Emma and Diane

Hi, I am Heidi. I am a mom of teens, teacher, completely solar-powered, and I LOVE to ride my bike. I am also the daughter of a mega-stud cyclist who lets me train and race with him. In case you don’t know my dad, he is an exceptional cyclist. I don’t mean decent for a ​old guy​ ​masters rider​ dad, I mean flat out good.

Unfortunately, Dad and I are not always in the same state, and riding by myself gets to be a bit boring. He has TGF (my Mom) for a training partner while I have, well, my Audible account. However, I have found the answer to loneliness becoming a thing of the past, fast forward to the e-bike.

Pedal-assist bikes (e-bikes) enable riders to do mileage they never thought possible and take adventures they may have only dreamed of. Yes, you still have to pedal them!

However, these bikes allow their riders to go a little faster and a little farther than they had before. I see the evidence when I get photos of my parents riding together. Back up a second; let’s go back to that part where I told you Dad trains with TGF.. Did you assume they are both animals, both riding specimens of the highest ranks, and both badasses who wear superhero capes?

Well, you are totally correct (she also wears an imaginary crown) but, when it comes to cycling, Mom’s need for speed is not quite as intense as Dad’s is. He rides his Open gravel bike, and she rides her Trek Domane+ e-bike. This summer, I got the opportunity to do something I never thought possible. It began when I asked my sixteen-year-old daughter Emma to go for a bike ride with me.

While I awaited an almost certain eye roll, she shocked me by replying, “Sure, but only if I can ride Grandma’s bike.” Why had I not thought of that before?!? Emma and I headed out onto the gorgeous Montana farm roads, and when we got to the turnaround, she surprised me and exclaimed, “Let’s go just a little farther so we can see that barn up there.” I was on cloud nine; we were talking random nonsense while riding together on bicycles, and she wanted to keep going?!? Forty miles later, Emma was still smiling, and I understood why my dad endures my non-stop chatter on the rides and races that we do together.

I always knew riding with my dad was special, but until I experienced it with my own daughter, I never was able to comprehend just how priceless it could be. Perhaps cycling is an experience you wish you could share with a loved one who does not share your love for bikes.

Maybe you have bike trips you want to take but feel held back by the distances or have always wanted to be able to commute on two wheels. With tons of different models and Trek card financing available, there are no more excuses for not turning those dreams into realities.

Get down to MMC and try out all of the e-bike options available. I promise you, it will be the most fun you have ever had on two wheels and the joy you will feel will be life-changing!