May 13, 2005
 |
A bicyclist crosses Riverside Avenue at Eighth Street in Medford recently. Bicycling locally can be as casual as this or serious competition, depending on your inclination.
Mail Tribune / Jim Craven
|
Along for the Ride
Try bicycling for a sense of outdoor freedom
This exercise can help you reduce weight and can lead to the fun of competition, too
Do you remember the feeling of freedom of flying along on your bicycle, past spring flowers and lush green hillsides? With the arrival of longer days, the time is right for Rogue Valley
residents to begin their annual quest for warm-weather outdoor activities.
May is National Bike Month, and I can’t think of a better way to embrace its objectives and enjoy the outdoors than to cruise along on a bicycle. Rising gas prices and a national trend for
carrying extra body weight might be the nudge you need to dust off the bicycle that has been sitting idle in your garage.
If you don’t own a bicycle, consider checking out the models at the numerous bicycle shops in the valley. Just flip to "bicycles" in the yellow pages and you will see how fortunate
we are to have so many options for cycling assistance. Shops can provide you with a wealth of expertise and knowledge about bicycling as well as help you decide which bicycle best meets your
needs.
Modern bicycle frames come in many shapes, sizes and materials. You can have the traditional frame made of carbon, steel, aluminum or titanium, or you can sit much closer to the ground and pedal
with your feet in front of you (like sitting in a chair), either on a "recumbent" with two wheels or on a "trike" with three wheels.
If you have a close friend, spouse or partner you want to ride with, try a "tandem," a bicycle built for two.
There are mountain bikes for the off-road enthusiast, road bikes for those who prefer riding on paved roads, cross or hybrid bikes (frames and tires sizes between the road and mountain bike) for
those who want to ride on a variety of surfaces, commuter bikes designed for pedaling from home to the office, downhill bikes for descending snow-free ski slopes, cruisers for that laid-back
pedaler, and mini-bikes for the younger riders. Today’s multi-geared bikes are light, efficient to pedal, and easy to care for.
The Rogue Valley has two bicycle clubs: the 350-member Siskiyou Velo (www.siskiyouvelo.org), which focuses primarily on riding paved roads, and Southern Oregon Mountain Bike Association
(www.somba.org), which caters to mountain bike and cyclocross enthusiasts.
Both are good sources for finding riding companions, learning about bicycling routes and trails in and around the Rogue Valley, racing activities and information about bicycle advocacy
opportunities.
Siskiyou Velo produces a monthly newsletter and a monthly ride schedule that offers rides of various distances and skill levels. SOMBA’s Web site offers trail maps, a ride schedule and news
about events.
In addition to it being a great time to start riding your bike, this month also marks the 49th annual National Bike Month. Designated by the League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org),
this celebration provides an opportunity for communities to promote bicycling as a method of environmentally friendly transportation, a personal wellness exercise-vehicle and a fun recreational
activity.
Events range from the 30,000-rider Bike New York held May 1 to bike rodeos, club rides, helmet and bike giveaways and commuter challenges. To read about what’s happening around the country,
visit www.BikeMonth.com.
Imbedded in the monthlong celebration is Bike to Work Week next week (May 16-20). It challenges people to commute to the workplace on a bicycle, reducing dependency on gasoline-powered
transportation while also providing cardiovascular exercise. The Web site www.bike-to-work.com is a good source to discover how other communities are celebrating Bike to Work Week.
It’s time to get off the couch, leave the car home, enjoy some fresh air and experience the freedom and relaxation one can enjoy on a bicycle ride. Climb on your bike and burn some calories,
wave to your neighbors, relax and enjoy the Rogue Valley at a slower pace. You won’t be sorry you gave it a try.
Don’t consider beginning your pedaling experience without an approved helmet, basic knowledge of bicycling safety and practice rides in a safe place away from traffic. It’s also a good
idea to get that dusty, old bike repaired or tuned up before you ride. Most important, ride safely and have fun!
Bicycling enthusiast Bob Korfhage of Phoenix is a former president of Siskiyou Velo bicycle club.
About the columnist
Bicycling enthusiast Bob Korfhage of Phoenix is a past president of the Siskiyou Velo bicycle club, Southern Oregon’s largest bicycling group, a former bike commuter and a veteran of several
Cycle Oregon rides.
His column focusing on bicycling issues and equipment will appear in this space once every four weeks, rotating with columns on nature appreciation, plants and animals and birding.
