach, is a touch mind-blowing. Or at least it is for my ageing brain! I thought I was probably slightly bonkers for not buying a more tarmac-orientated ebike, but those reservations have evaporated very quickly... I'm thrilled to have added a new dimension to life and cycling. My apologies if that sounds a bit over the top, but I'm one very happy ebiker!

Bought my first ebike approx ten years ago, as a commuting machine. It did that job well, and improved my fitness level to the extent that I switched to a conventional hybrid/road bike. That's been great to have as well, and fitness levels have gradually improved several notches further - my weight has reduced by a fair margin, with a mix of ebike and non-powered cycling helping me to lose well over 30 lbs. I'm now retired, and have just bought a new ebike to help extend my range, fight those headwinds, and try some off-road ebiking. I had my first experience of non-tarmac cycling today, testing out the new bike (an eMTB). Wow. An intoxicating sense of freedom, blasting along a slightly muddy bridleway at dusk. Didn't realise it could be such fun! Or offer so much potential.

 

It'll take me while to pluck up the courage to try the really hilly bumpy stuff, but the sudden realisation, that the tracks, trails and paths that I'd always thought were for "serious" cyclists only are now in reach, is a touch mind-blowing. Or at least it is for my ageing brain! I thought I was probably slightly bonkers for not buying a more tarmac-orientated ebike, but those reservations have evaporated very quickly... I'm thrilled to have added a new dimension to life and cycling. My apologies if that sounds a bit over the top, but I'm one very happy ebiker!

I might offer a few words of caution... I like you enjoy this later life freedom and the way an e-bike make you forget your age, but, last week I went on , what I can only term as, a Hard Ride. Went with my son on his unpowered bike but the sheer physicality of manhandling the heavy e-bike over 20 miles of rough terrain was great fun but left me with aching shoulders and wrists especially from the downhill bits. When he said we were only half way I sort of gulped, but the light was fading and we made our way home.

2 days recovery and I am fit for more, but not sure I can manage the 40 miles..

There is more to going off road than climbing hills...

There is more to going off road than climbing hills...

Thanks Phill - point taken!

 

Yup, I'll certainly progress gently with venturing up - and down - the hillier off-road stuff, rather than jumping in at the deep end. Forest trails, tracks and bridleways will keep me busy for a fair while yet : )

Thanks Phill - point taken!

 

Yup, I'll certainly progress gently with venturing up - and down - the hillier off-road stuff, rather than jumping in at the deep end. Forest trails, tracks and bridleways will keep me busy for a fair while yet : )

 

Go at your own pace and enjoy it. Going out with younger,fitter folk who might want to prove point can be a problem.

If you go out with them again make sure you know route and its length before hand..set your bike to maintain help throughout , and put plenty of air in tyres.( helps range, even off road). Make them go at your pace, and use highest setting only when really needed. ( big climbs) Swithch it off on down hills. ( it uses a bit now and again)

Carrying a flat battery is just an incumberance, you should get 40 miles out of it with a bit of planning.

Good luck.

Go at your own pace and enjoy it. Going out with younger,fitter folk who might want to prove point can be a problem.

If you go out with them again make sure you know route and its length before hand..set your bike to maintain help throughout , and put plenty of air in tyres.( helps range, even off road). Make them go at your pace, and use highest setting only when really needed. ( big climbs) Swithch it off on down hills. ( it uses a bit now and again)

Carrying a flat battery is just an incumberance, you should get 40 miles out of it with a bit of planning.

Good luck.

 

Thanks Flud - sound advice.

 

I've recently discovered a similarly-aged and like-minded group of riders, via the U3A network. U3A = University of the Third Age, which is aimed at retired and semi-retired people over the age of 55. A branch near me organises a whole host of special interest groups, including a couple of cycling groups. Been on a couple of rides so far - a nice friendly bunch of people. A good way to meet make new friends, while trying to extend my range and stretch my capabilities. I plan to join them whenever possible, sometimes with the ebike, and sometimes with my hybrid/road bike.

The most interesting thing about riding with a group is how the miles seem to float by...

The most interesting thing about riding with a group is how the miles seem to float by...

 

Yes, that's exactly what happened the first time I joined them. Ended up riding a good few miles more than I'd normally tackle by myself.

 

Good company, conversation, and plently of mutual encouragement.

yes... I ride more and ride greater distances.. I use the bike to pop to the shops instead of the car...Ride more on holidays instead of using the car...

 

Really enjoy cycling again

Well done you, as a keen photigrapher I can see your hobby getting you out and about, why not try "pods" at campsites, all the comfort of camping (in luxury) but no tent to out up or take down.

Good luck, hope you get some great shots.

 

Being a new member of this forum, and have just purchased my first eBike. How has it changed my life. First the question of age enters the scene and I am now having to consider how to get nearer to my subject when out on a Photography shoot. Second and most important my wife has just died and now have to tackle everything that a married couple had to do by myself. My wife and I had discussed getting bikes (bearing in mind that we (were fast approaching our 80's ) I have now given up the comforts of touring with a caravan and have bought a bike, I am now to buy a bike rack and a small tent and intend to get away by myself when the Spring comes along. Well how has buying a E-Bike changed me. The main thing it allows me to get nearer my subject and to keep on enjoying the outdoor life a while longer. Just as the Caravan mover helped to keep caravanning the bike will assist in my Landscape Photography - I will keep the reader informed.

