The UBCO 2×2 Special Edition is an accessorized version of the street-legal 2×2 Adventure electric utility bike. (Photos by Monica Wiesblott & the author) I don’t know about where you live, but electric bikes have invaded like a swarm of locusts here in Ventura, California. They silently climb steep trails with ease, zip along bike paths, and book it down city streets. Most e-bikes have pedals that can be used to assist in the generation of motive power, and depending on an e-bike’s class (1, 2, or 3) and state laws, speeds are typically limited to 20-28 mph. In addition to its special sage green paint, the UBCO 2×2 Special Edition is accessorized with two Giant Loop Pronghorn straps for the front rack, a 12-liter center carry-all bag, a 30-liter rear rack bag, and a Peak Design smartphone mount. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) But there are also electric motorbikes that forego the pedals and rely purely on electrons to keep the wheels turning. A popular choice among teenagers here in Ventura is the Surron Light Bee X, a 100-lb electric dirtbike that’s delivered with a 16-mph speed limit but can be “hacked” to allow speeds of 50 mph or more. Some talented daredevils on Surrons rip endless wheelies down city streets, all but terrorizing local folks who complain endlessly about those “crazy kids” on NextDoor. Enter the UBCO 2×2, an electric utility bike built by a company based in New Zealand that has a U.S. headquarters in Bend, Oregon. UBCO bikes were originally designed for use on farms and trails, their “utility” evident in the beefy trellis step-through frame, front and rear racks, and knobby tires. In each of the UBCO 2×2’s wheel hubs is a 1-kW motor, and their combined output is 4 hp. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) What intrigued me about UBCO bikes is the “2×2” part – with a 1-kWh motor in each wheel hub, they are 2-wheel-drive. I’ve always wondered what it was like to ride a 2WD Christini dirtbike, so I figured the UBCO would give me a taste. Putting a motor in each wheel hub makes sense. It not only improves traction with two driven wheels but also simplifies packaging of the drivetrain since there is no chain or belt and no sprockets. UBCO’s lineup includes four models. There are two off-road-only models: the 2×2 Work utility model ($3,999 for 2.1 kWh, $4,999 for 3.1 kWh) and 2×2 Hunt Edition ($6,499, 3.1 kWh only), a kitted-out model aimed at game hunters. And there are two street-legal dual-sport models: the 2×2 Adventure ($4,999 for 2.1 kWh, $5,999 for 3.1 kWh) and the 2×2 Special Edition ($6,999, 3.1 kWh only), which is the focus of this review. The center carry-all and rear bag are secured to the frame with hook-and-loop straps. UBCO sells other accessories for the front and rear racks, including cargo decks and pannier racks and bags. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) The 2×2 Special Edition has a unique sage green paint job and includes several accessories that set it apart from the base-model 2×2 Adventure, including two Giant Loop Pronghorn straps for the front rack, a 12-liter center carry-all bag, a 30-liter rear rack bag, and a Peak Design smartphone mount. You can buy an UBCO from a dealer, or you can have it shipped directly to your home, which is what I did (all orders incur a $450 shipping charge). It arrived in a recyclable cardboard crate and required minor assembly – straightening and tightening the handlebar, bolting on the turnsignals, and installing the mirrors, luggage, and smartphone mount. The UBCO 2×2 SE comes with a Peak Design smartphone mount, and pairing the UBCO app to the bike allows riders to display vehicle info and change settings. The only thing that seemed cheap on the UBCO were the mirrors. While adjusting one, the glass cracked. Replacement mirrors cost only $14/pair. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) Atop the tapered aluminum handlebar is a metal, color-matched nacelle that houses the LED headlight and a digital instrument panel, which has bar gauges for battery level and regenerative braking as well as readouts for speed, motor temperature, odometer, and clock. Pairing the UBCO app to the bike through a smartphone and then mounting it just behind the steering stem allows the rider to view a more vivid, feature-rich display and access functions like ride modes (Normal, Boost, and Eco) and regen level (Low, Medium, and High). The center carry-all is the perfect size for two six-packs or a 12-pack. We used it to carry a Kryptonite New York Chain to secure the bike when parked. Under the seat is a “field kit” with an owner’s manual and tools. