The Electric Stoker

On a tandem bike, the rider in the back—the one who doesn't do the steering or braking but just pedals—is known as the stoker. If you are in front on a tandem, you appreciate your stoker. His or her leg strength is added to your own and makes you feel powerful.

My plan is to add an electric stoker to my recumbent. Specifically, a Bionx motorized rear wheel.

Unlike some other bike motors, the Bionx senses the rider's input torque, and adds to it proportionally. The harder you pedal, the more it tries to help. If you stop pedalling, it stops assisting. You can adjust the assist level with the whizzy-looking computerized control panel.

The first step is to restore the old Gold Rush to a condition where I'll want to ride it! Fix up its tatty paint and scratched and dirty components. After it's rideable again I plan to have Velolectric install a Bionx system on it.

I hope the result will be a beautiful bike that I'll enjoy riding, and that with the aid of the electric stoker I can take and enjoy the longer rides that I couldn't even attempt with my typical fitness level.

We'll see. But first, bike restoration.