u/Honey-Badger-42

I'm planning to replace the old and exposed 4" x 1/2" XPS that is falling apart with new pink XPS (first applying a textured primer followed by 2 coats of acrylic paint). When I started to move the dirt away from the house I realized the thicker white insulation at/below ground level is also deteriorating. Some areas were exposed and it's thickness varies from degradation, but suspect it was 1" at some point. I don't know the material (maybe EPS?). At any rate, I was curious on the depth and stopped digging at 17" deep. I can't imagine trying to replace all this buried foam. It's mainly bad near the top.

Is this a viable plan.... Dig about 8 inches down, cut off the top 3-4" of the white board at a slight angle, and then replace with the entire section with the new 1/2" XPS that I'm planning to buy? So the new XPS would be about 8" tall (4" exposed and 4" buried).

Yeah, the bushes suck and other things should happen too.

Rider of average build, looking at step-through e-bikes for weekend rides on a mix of paved paths and rail-trails. I’d really appreciate feedback from folks who’ve ridden these or similar bikes in similar conditions.

The rail-trails near me are packed and generally smooth, but include some bumps and short bridge sections (wood/railroad ties).

For those riding the Level 3: how does it handle that kind of terrain with the 2.2" tires? Any issues with comfort, stability, or long-term durability (e.g., wheels/spokes)?
For Aventure 3 owners: does it feel noticeably more comfortable or stable on those surfaces? Any durability concerns?
On paved paths, does the Aventure 3 feel sluggish, noisy, or overbuilt compared to the Level 3?

I realize a mid-drive might be better for mixed terrain, but I’m trying to stay under ~$2k. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Foamboard foundation insulation