No More Next Year!
My friends are probably tired of hearing about it. My wife doesn’t even want to think about it. How could she leave her babies (39 and 30)? Every year I say I need to move some place warm so I can enjoy cycling more and work through the Winter.
The truth is, I really don’t mind the cold. Snow is pretty. I just hate having to negotiate ice and ice ruts. Today is a perfect example. I can’t get out my door! My dog hurt herself going down the steps and I thought I might die walking three blocks to church (does anyone shovel their walks anymore?).
I have tried fatter tires, lower pressures, small tires that are closer to the ground. Studs are great on black or smooth ice. They don’t handle well on ruts or dry pavement. Frankly, adding an e-bike kit can magnify the problems.
Some time this year, all of that is going to change. Even if I have to share a motor, I am going to build an e-trike! I have built super efficient recumbent trikes, adaptive trikes, Buzz bike’s too heavy mid-drive and an old fashioned industrial trike. Frankly, for just going back and forth to work, the store and church, I don’t care which. I love the Sun.trike above. I have built one better than their factory version (easiest conversion I have done).
I enjoy the solitude of riding in the cold. There is nothing like a ride in a gently falling snow. You just dress in layers and roll away (hunters sit still in it for hours). I’m just too old to risk a fall, especially when no one is around to find me! My bike handling skills aren’t getting any better either.
A trike solves it all without needing a car or taking the bus (not entirely a bad option but for the last half mile walk to the shop). In the past, I avoided trikes because of rolling resistance and poor hillclimbing. With a torque sensing mid-drive e-bike kit, none of that even matters for short trips!
I have no money, but I bet I’ll find someone wanting a trade. Maybe a trike is something you should consider as well.