It can feel very much like a dystopian world out there right now. Whatever side you’re on when it comes to Canada, one thing every sane person can say is that it’s an unpleasant thing to see a nation so divided. Whatever side you’re on when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine situation, one thing every sane person can say is that we don’t wish to see loss of life or loss of liberty. And it seems to me that we’re all on the same side when we look at inflation; unless you’re ultra wealthy, there’s not much fun to be had as daily goods rise in price faster than wages.
So what are you to do when so much is out there to weigh you down? Well, I submit to you that there’s almost nothing better than a good trail, a good hike, or perhaps, a great electric bike.
Adventures #electricbikecompany pic.twitter.com/am9hnCNjX7
— Electric Bike Company®️ (@ElectricBikeCo) February 21, 2022
No this isn’t my typical kind of article, but I see so many people so down in the dumps lately. It’s gotten so bad that we’re seeing global records in depression and other mental disorders. Maybe this is the not-so-unexpected outcome of years of lockdowns in some areas. Remember when they were ruining outdoor parks and closing beaches to save us from a virus that almost exclusively transmits indoors? Yeah, errors were made.
In the midst of all this negativity and real loss, there are two things that I’d like to advocate in for you. The first is exercise. I know, I know, it’s hard to find the time (trust me, I know that one all too well), and exercise isn’t always fun… thought it can be. But take a look at this article from the Washington Post and see if you don’t agree how important getting up and moving around must be for your body and your health. Of course, you already know how important exercise is. The second thing I’d advocate is that you need to expose yourself to beauty. When we are in the middle of many crisis or real world stressful situations… something the news and social media seems to market exclusively to viewers… one of the things that is important to maintain appropriate perspective is to look at that which is beautiful. Why? Because you’re already exposed to that which harms you and others, so you need to look at forms of the ideal. No matter where you are or what your income, there’s beauty to be found in the natural world, so get out there and take it in.
So here’s my pitch to you, and no I’m not being paid by any bicycle companies to put this out there:
If you can afford it, go buy an electric bicycle.
You know that feeling you had as a kid when you would peddle up a huge hill and then finally you have the utter joy of coming down it? What if going down the hill could be forever? That’s the greatness of an electric bike. You still get to work out aerobically, you just also get to determine how hard you’re going to work and when you want to do it. If you want to peddle an average workload but go twenty-five miles per hour, have at it! If you wan to turn off the motor and do it all on your own, that’s great! They even make electric mountain bikes if you’d like to really go off-road.
As for what type of bike to get, that’s up to you and your wallet. For me, I go with Pedego bikes, but there are a ton of different companies, makes, and models that you can choose. For what it’s worth though, anything that keeps William Shatner going at ninety has my full support!
So instead of a traditional vacation this year, why not load up your electric bikes, scooters, even trikes, and take off on a cross-country experience? You could be biking in the Petrified Forest or riding the trails of the Ozarks! You could be on the Appalachian Trail or cruising along the beaches of Ponte Vedra! And when it comes to just a single day, after a hard day at the office, how great is it to just hop on and ride at your local greenway?
I highly recommend electric bikes, even if you’re a bicycle enthusiast. I love mine, and I bet you would too! Get out there and escape from all the glum news of the day. There are still birds, flowers, animals, and little streams of water just waiting for you to see them!
And as always, keep checking out That Park Place for all the latest news, opinion, rumors, and leaks when it comes to everything that should be fun!
