Tag: ebike

When riding in NJ don’t call it an E-bike. Say it’s an E-tractor.

Just drag a lawn mower blade behind the E-bike and say it’s an E-tractor. No license, registration or insurance required for those in NJ. And you get to do some trail maintenance. It’s a win/win!

I do some trail building and maintenance and try to help out JORBA when I can. There are some volunteers who do a LOT more work than me. I wish I had more time, but I do what I can. From what I understand whenever trees fall and block the trails, the volunteers who do all of the chainsawing, not all of them, but some of them have e-bikes to help them carry a chainsaw and gas can for the several mile round trip to the fallen tree and back. Without e-bikes, this work may not happen as fast or at all. Some of the chainsawers are retirees. Instead of being still and inactive in their retired years, they are giving back time, work and service to the cycling community. They are willing to do the work, but their knees and other joints may give them trouble carrying equipment over rugged terrain for miles and miles. These volunteers are an asset and blessing to the community. I support them. All cyclists are my friends, whether they ride acoustic bikes or ebikes.

First Time Riding an Eeeb

Today I went riding in the mountains of Appalachian country in NJ. I had just ridden up a long, steep hill and was taking quick break before I rode up another even steeper hill where the terrain was much gnarlier. As I was resting, a family (mother, father, son) were riding down the hill that I was about to go up. When they reached the bottom of the hill, they stopped to say hello and we wound up chatting for a little bit. I remarked that their bikes were cool looking and asked if they were E-bikes. They said yes and asked me if I had ever ridden one. I replied “Not yet.” They asked if I would like to try theirs. I said, “Sure!”

Going up that hill that had given me so much trouble to ride up in the past, was like slicing butter with a hot knife!!! It was so much fun!!!

I’m halfway tempted to buy an eeb. I don’t think I really will do it anytime soon though. The price is more than what my bike cost and my current bike is in great shape. A good eeeb that comes with the components that I like; they start out at $5500 and go up. But I gotta say that it was a lot of fun!!!

That and the MTB community that I meet on the trials – such good people.