I hesitate to open ancient and neglected threads (I don't want Jeri telling me off...), but this one has just the right title...

Until the mid-90s I was a rabid cyclist. For years I'd cycled to work every day, to start with a seven-mile ride (each way!) through Epping Forest followed by a hairy stretch of the North Circular to Walthamstow. More latterly, from Widemouth Bay to Holsworthy, 22 miles and 1400 feet of climbing every day in all weathers. In 1993 I cycled 6000 miles. All that stopped abruptly in late 1994 when I sustained a knee injury. I still have my hybrid bike (now 33 years old) and can do gentle rides on trails that aren't too hilly.

I'm now 70+ and my knee and my back are nothing to write home about (I've had surgery on both). Mrs Steve has been just as keen a cyclist and she also has knee trouble.

So we've bitten the bullet. Having not spent money on holidays for three years, we've bought electric bikes. Folding ones. Bromptons. I can get them both in the boot of my Focus without letting the seats down. It's fun learning to fold and unfold them, but we're getting good...

So far we've just had a couple of runs. Here are some observations that blew my anti-electric sentiment out of the water. First, you can set the level of assist, or not have it at all. Second, the assist kicks in only after you've pedalled a couple of turns. Thirdly, this is not a motor bike. You don't pedal, you don't get the assist. Fourth, once you get up to 15 mph, there's no more assist (you don't need it!). Now here's the biggie for those with bad knees: the most important part of the assist comes when you launch off and try to get going, or when you need to speed up, or pedal up a hill. That's what puts strain on the knees and that's what the electric bike wipes out. Your knees are looked after.

I'm a total convert and as an ould chap I'm going to be out there riding a bike again - and getting exercise (you don't get away without getting that!)

The bikes were expensive (I've insured them) and the last thing I want to do is show off. We used the money we haven't been spending on holidays. But they are going to be just the ticket for us to carry on getting out and about without sitting in a tin overcoat all the time.

And I never wear Lycra...