Another article showing the health benefits of ebiking

[Chris Hammond]

So when your friends say silly things like, "do you even get any exercise riding an ebike" or something similar, show them this.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/uob-rae072618.php

 

[Gator]

I have been E-biking for about 6 weeks now and I can say that I see improvements in my sleep pattern, my appetite, and I feel like I have more energy to do other activities. I am just a couple of weeks away from being 54 y.o. and I need this activity. I appreciate the information in the article. It confirms some of the changes I have been noticing in my ow metabolism.

 

[christob]

I certainly relate to their target group -- actually, probably more overweight than those referenced in the study (who had BMI of 28-29) when I first started riding my ebike in early March -- I was 303 pounds, 6'2", 49yo. I didn't think fast enough to schedule a full physical with my doc before buying the bike, to serve as a starting baseline -- but I had a full physical in late April, perhaps 600 miles into riding (1,800 miles accumulated today) and I want to say my calc'd BMI then was low or mid-30's?

However, I'm now down 42 pounds so far (on my way to an initial goal of losing 80.) I'll turn 50 in mid-August, and I'm thrilled with the positive changes my ebike has introduced into my life. It is the first time in my life I can say I've found a form of exercise I thoroughly enjoy, I eagerly look forward to, and I get grumpy if I miss out on it (such as due to the endless rains we're getting... )

"This indicates that the e-bike can increase motivation and help overweight and older individuals to maintain fitness training on a regular basis," comments Arno Schmidt-Trucksaess, Professor of Sports Medicine at the University of Basel on the study results.

 

[AlanDB]

I used a conventional bike last year and switched to an e-bike this year. In addition to my increased motivation to ride more frequently and on longer and more challenging rides I have observed one other difference in my riding style that leads me to believe I am getting better exercise than I did with the conventional bike. On my old bike, I tended to prefer the higher gears which kept my cadence down. That may have been helpful for building leg muscles, but didn't promote as good of aerobic exercise as the higher consistent cadence that the e-bike requires. The Intuvia display for my Bosch Performance Line motor has a prompt when I need to downshift and I follow that pretty religiously. That keeps my cadence at a pretty steady consistent pace except when coasting downhill.

 

[Alaskan]

I am coming up on my one year anniversary of a "widowmaker" heart attack with cardiac arrest. I am lucky to be here at all. At 6'1" 67 years old I weighed 238, smoked a pipe and was still a working mariner.

When I was almost done with cardiac rehab in February, I got my first ebike and haven't looked back. Immediately I started neglecting my car and riding every chance I could, replacing four wheels with two. I have quit smoking, dropped 30 pounds and ride two hours a day or more.

There is more spring in my step, I feel younger and stronger than I have in decades. My blood work, lipid panel, liver functions etc are all in spot on alignment. Oh, and although I still manage our boat and take care of marketing and booking the charters, we have hired a Captain and Chef to take our place on the boat during the charter season in Alaska.

Today I hit 979 miles for the month of July so I feel confident that my first 1000 miles month is in my sights.

I am so digging my retirement and am so thankful that I stumbled into e-biking. It has transformed me and my life in so many ways.

 

[christob]

Fantastic to hear all those health benefits, @Alaskan.
One thousand in one month! Man, I want to be retired too!
July will be my highest month mileage-wise, and I think I'll end up just tipping over the 500-525 range. With a big bikeless vacation in August, I don't think I'll be able to repeat that milestone until September, if the weather holds out.

 

[Reid]

I am coming up on my one year anniversary of a "widowmaker" heart attack with cardiac arrest. I am lucky to be here at all. At 6'1" 67 years old I weighed 238, smoked a pipe and was still a working mariner.

When I was almost done with cardiac rehab in February, I got my first ebike and haven't looked back. Immediately I started neglecting my car and riding every chance I could, replacing four wheels with two. I have quit smoking, dropped 30 pounds and ride two hours a day or more.

There is more spring in my step, I feel younger and stronger than I have in decades. My blood work, lipid panel, liver functions etc are all in spot on alignment. Oh, and although I still manage our boat and take care of marketing and booking the charters, we have hired a Captain and Chef to take our place on the boat during the charter season in Alaska.

Today I hit 979 miles for the month of July so I feel confident that my first 1000 miles month is in my sights.

I am so digging my retirement and am so thankful that I stumbled into e-biking. It has transformed me and my life in so many ways.

What an inspiration!

 

[Figs]

Love how this thread is going. From others experiences we can all receive encouragement.

 

[Alaskan]

Another nice health benefit of bike riding:

I had arthritis in one knee and both hips. I've been riding since February and my joint soreness and stiffness are gone

 

[6zfshdb]

I've been riding bikes, both road and mountain, for over 30 years. Now in my early 70's, I find I'm not able to ride as much as I'd like. Just 5 years ago, I was comfortably able to ride 20 - 30 miles, two or three times a week. Now, mainly due to joint issues, I'm lucky to ride half that on my mountain bike.

I had been looking at ebikes and ebike kits for quite some time. In April of this year, I decided to try a Pedego. I bought it mainly because of the time I was missing out on the trail. I am pleasantly surprised to find I now can ride farther and longer than ever before. 42 miles is my single day record so far! Due to the extended ride duration, I'm actually burning more calories but over a longer period of time. With pedal assist, I no longer have to over exert myself on hills which was a contributing factor with my joint issues.

I'm now back to riding my favorite trails more than ever and like Alaskan, I have much less joint pain! It truly is a win win situation.

 

[christob]

@Alaskan well, the month draws to a close tonight, and I used your 1,000 mile month to push me... I closed out my July at 600.2 miles tonight! And as it is also my weekly weigh in tonight, I get to update my signature here... now -44.8 pounds!

 

[Alaskan]

@christob Kudos It's nice to know that my efforts inspire more than just my immediate family. Good on ya, mate! I have lost 30 lbs. but another 14 would be ideal. Thus, you give me something to which I can aspire as well. Bravo!!!

 

[CodyDog]

Great stories and inspiration!