Cycling/Bike Advice Needed

[531colin]

Shall we start again?
I am in the habit of cycling on tracks, and the condition of the tracks varies enormously from year to year depending on traffic, rainfall, drainage etc. ....it also varies with the season. It can be surprisingly strenuous lugging a lightweight bike over a track in poor condition, and a little bit of luggage makes it very much harder. An electric bike will be fine on a good surface, but in poor conditions I imagine it will be a bit like my lightweight with a bit of luggage....in other words, it will be a pain.
Its very difficult for me to get an idea of your exercise tolerance, so forgive me if I ask some questions.....
You say you can't walk far, but you also say you know this 3km of tracks very well. So can you walk this 3km, or do you know it from parking half way, or does your knowledge date from before your injury? If you need to call somebody to retrieve an electric bike and you are off road, presumably you have to walk home, or to a car parked somewhere?
I still feel the electric bike suggestion is a fine balance between positives and negatives......on a good surface it will be very very good, but on a bad surface it will be horrid.
Can i suggest an alternative?
Buy, beg borrow or steal any old secondhand bike.
On a day off, ride the first bit of your proposed route, turn round and come back. If thats OK, do it again. If you find you can do the trip without an electric bike, then thats a result. If its too tiring, then an electric bike is a "get out of jail free" card....at least, it is on the road, in an area where there is mobile coverage.

[Trail Beater]

Can I just say Grey.
We had no idea the extent or the exact problem with your heart,but now we know,we are better positioned to help.
Schrapnel through the ticker ?
That's gotta hurt
So,an ebike eh ?
In the circumstances,about the right choice if you want to tackle some hills.
But expensive as you well know .
But,if it gets you out and about then could be a little investment worth doing.
Heres an idea,why don't you just take the car to work,and use a normal bike on fairly flat areas to get you back on a bike in the first instance ?
That said,I don't know if there are stretches of flat roads and trails where you live.
Anyway,well done you for not giving up on one of your passions.
Good luck

[eileithyia]

It might have helped to have known the full extent of the problem to begin with.

I have friends who have had had heart issues and without full explanation it is easy to assume some form of heart attack. Those friends have gone on to change their life styles, become incredibly fit and cycle or walk extensively (1 does 100 mile competitive walking) so it is hardly surprising there is a misunderstanding.

A bike with a motor could be a very heavy option to try propel causing possibly more exertion than you are supposed to be do. Have you discussed this with a cardiac specialist to get their opinion? That would be a priority first of all I would have thought.

I think colin has raised some valid points, and there is a lot to consider, Type of track, weather conditions, what it is like in adverse conditions, can you walk / push a heavy bike in heavy muddy conditions with a mechanical problem? Is there a phone signal on the track?

Certainly buying / borrowing a lightweight bike to see how far you ride how you cope with a flat part of the road could be a good initial step.

[MikeF]

What is this Forest Track? I'm sure we all have different mental pictures of this. Some are wide all weather tracks that don't become muddy in winter as every reply here seems to have assumed eg some FC tracks. Does it actually go through a wood or is it just a track in the "countryside"? Is it surfaced?

[Lodge]

By the sound of it you know your limits. You are not under medical supervision. You know you are missing 40% of your heart muscle but your spirit is high. It is excellent and to be applauded to want to get out and be "normal". Just make sure you have your mobile phone and a lock for the bike, should you need to abandon.

What sort of budget do you have? There are e-bikes (and trikes, should you be of a recumbent persuasion) going up to rather a lot. But motors can be retrofitted to inexpensive bikes for only a few hundred pounds, especially if you are mechanically (and electrically) capable. If you don't get on with it, split and sell the motor on. Very little to be lost and much to be gained in experience.

My wife has a Bosch powered bike which requires very little effort to ride if a higher power setting is selected. It's easy even off road; front suspension helps. My 12 km commute is off road on a shale track part of the way. I borrow her bike if I need to get to work less sweaty or if I need to get home more promptly.

I would say go for it.

[galaxy1]

Another option which may work, but not as originally inteded. Perhaps try some tandem riding, even get your wife involved, you have someone to share the load, help if you need it and will do the too of you some good.
Also look up somewhere that hires ebikes, hire one and try before you buy, do the same with the Tandem.