"Lose weight, stop drinking, take more exercise." It was the Cardiology Consultant looming over my hospital bed that caused me to buy an ebike. My blood pressure was sky high and I was a type 2 diabetic. I was overweight although my drinking amounted to about five pints of cider a week and, although I have a fairly physical job helping to run a campsite, I knew I needed to do more. I've ridden bikes for years - I had one of the first mountain bikes (a Specialized Streetstomper that cost a small fortune over 30 years ago) and I'd taken part in early racing - before the super fit cyclocross guys arrived - and trials ( anyone remember the Wendover Bash?). Latterly I'd ridden a Specialized Hardrock but the first bit of road leaving home was an uphill drag that had me exhausted after a mile and discouraged me from leaping on the bike regularly. The campsite started hiring out ebikes and I did the research beforehand that resulted in our purchase of Carrera Crossfires. Borrowing one when they weren't hired out was a revelation. I still got my exercise but it was more fun than torture. That first uphill slog was easy and I was soon planning routes for our hirers. As we hire for a day or half day they needed to be a decent length so I rode between 15 and 20 miles each time.

 

Borrowing the site's bike was a pain and I wanted to throw it about a bit in the woods(we are near Tamar Trails on the Devon/Cornwall border) so I bit the bullet and bought a Cube Cross. Not quite a full blown trail shredder but great for what I need. End result - I've lost almost two stone, my diabetes medication has been halved. I still hanker after a cider though.

 

To those that say I am " cheating" (one mountain biker sneered that a couple of weeks ago as I overtook him) I would reply that by that definition gears are cheating, having a light frame is cheating. However I don't care. I am now falling back in love with cycling and going distances that I would never do on a "normal" bike and discovering new parts of a lovely area every time.

Well done you! As for the nay sayers, maybe the response should be something like "Yes, I've cheated the pharma companies out of some revenue since my medication has been halved".

I've been riding bikes for 30 odd years, relatively fit and just turned 39!.

 

I commute to work and back daily by bike, traffic makes any other transport not viable.

 

My last bike was in need of a fair amount spending on it, and had seen the Gtech adverts which had planted the seed.

 

I must say it's transformed my ride to work and back, lugging the old bike into the wind after a day at work (stood up all day) was my biggest bugbear but now it isn't an issue at all!.

 

It lets you enjoy all the good bits of biking without the bad bits, I enjoy the ride home now even after a tiring day and even took it out at the weekend just for fun!.

This is a story about my mum...http://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/c163.0.754.754/13743297_1761717114075129_514356969_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTI5NjI0MTUyODA2NzE3NzU5Mg%3D%3D.2.c

 

This is not my mum... as my mum is 65 year old and does not post on Instagram... but she got this bike two weeks ago. Its the WINORA RADIUS.

 

As you can see it's low to the ground and really compact, so she can get it into the house without effort. We even pushed the seat right down. So she can get on and of comfortably (she is 5,2 in height) and lacks confidence especially when riding, preferring her feet to touch the ground if needs be.

 

Well this bike is a little rocket, it is nippy and responsive with great acceleration. I send her this video and say look how nice it is, aren't you glad we didn't get a cheapo bike?

 

she agrees but says, 'can I attach adult stabalizers to it' !!

 

I ignore this, and the next day we go out for a little cycle and I ask her if she wants to go up this hill

 

http://www.brightonandhovenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Southover-Street-by-Zeetha-on-Flickr-400x250.jpg

 

Below the tree line and block of flats the gradient is the same, this is a long steep hill.

 

She has only ever ridden a bike around the park once every five years or so and she says she cant go up there....and I say lets give it a try.... So I start of on my cube, 10 seconds later she is past me. She (with the help of the Yamaha) is caning, both me and this leviathan of a hill. Lets just say she was more then pleased and no longer wants stabalizers

I know im a bit late to the scene here but having my ebike has literally changed my life.

 

Since owning it i've lost a ton of weight as it allows me to do the exercise I love without worrying about my knee that got injured when I was serving in the RAF.

 

It literally makes cycling an absolute pleasure and better still I get to use it every day to commute around a 22 round trip. I would never be able to do this without the ebike.

Well had my ktm e-street for 3 weeks now go out most lunch times lost over 5 pounds legs feel better.

My hips and knees are feeling better and started to get a buzz after.

love going out in country side knowing i can get back with ease if needs be and except for a wasp that stung me yesterday had no problems would highly recommend one to any one thats thinking of getting one they make you smile

My e-bike has transformed my working day. we moved house about 7 months ago and I was dreading the commute. I used to be able to walk to work but the new place is 3.5 miles away and very very hilly. The walk would just take too much time out of the day to do it regularly. We do have a car but my husband and I like to work slightly different hours (we work together) so only one of us could travel by car. I saw the gtech advert and decided to give it a go.

