I Get It Now

Old fogeys trying out e-bikes

I’ve sneered at electric bikes out on the paved trails around town. Riding something that looks like a bicycle but has a motor smacks of slothfulness. Cheating.

Then my husband bought one for himself. The slacker.

We had recently dusted off our old manual bikes in preparation for a trip where bikes would be convenient. I felt wobbly. Should someone fast approaching seventy risk riding a bicycle?

Not quite ready for my old lady card, I gamely pedaled around the neighborhood. Note: I live in Colorado. On a hill. A steep hill. Our little two-mile jaunt resulted in me walking my bike uphill for half a block.

Leonard extolled the virtues of the electric bike. I was still reluctant. He is famous for buying expensive toys, plus every accessory imaginable. I am cheap. I hate shopping and spending money.

Plus, buying a motorized bike felt like giving up. But honestly, I hadn’t ridden my old-school bike in two or three years. And those rides were infrequent and short. Maybe I had already given up.

Leonard dragged me to the Old Town Bike Shop in downtown Colorado Springs. The store is rather cavernous. The sales clerks are genuine bike enthusiasts, and the low-key sorts of folks I appreciate. No hard sell tactics.
I test rode one. Awkward! And embarrassing. I’m sure I looked more like I needed a walker than a bicycle to the salesperson young enough to be my grandchild.

Under pressure from my husband, I caved. Okay. I’ll give it a try. We took the bikes in our truck to a wide, paved trail. I wanted space to learn how the darn thing operated. Buttons, levers, and gadgets galore!

Wheeling along the walkway, with our English Springer Spaniel galloping beside us, I had a revelation.

I Get It! The bike requires pedaling. The motor definitely assists in a cheaty feeling kind of way. But at my age, this vehicle is a game-changer. An electric bike can potentially add years to my bike-riding life.

I’ve always ridden bikes - until the past five-ish years. I used one as my vehicle in my college years, wiping out in spectacular fashion once. But lately, my nice bicycle hung upside down in the garage, like a blue bat.

As I pedaled along on a beautiful July morning, I told Leonard, “I feel like I did when I rode my bike in my twenties.” The ease of riding the e-bike erased decades off my old joints.

The only problem was our dog. He was delighted to sprint beside us. It was easy to forget he’s just a year old. Dogs shouldn’t run long distances until they’re at least two. Strider would run until he drops. We have to regulate his enthusiasm.

At two miles, we turned around. Running four miles was a lot for our puppy. Letting him run to his heart’s delight might cause him damage.

I told Leonard we need a kid carrier so we can go on long bike rides without hurting the dog. Why did I say that? A wheeled buggy is in the works now, so both Strider and Legolas the tuxedo kitten can go biking with us. All the accessories? I’m afraid to learn what else we can attach to or pull behind our new bikes.

As you age, or hey, if you’re a young whipper-snapper with physical challenges, an electric bike might keep you on the trails longer and more frequently.

But yeesh, the price! Cheap me remembers buying automobiles in my youth for less than the price of these bikes!

I won’t quibble about the price. Much. Leonard and I began our marriage climbing 14,000-foot mountains. It’s only fitting that we keep enjoying the Colorado outdoors. Even if we need a little assistance now.
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You can read my series for free about our first trip with pets in the series, Traveling With Pets.

You can find the Colorado Authors League award finalist novel I co-authored with my daughter, Grandpa’s New Year’s Relocation, at:
Basecamp Books and Adventure - 3918 Maizeland Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, United States, 80909

​E-books and paperbacks available at the usual places. Grandpa’s New Year’s Relocation on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Paperbacks available at the Barnes & Noble location: 1565 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Paperbacks available at Hidden Gems: 5020 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Upcoming Events:
From Joe at Basecamp: We are super stoked to announce the first ever (and hopefully annual) Basecamp Book Bash!!! On Sunday August 16th from 12pm to close, we will be hosting dozens of local authors and bookish vendors. There will be prizes, giveaways, contests, food, drinks, and more.
1st Annual Basecamp Book Bash!!!Sun Aug 16 2026 at 12:00 pm to 06:00 pm 3918 Maizeland Rd, Colorado Springs, United States, Colorado 80909

​Also in August, the Local Authors Showcase hosted by Douglas County Libraries:
Join the audience. Meet local authors and hear about their books. Each author will spend five minutes discussing their work, followed by a book sale and signing. Registration required.
Local Authors ShowcaseSaturday, August 15
1:00pm - 3:45pm20105 Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138
Event Hall A & B - Parker

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