electric bikes on centuries - Page 9 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

02-03-2007, 07:14 AM

Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
::: weight.
::
:: Bzzzt.

Bzzzt what?

:: Better how?

Better than spending money on an electric bike. Why not a normal bike?
Walking is still free, too.

:: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self and
:: maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.

Ok....

:: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you
:: can) lose weight even while eating more.
:: Why not get the benefit of exercise?

Why are you asking such questions? Perhaps you might want to read over the
thread again.

:: Bill Baka

02-03-2007, 12:08 PM

Roger Zoul wrote:
> Daryl Hunt wrote:
> :: "Bill Baka" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> :: news:iVNwh.57746$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy. net...
> ::: Roger Zoul wrote:
> :::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
> :::: weight.
> :::
> ::: Bzzzt.
> ::: Better how?
> ::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
> ::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
> ::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you
> ::: can) lose weight even while eating more.
> ::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
> ::: Bill Baka
> ::
> :: I don't think he means riding a bike. It appears the same feelings
> :: we get out in the RW for our Low Speed Electric Bikes also prevail
> :: in here to some extent.
> ::
>
> You're correct, Daryl. And it's not so much that I object to what you did
> to lose your 20 lbs and stop being a couch potato..that's fantastic! I was
> just saying that as a means to drop some weight, there are some better ways.
> That's all. In the end, of course, whatever method one chooses and finds
> works is THE best way, but I don't think I'd recommend buying an electric
> bike as a first, second, or third method of weight loss. Not to say that
> these bikes and their kin don't have a place, mind you. For those who
> commute and have heaving hills, or those that tour and want that assist
> sometimes, or those that just need the help. Of course, I'm mixing in
> adding electric assist with electric bikes, which is blurring the lines
> here.
>
>
>
>
OK, Context problem. The electric bike is a means to get one out of the
house, and sure beats driving a tank to the gym and using fossil fuel.
My daughter had a gym membership and drove 5 miles each way. The problem
was that she was only going about twice a week, where as using a bike,
even electric, would have given her some exercise and saved the air.

The electric could be used for commuting to the gym if all else fails,
or a newbie who is out of shape could pedal out to 10-15 miles from the
house, and if worn out, use the electric to get back home.

Anything that gets one off the couch.

I'm riding tomorrow, whilst all the potatoes watch some dumb football
game. The (not so) superbowl clears the roads pretty well every year.

Bill Baka

02-03-2007, 12:16 PM

Roger Zoul wrote:
> Bill Baka wrote:
> :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> ::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
> ::: weight.
> ::
> :: Bzzzt.
>
> Bzzzt what?

What better ways? Weight lifting is hardly cardio, running assumes one
can run, (some of my friends can't anymore) or power walking??
>
> :: Better how?
>
> Better than spending money on an electric bike. Why not a normal bike?
> Walking is still free, too.
>
>
> :: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self and
> :: maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
>
> Ok....
>
> :: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can (you
> :: can) lose weight even while eating more.
> :: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
>
> Why are you asking such questions? Perhaps you might want to read over the
> thread again.

Somebody split the thread. Back to electric bikes. If an electric assist
is what is needed to get somebody out of the house, then it is a good
thing. Some people have very little self confidence and need a helper to
take that first step. Once they realize that they can pedal a little
with out electric assist, then maybe they can graduate to a regular
bike. Some of my friends are in that category, macho with a car, yet
fearing embarrassment on a bike.
Hence the electrics have a place.
Bill Baka
>
> :: Bill Baka
>
>

02-04-2007, 12:34 PM

Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Bill Baka wrote:
::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
:::::: weight.
:::::
::::: Bzzzt.
:::
::: Bzzzt what?
::
:: What better ways? Weight lifting is hardly cardio, running assumes
:: one can run, (some of my friends can't anymore) or power walking??

Surely you're aren't claiming that bicycling is the BEST way to lose weight,
right? One still have to spend some bike to bike and one needs a place to
ride. Most adults that I know are very fearful of riding on the road and
for the most part, bicycle paths are far and few between. Hence, while
likely effective, cycling is hardly the BEST way to lose weight. MTB
likewise.

Simple walking combined with not eating too much is probaby best, which
weight lifting thrown in. In fact, weight lifting, while not being cardio,
can be a very effective weight loss tool.

The best means for losing weight is to simply eat less. By far the least
costly, least time consuming, least potentially harmful method.

