On April 18, 2022, the Charging Across America Challenge set off from both the East and West Coasts. Two Energica riders, both alike in dignity (but nowhere near Verona) decided to crisscross the country along the historic Cannonball route. Event organizer and rider Rob Swartz and his EVA EsseEsse 9 would start in New York City and ride to Redondo Beach, California, while rider Steven Day and his EVA Ribelle would do exactly the opposite. If things went according to plan, they’d meet up briefly at a charging stop in the middle. Both riders would complete their journeys on April 22, 2022—Earth Day.
How did it go? If you’re reading this, you may already know that Day set a new electric Cannonball record of 2,906 miles in 111 hours. Unfortunately, Swartz’s journey was cut short by a crash involving his chase vehicle. (Crew, riders and the other driver were mostly OK, but it was a scary experience for everyone.)
