Becoming/being, disabled?

[Sylvia]

Thanks, Sylvia.
And I am just stating my honest feelings when I say how I would most likely react to a sudden disability in my life. While I am a real proponent of changing your thoughts to change your life, the bottom line is that no amount of "la, la, la, it's all positive and cheery," is going to change the raw emotion I *know* I would experience. Perhaps it's the perspective of age; I am not going to BS the reality of anything.
So, I keep doing everything I can do to stay healthy, thank G-d for the longevity and good genetics in my family, while knowing it can change in an instant.

No I get it, you are being absolutely honest about it and I think you should be. The worst thing to do is bottle it all up and pretend everything is good when it's not.
I don't think you get to a point of being able to fully accept alternate paths until you can accept the loss. The main thing is to not get stuck in the past such that you can't move on.

That said, for some one that finds themselves disabled, and has gotten past the grieving stage, I think an interesting thought experiment is imagining what a cool and exciting life might look like given the current circumstances. Certainly we all know people of varying ages and abilities who have had cool and amazing lives. And what would that look like for you or even me? And then what do we need to do to get there from where we are now. That becomes the next journey. And I'm not going to sugar coat it and pretend like it's all roses from then on, because really no journey is. The main point is not to let the tough times keep you from enjoying the good times. Don't get stuck. And ultimately that gets back to the whole honesty thing.

[rebeccaC]

Lots of e-bikes in this area. I have no problem with those who want to use them for whatever reason and especially when they have a major impact on lessening fossil fuel use like they do in Asia and somewhat less in Europe. For climbing, e-assist kits like the Gruber Assist can give you 70 minutes of 200 watt assist on a regular road bike now with only adding 4 lbs and it will only get better as new technology is developed. I've done some climbing where I could use that now

As much as I enjoy bicycling (for a number of fitness, mental and transportation reasons) if I found bicycling more physically difficult to do then an e-bike for my bicycle transportation use would be where I’d go. There are also other ways I can keep fit and more importantly, keep a spirit of adventure and determination.

[emily_in_nc]

DH has mentioned the possibility of an e-bike for me so I can keep up with him, but honestly, I think we'd do better with a tandem. I just can't get my brain around an e-bike, at least at my age (55). Perhaps in 10, 20+ years, okay, but not yet. I am afraid it would make me lazy, and I want to keep burning as many calories as I can so I can eat all the yummy things I enjoy. E-bikes are heavy, so I am sure I would rely on the motor too much and lose fitness. No thanks, not yet.

[salsabike]

I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to use an electric-assist bike if I needed to for physical reasons. The assist doesn't kick in until the sensor feels the rider applying a lot of pressure, so I doubt it would make anyone lazy. I would hope that people who could keep riding with an e-bike, but might not be able to without one, would try it before they make any decision pro or con.

[BikeDutchess]

I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to use an electric-assist bike if I needed to for physical reasons. The assist doesn't kick in until the sensor feels the rider applying a lot of pressure, so I doubt it would make anyone lazy. I would hope that people who could keep riding with an e-bike, but might not be able to without one, would try it before they make any decision pro or con.

I'm with you. I'm a huge proponent of e-bikes - I've seen first-hand how it has allowed my dad, who has a ton of health problems, to keep riding. My last trip over there (Netherlands), we both rented e-bikes for a week-long bike trip in Germany (he didn't want to haul his own e-bike to the start). It was the first time I'd ridden one, and it was really nice! The one I rode had 3 levels of assist, and I only used the lowest for most of our rides. It was a nice equalizer, because he could kick in a higher assist level and could comfortably ride at the same pace. We had a couple of sections that were steep and with horrible cobblestones, and it sure was nice to have some extra assist there, because all my attention went to trying to keep my balance on those dratted things and I didn't have to worry about at the same time having to push super hard to keep my speed.

If I had a hilly or longer commute to work, I would definitely consider buying an e-bike so I wouldn't arrive all sweaty (we had such a hot summer here in Utah). And also if I at some point develop physical limitations.

I think the resistance to e-bikes in the US is in part because here many folks still consider cycling purely an athletic activity (and feel the electric assist is "cheating"). In Europe, cycling is considered by most a mode of transportation and travel, or a way to enjoy nature and go sightseeing, and not primarily an athletic endeavor. The e-bikes are one way to make it more convenient/enjoyable.

[Crankin]

That's probably true, Bike Dutchess, but I would rather just do my athletic activity more slowly (which I already do now, at times) or find something else for fitness if I had some kind of injury that was purely cycling related. I commute and I also do a lot of "smell the roses" rides. I don't necessarily do these rides at my fastest speed, but I feel that I am still getting exercise, as say, opposed to sitting on the couch eating fried food....

[Pax]

Thanks for the kind words, carolynzzz.

I no longer have a real knee, just titanium and plastic, so nothing left for them to fix. Weird how it still manages to hurt all the time anyway.

[rebeccaC]

DH has mentioned the possibility of an e-bike for me so I can keep up with him....... E-bikes are heavy, so I am sure I would rely on the motor too much and lose fitness.

I have to slow down sometimes now when climbing with Alex....and i enjoy the ride nonetheless

the weight issue has changed a lot with new developments. It's going to get even better with time. There are assist systems that work well for some help with threshold inducing climbs/strong headwinds and much lesser circumstances too Some even fit in the seat tube with a battery in a seatpack and the bike doesn't look any different or handle any differently with the assist off....plus while adding only 5+/- lbs too.