I'm one of the older riders who first got an ebike because I believed I was pathetically out of shape I needed an ebike. It turned out to be so much fun I was riding every day, and guess what, you can work as hard as you want to and there were more and more days I came home good and sweaty with the rubbery legs. It was only about six months before I was down at the bike shop buying an entry level road bike. I'm fitter now than I was when I was 40 and it started with an ebike. I love mine and still ride it a lot.

I have ridden my ebike for 5 years and love it. I'm retired and I ride with a group of other retirees. Our average speed it 11 to 12 mph, so we aren't competing against one another. I have a Specialized Creo. And "off" is a level of assistance. But the biggest thing about the ebike - it takes away excuses. On a hotter day it's easy to talk yourself out of a ride. But with an ebike - you get out and ride. And you DO have to pedal. My Creo was the best money I ever spent on a bike.

For years I believed I was riding a bike, but today I learned it was a "muscle bike" all along. I've heard it all now 😂

Been a bike rider since I was 6 years old . in 2017 I had Treatment for a heart defect and very recently developed Parkinsons Disease. Did'nt want to stop cycling so an E assist bike now gets me out and about in our great countryside. Now aged 75 and love my E bike.

Recently got an ebike and now I use both. Ebike has helped me recover from illness and also to take on routes that I would not normally be able to do, as I suffer on hills and wanted to ride with fitter friends. Kind of realigns the ‘handicap’. I reckon both is perfect combination

Hi I have ridden a normal bike for 55years , road racing TT’s and cyclo cross . Up until a couple of years ago , I became very ill and had major surgery and had a stoma filled watch bings on other problems with it . I now have a breathing issue too . I found that riding my normal bike was a struggle and I wasn’t enjoying my riding. So when I retired last year I got myself an ebike and WOW !! I was back to loving riding my bike again . On Strava you can set default ebike, so you don’t take kom’s etc for normal bikes. But there hardly any segments for ebikes on Strava. So for ebikers have to do them ourselves . I have asked Strava if they could open up all segments to e bikes but make it separate as they do for men and women . Unfortunately I’ve not heard back, but they have put my post on their site and has been like a lot . Keep up your great work with your videos .

Another good vide thanks Leonard. I am now 80 and live in a pretty hilly part of Spain. My e-mtb allows me to continue to cycle a couple of thousand km each year carrying all my gear for a night or two camping along the route. I could no longer do that on my old Dawes!

Leonard you are spot on. I am an avid cyclist with 2 crazy super light Carbon road bikes with 40mm and 50mm carbon wheels that I love, However i cannot carry a potato chip on my beloved bikes. I recently acquired an e-bike and I am converted, I can do grocery shopping, run errands etc on it and have not driven my SUV for 5 weeks because of the convenience in parking, I spent 200+ per month on petrol and have not purchased a spoonful on petrol or parking in over a month and as you stated it is FUN

I have a 35 pound E-bike. With it I can keep up with my wife. She is just enough faster to get a 5 minute break every 5 miles waiting for me to catch up. I kick on level 1 boost for hills and headwinds, where she used to drop me. But, I am still doing 40 mile rides at age 67, so that is something.

Good talk Leonard..I used to be one of "those guys" til i recently attended a seminar on e-bikes at my LBS , and although ive never ridden one( yet) , I now respect them very much for what they provide ,whether its for a heavier cyclist, older cyclist or whomever choses to. The technology they now have (H.R. limiting assist etc) is incredible. Im glad my once ignorant eyes and mind have opened to this new technology. Now if i could only afford one🤭✌️

My issue with e-bikes is they support the myth that cyclists should ride at a certain speed. If you're old, fat, ill or simply don't want to exert yourself, go slower. I ascend local hills at glacial speed these days, and am happy to do so. If e-bikes help people get out in the fresh air, good for them. I keep a motorcycle for that experience.

We live in Ohio, USA and their are Amish communities here that don't drive cars but they use E bikes. So much better for them to ride up such hilly land. Good job!

