Age, cycling (ebikes) and afib.

[beach_bum]

Interesting article in one of my subscriptions...about how ebikes have made a difference in the lives of cyclists (like me) who are past their *best before date* on 2 wheels lol.

One of the guys has afib, so thought I'd share;

"The benefits of riding an electric bike also rang true in our chat with Brian Frith, a South Yorkshire-born Jersey resident of 74 whose passion for cycling, in particular for cycling with his tight group of riding friends, has been dented somewhat following a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). It’s a heart condition that causes an irregular and abnormally fast heart rate.

While he still rides his non-powered Parlee road bike for solo rides when he can ride at his own speed, his 2020 purchase of the carbon Specialized Creo SL Expert e-road bike has been his saviour for the continuation of his cherished group rides.

“We have got such a lovely group of cyclists,” says Brian.

“Only a few of them have been in a club before, and most have started cycling somewhat later in life, just as I did. The guy who leads our rides, he’s the slowest in the group but he’s got the most extraordinary knowledge of Jersey lanes. We have 700 miles of road here in Jersey and we seem to find new ones on every ride.

“While the clubs here will stick to the bigger roads, we wander around the countryside, but always on the hills. And it was the hills where I was getting into bother with the AF, which is why I got the ebike.”

Though the bike hasn’t fixed his health problem (he says an operation called an ablation could do that), the bike can dig him out of a hole when his AF flares up.

“It kicks in without warning,” he says. “I can have rides where it’s absolutely fine and the AF starts and I suddenly lose all power. It manifests, usually, with the first hill I come to.

“Everyone else disappears into the distance, but I lose all power. I feel lethargic, without energy. It’s startling, the loss of power in my legs. The top valve and bottom valve of the heart are out of rhythm and it can send my heart rate as low as 39 or as high as 200; when at rest it’s 60.”

Brian is looking forward to a solution to his AF, at which point he’ll see even more benefit from the Creo.

“I live on the east of the island. We can ride for 20 miles to La Corbière on the west, stop and have coffee before we head into the hills and I’ll be sitting there thinking, ‘Ooh, this [AF] feels dodgy.’ I have an Apple Watch and in the last 18 months it’s had the capability to measure AF.”

“It can tell me I’m positive, though I can usually feel it if I am. So instead of going with the group into the hills, I can instead use the power on the bike to get home without overstressing things.”

“Were I on the Parlee, I’ve got an hour’s ride home that’s going to be quite tough, but with the bike’s motor it means I don’t make the problem worse.”

[BobD Volunteer]

Lucky to be able to afford such luxuries!

[beach_bum in reply to BobD]

Well Bob, for many people bicycles are not so much a "luxury" as they are a primary vehicle. The savings on gas and insurance is a bonus. I know people who don't own a car, or if they do, they only drive them in the worst of the winter. Some are very hard core...I worked in Ottawa, second coldest capitol city in the world... for 7 years, and a co-worker rode 30kms every day. 40c during summer, and -30 in the winter...the man was hard core lol. Most are not that hard core, but many do use bikes to commute, light groceries etc. Since the introduction to Ebikes (i'm talking the ones you pedal) so many people with disabilities have gotten back into it for obvious reasons 🙂

[jeanjeannie50]

Oooh, wish I had an e-bike and could cycle with that group in Jersey. It sounds idyllic.

Jean

[Jajarunner]

I used my ebike after each of my ablations, in fact it was the reason I bought it. It kept me sane for all those months when walking wasntt possible. I'm back on my other bike now but cherish the E,!

[beach_bum in reply to Jajarunner]

I know eh! Keep the legs moving! I wish I had kept my Diverge Carbon Comp E5, but the trade in offer was too much to pass up at my LBS 😆 Now I'm so in love with my Giant Toughroads E, that I'm not convinced the Diverge wouldn't be just gathering dust *sigh* Now and then I just turn the assist off to remind me...then quickly turn it back on 😁

[Mitcham]

Well done for seeking alternative ways to exercise. Sounds great

[ozziebob]

Thanks for Posting this story.

I have had mobility issues since contracting polio as a 6-7 year old. I have never had much stamina for walking, and have cycled throughout my life to move around locally. Cycling takes the weight off my legs. Now at 75, my walking is very restricted, so ebikes are of increasing interest to me. The example you reported is very welcome and an inspiration to all with mobility issues and/or AF.

Yes, it can be expensive, but that's not the point of the story.

