Day 1: What will your Motiv be?

The tagline is all over motivelectricbikes.com. And I spent the past year wondering what my Motiv would be.

I’ve paid attention to the brand as it’s continued to grow and followed them on various social media sites. I’ve customized countless color combinations while always wondering if I had the best fit.

But after months of saving, the timing was finally right, and I pulled the trigger for my first e-bike. I have to admit; I’m coming up on 29 and haven’t owned a bike since elementary school or junior high. Not to mention the fact I haven’t ridden one unless you count the stationary bikes at the gym.

So when I was able to test-drive a Motiv for the first time a year ago, I knew I had to have one.

This is pretty magnificent considering I’ve never once pondered purchasing a bike for exercise. And now suddenly I was in the market for an e-bike? I thought maybe I was a little crazy, so I didn’t rush anything.

Let’s backtrack to the summer of 2006. Right after I turned 22, I had to have back surgery. That’s a pretty scary pill for someone at such an impressionable age to swallow. And while the scar on my back, which is the only scar I have, is only 1-2 inches, the mental scarring is/was unquantifiable.

Suffice it to say, I’ve lived in fear ever since. I’m not talking about I’m afraid to leave my house type of fear. I just mean I’ve constantly thought when it comes to anything physical, that I’ll wilt and be forced into paralysis if I partake.

I still have discomfort that I’ve learned to deal with which will never disappear. I’ve accepted that. I will never be 100% pain free, but that doesn’t mean I have to be an invalid.

I realized at the beginning of this year that while I was probably in the best shape of my life, my legs were definitely neglected and needed my attention. I contemplated doing yoga while I kept revisiting the Motiv site.

Now you’re all caught up.

Today I went out and rode for a couple hours. And while I have a 48-volt (can reach speeds of 20-25 MPH!), I actually pedaled. You know, exerted effort and had to catch my breath. That old trick.

I challenged myself to pedal as much as possible. Even with the steep hills that surround the Santa Clarita Valley. And you bet your ass that I full throttled while screaming at the hills to give me all they had. They did, and so did the sun. My pasty complexion has spotty hues of red all over from not wearing sun block.

But it was liberating!

My legs also feel great. I’m excited to see the results as I plan to ride 1-2x per week.

After waiting over a year, I finally found my Motiv. It didn’t lie in the creative realm of which color customization would suit me best (that’s black with blue wheels, by the way). It aligned with my internal drive to live healthier.

I’d say that’s pretty electrifying.

So why are you sitting here reading this? Isn’t it time to get outside and join the electric revolution? What will your Motiv be?

Peace, love, and a little sarcasm, j.d.k.

P.S. Be sure to check out motivelectricbikes.com to find your Motiv!