As a doctor I regularly recommend cycling and especially e bikes to my patients. There are many who have difficulty walking that can cycle. E bikes are good for fitness as they encourage those who ordinarily wouldn’t cycle, to get out and about. Those who think that e bikes are “cheating”, do not take into account those of us for transport and fitness. I’m very pro them. Thanks for your film. I agree with your conclusions.

I have commuted to work for 38 years and had to stop because of 4 major operations. I started commuting 5 years ago again and used an ebike to get back into it. Now 5 years on and another 25000 miles i wouldn't change the ebike for anything. Yes i am faster on my 10 kg road bike against my 45kg fat bike but i get more smiles per mile on the fatty than the roady. My resting heart rate is around 46 bpm. I can run again and consider myself super fit. Ebikes are wonderful, period.

Agree Leonard.I ride my wife’s bike, an e-bike as well as a muscle bike. When riding both I wear an HRM and can tell you that on both machines I can take my heart rate up to my maximum rate.So you can definitely get a full work out. The only time I now take advantage is on the hills where I put into turbo mode and sail up the hills. My excuse is I will be 71 next birthday. Just enjoy your cycling that’s more important than bitching about e-bike cyclist.

I don't care what anybody says. I enjoy my e-mtb whenever I can. It is a good one, and very capable. I can ride more than 70 km with a 1000m elevation and I am also a heavier rider like you. I'm getting great exercise and great fun every time.

I have had people ask me about my e-bikes. I tell them you get that feeling of going downhill on a normal bike all the time and that makes them really fun to ride.

Brilliant post, thank you. Suffered a massive heart attack and had to switch to gravel e-bike. It really made a huge difference in regaining fitness and health.

I use a regular road bike for leisure and personal fitness, but use an ebike for commuting. It just makes the journey a bit easier, plus I get to leave the car at home.

Great video! I use an e-bike (class 1) here in the states to commute 35km round trip to work. Depending on how fast I am going, I still burn 400-600 calories a day. I could take a regular bike, and I have, but after a long day at work it’s nice to have some help on hills. And this way I can do it every day. The people who usually say I am cheating by having an e bike are the people who take their climate controlled cars and trucks to work burning zero calories- ridiculous

This video will be beneficial for so many people. Including my husband, who is up in his years, out of shape and believed getting back on a bike was out of the question, due to health safety reasons. The only way to get him out there was to buy an E-bike for him. Now we can get out and enjoy life on our bikes, and we can both get back into shape, to enable us to live a healthy life. Thanks for your video!

Here on the US, some e-bikes have a throttle that allows the rider to propel forward without any effort. Its those bikes that will force authorites to ban all bikes from public multi use paved trails.

I recently switched to an e-bike. 77yo, ridden my road bike across the U.S. twice and just about every long distance trail in the U.S. I say this because I don't have to apologize to anyone for riding an e-bike. I had an accident a couple months ago and separated my right shoulder. It made me think about my goals for riding at my age. I enjoy riding with my club and want to extend that for as long as I can for fitness and enjoyment with my cycling community. I figured it was time to switch. I have enjoyed riding my e-bike which is very adjustable power wise. I have it set so when it is in eco mode it basically compensates for the weight of the bike and feels much like my road bike. When it comes to a hill I switch to Sport or Turbo if it is very steep hill. I try not to pass other riders, even though it would be easy to do, because what's the point?

E miles are better than no miles.

Until about 15 months ago i used to get out on my bike loads, but then November 2022 my arthritis in my right knee got really back, i could hardly walk and had cortisone injection in it, then my left knee went, so last October i got an Orbea Gain m30i, since then managed to get out on club rides again. And when i picked it up, cycled from the shop in Oakham to my Peterborough home, took the hilliest route i could find, and it was amazing, managed hills that would have defeated me just weeks before, and to give it a good test i did 83 miles in the fens from Lincoln back home. They are great to help people get out that would otherwise not be able to, and also the technology in them, mine is now controlled through a heart rate strap, and changes power levels depending on how my heart rate is jumps in on level 1 at 118bpm level 2 at 130 bpm and level 3 at 145bpm. Im 68

My wife has an e-bike and it's the difference of her riding or not riding. It's hilly enough where we live that she just cannot ride a conventional bike. In the end, it flattens out the hills. As a result we can enjoy riding together at times. She's even a regular in a women's cycling group. It's not cheating, it's just different. While I don't have an e-bike now, I fully expect to get one at some point.

