Since the nanny started with us, I’ve been thinking it’s time to start riding my bicycle to work again. I haven’t been able to ride so much since having kids because I always need to drop off or pick up one of the girls. Now, relieved of the dropping off and picking up for most days, I have been meaning to get back in the saddle, but the sad truth about riding to work is that it’s inconvenient and it takes a fairly long time. It’s a hilly 7 miles, but I have to shower at the end of the trip both ways, and I can’t shower right away after riding because the shower won’t “take” if I’m still sweating. It’s good exercise, though, and I’ve thought that the ideal situation would be to drive to work and to ride back. Finally, I’ve found a solution with an assist engine from Golden Eagle Bike Engines. I just placed an order for the 35cc Robin/Subaru 4-stroke engine, which should propel me along at up to 30 MPH (I imagine less what with the hills), for what should be a 20 minute ride to work, not much longer than the commute in the car (and burning 1/10th the gas).

Supposedly, the engine installs in about an hour. The only problem I forsee is that apparently 32-spoke wheels like mine are often not strong enough for the amount of torque the engine puts out and start popping spokes. Then again, most people are installing these engines on cheap, department-store bikes. My bike, though 10 years old, was somewhat higher end, and I selected it for its sturdiness rather than for low weight. We’ll see how the wheels hold up. I really hope it works out well to buzz in and pedal back; also it seems like most people enjoy riding around with the engine assist so much that they end up doing a lot more saddle time as a result. I could use that.