"I was born in Arizona," Shawn recalls, "but I moved to the Pacific Northwest specifically to be closer to bike trails, fishing spots—everything you dream about when you think of getting outside."
His knees ached—a bruise from an accident 15 years earlier—and every pedal stroke became a battle with the pain. Long rides were impossible. Hills? Forget it. After several injuries, getting around on a regular bike was difficult.
But Shawn didn't give up. "I went deep," he says. "Online forums, Facebook groups, Reddit threads—anywhere real users were talking about their experiences. I wasn't just looking for the best specs. I was looking for the brand with the fewest complaints."
His method was meticulous: every time someone mentioned controller failures, battery issues, or disappointing range, Shawn made a note. Some brands piled up red flags. Others showed promise.
"Then I found Himiway, I came across the Himingway groups" Shawn noticed a pattern:
"Most of the people in there didn't have any complaints and any complaints that somebody did have, seemed like they were very easy things to fix with a little bit of customer service or a little bit of knowhow on on my side."
When his ebike -Himiway Cruiser came in 2021, he rode and felt the familiar resistance as he began to pedal, the old instinct to brace for pain.
Then the motor kicked in.
"It's hard to explain," Shawn says, his voice softening. "It wasn't like the bike was doing the work for me. It was like... it was working with me. I was still pedaling, still engaged, but suddenly the hill wasn't this impossible wall anymore."
He crested the top without stopping.
Shawn pulled over, looking back down the trail he'd just conquered. The forest was quiet except for the wind in the trees. He realized his eyes were wet.
"I got my life back that day."
A New Normal
Today, Shawn rides 40-50 miles regularly—distances that would have been unthinkable on a traditional bike. He's explored trails across Oregon's Columbia River Gorge, climbed elevations exceeding 1,500 feet, and reconnected with the outdoors that drew him to the Pacific Northwest in the first place.
The Himiway hasn't eliminated his limitations—it's redefined them.
"I can finally push myself without hurting myself. That freedom? It's everything."
Himiway's Advice for Anyone Considering an E-Bike
"Do your research—but do it smart."
"Look for what real users are saying over time. Not just the first-week excitement reviews, but the people who've been riding for months or years. That's where you find the truth."
For those with injuries or physical limitations:
"An e-bike isn't giving up. It's not cheating. It's a tool that lets you keep doing what you love. If you've been watching other people ride past while you sit on the sidelines, you don't have to anymore."
Your Turn
Shawn's story isn't unique—it's one of thousands. People with injuries, chronic pain, age-related limitations, or simply the desire to ride farther and explore more are discovering what an electric bike can unlock.
What's your impossible hill?
Maybe it's a trail you've been dreaming about. Maybe it's keeping up with your kids or grandkids. Maybe it's just getting back outside after years of sitting it out.
Whatever it is, it might not be impossible anymore.
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