Carlos & Paige's 50+ Discovery

It started with a YouTube video.

I (Carlos) watched someone riding a newer-style eBike and something clicked. I've always been interested in electric motors and accelerated propulsion, so naturally I started looking into them. That led down a rabbit hole—learning about motor types, controllers, battery technology, and all the engineering behind what makes these things work.

Then I looked at West Linn.

This is where things got serious.

The Real Problem We're Solving

West Linn isn't a flat place. We have sustained terrain. Hidden Springs. Real climbs that separate capable eBikes from pretenders.

I asked a simple question: Which eBikes can actually handle our hills?

Not someday. Not theoretically. Right now. On the terrain we live on.

While researching eBikes, I spent eight months building something bigger. Not just planning—actually building.

• Ghost CMS website (complete platform setup)
• YouTube channel infrastructure (ready to document)
• LinkedIn outreach system (building credibility)
• X platform strategy (community engagement)
• Blog foundation (content pipeline ready)
• Email systems (subscriber management)

No shortcuts. No AI shortcuts. Real infrastructure built for real testing and real community.

While researching, I discovered something: West Linn is uniquely positioned for eBike adventure.

• Challenging terrain that tests real capability
• Rich history (Willamette Falls, trolley heritage, local heritage sites)
• Growing infrastructure and community
• Rapid connection coming to Portland
• A demographic (50+) that's completely underserved by eBike content

But here's the thing: there's almost no honest content made for people like us.

Most eBike reviewers are 25-year-olds who power up any hill without assistance. Their challenges aren't our challenges. They don't ask the questions we ask.

So we decided to become the resource we wished existed.

Over months of research and planning, we mapped out a complete vision: YouTube series, blog, website, marketing strategy, community building—everything.

But then Paige and I looked at each other and realized something important:

We don't need to pretend expertise we don't have. Our honesty IS the story.

We're total video rookies. We're first-time eBike riders. We're going to fumble with controls, laugh at ourselves, and figure things out as we go. And that's the point.

We're getting our first eBikes.

We're working with a manufacturer to get bikes that will actually test our local terrain. Then we'll do what we do best: document the real experience. No scripts. No acting. Just two longtime married folks discovering what's possible, what's surprising, and what actually works.

Our 6-Week Launch Series

We'll document everything:

• Week 1: Unboxing (we'll probably fumble with the boxes)
• Week 2: First rides (expect some laughs, some nerves, some genuine discovery)
• Week 3: Testing on familiar terrain (Tanner Creek, the routes we already know)
• Week 4: The real test (Hidden Springs, the climbs that matter)
• Week 5: Long-distance exploration (can we actually do what we hope?)
• Week 6: Honest assessment (here's what worked, here's what didn't)

After the initial series, we'll extend into 9-month and 12-month follow-ups if the bikes hold up. Real durability testing. Real feedback.

I'm Carlos. I focus on motor performance, range, reliability, and whether an eBike can actually deliver what it promises.

My wife is Paige. She focuses on comfort, accessibility, ease of use, and whether these bikes are pleasant to ride.

Same bike. Different questions. Together, we get the complete picture.

And honestly? That's the whole point. No single perspective is enough.

We're building this for people like us:

• 50+ years old (or thereabouts)
• Research-oriented (you do your homework before committing)
• Practical (you want to know what actually works, not marketing claims)
• Looking for authenticity (you trust people more than brands)
• Ready to explore (you want to get out and experience things)

If you're tired of eBike content made for 25-year-olds, this is for you.

If you're wondering whether you can actually ride an eBike given your age or physical limitations, we're going to show you what's possible.

If you want to see real people discovering something new—no scripts, no pretense—then you're in the right place.

We're not going to lie to you. We're not going to pretend we've been testing eBikes for years. We're not going to fake expertise we don't have.

We're starting our journey now. You're invited to come along.

Here's what we're committing to:

Honesty. We'll tell you what worked, what didn't, and when we were surprised (in good and bad ways).

Transparency. We'll show you our process. GPS data. Timing. Real measurements. Not marketing math.

Authenticity. No scripts means sometimes we'll ramble. Sometimes we'll disagree. That's real.

Community. We're building this with other people like us. Your questions shape our testing. Your stories matter.

Long-term thinking. We're not testing for 30 minutes. We're riding for weeks and months to see what holds up.

We live here. We know this terrain.

Hidden Springs isn't a theoretical challenge—it's a climb we'll actually take multiple eBikes up. The sustained climbs and varied terrain aren't marketing claims—they're where we'll test real-world performance. The historic sites aren't attractions—they're where we ride and explore.

If an eBike works in West Linn, it works anywhere.

This story is just beginning. We don't have all the answers yet. In fact, we're about to have a lot of questions.

But if you want to see real people discovering something new, learning as we go, and being completely honest about what works and what doesn't—you're in the right place.

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32 years of marriage taught us that the best adventures are the ones where you're learning together. West Linn gave us the perfect proving ground. eBikes are the vehicle.

The rest? That story is just beginning.

Ready to see what happens?