Happy (New) Bike Day!

 Well it was really two days ago, on June 3.  For me it was happy NEW bike day yesterday.  An online friend asked me about my purchase and this was my reply.  

"I did a lot of research online first. I wanted a mid-drive (higher torque for hills and my excess weight, better balance) I wanted to try a variety of ebikes of various brands. I knew if I stepped foot in Y-not first I would feel obligated to buy there because Eric is in our club, and I wanted to find out what else was on the market. So I went to Columbus, went to Johnny Velo first. If they had had the bikes I wanted in stock things might have happened differently. The sales guy was super nice, low-key, friendly, helpful etc. I was looking for a Kona Dew-e, which they would be happy to order for me. He let me ride an Aventon Solera which was fun and fit well, the motor was peppy. But it was my very first ride on any e-bike! I was also looking for an Aventon Ramblas but again, not in stock. The Soltera was a hub-drive bike, not what I wanted. Then I went to REI in Dublin and rode a Tern GSD. It was different! I thought I wanted a cargo bike but found out I didn't. I wanted to ride one of their Co-op CTY bikes, but they didn't have it built yet, although it was in stock. So we were headed home when my husband spotted the Trek store in Dublin, we stopped in,  and they put me on a Verve 3. It was a lot like the Aventon but a little heavier. I wanted to ride some more bikes before deciding.  

The next day we went to Ashland and they let me ride a Giant Momentum. It felt like the bike geometry was similar to the bike I had as a kid. It was comfortable but the controls didn't have an LCD display. They also let me ride a Cannondale Montero which I did not like at all because my stomach bumped into the handlebar HARD as I was getting on. He pulled a third bike out, I don't remember what it was or what I didn't like. So, on to Ride On in Wooster. She pulled out three bikes for me to ride, I don't remember the first one but it obviously did not impress me. The second was a Specialized Turbo Como. It had a front suspension and seemed to go on its own even before I turned on the pedal assist. It was so smooth. The handlebars were higher for a more upright posture. The bike was so fun to ride! Then I rode a Liv Amiti, and while it was nice, compared to the Como it seemed like it was much harder to turn the pedals. I don't know, maybe it was in the wrong gear or something, but it just wasn't as much fun. I planned on going to Holmesville to the e-bikes of Holmes county store. But my husband and I decided to eat lunch first, and we talked. I had to get back home and change, then get to Lexington by six to host the fiberarts meeting. We really didn't have time to get to Holmesville, try out the Gazelles, and make my schedule, so I would have to wait until at least today. I still had another six or seven bikes on my list. But the Como was marked down substantially due to their downsizing their store, and it was so fun to ride I was giggling. I was afraid if I waited several days, it would be sold to someone else. So I went back and got it. I will probably have some buyer's regret because I saw several good reviews for the Gazelles and also for the Ride1up Prodigy. But there is no substituting for putting your butt on the seat and turning the pedals.  

There is nothing wrong with the Trek and all my other bikes are Treks. It is a solid brand. I wanted to try out the Trek Allante too. 

As to the bike I bought, I rode 10 very hilly miles this morning, avoiding a few raindrops. On my other bike, there are six spots where I had to get off and walk up the hill on this route. I made it around the circuit the whole way without getting off my bike once. On the two steepest hills, I had to turn it all the way up to turbo mode, and my heart was working. My Fitbit reported 25 minutes cardio and 35 minutes fat-burning. I still had 79% battery at the end of the ride. I'm very happy so far."