Hello from Huntsville, Alabama

[pvonherr]

I recently purchased a used Elf Solo. I am working to get a new battery, and discovered that the original tires were past their due date. With that, I'll be easing my way into using my vehicle.

I have focal seizures every five or so days, which makes it unwise for me to drive a car. I am fully conscious when they happen, and can move and speak, although it takes deliberate effort to do anything other than curl up into a ball for the 90 seconds they happen. Before knowing it was a seizure, I actually had one while merging onto an interstate. I could stay in my lane, and pull off the road if I had the opportunity, but would have horrible reaction time if someone cut me off.

I haven't tried to ride a bike in over 30 years, from a mix of lack of interest and that some medicines affected my balance. With this vehicle, I'm interested to see what sort of increased mobility I have. My office is 12 miles from my house, across the city that doesn't have bike lanes and is rather hilly

I'd love to hear any advice someone might have that might be helpful, whether in using the electronic propulsion going up hills, riding in an urban environment, or strategies for pulling off the road if the need arises.

 

[gromike]

Have you looked into road worthy etrikes? Issues with balance can be deadly on two wheels.

 

[pvonherr]

Have you looked into road worthy etrikes?

How would that be different from what I purchased?

ELF Solo | Organic Transit

organictransit.com

 

[gromike]

Ah, it didn't register to me that you purchased an etrike.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Welcome aboard! Interesting etrike. Hope it delivers the mobility advances you're after.

Couldn't find motor type and specs and overall weight on the ELF site, so it's hard to advise about how best to tackle hills.

If you have a hub motor, you'll want to use the motor and gears to keep ground speed up on climbs as best you can, as low wheel speed will reduce available mechanical motor power just when you need it most. For one thing, this means starting challenging climbs at the highest possible ground speed.

If you have a mid-drive, you'll want to use the motor and gears keep up cadence (pedaling speed) instead, as low cadence will rob you of available mechanical motor power in this case. (Wheel speed has no direct effect a mid-drive's power output.)