For years I resisted the allure of the e-bike revolution, convinced it was just a shortcut for the lazy. A bike ride with the press of a button? How could that be real exercise? These were my thoughts, and likely the ones people have as I blow past them while riding uphill on the local trails on my e-bike.
Then, curiosity got the better of me, and three years ago, I took a test ride on a pedal-assist mountain bike. My life was forever changed. You mean my heart doesn’t have to burst out of my chest when riding uphill? Gone were the days of dismounting in frustration to push my bike up steep inclines. Hallelujah!
“While I’ve hiked countless trails, riding them reveals a whole new world.”
I named my bike Ophelia. She is an iron gray Trek with fly green pedals and the best investment I’ve ever made in myself. Not only does she inspire me to venture out of my house on the regular, she provides a whole new perspective of the mountains I’ve called home for two decades. While I’ve hiked countless trails, riding them reveals a whole new world.
The only downside? The helmet. Oh, how I loathe helmets! They look ridiculous and sit awkwardly on my noggin. When I happen to catch my reflection in a store window, I immediately look away. I know the safety benefits are undeniable, but seriously—shouldn’t they have figured out a way to make them more stylish by now? It may sound vain, but it’s the truth. Still, I want to keep riding into my ’80s, so I begrudgingly don the helmet.
Once I’ve filled my water bottle, popped in an earbud, and secured my helmet, I hop on Ophelia and ride off. The sensation is euphoric. The wind on my face, the sun warming my arms, and the crunch of gravel beneath my tires all awaken a childlike joy within me. I feel like I’m racing to a friend’s house after promising my mom I’ll be back in an hour—youthful, playful, and full of wonder.
Riding offers a freedom that walking simply can’t match. I cover more ground, which means more opportunities to soak in the beauty around me. And, in Evergreen, beauty abounds. The fall foliage is breathtaking—brilliant yellows, fiery oranges, and deep reds crunch beneath my tires as I ride. A fox darts by, a rodent in its mouth, while sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on my path. Deer graze peacefully, their heads lifting curiously as I pass—all mother nature’s reminder of her splendor.
On my e-bike, getting to the top of Bergen Peak is now manageable. The switchbacks are tight, but I’ve learned to navigate them well enough. Summiting anything on a traditional bike was always an undertaking ending in frustration and exhaustion. Kudos to those who conquer such strenuous feats! I now relish the exertion required to summit trails on Ophelia. I sweat, my heart races, and my legs burn, but the feeling of accomplishment at the top—rewarded with panoramic views of the stunning mountains I treasure—is worth every effort.
Unfortunately, some of the other views from my bike aren’t as breathtaking. Riding provides me a firsthand look at the trash that tarnishes our beautiful landscape. Diapers, shattered bottles, notebooks, hats, sneakers, fast food trash, cigarette butts, bike tires, baby bottles, board games, underwear… you get the picture; all in such stark contrast to the surrounding gloriousness. Some of it is likely accidental, swept away by the wind or forgotten on a car roof. Witnessing this firsthand has motivated me to invest in a trash grabber and do my part in keeping our trails clean.
I often ride without a specific destination, exploring neighborhoods I would never have a reason to drive through. The unique homes spark my imagination, and I find myself playing games, wondering who lives in various houses based on their exterior and the cars parked outside. Each ride brings a welcome sense of adventure. Just last week I followed a trail that led me on an unexpected journey through Evergreen, revealing sights I never anticipated.
Once, the hilly terrain of Evergreen deterred me from biking. Living at the top of a steep hill made it nearly impossible to ride anywhere without an exhausting climb back home. I used to dread the hassle of loading my bike onto a rack and driving to a trailhead. Now, I simply roll out of my garage and into the woods, leaving all my worries behind.
Life on two wheels is a journey of discovery, freedom and joy. Embracing the e-bike has transformed my relationship with the outdoors, and I can’t wait to see where Ophelia takes me next.