One thing that I seem to be seeing here in the USA in places with little cycling infrastructure and minimal cycling culture is that e-bike riders are beginning to "colonize" the roads. I was in Southern California last week in some suburban settings that are far from bike-friendly and in the rare instances I did see someone on two wheels, those two wheels were on an e-bike. Maybe those e-bike riders will help to normalize the act of getting around using pedals. Everyone stands to benefit from that happening.

I've got a Ribble Sle pedal assist bike aswell as a "muscle bike". I use it on group rides, and its one helluva workout. 45mile+ rides average 17mph, so the assist is limited. Yes it comes on gradients and makes it easier, but for the remainder of the ride, it is heavier, no assist on and so I'd argue that maybe it increases fitness. My battery quotes me around 240miles per charge, others say it is 50miles, all depends on your style of riding. There also needs to be the distinction between pedal-assist and what I call delivery bikes which are twist and go, with 0 rider input. It is those that give e-bikes a bad name IMHO.

Cheers, len. I'm well into my e bikes. I have 2. I'm a physically fit and extremely active 51 year old bloke. It was e bikes that got me out of gyms and back into the great outdoors back in 2020. I chose e bikes cos there a lot of fun and I go out on epic day trips. Sometimes over 100 miles. I have seen more country side and been outdoors more in the last few years than my entire life. My legs are strong. Wanna Hard workout? Just turn the bloody motor off for 30 mins and pedal a 25kg e bike uphill. My bikes keep me fit. My stats are excellent. I couldn't give a toss about negative comments. E bikes rock. My latest one is a Giant Revolt E Pro XR. It's top spec with GRX and Di2. It's got a Shimano EP8 motor with 85 Nm's of torque. I love going up mountains on it. Screw elitist snobs. The last time I checked, we still live in a free country. :)

Unlike Ev cars, Ev bikes will be the way forward. I’ll be getting one when i get older.

I’ve ridden an e-bike and thoroughly enjoyed it. My only concern is that here in Scotland there a a few tracks with signs stating No Motorised Vehicles. My concern is that the signs may be changed to include No Bikes due to e bikes.

I've been riding my ebike for three years now and love it. Funny thing is that I still can get dropped by stronger riders, because the pedal assist can only assist so much, and if a stronger rider can put out more watts, well, I get dropped. I will admit that I feel a little guilty riders on hills or in strong winds. I think there is still some sort or bias against ebikes, as if me going a little faster on my bike up a hill somehow invalidates the efforts of those I pass; that's the vibe I get from them, anyway.

If it keeps you outside, active and possibly socialising then you go right ahead. Some people just can't cope with innovation. Thanks.

I own both,,, i just get out there and ride,,, part of it is for the fitness,,, some for the adventure,,, most of it is just be'ing just there and enjoying life with in my means... thanks for video,,, it's great seeing folks out there enjoying life

Hi my new friend, you said it all, love the comments, I've achieved 92 miles on my orbea with 20 % left but I'm only 68 kilos and I'm 74 ,I put the ride on KZfaq and komoot ,part of the ride the wind was on my back but on the way back into a 25 mile per hour wind not nice, sold my muscle bike 😊

