Dear editor,

I have to write this before I hear one more cyclist gloat about how they want 鈥渢o get a good cardio workout鈥� and are 鈥渉olding out before they get an e-bike.鈥�

Today a complete stranger told me I was 鈥渓azy鈥� for using an e-bike. She, on the other hand, was 鈥渢enacious鈥� because she still rides her regular 21-speed bicycle. Them鈥檚 fighting words.

Lazy? After having just completed a 50 km ride and having raced from Point Holmes to my appointment in Tin Town in 20-30 minutes?

Mostly I try to ride my 55-plus pound e-bike without any pedal assist (I don鈥檛 have a throttle) but use a little help (or a lot) up the hills. But if I can get some speed up on my own steam and maintain it, it鈥檚 a good workout pedaling my heavy bike around.

You have no idea what my reasons for using an e-bike are. Maybe I have a bad back, bad knees, bad heart, bad lungs, MS, or maybe I just like cruising or don鈥檛 want to break a sweat. Maybe, just maybe, it鈥檚 fun! But it ain鈥檛 nobody鈥檚 business but my own.

Google 鈥淐an one get a cardio workout on an e-bike?鈥� before you judge me. Your word was spiteful. Be thoughtful, be kind, be humble, and be thankful.

Jill Almond,

Comox Valley