Two Cheaters E‑Bike” Rock To Rock

Aliyya Swaby Photo

Torresquintero shows Markeshia the e-mountain bike.

E-bike control panel lets you up the assist level.

When my Independent colleague Markeshia Ricks and I set off to ride 20 miles of hilly terrain between two city landmarks, we sought help from 450-watt motors.

Markeshia and I were two of more than 1,500 people who cycled from West Rock to East Rock Saturday in the eighth annual Rock to Rock” bike ride to raise money for organizations — and excitement around alternative, non-car transportation — across New Haven.

The event raised $160,000 as of Saturday afternoon, with one week left to donate and a goal of $200,000, which will benefit 26 not-for-profits doing environmental work in Greater New Haven.

We used the opportunity to test out e‑bikes — or electric-assist bicycles — which have electric-powered motors and chargeable batteries to give riders the extra boost needed to go long distance or get up steep hills. We borrowed them from Martin Torresquintero, city Department of Parks and Recreation outdoor adventure coordinator, who has three in the department’s 720 Edgewood Ave. offices.

Markeshia Ricks Photo

Bike racks with capacity for 140 bikes will be used at city- sponsored events.

Torresquintero has been testing out e‑bikes for the past few years, searching for a better bike to serve long-distance commuters, who don’t want to drive cars to work, but also don’t want to arrive to the office dripping with sweat.

He sees it as another way to promote alternatives to cars in the city.

Torresquintero stresses that the e‑bike is very different from a scooter, since cyclists still have to pedal, and can choose to turn the motor off completely.

The bikes we rode cost about $2,500, much less than a car, but much more than the average road bike, which can go for less than $200 used on Craigslist.

Aliyya Swaby Photo

The eight-mile ride was a popular draw for people with children.

Cyclists can choose from five different Rock to Rock routes — eight miles, 12 miles, 20 miles, 40 miles and a 60-mile metric century.”

Mayor Toni Harp used an e‑bike for the eight-mile family ride,” joined by Bill Dixon, the city’s deputy parks director. Mayor Harp and I both hopped on the 52-pound E Prodigy Banff” bike, which has a smaller 15-inch frame than Markeshia’s E Prodigy Logan” at 20.5 inches.

Both have 450-watt motors, Sony V3 lithium batteries, and the option to turn on a motorized pedal assist” with levels from 1 to 6. A control panel displays the speed, wattage used, temperature, time and distance.

Harp with an e-bike that matched my borrowed one.

That’s cheating,” one parks department employee called out as we began to coast down the first hill.

On the steepest, longest hill, which we hit soon after leaving Common Ground, I used an assist of level 3 to get me up, bypassing analogue cyclists huffing and puffing powered by just their leg muscles. I cycled the full 20 miles at last year’s Rock to Rock, and I’ve ridden the route with friends since then. I know what it’s like to be those cyclists.

I’m sure it’s true that inclines get easier to bike up with more time and practice, but I’m not into cycling for the hard work. I want moderate exercise, a beautiful view, and a breeze rustling through my baby hair.

The e‑bike was perfect for that. Still, I felt guilty enough that I explained my motorized advantage to every other cyclist who approached us to compliment our talent or sets of wheels.

Markeshia at Sleeping Giant State Park.

When we reached Sleeping Giant State Park, 11.6 of 20 miles down, we only needed a short rest and snack before we headed out again.

Markeshia said she wasn’t sure she would have made the trip without the motor. She didn’t feel guilt about passing cyclists until we were able to coast up the last stretch up to East Rock Park, alongside an exhausted group.

We were impressed at our friends who easily beat us to the finish line on analogue bikes.

(Analogue) cyclists arrive at East Rock Park.

Mayor Harp left the event soon after she beat us to the East Rock Park celebration. She won the day’s only spirit” award for individual riders for her participation. Jonathan Gorham, David Gibson and Common Ground’s Joel Tolman were the individual winners for the day.

Massaro Melonheads and Common Ground were the teams to raise the most money for Rock to Rock. Elm Campus Partners’ team won a spirit” award.

Click below to hear New Haven/Leon Sister City Project program Chris Schweitzer talk about Rock to Rock and alternative transportation on an episode of WNHH radio’s In Transit.”

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