There are a couple other reasons people ride e-bikes: old age and/or medical issues. I'm 76 and have a heart arrythmia. If I push too hard, my heart rate spikes, sometimes as high as 200. That's way too high for my age. My normal max is 167. So I have assist on 2 of my bikes - recumbent trike and a velomobile. In general, I use the lowest assist level. That keeps me from getting a heart rate spike while still allowing me to get a good ride and maintain my fitness. I also ride road bikes but none of them have assist. In that case, I drink an electrolyte solution of potassium citrate and water. That helps to control my heart rate. I also have to hold back on sprints or climbs. Otherwise, I could still trigger a heart rate spike. I've got friends in their mid 80s who still ride and do so with an e-bike as well. On my velomobile with a 250w motor and a high capacity battery and riding it on the lowest assist level (1 of 9) I can get 160 miles in a moderately hilly ride. On my trike, I have a 750w motor paired with a smaller battery that gives me 5 assist levels. I can get about 130 miles on that battery if I use assist level 1.The main thing is, if one needs to use a higher assist level, the range will be reduced no matter what the claimed range is..

Terrific video, Leonard. I think the "it's a moped" crowd aren't talking about e-assist bikes but the ones that do have a throttle and don't require pedaling. There are quite a few legal models of those in the US (and some illegal ones); I am all about e-assist (where pedaling is required). I have regular bikes, and am also awaiting delivery of an e-assist cargo bike.

I'm waiting to try Salsas new e gravel bike. I ride 90%gravel on a Salsa Vaya and Spec. DIVEEGE. Soon to be 75 I still ride daily . I avg over 12k a year stil. Cardiac issues have me thinking about easy days . I live in hilly area. Nothing flat here.. if it keeps me riding Go For It !. Thanks for your view😊

I have lost 25 kilo while riding my ebike. I ride my bike 40 kilometres per day . But I only use the motor for the last 5 kilometres. God bless ebikes

E-bikes, particularly E-MTB bikes are superb. I got one when I turned 50 but use it for serious off road(Cairngorm Mountains) work, or for Zone 1 recovery days blasting around the lower tracks of the forest and mountains, otherwise it's a Vitus Razor 105 road bike and doing 10,000km a year on that.... One day that E-MTB will be retired from the hard stuff and when that happens, in conjunction with a £90 kid trailer I picked up and a thru axle with trailer eye will become my go to the shops (9 miles away) bike.... semi slicks, mudguards, some more laid back Jones Bars..... One of my mates exclusively E-MTB's and he's out nearly every day on his, which isn't possible for "real" riders who need recovery days constantly.

That was pretty gutsy of you to use the word stupid. I enjoyed the video and will likely find the comments equally entertaining. I used to be strongly opposed to e-bikes but am slowly coming around.

after 40 years away from cycling I got an ebike just to get me from point a to point b without giving myself a stroke. Now I have a number of ordinary bikes and I don't use the ebikes at all. they served their purpose.

Agreed. I have never ridden one, but i think it is a great option for those going from couch (or illness or injury) to cyclist and getting some assistance at the beginning of taking up the pastime/sport, without that option they might just stay on the couch and never take up cycling. This gives them the option to get started and make fitness progress and move to just regular muscle bikes later if they want to. I have had times on hills locally, that i couldn't get up without stopping, or having to walk sections, my competition is with myself, get up with less stopping to hopefully eventually get up without stopping. Drew.

So i just made the plunge and acqired a new Cervelo Rouvida, road version. Turning 64 next week and a knee that is looking to be revamped in the future, the bike will take some of the uphill strain off. Still need to pedal though and the flats can still be concurred without help although the occasional full turbo mode will be fun.

Thanks for this Leonard! I regularly go off road on my e-bike. It takes me to beautiful local places that no one else seems to know about! If I want a cardiovascular work out then I stay in the lowest setting and pedal furiously. As the bike is pretty heavy, it works a treat!