Cycling can be a very effective means of losing weight, as can swimming,
running, playing b-ball, or any kind of ball. There are many effective ways
of losing weight.

An electric bike ends up low on the list, IMO.

:::
::::: Better how?
:::
::: Better than spending money on an electric bike. Why not a normal
::: bike? Walking is still free, too.
:::
:::
::::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
::::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
:::
::: Ok....
:::
::::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can
::::: (you can) lose weight even while eating more.
::::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
:::
::: Why are you asking such questions? Perhaps you might want to read
::: over the thread again.
::
:: Somebody split the thread. Back to electric bikes. If an electric
:: assist is what is needed to get somebody out of the house, then it
:: is a good thing. Some people have very little self confidence and
:: need a helper to take that first step. Once they realize that they
:: can pedal a little with out electric assist, then maybe they can
:: graduate to a regular bike. Some of my friends are in that category,
:: macho with a car, yet fearing embarrassment on a bike.
:: Hence the electrics have a place.

I'm sure they have a place, as I've stated already. However, I think for
most people, there are better ways to approach weight loss.

:: Bill Baka
:::
::::: Bill Baka

02-04-2007, 12:38 PM

Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Daryl Hunt wrote:
::::: "Bill Baka" <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote in message
::::: news:iVNwh.57746$wc5.43611@newssvr25.news.prodigy. net...
:::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
::::::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to
::::::: lose weight.
::::::
:::::: Bzzzt.
:::::: Better how?
:::::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
:::::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
:::::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can
:::::: (you can) lose weight even while eating more.
:::::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
:::::: Bill Baka
:::::
::::: I don't think he means riding a bike. It appears the same feelings
::::: we get out in the RW for our Low Speed Electric Bikes also prevail
::::: in here to some extent.
:::::
:::
::: You're correct, Daryl. And it's not so much that I object to what
::: you did to lose your 20 lbs and stop being a couch potato..that's
::: fantastic! I was just saying that as a means to drop some weight,
::: there are some better ways. That's all. In the end, of course,
::: whatever method one chooses and finds works is THE best way, but I
::: don't think I'd recommend buying an electric bike as a first,
::: second, or third method of weight loss. Not to say that these
::: bikes and their kin don't have a place, mind you. For those who
::: commute and have heaving hills, or those that tour and want that
::: assist sometimes, or those that just need the help. Of course, I'm
::: mixing in adding electric assist with electric bikes, which is
::: blurring the lines here.
:::
:::
:::
:::
:: OK, Context problem. The electric bike is a means to get one out of
:: the house, and sure beats driving a tank to the gym and using fossil
:: fuel. My daughter had a gym membership and drove 5 miles each way.
:: The problem was that she was only going about twice a week, where as
:: using a bike, even electric, would have given her some exercise and
:: saved the air.
::
:: The electric could be used for commuting to the gym if all else
:: fails, or a newbie who is out of shape could pedal out to 10-15
:: miles from the house, and if worn out, use the electric to get back
:: home.
::
:: Anything that gets one off the couch.

You're not making a strong case for an electric bike!

::
:: I'm riding tomorrow, whilst all the potatoes watch some dumb football
:: game. The (not so) superbowl clears the roads pretty well every year.
::

Good for you. Too bad we have 25 mph winds...makes it too cold.

:: Bill Baka

02-04-2007, 01:37 PM

Roger Zoul wrote:
> Bill Baka wrote:
> :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> ::: Bill Baka wrote:
> ::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
> :::::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to lose
> :::::: weight.
> :::::
> ::::: Bzzzt.
> :::
> ::: Bzzzt what?
> ::
> :: What better ways? Weight lifting is hardly cardio, running assumes
> :: one can run, (some of my friends can't anymore) or power walking??
>
> Surely you're aren't claiming that bicycling is the BEST way to lose weight,
> right? One still have to spend some bike to bike and one needs a place to
> ride. Most adults that I know are very fearful of riding on the road and
> for the most part, bicycle paths are far and few between. Hence, while
> likely effective, cycling is hardly the BEST way to lose weight. MTB
> likewise.

