From Walker to Rider: Darrel Rediscovering Youth and Joy on Ranger 3.0 Pro | Heybike Community

The Spark: "Hopping Off Like Teenagers"

For Darrel Abbe, who is 59, and his wife, the journey to a more active life began on their own feet. "My wife and I started walking to help improve our quality of life," Darrel shares. They were in their 6th decade and had tossed around the idea of getting traditional bikes, but nothing stuck.

The real spark came unexpectedly.

Darrel, a Harley rider, was visiting his nephew in Lowa. One morning, his nephew's neighbors, John and Kelly Sharf, rode up on their Heybike Horizon ebikes. Darrel was stunned. They were the same age as him and his wife, but the way they moved was energetic and electric." I was immediately amazed," Darrel says, "as they were hopping off those beauties like a couple of teenagers".

That single moment lit a fire. Darrel calls John and Kelly his "salesmen", and they had just sparked his infatuation with electric bikes.

First Ride: "It Made Me Feel YOUNG AGAIN!"

Darrel, who grew up riding dirt bikes, didn't just dip his toe in—he dove. He got his own Heybike electric bike: the Ranger 3.0 Pro. His new friends, John and Kelly, promptly took him on a 25-mile round-trip ride to a beautiful lake resort.

For many, a 25-mile ride would be daunting. For Darrel, it was a revelation.

"Traveling the 12.5 miles was so enjoyable because I never had to worry about whether I would be able to make it," he recalls. The bike did the work, letting him just enjoy the scenery. "All I had to do was pedal normally as if I was going downhill since the motor would kick in whenever needed".

The ride back was even better. His nephew needed him back soon. Darrel checked his battery with plenty of juice, bumped the bike up to PAS 5, and took off. He made the 12.5-mile return trip in just 21 minutes, a journey that normally took his friends 37 minutes. The experience was transformative. "Your bike made me feel YOUNG AGAIN !!!" Darrel exclaims.

An Expert's Take: Why the Ranger 3.0 Pro "Shreds"

Darrel is no stranger to two-wheeled machines. With a background riding Harleys and all kinds of dirt bikes on the Glamis Sand Dunes, he knows performance when he sees it. His verdict on the Ranger 3.0 Pro electric bike? "It shreds".

He was immediately impressed by the bike's build. "I am almost 60, grew up around dirt-bikes, and I cannot brag enough about the suspension on the Ranger 3.0 Pro being so nice". He calls it a "freaking luxurious beauty".

But it's not just a comfortable cruiser. Darrel was amazed by its agility. "Normal and smooth path riding is a dream for sure, but taking it on a tight trail makes me want to go back again and again". He found the bike "AWESOME at low and slow tricky trail speeds,"  a true test of balance and motor control.

He also loves the practical features, like the rear rack that can hold 100 pounds, perfect for his "Camp Kitchen bag" filled with snacks and gear.

Sharing the Joy: Riding and Laughing Together

After riding 167 miles in Lowa, Darrel, without hesitation, purchased another electric bike for his wife back in New Jersey without asking her.

He was so excited to ride with her that he couldn't even wait for her Red Ranger 3.0 Pro to arrive. In a burst of enthusiasm, he found a gently used Heybike Horizon on Facebook Marketplace and bought that, too. Now they had a fleet, and his wife could start riding on his blue Ranger immediately.

This, for Darrel, is the entire point. It's not about the specs or the speed. It's about connection. "It’s one thing to think about...hanging out with my girl outdoors," he says, "and it is an entirely different experience when I hear her laughing while riding".

They ride together, sweat a little, and get good exercise, all while having the time of their lives. "The only thing that really matters," Darrel shares, "is that we are enjoying the fresh air... she is having fun and that’s what life is all about".

Keep Smiling on a Heybike

For Darrel, the Ranger 3.0 Pro electric bike is more than just a ride—it’s a bridge to happiness, health, and connection. “Your company has treated me like family,” he told Heybike, “and that goes a long way in my book.”

He and his wife now ride together regularly, exploring parks, trails, and neighborhoods with ease. Their children and grandchildren have even started eyeing e-bikes of their own to keep up.

Darrel’s story shows what makes Heybike special: it’s not only about great engineering but also about people finding new joy in life. Are you still wondering whether it’s too late to start something new? Learn from Darrel's story with Ranger 3.0 Pro. It’s never too late to ride, laugh, and feel young again on a Heybike electric bike! Keep smiling on a Heybike!