In a highly competitive race featuring the top factory teams of the electric assist bicycle industry and household name pedal bikes, the Hanebrink, ridden by Kane Fortune, conquered the six percent grade, on a sprint up the 1/3 mile, paved course to win the first annual Interbike (trade show) Hill Climb Challenge sponsored by the Light Electric Vehicle Association on September 21 at Boulder Canyon.
Fortune powered and pedaled the lightweight, high tech Hanebrink up the steep hill against top professional riders, who at first did not take him or the off road bike seriously. By finishing the race in first place, he turned heads and changed more than a few minds. Second place also went to an electric assist bicycle and third place to a human powered pedaler. Participants made contributions to Bikes Belong in lieu of entry fees.
The race was sponsored by the Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA). According to LEVA Chairman, Ed Benjamin, “Our industry took a significant step forward by staging this competition. We congratulate Hanebrink for their decisive victory, generating further respectability for Electric Assist Bicycles."