Hiking mountains can be very effective too, if you have mountains.
Try rowing a boat for miles and you will lose weight and have huge
biceps. I used to live in a house with the lake for a back yard, and
after a day of my idiot boss I blew off steam by rowing my 16' and very
heavy boat.
I think the bicycle can get you into the explore mode, and even just
piddling around at 10 - 12 MPH you can meet people and lose weight.
Never do I look at my speedometer/computer and worry about my training
heart rate.
You say most adults are fearful of riding. They are also fearful of
terrorists, the sky is falling, etc.
I think we have a bumper crop of cowards.
They should be more fearful of a heart attack, which is probably going
to kill those who choose not to exercise, maybe tomorrow or 30 years
from now.
I just lost my aunt to a heart attack, but at least she made it to 89.
She walked every day but not enough to count for much.
>
> Simple walking combined with not eating too much is probaby best, which
> weight lifting thrown in. In fact, weight lifting, while not being cardio,
> can be a very effective weight loss tool.

I find it hard to lift weights to the point where my heart rate is up.
it builds muscle, no argument there.
>
> The best means for losing weight is to simply eat less. By far the least
> costly, least time consuming, least potentially harmful method.

Tell that to the people lined up at McDonalds drive through section. It
was out to the street when I went by at noon a few days back. Too lazy
to park the car AND eating junk food.
>
> Cycling can be a very effective means of losing weight, as can swimming,
> running, playing b-ball, or any kind of ball. There are many effective ways
> of losing weight.

Swimming is good if you have a place to do it.
Running works for me too, not jogging but flat out running. That makes
it low impact but I can only sprint for about 2 football fields worth
then stop and walk until I recover for the next sprint. Jogging and
landing on the heels strikes me as more damaging.
Playing ball requires you too have an opponent. I try to get people
together for baseball every summer but there is a decided lack of
interest among both kids and adults.
>
> An electric bike ends up low on the list, IMO.

Low for actual calories burned but if that gets people off the couch
then it is a good thing, right?
>
> :::
> ::::: Better how?
> :::
> ::: Better than spending money on an electric bike. Why not a normal
> ::: bike? Walking is still free, too.
> :::
> :::
> ::::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
> ::::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
> :::
> ::: Ok....
> :::
> ::::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can
> ::::: (you can) lose weight even while eating more.
> ::::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
> :::
> ::: Why are you asking such questions? Perhaps you might want to read
> ::: over the thread again.
> ::
> :: Somebody split the thread. Back to electric bikes. If an electric
> :: assist is what is needed to get somebody out of the house, then it
> :: is a good thing. Some people have very little self confidence and
> :: need a helper to take that first step. Once they realize that they
> :: can pedal a little with out electric assist, then maybe they can
> :: graduate to a regular bike. Some of my friends are in that category,
> :: macho with a car, yet fearing embarrassment on a bike.
> :: Hence the electrics have a place.
>
> I'm sure they have a place, as I've stated already. However, I think for
> most people, there are better ways to approach weight loss.
>
> :: Bill Baka
> :::
> ::::: Bill Baka
>
>

02-04-2007, 01:43 PM

Roger Zoul wrote:
> Bill Baka wrote:
> :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> ::: Daryl Hunt wrote:
> ::::: "Bill Baka" <bbaka@comcast.net> wrote in message
> ::::: news:iVNwh.57746$wc5.43611@newssvr25.news.prodigy. net...
> :::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
> ::::::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to
> ::::::: lose weight.
> ::::::
> :::::: Bzzzt.
> :::::: Better how?
> :::::: Cycling gets you into Cardio shape better than starving your self
> :::::: and maybe not getting enough Vitamins and minerals.
> :::::: When I get serious about riding in the spring and summer I can
> :::::: (you can) lose weight even while eating more.
> :::::: Why not get the benefit of exercise?
> :::::: Bill Baka
> :::::
> ::::: I don't think he means riding a bike. It appears the same feelings
> ::::: we get out in the RW for our Low Speed Electric Bikes also prevail
> ::::: in here to some extent.
> :::::
> :::
> ::: You're correct, Daryl. And it's not so much that I object to what
> ::: you did to lose your 20 lbs and stop being a couch potato..that's
> ::: fantastic! I was just saying that as a means to drop some weight,
> ::: there are some better ways. That's all. In the end, of course,
> ::: whatever method one chooses and finds works is THE best way, but I
> ::: don't think I'd recommend buying an electric bike as a first,
> ::: second, or third method of weight loss. Not to say that these
> ::: bikes and their kin don't have a place, mind you. For those who
> ::: commute and have heaving hills, or those that tour and want that
> ::: assist sometimes, or those that just need the help. Of course, I'm
> ::: mixing in adding electric assist with electric bikes, which is
> ::: blurring the lines here.
> :::
> :::
> :::
> :::
> :: OK, Context problem. The electric bike is a means to get one out of
> :: the house, and sure beats driving a tank to the gym and using fossil
> :: fuel. My daughter had a gym membership and drove 5 miles each way.
> :: The problem was that she was only going about twice a week, where as
> :: using a bike, even electric, would have given her some exercise and
> :: saved the air.
> ::
> :: The electric could be used for commuting to the gym if all else
> :: fails, or a newbie who is out of shape could pedal out to 10-15
> :: miles from the house, and if worn out, use the electric to get back
> :: home.
> ::
> :: Anything that gets one off the couch.
>
> You're not making a strong case for an electric bike!

