Charles McArthur, an environmentalist, held the first annual alternative vehicle regatta on this day at Mount Washington, New Hampshire.
The aim of the rally was to gather together and test all possible forms of alternative transportation to the internal combustion engine. The regatta placed emphasis on low energy consumption and minimum pollution.
Mike Corbin, of comfy motorcycle seating fame, worked with Dr. A.W. Petrocelli, COO of Yardney Electric of Pawcatuck, Connecticut to create an electric motorcycle with a high energy density silver zinc battery to take part in the challenge.
With a total energy content of over 4,680 watt hours, the bike successfully powered the Corbin designed motorcycle 8 miles to the summit on an average grade of 12%, through 99 hairpin turns, in 26 minutes, nonstop. The next day they did it again, twice, nonstop.
This was in 1975.
