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12 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | OCTOBER 2020 By Clare Mendez, Resident Going for a bike ride just got more fun. More than a dozen Solera residents now own electric bikes. Gus Letendre and Margaret Burritt have been riding their electric bikes for three years now. When using the computerized electric feature or the pedal assist the rider can travel 25-30 miles on one charge (although Gus has tested this and went 60 miles on one charge). One time Gus took his bike up the steep hill to Diamond Valley Lake. Using the pedal assist feature he put his 700 amp motor to the test and only had to go up to the third of five gears. Gus and Margaret throw their bikes in his travel trailer and take them wherever they vacation. Wayne and Carolyn Whitaker have been seen riding all around SDV. In fact, they've ridden over 1,000 miles on their bikes. Wayne takes the lead and chooses the route and Carolyn follows behind. Although the bikes can go up to 20 mph, they prefer to coast around to enjoy the ride. Robert and Cindy Ponce de Leon have taken their all-terrain bikes outside the gates. I'm told the bikes had no problem going over the rain ruts and dirt trails all the way to the airport. Robert flattened a tire once when he rode over the goathead thorns that are in the local fields. Another time they rode east on Warren to Domenigoni to see dozens of swallows that nest under the bridge. They said there is so much to see beyond our gates and people to meet. On one trip along the railroad tracks to Winchester Road, Robert and Cindy spoke with a local farmer who told them this area at one time was all potato farms. Who knew? If standard bikes are uncomfortable to ride due to joint stiffness or fatigue, electric bikes with pedal assist are a perfect alternative. Some might prefer to purchase the step through frame which resembles a typical "girls" bike and can fold to store in the back of a vehicle. Although they are a bit heavy (65 to 75 lbs.) due to the battery pack, they are very easy to balance. Joe Costello and Mabel Durand plan to take their bikes up to the Sierras. And they talk of putting together a group ride another time. So many questions to ask regarding this fun new type of transportation and everyone who owns an electric bike seems very eager to talk about them. For more technical questions, the Radrover web site has your answers and an easy and efficient ordering page. The bike will ship right to your door and you can also add baskets, back racks, fenders, an ice chest, and more. For safety, rearview mirrors, reflectors, lights, and of course helmets are recommended. Due to the popularity of electric bikes, your order might take a month to arrive. When interviewing these electric bike owners it was unanimous, "they are fun to ride!" Electric Bikes Just Plain Fun