[beach_bum in reply to ozziebob]

I hear ya...mobility scooters can also be $$$

[ozziebob in reply to beach_bum]

It's finding the right lightweight bike/mobility vehicle that is difficult for me. Mobility scooters are my worst nightmare, although I appreciate others need them. Just not yet for me, while life allows.

I like the Tinker 2 (also expensive, but I like the graphite belt chain and low maintenance), but it's more for around town use (which suits me), not mountain passes or Jersey lanes and hills.

I forgot to give the link I intended. Here it is ...

r-m.de/en-gb/bikes/tinker2/

And Tern do a range of similar small wheeled cargo ebikes which I like a lot ... ternbicycles.com/en/bikes/4...

Happy cycling

[Barb1]

I have one, bought after my hip surgery and it was great with the AF as well. But now I am scared to ride it because of so much traffic.

[beach_bum in reply to Barb1]

Yes, I know many folks who just stick to the trails. I do about 50-50..tarmac/groomed trails.

We are fortunate where we live...we can go from town to town on trails, and the towns are small, so no crazy traffic to deal with. Being in the country, I can ride for 40km on the back roads and rarely see a car on a Sunday morning...and very few even during the week.

I doubt I would ever ride in a city again.

[Barb1 in reply to beach_bum]

I am envious!

[wilsond]

One of my sons has one ,he works in very physical job 30 mins ride away. Very useful he says if he is especially done in afterwork.Lots of memories of beautiful Jersey and its green lanes and roads,our other son lived there for some years!

[beach_bum in reply to wilsond]

Never been, but hope to make it there before I'm on the other side of the turf! Only ever been to London and the PARA training base at Aldershot...back in the late 70's. Been a while.

Watching Isle of Man TT is also on my bucket list ...AND a Spurs home game! ...now, if only I can win the lottery!😆

[wilsond in reply to beach_bum]

Ah hope you do! Been on the back of several.bikes on the TT hair raising but fun!

[healingharpist]

For anyone interested in a cheaper e-bike alternative, I bought the Swytch bike kit for $500 USD (they are running a special now which might be cheaper). I think they are based in England. It has a light-weight battery pack that you can easily pop on and off of the bike. They send you a motorized wheel which, when put on your non-electric bike, will convert it to an e-bike. (I paid a bike shop to do this.). We’ve been riding two of these converted bikes now for months on Kentucky and Ohio trails, and it was a cheaper way to give us just the boost we need on hills (the e-bikes around here start at $2000 and go up rapidly). It can be a gentle auto-boost while pedaling, or I can use the thumb assist for more power when needed….main thing is, I never feel it’s “getting away from me”. Might be worth a look for a more economical option. We’re enjoying them! Diane S.

[Peacefulneedshelp in reply to healingharpist]

that sounds interesting because I wonder if one wants to peddle is the e Bike harder to do so because of the weight of it.

[beach_bum in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

It can be confusing, but in a nutshell, the bigger the motor, the heavier, and the harder to pedal if you run out of juice. Ebikes range from 30lbs...regular bicycle weight, to 70lbs...which I would not want to pedal if the battery died. I can pedal my 42lb bike ok if I utilize all 11 gears, but I wouldn't be breaking any land speed records.

Ebikes typically have several levels of assist. The lighter the bike, and the fitter you are, the less likely u will need to use the assist. My bike, on the second lowest level *Eco+* is like peddling a 20lb race bike. It has 3 more levels *normal* *sport* and *sport+ for hilly regions.

My initial reluctance to buy an ebike was that I wouldn't get the same workout...I was so very wrong lol. It just allows me to ride longer and faster. The assist kicks out at 32kph.

[healingharpist in reply to Peacefulneedshelp]

The Swytch bike battery pack is portable and very light--it adds very little weight to the bike. I easily put it on & off the handlebars of my bike (& take it inside to recharge it, when needed). And if you just want to turn off the battery and pedal without any power, it's not difficult. But I have not owned one of the expensive e-bikes with the built-in battery. I think beach_bum can help, as he knows a lot about the weights etc. The Swytch bike kit is just a cheaper option, and is also very light. (We're not "pro bikers"; Swytch kit is good for those of us who bike occasionally, for fun & exercise... though it would be great to bike to work daily with it, too. )

[AFCyclist]

I have been using an electric-assist bike to help my AF for over 5 years. My EP/Cardiologist thinks they are a brilliant idea.