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) Even though it has a boxy frame, the UBCO 2×2 is narrow between the knees and has a compact cockpit thanks to its short wheelbase. The wide, plush solo seat is 32 inches high, and it flips up to provide more access to the center carry-all (which is the perfect size for two six-packs). Under the seat is a “field kit” with an owner’s manual and a toolkit. Operationally, the UBCO is a breeze. Press the red button near the right grip “throttle” to turn the bike on, press it again to switch from neutral to drive, and then twist and go. Like many electric bikes, acceleration from a stop is brisk. The weight immediately shifts to the rear wheel, causing the driven front wheel to chirp or slip a bit as it tries to grab traction. During braking and while coasting down hills, the UBCO 2×2’s regenerative system will feed power back into the battery. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) The 2×2 Adventure and 2×2 Special Edition are both street-legal, but their top speed is 30 mph (and therefore, they are classified as mopeds in most states). That’s just 2 mph faster than the mandated speed limit for Class 3 e-bikes, and it’s slower than most vehicular traffic even in a 25-mph zone. As a result, I relegated myself to the bicycle lane on city streets. The UBCO 2×2 is great for cruising around town, but given its speed limit of just 30 mph we mostly stuck to bike lanes. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) With tires that are just 2.75 inches (70mm) wide and a total weight of just 156 lb, the UBCO is effortless to maneuver. Since it looks like an e-bike, I took the UBCO on paved bike paths, local trails, and even the beach. Two-wheel-drive came in handy on sketchy, uneven single track and it was a revelation in deep sand – the UBCO just tractored right along where bigger, heavier, more powerful bikes with one driven wheel would have plowed the front and been a handful. Thanks to its 2WD and light weight, the UBCO 2×2 tractors through deep sand with relative ease. (Photo by the author) Where the UBCO struggled was on really steep hills. We have a few city blocks in Ventura that rival the steepest streets in San Francisco, and the UBCO didn’t have enough grunt to climb them. (In a side-by-side comparison with a Yamaha TW200 on UBCO’s website, UBCO claims the 2×2 produces 4 hp.) The UBCO 2×2 is fun and surefooted on unpaved trails. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) GEAR UP | UBCO 2×2 Special Edition Helmet: Fly Racing Odyssey Adventure Jacket: Scorpion Morpheus Reversible Gloves: Fly Racing Brawler Pants: Sa1nt Unbreakable Jeans Boots: Fly Racing M21 Shoes Coast vibes. (Photo by the author) Thanks to the UBCO’s low speed limit and light weight, it doesn’t run down the battery as quickly as faster, heavier electric motorcycles. On one ride, I cruised up the Ventura River Parkway Trail, a paved rails-to-trails bike path that goes from the beach in Ventura to the mountain town of Ojai, climbing from near sea level to about 1,000 feet. I kept the “throttle” pinned for most of the trip, and after 26 miles and 1 hour and 10 minutes of riding, the battery had dropped from 100% to 46%. The UBCO comes with a 10-amp fast charger that plugs into a normal 110V wall outlet, and a full charge takes 4-6 hours. The Ventura Pier has a seafood restaurant, a taco stand, and an taproom run by MadeWest Brewery. What more do you need? (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) Living in a small surf town like I do, the UBCO is the perfect runabout because there are plenty of bike lanes, bike paths, and trails. Its racks and bags make it easy to tote gear down to the beach, bring beers home from local breweries, or pick up a few items at the store. All that’s missing is a surfboard rack and some tasty waves. The battery is contained within the lower, black-painted part of the frame, which keeps the center of gravity nice and low. (Photo by the author) The UBCO has a steering lock, but our 2×2 SE test bike didn’t come with a key. There’s no “ignition” key either, so when parked there was nothing to stop some knucklehead from starting it up and riding away. I kept a Kryptonite New York Chain in the center carry-all and locked it up when necessary. The UBCO certainly looks cool. Its mil-spec (ish) green paint and tubular trellis frame make it look like a two-wheeled jeep, and it received lots of double takes and “What’s that?” questions from folks on the street. Ready for adventure. (Photo by the author) But the $6,999 price tag is a big ask for a street-legal electric motorbike that only goes 30 mph, especially if you end up riding in the bike lane most of the time. There’s a lot of competition in the two-wheeled EV world – the Surron Light Bee X costs $4,400, Super73 electric bikes cost $2,995-$4,595, and there are plenty of 28-mph Class 3 e-bikes out there for less than $2,000. The UBCO 2×2 Special Edition is special, but not quite special enough to justify the price. The UBCO 2×2 Special Edition is fun but expensive. (Photo by Monica Wiesblott) 2023 UBCO 2×2 Special Edition Specs Base Price: $6,999 Website: UBCO.com Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles Motor Type: Dual 1kW brushless DC air-cooled Flux2 motors (one in each wheel hub) Horsepower: 4 hp (factory claim) Battery: 3.1 kWh Max. Speed: 30 mph Max. Range: 75 miles (factory claim) Charge Time: 4-6 hrs. using included 10-amp fast charger (factory claim) Final Drive: Direct Wheelbase: 47.8 in. Seat Height: 32 in. Frame: Tubular aluminum alloy trellis Suspension, Front: Telescopic fork, coil-spring w/ hydraulic damping, adj. preload & rebound, 5.1 in. travel Rear: Dual shocks, coil-over-spring w/ hydraulic damping, adj. preload & rebound, 4.7 in. travel Brakes, Front & Rear: Single 203mm disc w/ 2 piston-radial hydraulic caliper, plus regeneration Wheels, Front & Rear: Spoked aluminum, 1.85 x 17 Tires, Front & Rear: Tube-type, 2.75 x 17 Curb Weight: 156 lb (factory claim) Load Capacity: 330 lb (factory claim) The post UBCO 2×2 Special Edition Electric Bike Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO) personnel have been granted “complete immunity” by the Australian government to force vaccinate Australian citizens on Australian soil. The Australian government recently amended the 1995 Criminal Code [...] The post Australian Gov’t Grants WHO ‘Complete Immunity’ To Force Jab Citizens on Australian Soil appeared first on The People's Voice.

A baby who died one day after receiving his scheduled childhood vaccines in Maine was found to have toxic levels of aluminum in his blood. According to the toxicology report, two-month old Sawyer’s blood contained [...] The post Report Finds Baby Who Died 34 Hours After Vaccines Had Toxic Levels of Aluminum in Blood appeared first on The People's Voice.

Former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home could soon be closed to visitors, at least up until the end of election season.

Kevin Costner’s Western film “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” will be available to watch on streaming service Max beginning next Friday, August 23, per Variety. The first installment of the film series was a box office disappointment, leading the studio to push back the second film’s theatrical release from its original scheduled date of August 11. A New Line Cinema rep said this move was planned to “give audiences a greater opportunity to discover the first installment of ‘Horizon’ over the coming weeks, including on PVOD and Max.” “Horizon: Chapter 1” earned just $11 million at the box office against a $100 million production budget. Costner used $38 million of his own money to help fund the project and was aggressively seeking backers for the intended third film. Costner wrote, directed, and starred in the movie. “Horizon: Chapter 2” will now debut at the Venice Film Festival on September 7. Production for the third film already began in the spring and a script for the fourth has been distributed to key crew members, the outlet noted. A second statement from Territory Pictures said, “The audience response to Horizon, and enthusiasm for seeing our story continue in Horizon 2, has been incredibly gratifying.” Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you. “Kevin made this film for people who love movies and who wanted to go on a journey,” it said. “The support that we have received from film fans, and the theater owners, as they experience the first chapter of this saga only serves to reinforce our belief in them and the films that we have made, and we thank them for coming on board for the ride.” “We welcome the opportunity for that window to be expanded as we know it will only serve to enhance the experience of seeing ‘Horizon 2,’” the statement concluded, as The Daily Wire previously reported. Costner had previously blamed “TikTok culture” on the film’s lackluster performance. He said modern audiences aren’t equipped to deal with lengthy movies, and “Horizon” is three hours long. “It’s real cinema, folks. So be prepared. We ain’t used to that s***. We’re used to 90-minute movies. Everything’s 90 minutes…Get over that s***,” the actor told TMZ in July. He added, “Let’s watch a movie that actually tells a story. Where you learn about the people and grow to like them — or hate them. It’s not all fast, cut, cut, cut.” When asked if short-form content like clips on TikTok were to blame, he said, “Totally, they are. Of course they are. They gotta get over that crap…They gotta learn what it’s like to watch real cinema.”