A good video Leonard 👍. The only change I would have made would be to have included the word 'legal' before e-bike. I appreciate laws are different in all countries, however many people just see the illegal 'ebikes' used by food delivery people such a Bafangs where you do just twist a throttle. Ebike KZfaq channels even complain that assistance to 15mph is not fast enough and want more🙄. They also use the incorrect argument that legal ebikes can only go 15mph. 🤷‍♂️

Leonard, I suspect we are kindred spirits though you clearly ride much more than I have in the past 20 years! I’m on the threshold of 80 and have just ordered an e-bike after testing one on a ride a week or so ago. Loved this video as it reflects my motivation for ordering this bike, though the damn thing hasn’t come yet. I know that I will continue to pedal and, thus, will indeed get exercise I’m not getting now. I live in a hilly city in Virginia (in your former colonies!) and like to ride to our great trails system (mostly old flat railroad beds) but hate the hills to do so. The e-bike will make that a non-issue and I will, therefore, get great outdoor exercise. Enjoy the videos. Thank you!

you are 100% right I’m 68 and have both E & muscle bike I use the e bike for longer & hilly rides because I have an artificial knee .The muscle bike is fine on the flat but this really limits where I can ride Now I have an e bike I can go anywhere I also agree the are not So easy to ride in the lower pedal assist modes With ebikes you get the best of both worlds if you want a hard workout don’t use the motor

I'm 80 and bought my Ebike two years ago. In the first week I thought I'd made a mistake but then I relised that it was another form of transport. I live at the top of a hill and regularly lug 20kg of shopping on the Ebike. I can still get up the hill on my road bike but without the shopping. People don't understand that it does nothing if you don't pedal and then you choose what assistance you need. Last year I did more Km on my Ebike than the car ! I also scull 25km per week - look up sculling! Get out of the gym and on your bike - any bike - you will live better and longer.

absolutely Leonard👍😀! Lazy people are the ones sitting at home on sofa n watching movies.. for the rest , each one his own as long as one goes out on the bike of his choice enjoys his ride and smiles on the effort put in.

nice point of view Leonard - so long as people are getting out on a bike, e-bike or analogue then it's all good - when I can afford one, I'm getting a e-mtb and disappearing into the Scottish Highlands, I reckon a ebike will let me enjoy longer, hillier rides rather than thinking that hill is too hard to get up - plus, e-bikes are heavier so go faster downhill :) An ebike would probably make an ideal commuter bike and stop me using the car for the commute too - personally I think e-bikes are a great enabler, haters gonna hate, everyone else doesn't really care what you ride!!

I agree with you completely. Climbing up a big hill requires lots of effort whether on an e-bike or a regular bike. However, it'll be slower going on the regular bike and it's hard to keep away from passing cars when I'm weaving a bit at 5km/hr. I feel much safer at10km/hr where I can maintain a much straighter line. This added safety bonus make e-bikes my preferred choice these days.

Lots of room on the road for everyone. Leonard you’re looking good man!

Well said Leonard, any way to keep active and improve fitness is the key. No matter what age or physical stature

Hi Leonard. I converted my bike to ebike in about '02. It was a disappointment. It did help a bit up gentle hills, but get to the steep stuff the battery went down like a stone. It didn't have anything like the range I wanted even with the sparing use I put it to so I converted back and discarded the parts (into the back of the shed). In 20 years i recon battery tech has improved a lot so if I tried again my conclusion might be different, but I'm managing ok without so I'll let it go. However, I believe you are completely right in regards to "if some else is riding an ebike, its not effecting you" and my feeling is that I'm just glad to see others out on bikes. On a more boring but perhaps important note, ebikes have an important part to play in the climate crisis. A comuter on an ebike is one less car, and definately not cheating or lazy. Deffinatley a step (or is that ride) forward. PS I often have to resort to walking the steep hills, is that cheating or just finding a way to keep riding?

Great vlog Leonardo, thanks. Totally agree with all of your points and, obviously, the official research. I am 100% certain there’s an e-bike in my future when that little bit of assistance on a climb will make all the difference and allow me to continue cycling. And that’s all that matters. 🎉

Since I bought my wife an ebike, she has rode with me more,which has been brilliant. I will get one, but only when I can't get up a certain hill near where I live.

Ride what makes you want to ride and enjoy.

Thanks Leonard , Cornwall and e bikes are a perfect combination.

Thanks, Leonard. Keeping it “real” as always! Keep up the great work.

