Maggie I have loved too briefly

s-l500

Robot – Emotional support – Miniature riding horse

From Sep. 12, 2019 to Jan. 29, 2020, I had Maggie to ride.

Maggie is an Airwheel S8.

Like a bicycle seat on a post on a hoverboard. ‘Maggie’ for the magnesium alloy she is made of. Maggie is black.

When I rode her, all it took was a tiny shift in my center of gravity to zoom off in all directions.

She is broken – I hit a curb.

My entire life changed when she became part of it, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get her fixed (she’s Chinese, from somewhere near Wuhan). I’m back to dragging myself around with a walker; because I have ME/CFS, and little energy, it is literally dragging myself.

Some day I will need a scooter or a wheelchair, but not yet.

Meanwhile, I mourn. I don’t know when I’ll get another, or Maggie fixed.

I am SO glad I have had her. She was my 70th birthday present to myself, and the bigger gift was that I could ride her, and will never have the regret that I didn’t try.


 

20 thoughts on “Maggie I have loved too briefly

    1. Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt Post author

      Thanks. Yeah, it was weird. Her motors stopped – and I ended up sitting in the street, but it was kind of gentle, and even at my age I’m very flexible, and didn’t even bruise.

      I got one response from China that sounds as if they’re manufacturing again, and I’m waiting to hear how to order a board. I swear I’ll follow the videos and change it myself if I need to.

      Hope you are all well – these are trying times.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
        1. Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt Post author

          Since the shipping from Europe would also be problematic, I’m just waiting for contact from the factory again. They haven’t responded yet, although they told me it would be $50 for a control board and that it is probably what need replacing. China will be needing foreign exchange – I hope.

          Thanks for the idea, though – I’ll have to see is their European distributors actually have any boards.

          Depending on your weight, the s6 models might be good enough; the s3 is not really suitable for indoors – I don’t need the handle, and it would get in the way at the buffet, which is currently irrelevant as they are bring our meals to the apartment for a long time forward.

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        2. Rui Mendes

          Airwheel european headquarters and stock for parts are in Belgium. I have just ordered an Airwheel S8 at promotional price at their office in Portugal.
          https://www.motor24.pt/motores/airwheel-reinventar-a-mobilidade-sobre-rodas/584802/

          Your writings about Maggie are so enticing that I took a decision to acquire this device. I and trying to develop a project in order to adapt Airwheel S8 into a robot for some household tasks.
          Thanks for your interesting posts on Electric UniCycle Forum and this blog!

          Like

  1. Lynda Dietz

    I’m so sorry to hear about this! Hopefully, your local guy can work some magic and we won’t be saying RIP, Maggie anytime soon. At least the warranty people gave back your purchase price. That’s more than some companies would do.

    I can’t imagine the backward shift for you, but I’m hugging you with my brain across the miles.

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    Reply
    1. Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt Post author

      I blogged before I had the new contacts – and let it stand. It happened – and I’ve been without transportation since Jan 29.

      Two weeks of that I spent with the flu, still managing to keep checking the web (no parts available, no S8s). I didn’t leave the apartment.

      Enough! We’re even talking about me having a spare, even though my online forum tells me it’s rare to have this happen: I now know how disruptive it is to my life.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Widdershins

    China is already beginning the process of opening it’s doors, at least internally, so there’s a bit of hope there that you’ll be able to swing up and down that hill with Maggie, perhaps before summer’s end. 🙂

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    Reply
  3. clairechase51

    Oh no!! I’m so sorry to hear this. When you posted about getting it and riding it, you sounded so happy. I hope you can find a way to get her back working or get another one soon. Hugs to you!

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  4. naleta

    Oh dear! I’m sorry you broke your ride after discovering how much fun it could be. I’ve been busy lately and have had trouble finding time to read the blogs I like to follow. I’m glad that you are still here, though.

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    1. Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt Post author

      Hi! I love it when you drop by – it’s like something extra. I have a couple other friends who do the same thing, and it reassures me we’re all still here, still busy.

      I’m down but not out. If I were sure there would never be another Maggie, I would be discussing scooters and wheelchairs. We’re not there by far yet – it’s just been the confluence of her problem and the virus problem that has made it hard right now, especially hard. Cross fingers!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt Post author

    Thanks – and I know it – but am not able to trust those who can muzzle the CDC and the press.

    I’m in contact with people – there may be new ones produced soon; China will need foreign exchange. I just don’t know if the S8 will be near the head of the production queue, or even on it. Highly recommended – both fun and useful.

    Please stay safe – let’s shorten this virus’ reign.

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    Reply
  6. joey

    OH Bummer, Alicia! That’s rotten news! You got a local tech school there? I’d maybe place an ad. I can’t imagine shipping her to China – but if there’s a warranty? Ugh, so sad for you!

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    Reply
    1. Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt Post author

      Already went through all that: no one in the US can fix or has parts or has one to sell; Canada doesn’t, either. Warranty repair not done except for distributors; backup protection plan just gave up and returned the entire purchase price for Maggie AND the protection plan.

      I do have a local guy who will try – if I can get parts. He comes highly recommended, but has never done one of these. Long-term, I’m thinking that’s what I need. Short-term, thank goodness my trusty walker, Sylvia, with me for 10 or 15 years already, is still here. I haven’t had the energy to go out for a trike ride since the flu – but Trixie awaits when I do.

      Temporary setback – but ironic. And I don’t know the future.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. acflory

    Seems wrong to ‘like’ this post as I understand how you feel. But don’t give up! This horrible Covid-19 virus won’t last forever, and once it’s over you can get your Maggie fixed and running again. Think temporary setback rather than permanent ‘grounding’.

    Speaking of the virus, not being able to be out and about as much may be a blessing in disguise. For family reasons, I’m basically putting us into hibernation for the duration. Luckily both the Offspring and I ‘live’ online anyway, so retreating from the real world isn’t that painful. Please take care of yourself.

    Liked by 1 person

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