Come on, read my last line, getting people off the couch in the first
place is a starting point. If an electric assist does it then maybe they
can get addicted to riding and buy a real bike.
>
> ::
> :: I'm riding tomorrow, whilst all the potatoes watch some dumb football
> :: game. The (not so) superbowl clears the roads pretty well every year.
> ::
>
> Good for you. Too bad we have 25 mph winds...makes it too cold.

Cold has been my enemy too. I went out yesterday and thought I was
really doing good until I got about 5 miles from the house and realized
it was a tailwind, DUH. Coming back was not only slower but froze my
hands while I was getting sweaty. Makes me want summer back, no
layering, just water, pedal and sweat, not worrying about freezing if I
had to walk back due to a failure.
Summer, summer, please.
Bill Baka
>
> :: Bill Baka
>
>

02-04-2007, 02:47 PM

Bill Baka wrote:
::::: Anything that gets one off the couch.
:::
::: You're not making a strong case for an electric bike!

::
:: Come on, read my last line, getting people off the couch in the first
:: place is a starting point. If an electric assist does it then maybe
:: they can get addicted to riding and buy a real bike.

What, after they have already bought an electric bike, you want them to
consider buying a "real" bike? Too funny. Why not just buy a "real" bike
and ride it? Just find a piece of flat ground & ride. I started out with
simple loops @ less than 5 miles, using gears that make it very easy to turn
the cranks.

I'm not suggesting that an EB can't be a road away from couchpotatodom, but
I'm saying I can think of much better ways to get away.

:::
:::::
::::: I'm riding tomorrow, whilst all the potatoes watch some dumb
::::: football game. The (not so) superbowl clears the roads pretty
::::: well every year.
:::::
:::
::: Good for you. Too bad we have 25 mph winds...makes it too cold.
::
:: Cold has been my enemy too. I went out yesterday and thought I was
:: really doing good until I got about 5 miles from the house and
:: realized it was a tailwind, DUH. Coming back was not only slower but
:: froze my hands while I was getting sweaty. Makes me want summer
:: back, no layering, just water, pedal and sweat, not worrying about
:: freezing if I had to walk back due to a failure.
:: Summer, summer, please.

I'm good above 40 degrees with no wind chill, but there always is some here.
If the temp is in the 30s, then it's just easier to ride the stationary
(though not nearly as enjoyable) & go the gym.

02-04-2007, 02:55 PM

Bill Baka wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Bill Baka wrote:
::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::::: Bill Baka wrote:
:::::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
::::::::: One is not many. And I still think there are better ways to
::::::::: lose weight.
::::::::
:::::::: Bzzzt.
::::::
:::::: Bzzzt what?
:::::
::::: What better ways? Weight lifting is hardly cardio, running assumes
::::: one can run, (some of my friends can't anymore) or power walking??
:::
::: Surely you're aren't claiming that bicycling is the BEST way to
::: lose weight, right? One still have to spend some bike to bike and
::: one needs a place to ride. Most adults that I know are very
::: fearful of riding on the road and for the most part, bicycle paths
::: are far and few between. Hence, while likely effective, cycling is
::: hardly the BEST way to lose weight. MTB likewise.
::
:: Hiking mountains can be very effective too, if you have mountains.
:: Try rowing a boat for miles and you will lose weight and have huge
:: biceps. I used to live in a house with the lake for a back yard, and
:: after a day of my idiot boss I blew off steam by rowing my 16' and
:: very heavy boat.
:: I think the bicycle can get you into the explore mode, and even just
:: piddling around at 10 - 12 MPH you can meet people and lose weight.
:: Never do I look at my speedometer/computer and worry about my
:: training heart rate.
:: You say most adults are fearful of riding. They are also fearful of
:: terrorists, the sky is falling, etc.
:: I think we have a bumper crop of cowards.
:: They should be more fearful of a heart attack, which is probably
:: going to kill those who choose not to exercise, maybe tomorrow or 30
:: years from now.
:: I just lost my aunt to a heart attack, but at least she made it to
:: 89. She walked every day but not enough to count for much.

