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Sitting around thinking about some of the differences of my experiences when comparing riding standard and "E" bikes I remembered one factor from riding the acoustic bike (the Brit's name for standard) was managing heart rate. As we age, most should know how max heart rate declines. "Max" being where the heart is being stressed at a level that could shorten its operating lifespan, and ipso-facto, its owner's lifespan as well. Pushing things to the max on a regular basis is asking for trouble as we get older. Knowing this, for the past several years I've used my watch to monitor heart rate while I ride and this has happily led to developing a good feel for noticing when I was getting out of the yellow and into the red zone. It has become second-nature for me to feel when I was pushing too far, then verifying this on the watch. My SOP for managing this was to stop (often mid-climb) and wait a couple of minutes for the HR to come back into the yellow before moving on. An added advantage derived from this tactic is how I've become quite adept at resuming a climb from a standing start on the acoustic bike, rather than pushing it up the hill. Because I do enjoy riding and want to continue to do so for as many years as possible, it seems like a good idea to not overwork the cardiovascular system. It is well out of warranty and this strategy is as close to an extended warranty that I've been able to find. Besides, the manufacturer never was all that good at responding to warranty claims anyway. Fast-forward to pondering about the eMTB and how the realization struck me that while still using the feel I've developed to gauge whether I'm punching near the red zone, instead of stopping the ride I can just bump up the assist level a notch. Then, bump it back down as soon as I feel my heart rate is back into the yellow zone. Being able to keep the flow of a ride going without stopping to manage HR levels has been much more enjoyable. I am able to get the workout I desire, get more time and distance riding, and I'm enjoying riding in a way I haven't experienced in a decade or two. The phone app (Specialized Mission Control) allows fine-tuning of the support levels, and I've been dialing them down as my fitness improves. This results in extending the range I can get from the battery as my muscles take on more of the load. I've found this to be a good thing as the miles of new trail we've added to Rocky Hill are getting to the point that two laps now use up most of the battery. YMMV

Digging the Evan Williams Single Barrel but Friday night special includes a blended boost of OF Signature 100.

"They" are not going to suddenly shut down every trail to mountain biking because of ebikes being "caught" on a trail somewhere. Let's start giving the "we'll lose access" argument more credence if and when it actually occurs on a single trail. And it probably won't. What a land owner would do is just step up the enforcement of their no ebike policy. But if it does happen then it can be said, "They shut down xyz trail because of this. So our concerns are valid."

... and the same types of riders who would threaten trail access when riding an eMTB are like the type who threatened trail access over the years on their MTB by riding recklessly on shared trails, and/or on illegal trails, and so on. Who among us couldn't raise our hands for past transgressions that contributed is some way to such a problem as described? How many routinely refused to ride those trails, which shan't be mentioned in a public thread, once it was clearly understood they were not officially sanctioned? 🙄 People CAN be trained (it's almost as easy as herding cats), and eventually peer pressure can result in a positive effect on behavior. This will be an educational process and I'm sure that many who are buying eMTBs may be new to the sport and have no concept of the history of similar problems which have been met. So, lather, rinse, repeat the sharing of information with them in a respectful way that offers a better chance to educate rather than alienate. Endlessly going on about the problems one perceives in other riders without putting personal effort toward resolving them has always seemed a fruitless endeavor to me. It is but another example of a Pot meet Kettle discourse. Everyone can bitch, curse, and shame this type of user when they meet them on a trail. How many take time to speak with those errant trail users and build rapport to show the advantages to them in considering changing their ways? Seeds have to be planted in order to bear fruit. In the grand scheme of things this too shall pass and the latest version of the new normal will reveal itself. The only universal constant is change. It has always seemed easier for me to embrace shifting paradigms rather than resist them.

Had a good turnout to the workday today. Thanks to all who shared time with us, a lot was accomplished.