October 11, 2023 Breakfast Meeting Notes

 

Tony was still absent with COVID so Ben gave us a Rotary Minute. Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, which was organized by the World Federation for Mental Health and endorsed by the World Health Organization. The Rotary Action Group for Mental Health Initiative wants to raise awareness of mental health issues, fight the stigma mental health, and expand access to care. 

 

50/50: Lora won and donated to Tom

 

Card game: Bill drew the card but it was not the ace of spades. The game continues.

 

Announcements: October 24 is Polio Awareness day. Please donate to the Rotary Foundation to help eliminate polio.

 

Styrofoam project: Transportation issues have developed. The Restore will no longer be able to help us with a box truck. Mike asked if Colby at 3 Lakes would be able to loan us one;  Bill will contact Colby and ask him. Greg asked if we could rent a flatbed truck to help transport styrofoam from the various towns but the cost could get to be prohibitive.

 

CADY (Communities for alcohol- and drug-free youth) will be having a luncheon on Thursday, Oct 19, from 11:30-1:30 at the Common Man Inn and Spa. The speaker is Paul J Spera, Associate special agent in charge of the DFA’s New England Field Div vision, speaking on the current drug threat in NH, New England and nationally. Register at Cadyinc.org. Lunch is included.

 

Penny Sale: Tickets were passed out today, or you can stop by Noyes Insurance and pick them up. Each member has been given 20 packets of 3 to sell, with a value of $100. For street sales, sign up on line via the Google Doc. Each member should staff at least two shifts and Bill will assign shifts to those who do not sign up. Last weekend we had 3 groups selling tickets and together they raised $304! When you are selling, if people don’t have cash you can have people scan the code for VENMO and buy them online. Grand prizes are listed on the tickets. Note that the golf grand prize is a single round of golf for 4 at both courses (White Mountain and Owl’s Nest). Sharon has more tear-off sheets at her office. We will set up next Wednesday night. October 18, 5 pm at Plymouth High School. Ken Evans will put up Penny Sale banners this Saturday morning, October October 14.  Meet him at the Common Man Inn at 9 am. He will need at least 3 other people to help. 

 

We also need help with one contact list for fundraising. If you know these businesses or can contact them, please let Mike know:

 

    Bonnie Brae Farms, Cindy Downing, 603-5363880. Last year they gave 4-$20 gift certificates.

    Small engine technology: Tom or Sandy Hughes, 603-536-2085, 347 Fairgrounds Road. No History.

    Burning Bush: Charles or Vicki, 603-764-9496. No History.

 

Our speaker today was our own Ken Williamson.The title of his presentation was “Remember the Thrill,” referring to the simple joy of riding a bicycle. Like all of us, Ken learned to bike as a child. He gave it up as a teenager when it was time to get a car and a job. Several years later he was stationed in Key West, bought a used bike for $10 and rediscovered the thrill. Years passed, he continued to cycle, and ultimately he found a partner who enjoyed riding tandem…a new level of thrill!. Time marched on, and after he moved to NH he and his partner discovered that the hills seemed to be getting steeper and harder. Rides just weren’t as much fun when he had to stop and push the bike uphill. At that point he decided to try an e-bike and discovered the thrill yet again.

 

There are 3 types of ebikes: 

 

1 Pedal assist: This type samples torque, cadence and speed to give help when needed. 

2. Throttle control: The  rider selects a setting for the power. 

3. Combination: This bike allows for ride assist and also cadence pedal assist. 

 

There are also several different drive methods: 

1. A hub drive is the least expensive. Front wheel hub drive may be a little more dangerous as you get a lot of power up on the steering end of the bike.
2. Rear hub drive: similar, just on the rear wheel.
3. Third type is the mid drive, which amplifies the power of the pedals. This type is the most expensive. You can buy one off the shelf or use a conversion kit to fit the drive onto your existing mechanical bike.

 

There are three classes of legal ebikes (as well as a lot of illegal ones). A legal bike has a  maximum of 750 watts. Class 1 is pedal assist bikes that a can reach a speed of up to 20 mph; Class 2 is throttle assist bike that can reach 20 mph; and Class 3 is pedal assist, which can go up to 28 mph. More powerful bikes exist but are classified as Out of Class Electric Vehicles and can only be ridden on private property. Legal Class 1 and 2 bikes can be ridden on paths, rail trails, and roads. Class 3 are legal on roads only. Note that mountain bike riders often do note like ebikes zipping along their trails. All others are out of class electric vehicles and can only be ridden on private roads.

 

Ebike battery safety is also an important consideration. UL2849 certifies batteries as being safe, but very few ebikes (only those sold through reputable dealers) have this listing. You can find lots of bikes for sale on the internet that do not have the listing, but these are a fire hazard and run the risk of spontaneous combustion. New York City has outlawed bikes that do not have the UL2849 listing.

 

There are many styles of electric bike available. You can buy a commuter bike, a cargo bike, or a kids and cargo combination. So-called “stealth” electric bikes are also increasing in popularity; these look like regular road bikes but have the electric assist hidden in tubes or hubs so that at first glance they don’t appear to be electric at all.

 

Ebikes still allow you to get exercise. It’s not a free ride, and you can choose how much or how little asset you get. What it does do is allow you to ride for longer, a little faster, and without pain on those killer hills. And as we talk about mental heath, remember that biking isn’t just good for physical health; it’s also great for mental health. 

 

Other announcements: Braden got married last week. Lora put out a plea for someone to host a Japanese exchange student (16 year old girl, speaks English) that has lost her host family in Meredith. Greg noted that his daughter Addy had spent time with Lora and Ken’s exchange student Louise this past weekend and a good time was had by all.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lora Miller, secretary