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Electric Bikes - Get up that hill without pedaling!

Lee Iacocca Electric Bicycle

Combining the ease and mobility of a moped with the portability of a traditional bicycle, this "E-bike" is the brainchild of the father of the Mustang and Mini-Vans, Lee Iacocca.  This vehicle can be used to power up hills and also be pedaled like a regular bicycle.  Virtually maintenance free, the bike is an ideal supplemental mode of transportation for hilly college campuses, resort communities, shore use for yachts or around-town errands.  A thumb throttle controls three different operational modes, pedal power only, electric power only or a combination of both which supplements the rider's efforts.  State-of-the-art hub motor and 24-Volt system powered by two, rechargeable batteries and a range of 20 miles per charge and a top speed of 15 mph.  Rechargeable almost anywhere, the charger is onboard the bike, simply plug into a household outlet for four hours for a full charge.  Cruise control, battery charge indicator, frontend and seat suspension, gel seat, rear gear rack, rear and handlebar saddle bags, horn, lights and fenders.  Chromoly steel frame, ABS plastic panels, aluminum alloy rims, seven speed Shimano® derailleur, V-style back brake and front disc brake.  Weight limit 250 lbs.  Bicycle helmet use recommended (not included).  44" H x 8-1/2" W x 67-1/2" L x 26" wheel (65 lbs).

For further info or to order, please contact:

E-BIKE OF CAPE COD
(508) 487-0044 - 487-4447
jtpatrick@hotmail.com

Fourth Annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival
and Blessing of the Fleet
(This year, June 22, 2000 - June 25, 2000). 

Portuguese Heritage, An Editorial from Provincetown Magazine, Vol. 23.11, 6/22/00

History has taught us over the centuries that people perform acts of courage which set them apart from others and that the acts themselves take on a life of their own.  Early explorers of the Americas took incredible risks to life and limb to venture beyond the known world in search of trade routes and trade partners.  The Portuguese sitting on the edge of the known world and already occupying the Azores and Canary Islands, were perhaps more likely to reach out to new areas.  They were also very successful.

What followed was both predictable and repeated in many other countries.   Settlers came, occupied the land by some form of divine right and changed exploration into exploitation.  As Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar, "The evil that men do lives after them, but the good is oft interred with their bones."   So history focused on the deeds of the few and ignored the positive contributions of the many.  Fortunately, history and heritage differ.

Heritage does not rely on a small sampling of deeds by a few but on the deep seated habits of the many.  Many of these habits have become imbedded in the lifestyle, in the mores, in the religious and spiritual traditions which make up day-to-day life.  Thus there is more heritage in the way people dress, in the foods they eat and in the way they treat each other than in any single deed by one person.

The Portuguese tradition in Provincetown has over a century of heritage trailing behind it.  Some families came from the Azores and others came from the mainland.  The traditions varied slightly and all too often the prejudices between the two groups flared up; but as with family feuds, pity the outsider who tried to step in.  Here in Provincetown, the traditions were intimately linked to the sea and the fishing industry.  Of course, fishermen settled along the coast.  In other parts of the country, Portuguese families with different trades and professions settled in other states.  But here, the sea reigned.

True, the same could be said of every other ethnic group in town, but in this case the sheer numbers leave a mark both on local history and on our local traditions.  The Portuguese tradition is now in our blood.  Along with that heritage come an openness to diversity - a trait the Portuguese people picked up over the centuries by meeting with different cultures and races.  That heritage comes with a tradition of hard work - a trait linked in part to poverty back home and to living day by day in direct contact with the elements on small boats.  That heritage comes with a deep faith - a trait linked to involvement, to trust in community and a dedication to public service.  The Portuguese presence in Provincetown has colored our communal heritage in unfading colors.

To the degree we open ourselves to diversity, to the degree we work hard and challenge the elements, to the degree we get involved with building a strong community, we are all Portuguese.  This does not constitute a call to a pollyannic vision of the world, but a call to take up the best and run with it toward tomorrow.   We might also look into our personal histories and pull out the gems that form our individual heritages and put them into the common pot.  None of us comes to Provincetown with a blank slate and none of us ever leave unaltered.

So this week the Portuguese flags blend with the American flags and the maritime flags over Commercial Street.  We walk under the banners and celebrate this obvious but subtle heritage as we go about our business.  The flags mark tradition, but we who walk the streets live it in our bones.   To all who have helped make Provincetown a positive experience, we say, "Obrigado!"  (Thank you)

For photos of this event, please go to:
Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet

Businesses of Interest:

Bicycle Rentals P T O W N    B I K E S 42 Bradford Street Provincetown, MA Tel:  487-TREK 21 speed mountain bikes 4 speed beach cruisers Single speed beach cruisers AlleyCat extension bikes 21 speed tandem bikes
	Mayflower Restaurant Commercial Street This has always been one of my top restaurants in P'town.  Food is excellent, prices reasonable.  Try their Portuguese pork chops - delicious (highly spiced - make sure you have a full glass of water handy!)  They serve lunch and dinner.
	When I have my bike with me, I like to eat outside where I can keep an eye on it.  I've eaten here a couple of times.  A little more expensive, however.
	Portuguese Bake Shop Excellent breakfast (Portuguese sausage - Linguica, with eggs, toast, home fries) very reasonable.  Tasty Portuguese pastries that you just can't resist.
	Pirate Museum
Commanded by "Black Sam" Bellamy, the pirate ship Whydah was wrecked off Marconi Beach, Wellfleet in 1717.  In 1984 a team led by explorer Barry Clifford located this fabled wreck.  Designated as a National Geographic Society Special Event, the on-going archaeological mission to recover artifacts from the Whydah is headquartered at Expedition Whydah Sea Lab and Learning Center in Provincetown (just past the whale-watching fleet, Macmillan Wharf).  In February 2000, the Clifford Team also located the wreck-site of the Adventure Galley - commanded by the infamous Captain Kidd -- off the island of Madagascar.  Work to solve the mystery of the world's most famous pirate will be featured as a Discovery Channel special on the Expedition Adventure series.
	No photos allowed inside the exhibit.

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