‘Alternative Challenge’ bike race from Madison to Morristown: Wait till next year!

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It was the kickstand.

In the history of cycling, nobody with a kickstand has ever won a race. This is a proven fact.

Or maybe it was that chipmunk on the Traction Line. Should have just run him…. no, no, that would have been wrong.

The lights! Those endless red lights!! Ford Avenue, Elm Street, Spring Street, Park Place…

Oh, there’s no use sugar-coating it. We finished fourth in Wednesday morning’s soggy Madison-to-Morristown Alternative Commuter Challenge.

Please click icon below for captions.

Marty Epstein of Marty’s Reliable Cycle concocted this promotion last year and partnered with TransOptions, a commuter information clearinghouse.  The idea, he says, was to dramatize ways to commute that don’t involve cars. Conventional cars, anyway.

Wednesday’s “winner” was a Prius in electric mode, piloted by Alvin Delgado from Toyota of Morristown. At the tail end of the morning rush, he made it from Main Street in Madison to the Hyatt Morristown in 16 minutes.

“We’re saving the world with bikes, and electric cars. It’s fun. And it’s another way to promote sustainability in the Greater Morristown community,” said Marty, adding that he may allow lawn mowers in next year’s challenge. He was joking. We think.

Don Watt, an innocent bystander from TransOptions, said Wednesday’s exercise demonstrated that “the difference between alternative transportation and cars is not that significant. We can almost keep up with traffic and cars. Mass transit can meet many people’s needs. More people should use it. It’s more friendly to the environment.”

FAME IS FLEETING: Matt Vance, left, won it all last year. This year, he finished last in the Alternative Commuting Challenge. To his right is winner of Best Dressed Commuter, Paul Miller of Sustainable Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
FAME IS FLEETING: Matthew Vance, left, won it all last year. This year, he finished last in the Alternative Commuting Challenge. To his right is winner of Best Dressed Commuter award, Paul Miller of Sustainable Morristown. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Rounding out the field, Eric Noonan from Marty’s shop finished a close second riding a Surly “Big Dummy” bike with a Bionic electric-assist motor, a package worth more than $3,000.

Marty and his partner in the Sept. 9 Gran Fondo NJ cycling extravaganza, Bill Ruddick, tied for third while pedaling conventional road bikes.

Our steed, a borrowed Trek 7200 with a motor, boasted four electric speeds. Next year, we’re holding out for the Spinal Tap model, the one you can crank to 11.

Paul Miller of Sustainable Morristown hopped the train in Madison, collected his bike from a locker at the Morristown station, and cycled to the Hyatt coffee table in fifth place. His business suit did win him Best Dressed honors, however.

Everyone felt pretty good about deposing last year’s champ, Morristown lawyer Matthew Vance and his folding 24-speed Dahon bike.

Just like last year, Matt caught the train. Exactly where the wheels fell off this time, figuratively speaking, is unclear. Matt expressed some belated concerns regarding start times–something about the rest of us getting a head start. We are hoping he doesn’t depose us in his law office.

There’s always next year, Matt.

 

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