Palooza boasts 150-strong e-bike posse
Pedego Palooza was a lollapalooza indeed. It was the Sheriff’s pleasure last Saturday to co-lead – with Let’s Go Biking author Colleen MacDonald – a huge posse of Pedego e-bike owners on the Okanagan Rail Trail from Oyama to Kekuli Bay Provincial Park.
He tried to keep the speed around 15 km/h to accommodate novice riders and those renting from Pedego Oyama but someone who shall remain initial-less urged, “Go faster.”
However, 20 km/h meant leaving everyone in the dust.
The after-ride included entertainment from local musician Andrew John, the awarding of door prizes from local businesses, eating allyou-can-eat tacos, chicken curry and peach pie from Gatzke’s Market, and meeting Mike Clyde, president of Pedego Canada.
“I think it went really well,” said Sheila Fraser, co-owner of Pedego Oyama. “We were so honoured that we had 150 of our customers over the past couple of years come and want to spend time with us. It’s a testimonial to how much they love their bikes, how they love being social, and having a fun and good time.”
Pedego manufactures 19 models to suit different kinds of riding. “We really try to appeal to as many people as possible and we see that cross-section in our customers,” she noted.
She’s unsure about hosting another Pedego Palooza since this was her first opportunity to get the HelloFun bus from its California home base as part of its crossCanada, cross-U.S. tour. “I’m hoping we’ll get to do this again because this was too much fun and we love having fun at Pedego for sure.”
First, a little history. Mike Clyde established Pedego Canada based in Nelson in 2009 when “no one knew what an electric bike was, and bike shops knew what they were but hated them.”
“I’ve pretty much ridden a bike every day of my life; it’s in my blood. All through winter, I put studded tires on and ride into town. I get grumpy when I don’t.
“When I moved to Canada from New Zealand with my Canadian wife and decided to live in the Kootenays, it was an opportunity through my brother who has been involved with electric bikes for 30 years. Through him, I had an opportunity with the brand in the U.K. I stopped being an engineer in New Zealand and created an import/distribution business in Canada. The rest is history.”
The introduction of Pedego ebikes to Canada was “a journey, just watching the industry evolve,” he admitted.
Today, it involves people who wouldn’t otherwise commute on bikes or people who ride bikes a lot but create new bike journeys, he said, adding: “It’s really great to see it flourish and become more mainstream. But I think we’re still early days compared to Europe.”
Fifteen Pedego-branded stores are now located across Canada, from Fredericton to Victoria, and there are an equal number of multi-brand stores carrying Pedego.
Paloozas have also been held in Calgary, Canmore and Victoria.
The Sheriff and Constant Companion Carmen rode the latest
Pedego, the Avenue, which was four years in development. It has a hydro-formed frame (using highpressure water) which makes it lighter at 44 pounds and it comes with the same five-year warranty as the other models, said Murray Fraser, Pedego Oyama co-owner.
“We’ve had it for nine days and are just learning about it. My experience so far is that it just rides like a bicycle. You don’t really feel like it is an electric bike,” he said.
The $2,895 Avenue has Slime tubes, Kevlar-lined tires, adjustable stem, 500-watt motor, 48-volt and 14 amp-hour battery, and throttle. His Avenue will go about 80 kilometres on a charge, along the rail trail and up Middleton Mountain in Vernon.
Both the Sheriff and CCC found the hybrid e-bike very comfortable to ride on the rail trail, the first time both of us had an opportunity to check out the throttle function, ideal for those with physical challenges
getting going and up hills, and useful when tired.
On Sunday, we joined MacDonald, her husband Ian, and friends Ingrid and Wally in exploring trails at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park in Vernon. Comin’ Round the Mountain is the Sheriff’s favourite. Corral Trail, not so much.
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Due to an internal issue, the Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club has rescheduled its special general meeting from this week to 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the German Canadian Harmonie Club, 1696 Carey Rd. in Kelowna, for a barbecue, then discussion on amended bylaws followed by a vote. New membership pricing will also be presented.
“It is important we have this vote done prior to the AGM so the updated bylaws (if approved) can be used for the upcoming season,” said the club announcement.
Members should bring lawn chairs for an outdoor meeting.
————— Sovereign Lake Nordic Club is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated members for two-year terms on its board which involves eight to 12 hours per month on board activities (including a monthly board meeting and active participation on at least one committee).
Current board members say that it’s fun and stimulating to work with such a diverse, engaged group of people.
Those interested should mail a brief biography by Oct. 2 to: elections@sovereignlake.com. Bios will be posted on the SLNC website at least five days prior to the virtual AGM scheduled for 7 p.m. on Oct. 17.