Former President Donald Trump has enlisted the help of 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard as he prepares to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, according to The New York Times. Gabbard, a former Democratic representative from Hawaii, famously lambasted Harris over her record as a prosecutor during a Democratic primary debate in 2019. Gabbard visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in southern Florida to “help sharpen his attacks in a recent practice session,” the Times reported. Trump campaign Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Gabbard was involved with Trump’s debate prep, telling the Times in a statement that Trump has “proven to be one of the best debaters in political history as evidenced by his knockout blow to Joe Biden.” “He does not need traditional debate prep but will continue to meet with respected policy advisers and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard, who successfully dominated Kamala Harris on the debate stage in 2020,” Leavitt added. During the Democratic primary debate five years ago, Gabbard ripped into Harris’ record as a prosecutor. Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you. “She put over 1,500 in jail over marijuana violations and then laughed about it when asked if she ever smoked marijuana,” Gabbard said to the applause of the audience. “She blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so. She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California. And she fought to keep [the] cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worse kind of way.” In a recent article, the Associated Press described the 2019 debate as a “low moment” for the Harris campaign, and The New York Times reported in 2019 that many of her advisers pointed to the debate exchange with Gabbard as the beginning of the end of her 2020 presidential bid. She dropped out of the primary in December 2019 before the first votes were cast. Gabbard stayed in the race until March of 2020. The former congresswoman from Hawaii left the Democratic Party in October 2022, saying it “is under the complete control of an elitist cabal of warmongers who are driven by cowardly wokeness, who divide us by racializing every issue and stoking anti-white racism, who actively work to undermine our God-given freedoms that are enshrined in our Constitution, who are hostile to people of faith and spirituality.” Last month, Gabbard threw her support behind Trump’s 2024 bid, writing on X, “We need leaders back in the White House who are committed to the Constitution, defending our God-given freedoms, and towards a peaceful and prosperous future. Donald Trump and JD Vance are such leaders, and I look forward to doing all I can to get them elected in November.” WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI Trump’s debate prep differs from how most candidates get ready to face off against their opponents. Instead of practicing against a mock opponent, Trump discusses potential questions and topics with his advisers, according to the Times. Sometimes, Trump aides sit in chairs facing the former president and act as the debate moderators. Trump has also spent time discussing policy positions with Republican lawmakers and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH). The first debate between Trump and Harris is set to take place in Philadelphia on September 10 on ABC News and will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis. Trump has pushed for two additional debates — one on Fox News on September 4 and another on NBC on September 25 — but Harris only agreed to the ABC News debate and one other in October.

Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be copying yet another economic policy supported by the Trump-Vance ticket. The Harris campaign announced Friday that she supports a $6,000 child tax credit. Her expanded child tax credit involves “up to $6,000 in total tax relief for middle-income and low-income families for the first year of their child’s life when a family’s expenses  are highest—with cribs, diapers, car seats and more—and many parents are still forced to forgo income as they take time off from their job,” the campaign said. The Harris campaign’s announcement came just days after Senator JD Vance said he would support doubling the child tax credit to $5,000. “I’d love to see a child tax credit that’s $5,000 per child,” Vance said in an interview with CBS on Sunday. President Trump is reportedly weighing whether to endorse Vance’s policy suggestion. “President Trump will consider a significant expansion of the child tax credit that applies to American families,” a Trump campaign official told Semafor. “President Trump respects and listens to his running mate Senator Vance.” Harris’ child tax credit announcement was part of the campaign’s unveiling of her economic platform, which includes a slew of other polices. Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you. This is not the first time Harris has jumped on a Trump ticket policy. The Democratic nominee also blindsided Democrats when she announced that she supported getting rid of taxes on service workers’ tips. “It is my promise to everyone here when I am president, we will continue our fighting for working families of America including to raise the minimum wage and eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers,” she said at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday. Trump had announced his “no tax on tips” policy just weeks earlier after his own June rally in Las Vegas, an area with a large service and hospitality industry due to the city’s tourism attractions. Trump supporters had promoted the policy by writing “no tax on tips” on receipts at restaurants to encourage service workers to vote for Trump. Trump himself wrote the message on a receipt when he tipped $500 during a visit to a Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurant. After his opponent embraced the policy, the Trump campaign accused her of stealing it. “Kamala Harris, whose ‘Honeymoon’ period is ENDING, and is starting to get hammered in the Polls, just copied my NO TAXES ON TIPS Policy,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The difference is, she won’t do it, she just wants it for Political Purposes! This was a TRUMP idea – She has no ideas, she can only steal from me. Remember, Kamala has proposed the LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN HISTORY – It won’t happen. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”