I've had a couple of ebikes for the last 4 years. I agree with everything you say about ebikes but I fear many will continue still come out with the verbal garbage that you mentioned. I'm now 80 years of age and love my ebikes. I will say however that I can't see the point of young fit riders buying one. The motors cut out at 15mph and young fit guys can ride non ebikes at well over 20mph so why would they want to ditch their 6.8kg carbon wonder to push a 15kg ebike which only helps them up to 15mph. Having said that I do manage to drop young boy racers on steep climbs!!! 😂

My first bike since I turned 50 was my mountain bike I turned into an ebike. What fun! About a year later Ii got my road bike. Man, is that a lot of fun. So smooth compared to my ebike. Now I only take my mountain bike in the snow and ice. It's all fun and great exercise!

I would love to have an EBike. To get more miles in 2 hours saddle time is compelling! I’m ok with my me powered bikes for now but as I get older I think I will migrate to an EBike. Take care.

I have 2 e-bikes: Spesh Creo & BMC commuter that I’ve added Fox shocks on the front for gravel and trails. Not giving them up. I have a Spesh Roubaix that’s my first love. Depending on my ride determines which bike I take. All e-bikes are pedal assist.

I have one as I've admitted, the one I bought last year with some specific roles in mind, yet I still have mixed feelings about them. Now I'm speaking about e-bikes in general, not specifically road bike e-bikes. Also I don't care about "the myths" as you say. I don't go by that at all. What I care about is how I feel based on what I see compared to what I do with mine. The vast majority of the riders I see on them seem to be incredibly lazy about cycling, and I think most of them would not be on bikes at all if it weren't for having massive power assist or throttle use. The vast majority of the riders I see on them appear to be recreational riders more than anything and aren't into it for the better levels of exercise you get from cycling. I very commonly I see these used without the slightest interest in peddling. If they didn't have these they'd be on mopeds of some kind. So that brings out a degree of contempt from me. To group the people I see, either they're young, lazy, non-athletic types, middle-aged, middle class recreational riders, or the aged, who have them to compensate for some degree of disability or weakness. As for myself, it's a utility alternative ride for errands or an alternative athletic ride. I feel kind of silly riding it sometimes, but it is a fun and different kind of bike ride, being a cross between a regular high ride bike and a moped. I make a point of riding with no power for a fraction of the miles I put on it. Normally 1/4th to half. At times, I'll either use low power assist for more speed with the same effort, or at 80% or so for max effort and max speed which tops out at 31 or 32 MPH before it cuts out, like down a hill. That's great for traffic when the limit is 25 or 30 MPH. I also like it for the fact that if there's undesirable and uninspiring weather with excessive winds, or alternatively high heat, or I simply lack motivation for a ride, I've got something different and interesting to ride with some high tech electric capabilities. In fact it's more stable than regular bikes with the much heavier weight (55 lbs.) and much wider tires (2.4") so that can mean increased utility use in winter although it hasn't been a harsh winter here at all. In fact I use it far less than my other two bikes month to month. It adds another dimension to my cycling occasionally, but that's in the context of my own brand of discipline. If I didn't have that with the use of an e-bike, I'd feel like a total slob.

I am not against Ebike nor have I tried it. Will definitely buy it when health permits (?) it. Would have liked to have had an Ebike when I was young and fit and got paid to ride (postman) A good video!

I love my ebike and my analogue bikes. All UK ebikes must be pedelec and restricted to 15.5 mph assistance, then you're on your own. I wouldn't be without either.

Ebike performance will still depend on the fitness of the rider

No issues with people using these, am I right in thinking though in some cases it's difficult to tell if they're e-bikes?

Besides my wife, you're the only other person I've ever heard use the phrase, "for sh*ts and giggles." I thought it was a West Texas thing. And if someone doesn't like my e-bike, as me if I care. I have two answers: My short answer is, "No." My long answer is, "Hell no." And you're right. Those who criticize e-bikes have never thrown a leg across one. Another good video, Leonardo! Well done, sir!

