Just ride
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Posted by Shawny Mack on May 19 2009 22:03:30
Extended News
Club offers something for riders of all skill levels
By Dennis Sherer
Staff Writer
With gasoline prices on the rise again, outdoors enthusiasts whose hobbies include the use of motorized vehicles could be planning to scale back their activities this summer.
While boaters and recreational vehicles owners might cringe each time fuel prices rise, members of the Shoals Cycling Club can thumb their nose at the increases.
"We can ride all day and not use a drop of gas," William Bonee said as he and other members of the cycling club prepared for their weekly Tuesday night ride through the Jacksonburg community of Lauderdale County.
Bonee said bicycling appears to be gaining interest around the Shoals, especially after gas prices topped $2 per gallon earlier this month.
Cyclist Craig Linhoss said interest in the hobby ebbs and flows, but tends to peak when energy prices rise. He said interest in bicycling also wanes during the winter and picks up in the spring.
"Right now is the prime season for riding," he said.
David Cumbie said an organization such as the cycling club is a good place for beginning cyclists to learn about the hobby. He said club members can provide a wealth of information, as well as moral support for novice riders.
Bonee said the club is offering a weekly ride Thursday that is geared to beginning riders. Billed as the rookie ride, the route begins at Spring Park in Tuscumbia and winds its way through Tuscumbia and Sheffield. Automobile traffic is light and the route is relatively flat.
The club's Tuesday night rides are for cyclists of all skill levels, including novices.
"We can go as fast or as slow as each rider wants to," Bonee said. "We will never run off and leave anybody all alone out on the route. Someone will stay with a new rider from we leave until the ride ends,"
The Tuesday night ride begins in Florence Industrial Park. After crossing Church Road, the riders continue into Jacksonburg where they make laps around a 3-mile loop.
"You can make one loop and come back or make as many loops as you wish," Bonee said.
Bonee said cycling has many health benefits in addition to being a way to save money on gas. Bicycling builds endurance and cardiovascular strength and helps riders lose weight.
Linhoss said riders who ride several times per week can quickly build their endurance levels.
"Somebody just starting out on a bike right now can be in good enough shape by the Handy Festival Ride in August to ride the metric century, which is a 62-mile route," Linhoss said.
He said most cyclists set a personal goal to complete at least one 100-mile ride during their lifetime. Some set even more lofty goals, such as riding the length of the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway.
On weekends, club members make long-distance journeys around the Shoals on their bikes or participate in rides and races throughout the Southeast.
Bonee said an ability to ride long distances at breath-taking speeds is not required to belong to the local cycling club.
"Our motto is ride fast, ride slow, just ride," he said.
The club is open to riders of all ages. Current members range in age from 22 to 68.
While some advanced riders have $12,000 bicycles, Bonee said a high-dollar bike is not a must for becoming a cyclist.
"I started out on a $125 mountain bike," he said. "After riding for about three months, I bought an entry level road bike and have been riding ever since."
Entry level bicycles designed for long-distance riding cost about $700.
Cumbie said bicycle bargains can be found on eBay.
"It doesn't take a lot of money to get started in cycling," Bonee said.
Some club members ride ordinary steel-frame bicycles. Others ride bikes made from space-age materials such as carbon fiber.
While their bikes might differ, one thing they all have in common is wearing a helmet while riding. Bonee said a helmet is required to participate in any Shoals Cycling Club ride.
"Anytime you ride a bike, you need to wear a helmet," he said. "They can save your life."
Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.
Want to ride?
The Shoals Cycling Club offers weekly rides on Tuesdays and Thursdays for cyclists of all skill levels.
The Tuesday ride begins at 5:30 p.m. at Thacker Casket Co., 4122 Rushton St.,
Florence.
The Thursday rides begins at 5:30 p.m. at the restrooms in Tuscumbia's Spring Park.
There is no charge to participate in either ride.
For details, call William Bonee at 627-9578.