After a log hiatus I joined some guys from work at my local mountain bike park. It really opened my eyes to how out of shape I let myself get over the last couple years.

I hit 50, work long hours with lots of stress. Bad food, all the wrong things. I’m fixing it.

I had basically no hope of keeping up with my younger friends at the park. Felt like I was either gonna have a heart attack or a heat stroke. Had to bow out early, and do the roll of shame.


But I went and bought an e-bike. Picked up a Specialized Levo. 700kwh battery. Total game changer. I can now not only keep up, I’m always at the top waiting for them to join me. My downhill game is getting better, and I’m having an absolutely blast.

I get in a great full-body workout, but it’s not so intense that I’m on the verge of stroking out.

These bikes make it possible for me to hang with the guys and participate, which helps hold me accountable for showing up. No excuses anymore.

Three levels of assist let me pick how hard I want to work on the climbs. Early in the day I keep it really low, then bump it up as I get tired. Builds stamina, burns fat, keeps me in the pack (despite all the “old fat guy riding a cheater” jokes).

It really is a game changer. I can now access terrain I would never have tried to get to, and make multiple loops. Longer rides = more calories and more experience.

What used to be a 30 minute ride I could barely complete with all the short cuts is now a 3 hour ride with all the good bits at least twice. And still have plenty of battery left.

Every bone in my body hurts, but in the good way. Like I’m earning my way back. Doing the work. And having a stupid amount of fun at the same time.

You, my friend, are the game changer, not any piece of equipment, no matter how fancy it is. Congratulations!

The seat looks brutal but I like the design. How much does it cost?

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
The seat looks brutal but I like the design. How much does it cost?

Less than a heart attack.


This particular model is a 2022 and is on sale right now for $5500. I know that's a lot of money, but considering what people spend on "nice" mountain bikes it's really not that expensive.

Within 3-5 years there will be more people riding e-MTB's on trails than analog bikes. They are so much fun and bring people into the sport that would otherwise not experience it.

Sadly, I left the MTB world years ago after a fractured vertebrae. I worked as a mechanic in a higher end bike shop after high school. Absolutely loved it… working on them and riding. Front shocks were getting big on the scene when I was exiting. I remember the first Manitou shocks. I wish an e-bike would help, but the jarring/impact is what kills it for me now. They are cool as hell though.

quote:

Originally posted by dry-fly:
Sadly, I left the MTB world years ago after a fractured vertebrae. I worked as a mechanic in a higher end bike shop after high school. Absolutely loved it… working on them and riding. Front shocks were getting big on the scene when I was exiting. I remember the first Manitou shocks. I wish an e-bike would help, but the jarring/impact is what kills it for me now. They are cool as hell though.

Lots of road/gravel bikes to be had, if you just want to get out and ride. Suspensions are amazing these days.

170mm travel suspensions are pretty plush!

Nice! I am in the same boat and 54 yers old. I have been plagued with differnt injuries and disorders. I was recently cleared to ride again after overcoming osteoperosis, kidney stones several broken bones in my foot only to fall and break my damned tailbone last weekend. I recently picked up two new mountain bikes I was hoping to ride to get back into shape including a Scott e-bike to ease my way back into riding. Oh well, Maybe next spring...

quote:

Originally posted by gw3971:
Nice! I am in the same boat and 54 yers old. I have been plagued with differnt injuries and disorders. I was recently cleared to ride again after overcoming osteoperosis, kidney stones several broken bones in my foot only to fall and break my damned tailbone last weekend. I recently picked up two new mountain bikes I was hoping to ride to get back into shape including a Scott e-bike to ease my way back into riding. Oh well, Maybe next spring...

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say skydiving is not for you.

Hope you get back on the bike soon. I get grumpy if I’m not riding something with two wheels.