I own the Ribble Endurance SL e & I use no less energy than when I'm riding my standard road bike, I'm just going faster (especially on hillier routes). It's also heavier (just over 12kg) so on the flats I'm usually well above the cut off speed & I'm working harder that on my non electric bike.

Greetings from Germany. I do agree with what you are conveying in the video but I tried to look up the bike you rode in Italy, the Laperre. They don't have it on the web site but I found the normal road version at a price of ca. 3500 and a weight of 8.4Kg. Add a motor and battery and it will be around 12 - 13Kg which is the weight of my Ghost 7500 Cross bike. I don't consider the e-bike you had to be a normal e-bike which weigh around 20Kg plus. My wife has an e-bike and what nerves me is it cutting off at 25Kph. I ether have to ride slower to stay with her or wait farther up the road for her to catch up. We used to ride from my son's house home which is 130Km and the first 27Km is uphill, so it's a no go for her e-bike. I can still ride at an average of 25 - 30Kmh at an age of 72 and until my average drops to around 20Kmh a won't be getting an e-bike

All excellent points.

The great thing is, no one pays road tax as it was abolished in 1939.. What car owners pay is emissions tax which cyclists don't have to pay because,. Yes, you guessed it, they have no emissions.. As for insurance, it's not law for cyclists to have insurance, that's down to the individual. I have it, I pay for cycling insurance with British Cycling,. And it covers the cost of the unfortunate event of an accident..

Clown here, it is easy riding on turbo mode all the time, wich is what most e-bikers i see do. Upright position, no power on the pedals, just move em, so the motor doesn't shut off. Commuters who don't want to arrive sweaty at work, Road e-bikes helping less fit riders to keep up with their cycling group on the hills is all good and sensible. But that's the exception. For some reason in can hardly see any of them in Winter. Guess they prefer their couch after all.

I presently own 3 (class 3) E bikes (2 road /1 gravel) and alternate riding between the 3. I have Covid (pneumonia) damaged lungs and without the assist, I would be sitting on my couch. Thank goodness for E bikes. They are great fun but one still needs to pedal. Thanks Leonard for this post.

E-Bikes are for the educated, best of both worlds, fun & fitness. The jealous lycra louts can continue to struggle up the steep bits until they succumb to what they've envied for all those years. I'd wager a 60 minute off road ebike ride would burn more calories than a 60 minute muscle bike road ride. Once you've reached cruise speed on a muscle bike you're simply clocking up the miles without too much effort (cheating)🤣.

Nothing against Ebikes that is to say Pedal assist bicycles. What I do take exception to are the "E" bikes that do not require pedalling to propel forward. These are Motorcycles just with an electric motor. Some of these are ridden by people who have lost driving privileges as they do not require a drivelling license

People forget e-bikes are heavier so a fluffy person like us will still have to peddle the weight even if we arre a le to ride a good 15-17mph on a regular bike!!! It helps to get up those climbs you always fail on muscle power

My take on the e-bike situation is that a whole lot of people should just mind their business. Don’t like em? don’t buy one, don’t ride one, don’t worry about what I’m doing.

Interesting 👍 chat 💬 However I do love my insignificant little hill KOM’s …I strive to better myself for each one I attempt and fail .. and pat myself on the back when I do achieve one … working my way to increase my fitness on my muscle bike to achieve an insignificant hill …🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️ All attempts for KoM’s .. I am sure 👍 are efforts that riders take pride in to achieve .. and no matter the significance of the KOM .. difficulties.. it’s still an achievement 👑👑👑..a motorised e-bike is cheating when it’s taken a KOM off a muscle bikes effort 🙋‍♀️🚴‍♀️👑 Insignificant little hill is a term I wouldn’t have chosen to describe one’s effort on a muscle bike .. 😳🙋‍♀️ KOM’s are 🥕 for anyone who wishes to attempt them .. e-bikes are motorised bikes that increase one’s ability .. therefore it’s not really fair to compare apples 🍎 with oranges 🍊

Spot on 👍

If it wasn"t for a ebike i would have not started to cycle. Love it and will never stop......👍

You are looking good my friend. Can you do a video on what you eat after a ride. I'm trying to get in shape but I find after a ride I want to eat a horse.