It is fantastic. We have no shower at work and if I had been able to make it up (and down) the steep hills I would have been stinky in the office on a normal bike. The ebike gives me a moderate exercise without putting any pressure on any of my joints so no injuries so far. I commute to work on it, do to the shops and cycle to golf on it. I have even invented a strap so i can take 3 clubs on my back. I have recently fitted a lockable basket to the front so I can carry more shopping than just my rucksack.

I will never give up this bike. It makes going to work a pleasure and how many people can say that!

It makes going to work a pleasure and how many people can say that!

Not me, I always found going home a pleasure.

I will never give up this bike. It makes going to work a pleasure and how many people can say that!

 

I wouldn't say a pleasure but makes going to work less stressful. I joined the revolution 4 years ago and it would take me 20 minutes longer by car than bike because getting to work is the same (20 minutes) but I would have to park my car 1 mile away where I park my eBike next to the office. Having osteoporosis I have been told I will need two new knees so the eBike's are a Godsend.

Hi everyone

 

I’m looking to publish a few stories on the home page ‘news’ area to give examples of the various reasons people buy one and therefore the benefits of e-bikes.

 

We had this great example a few months back of getting heart-patient Nick back in the saddle. I’d really like a whole host more to show all the different reasons to spur others on in similar situations to try an e-bike.

 

Dodgy knees, cracking on a bit (it comes to us all!), wanting to get fit, commuting, other health issues.. I’d like to publish people’s experiences in their own words. How they chose their bike, what they do with it, how it’s changed their lives. It certainly doesn’t have to be expertly written and I’d like to show ‘every day’ people with ‘every day’ problems, as well as anything more unusual that their e-bike has overcome, hopefully with a picture of you and your bike too.

 

I have PMd a couple of members already discussing their experiences on here, so still hoping they’re not going to be shy..

 

Similarly if any businesses are using e-bikes I’d like to hear about that too.

 

Please PM me if you'd like to share your story.

 

Thanks everyone

Yes..absolutely. ..Part of my job involved walking around a very large site, unfortunately in May 2016 I suffered a Stroke, despite being a fit non smoking man in my mid 50's...walking around is now slow and very tiring due to a weak right side...when I returned to work I was confined to just one small area. So I thought about getting a bike. A conventional one was out of the question due to my weaker leg so I searched for an electric one, I didnt need anything flashy and expensive..just a 20inch folding one to get around, and I finally settled on an E Dragon ( superb bike) I had to fight tooth and Nail with the Health&Saftey rep to be allowed to use it (because of my stroke) but I now have the green light and it has been a new lease of life for me and I can get around again...it's a cool looking bike too..so says my Grandson.

Hi everyone

 

I’m looking to publish a few stories on the home page ‘news’ area to give examples of the various reasons people buy one and therefore the benefits of e-bikes.

 

We had this great example a few months back of getting heart-patient Nick back in the saddle. I’d really like a whole host more to show all the different reasons to spur others on in similar situations to try an e-bike.

 

Dodgy knees, cracking on a bit (it comes to us all!), wanting to get fit, commuting, other health issues.. I’d like to publish people’s experiences in their own words. How they chose their bike, what they do with it, how it’s changed their lives. It certainly doesn’t have to be expertly written and I’d like to show ‘every day’ people with ‘every day’ problems, as well as anything more unusual that their e-bike has overcome, hopefully with a picture of you and your bike too.

 

I have PMd a couple of members already discussing their experiences on here, so still hoping they’re not going to be shy..

 

Similarly if any businesses are using e-bikes I’d like to hear about that too.

 

Please PM me if you'd like to share your story.

 

Thanks everyone

Hello

 

I have always had a bike commute 15 miles a day for years. Retired from teaching and bought an e bike to get me up the hills. My Kalkhoff was great when I bought it in 2011. For the last 9 months Krapkoff and 50frithty cycles have not been able to supply a worn replacement part so I have an expensive pile of scrap in the garage. I have bought a new bike and not an e bike from Krapkoff. This was a £2000 bike and sit cannot be used, this us a disgrace.

It's transformed everything.

So wished I'd had a mountain bike when I was younger, but bringing up kids and nursing just got in the way. My hubs had gone on for years about getting bikes, but 4 wheeled, japanese speed freak cars also got in the way.

3 years ago I gave in and we bought some hardtails (mountain biking looked good), but they didn't quite cut the mustard. Then a couple of cheap road bikes, which I enjoyed just didn't like the riding position (now converted into flat bar hybrids). Hubs researched into eMTB and 18 months ago we bought the Haibikes.

WELL WHAT CAN I SAY , why had we waited for so long !!! Best thing since before sliced bread. I'm out for longer, out more often, I'm much fitter, legs look great in lycra (so much so it's allowed me to have a bit of a ladies mid life crisis and get the tattoo's done ) and it's helped my mental health illness greatly, doesn't matter how I feel, them endorphins are a tonic.

Ebikes have literally changed my life, they should be prescribed on the NHS.

Dom