7 minute read
E-bikes Extend your Range for Outdoor Fun
by Blake Herzog
E-bikes are the “it” vehicle of 2022 as people discover the advantages of this hybrid of a traditional bicycle and motorcycle. You still get to pedal, but a battery-powered motor affixed or hidden within the bicycle frame allows the rider to travel up to 28 mph, depending on the bike.
They’re gaining popularity with commuters but also make outdoor exploration on two wheels more widely accessible, especially for seniors and those with disabilities.
Almost everybody who can ride a traditional bike can ride an e-bike and the motor makes it much easier to clear hills and maintain your speed. Q
By law they are classified as bicycles on Arizona streets. Class 1 e-bikes (see below) are permitted throughout the City of Prescott’s trail system, but no e-bikes are allowed on any of the nonmotorized trails within Prescott National Forest. The two jurisdictions have compiled a map of suggested recreational e-bike routes in authorized areas, which is available at www.fs.usda. gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd816049.pdf.
Prescott Ebike in Prescott (928.833.2453 or www. prescottebike.com) has several e-bike rental options while Archer’s Bikes in Prescott Valley (928.277.4211 or www.archersbikesprescott.com) sells as well as rents e-bikes and conventional bicycles.
TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED:
• Know what you’re riding — There are three classes of e-bikes with slightly different capabilities. Class 1 bikes can go up to 20 mph and have a motor that can supply an “electric assist,” but it will only kick in while you’re pedaling. Class 2s also max out at 20 mph and you can use the electric assist when you aren’t pedaling. Class 3 e-bikes operate the same way as Class 1s but can go up to 28 mph and can face more restrictions from bicycle and multiuse paths than the others. • Use your assist wisely — Most Class 2 and 3 e-bikes include a throttle for the motor, giving you three or four levels of assist from the motor. The lowest is usually labeled as “eco” and the highest “turbo.” These directly affect the life of the battery, so it’s generally best to stay away from the “turbo” end unless you really need it.
• Weight affects operation — The battery adds around 20 pounds and allows an e-bike to go faster than a typical bicycle, which means you need to brake earlier and with more force for it to stop when you want it to.
This weight can also make it more difficult to pedal when the battery runs out or you’re not using the electric assist, which depending on your fitness level can limit your ability to use it.
• Pedal quickly — Most e-bikes operate more efficiently if you pedal with a faster cadence than what you use on a traditional bicycle. It will still work if you pedal more slowly but this will extend the life of the battery and provide a smoother ride.
• Safety first — Helmets are mandatory for those younger than 18 and recommended for everyone.
Install front and rear lights and a rear-view mirror if they’re not already on the e-bike.
Eat. Drink. Adventure. Chino Valley
by Maggie Tidaback, Economic Development Project Manager, Town of Chino Valley
We’ve previously introduced you to eating and drinking in our charming town. Now, we’d love to entice you into some adventure at these gems for a variety in shopping pleasure.
PEA VINE — More than 80 local artisans and crafters create handcrafted gifts, art, plants, essential oils and more for you; 400 W. Butterfield Road.
SEW-N-SEW — This place meets all your sewing needs from offering apparel and quilting fabric, a full selection of thread and zippers, sewing notions, alterations, not to forget classes and sewing machine repair and maintenance; 1120 S State Route 89.
MARY’S COZY HOME FURNISHINGS — See more than 6,000 square feet of gently used and new furniture; 1299 State Route, No. 89 (1/4 miles north of the Safeway Shopping Center on the east side of the street).
COUNTRY ROAD BOOKS — For you readers and browsers come to Hometown Book Store, Country Roads Books and more for used books, new books, trading books, hardbacks, paperbacks, children’s, religion, history books and more; 318 W. Perkinsville Road.
THE WATERING CAN — This shop specializes in vintage wedding decor for rent as well as custom flowers for all of your event needs; 323 W. Butterfield Road.
THE AG TEACHERS WIFE — Here you’ll find comfortable, trendy clothing at affordable prices — a little bit western, a little bit city and everything in between at this community gathering place; 150 S. State Route 89.
EZ STRUCTURES — The goal of this business is to provide the best building for your project and the best customer service throughout the industry; 743 E. Road 2 North.
Salute to Service:
Carrying on a Veterans Day Tradition
by Michelle Stacy-Schroeder, Recreation Services Administrative Supervisor, City of Prescott
On a cold November morning in 1918, the Allied Forces signed an Armistice Treaty in Versailles, France, ending World War I. The treaty was signed Nov. 11, 1918 at 11 a.m.
A year later, President Woodrow Wilson, commemorated the first Armistice Day by stating:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations… .”
In 1954, Armistice Day officially was renamed Veterans Day.
For many years, the Northern Arizona VA held a Veterans Day Parade on their Prescott campus. Military Service organizations, car clubs, nonprofits and commercial businesses participated while hundreds of community members sat along the parade route to watch, cheer and pay tribute to veterans.
In 2013, the parade was moved to downtown Prescott around the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. It is now organized by the City of Prescott Recreation Services Department.
The number of entries has grown significantly, making it one of the largest veteran parades in Arizona — well over 100 entries! And it’s no surprise considering the Quad City area has one of the largest populations of veterans in the state!
In 2016, I took over as parade coordinator. Being an eightyear Army Veteran myself, it has allowed me to add a special significance to the Veterans Day Parade that only those whose served can truly understand.
The City of Prescott has a great group of community volunteers, along with generous support from the Northern Arizona VA, Arizona Public Service (APS) and commercial businesses that help to put on the parade.
This year, the parade theme is: Vietnam Veterans: To those that served, and the 58,479 that never made it home — Remember & Respect.
Festivities will be Friday, Nov. 11, beginning with an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on the main stage at the intersection of Cortez and Union streets. The parade will begin at 11 a.m.
For more information about the parade or to participate, contact me at michelle.stacy-schroeder@ prescott-az.gov or visit www.prescott-az.gov.
The three-horse color guards opened events at the ribbon-cutting for the LASER Animal Shelter in Chino Valley. (Photo by Ray Newton)
Cooperation between two Chino Valley organizations resulted in establishment of a LASER facility in Chino Valley at 2208 Equestrian Way.
LASER stands for Large Animal Shelter and Emergency Readiness.
Cooper Anderson, director of the Chino Valley Equestrian Park, said. “The new shelter was huge for the community. It will help during the summer to expand our hours. It also will help in the winter when it gets dark early.”
He said money was raised by pledging support to double use of facilities. During the previous year, the equestrian park sponsored 45 events with thousands of attendees.
During the dedication program, Chino Valley Equestrian Park raised even more money through a silent auction, raffles and gift sales to earn more money to support the new facility. The program began with a threehorse color guard and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a parade of more than 20 equine breeds, including horses, donkeys, mules, ponies and miniature horses.
More than 200 invited guests attended the Aug. 16 event. It was sponsored by the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, Loretta Stewart, CEO, and co-sponsors Findlay Buick/GMC and Safeway.
Cathy Heath, local resident and secretary and LASER board member said, “These LASER facilities will allow us to shelter horses, miniature horses, mules, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, rabbits and even llamas and alpacas. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that we provided protection for some animals that needed to be evacuated during the Crook Creek Wildfire just south of the Prescott National just 10 miles south of Prescott.”
LASER has another shelter at the fairgrounds in Prescott Valley.
Those wanting more information can visit the website at www.lasershelter.org or call LASER President Spike Hicks at 928-713-1331.