“ you might as well get a moped”

Sometimes it is a bit of elitism, like people driving Tesla's.

I want an e-bike too... N+1

I was prepared to take mine out today with the expected high winds, but they were less than expected at 11 MPH or perhaps slightly more, so I ran the road bike. Still got in an acceptable ride with hills, but skipped the hill to the east and made it a shorter ride. Best part was it looked like the grey bearded old fart who deliberately caused me a safety issue on the shared path though the park a few days ago appeared today to have taken his meds. He actually waved and I waved back. He's probably still a few cans short of a six pack so I'll have to keep my eye on him.

Exercise is exercise...forget your pre conceived opinions and EGO!! Keep up with your great work Leonard!!

My upload Len to Strava is into the E-Bike section, but someone local put a KOM on a motorbike! but as you say its the back of nowhere...

Do you have an opinion on the difference in motivation of an e-bike vs. a standard bike? Would one be more inclined to get out and ride with an e-bike?

21.14. Hi. I’m all for people leaving cars behind and using bikes Whether an e bikes or ordinary bikes. To keep cities clear of cars and get people commuting to work or enjoying the countryside great but your comment that they are no easier than ordinary bikes. Well it’s not quite true Icommute to work 4 days a week on my ordinary bike a distance of about 33 miles round trip. I live next to Dartmoor and commute takes me over the moor. I guarantee that my trip on an e-bike would be quicker and a lot easier on a e-bike. If you think that would not be the case. Bring your e-bike and your ordinary bike and do my commute with me. By the way I’m almost 66 years old. And love cycle and being outdoors. Take care Dave. Watch your channel regularly. 👍

Do you have plans for bike group travels this winter?

I am not a fan of e-bikes, but it is for none of the reasons you have mentioned here. Personally I think they remove much of what is good about riding, but that is just me, and you are completely correct that what someone else rides doesn't affect me. My greater concern is safety, which I have seen to be worse on e-bikes both anecdotally and statistically. This _does_ affect me when you are sharing paths or riding with much heavier vehicles that some may not be able to control. There is the vicious circle of heavier bike requiring more power making bike even heavier etc. until you pretty much have an electric motorbike. I also disagree with the oft-used "removing cars so better for the environment" argument as I know quite a few people with e-bikes and _all_ have switched from a regular bike and not a car. I will add the proviso that the pedal assist bikes you appear to be talking about are far better than the accelerate-and-go types that I see being used. I do love the term "muscle bike" for ordinary bikes too! 😄

Each to their own. But please stay off the trails that say "no motors" and especially the ones that say, "no e-bikes". You really do scare us when you race by at 30mph when we are climbing up the mountain. I am 72yrs and love the peaceful climb on my full suspension. And, for me, the hour and forty-five minute climb up would be spoiled - and it would be hard to push through the pain. I'm not lazy, but don't temp me. :)> LOL

OOPPSS I should have waited a bit before asking😀

Never needed one, 65 and can still put out more watts than these legal e bikes can produce and you can go much faster after the motor has shut off at it's legal powered speed limit, with the reduction of the weight of the motor and more substantial frame and a less aerodynamic frame. The only time that they are faster is up a hill, and getting up with your own effort is the achievement for me. It is a slippery slope and giving in, in my opinion. The next step would be a mobility scooter lol.

Cycling seems to have a disproportionate number of elitist idiots. It's everyone's choice what they do and it's no business of those clowns. I'm thinking of getting an electric hybrid in the Spring when I move house to a lumpy area. I'll be 75 and 20% hills aren't fun anymore and I don't have some immature need to prove anything so if I want to continue to enjoy bike rides an e bike seems a great idea.

I have ridden ebikes. Not for me... Prefsr to suffer 😂

is the bike a LePierre?