She did good.

:::
::: Simple walking combined with not eating too much is probaby best,
::: which weight lifting thrown in. In fact, weight lifting, while not
::: being cardio, can be a very effective weight loss tool.
::
:: I find it hard to lift weights to the point where my heart rate is
:: up. it builds muscle, no argument there.
:::

Want to get your HR up with weights? Deadlift about 315 lbs for 10 reps
straight with no rests. If that doesn't do it, you're either already doing
more than that or your heart doesn't beat.

::: The best means for losing weight is to simply eat less. By far the
::: least costly, least time consuming, least potentially harmful
::: method.
::
:: Tell that to the people lined up at McDonalds drive through section.
:: It was out to the street when I went by at noon a few days back. Too
:: lazy to park the car AND eating junk food.
:::

I could tell them, but will they listen? The truth of something has little
bearing on whether people will incorporate it as a means to improve.

::: Cycling can be a very effective means of losing weight, as can
::: swimming, running, playing b-ball, or any kind of ball. There are
::: many effective ways of losing weight.
::
:: Swimming is good if you have a place to do it.
:: Running works for me too, not jogging but flat out running. That
:: makes it low impact but I can only sprint for about 2 football
:: fields worth then stop and walk until I recover for the next sprint.
:: Jogging and landing on the heels strikes me as more damaging.
:: Playing ball requires you too have an opponent. I try to get people
:: together for baseball every summer but there is a decided lack of
:: interest among both kids and adults.

Dribble under a goal and shoot/layup. That's moving and is better than any
electric bike at getting off the couch.

:::
::: An electric bike ends up low on the list, IMO.
::
:: Low for actual calories burned but if that gets people off the couch
:: then it is a good thing, right?

Perhaps. But if they never progress, then it's all moot. I think an EB can
easily be too much of a crutch.

02-04-2007, 03:02 PM

Roger Zoul wrote:
> Bill Baka wrote:
> ::::: Anything that gets one off the couch.
> :::
> ::: You're not making a strong case for an electric bike!

> ::
> :: Come on, read my last line, getting people off the couch in the first
> :: place is a starting point. If an electric assist does it then maybe
> :: they can get addicted to riding and buy a real bike.
>
> What, after they have already bought an electric bike, you want them to
> consider buying a "real" bike? Too funny. Why not just buy a "real" bike
> and ride it? Just find a piece of flat ground & ride. I started out with
> simple loops @ less than 5 miles, using gears that make it very easy to turn
> the cranks.
>
> I'm not suggesting that an EB can't be a road away from couchpotatodom, but
> I'm saying I can think of much better ways to get away.

I have a 300 pound couch potato (computer addict) friend whom I might
get out to ride a bit more if he had the electric to fall back on.
He has a nice Cannondale but never rides it. There might be a bit more
of an incentive to ride if he knew that if he got fried he could just
turn on the electric and get home.
>
> :::
> :::::
> ::::: I'm riding tomorrow, whilst all the potatoes watch some dumb
> ::::: football game. The (not so) superbowl clears the roads pretty
> ::::: well every year.
> :::::
> :::
> ::: Good for you. Too bad we have 25 mph winds...makes it too cold.
> ::
> :: Cold has been my enemy too. I went out yesterday and thought I was
> :: really doing good until I got about 5 miles from the house and
> :: realized it was a tailwind, DUH. Coming back was not only slower but
> :: froze my hands while I was getting sweaty. Makes me want summer
> :: back, no layering, just water, pedal and sweat, not worrying about
> :: freezing if I had to walk back due to a failure.
> :: Summer, summer, please.
>
> I'm good above 40 degrees with no wind chill, but there always is some here.
> If the temp is in the 30s, then it's just easier to ride the stationary
> (though not nearly as enjoyable) & go the gym.
>
I'm not even going to try to debate that issue. Riding in the cold
always gets me too hot or too cold. In the summer it is only one thing,
as in how much do you want to sweat?
Bill Baka