On ya bike…

So here it is. My new e-bike.

Initially, when they first came out I thought e-bikes were ‘cheating’. In recent times (obviously) I have changed my original opinion and Parkies has everything to do with it.

I grew up riding bikes. I have a good Mountain Bike that I’ve had for about 5 years or so. It is a bike with a bar – a ‘boy’s bike’ we would have said – and I have found that I have overbalanced on a couple of occasions, because if I needed to stop suddenly I had to lean to get a foot down on the ground. In addition, I had found that I might be OK on the outward leg and keen to carry on, but then found I was getting tired on the way home to the extent that I sometimes wondered if I would get home.

So, as a consequence I haven’t ridden my bike for some time. Part of me – the Negative Nellie part – convinced myself that I, as someone with Parkies, could no longer ride a bike. I have been a little less than positive in recent times!

But then I had a ‘lightbulb moment’ and started researching e-bikes. I wanted one I could ride on roads, but also on gravel paths and some uneven surfaces. I wanted one that didn’t have the high bar so I could step through rather than lifting my leg over. One that I could dismount straight down, removing the need to lean to stabilise myself.

I found this little beauty!! It ticks all the boxes. And, you know what? Parkies can take a flying leap… Negative Nellie can nick off… I can still ride a bike. I will still ride a bike. A lesson learned, that if the way you used to do something you like becomes a bit more difficult, find a way to adapt either yourself or the equipment you use.

Don’t give in to Parkies and negative thoughts. Use equipment, use technology, use whatever aids you need, but keep on doing, enjoying and living life. Don’t do what I almost did and think ‘I’ve got Parkies, so I can’t do that any more’ because maybe you can with a bit of planning and support.

So, this weekend I’ll be off on the new red racer…. albeit at snail pace at first! Happy Days….