Descending a long downhill stretch of smooth pavement on an ultra-light, a high-end road bike, is as close to flying as you can get without leaving the ground. The only sound you are aware of is the wind rushing past your face and drowning out the whizzing sound of the bearings. There is nothing to hold back the force of gravity pulling you faster. You tuck your body to slice through the air while shifting your weight to minimize the drag on the rear wheel, just to go a little faster. Your body becomes part of the bike as you lean through the turns and adjust to the air currents that you can only sense by feel. Oh, how sweet.

But nothing this rewarding comes without the hard work that got you there. The mental and physical tactics used on extended tortuous climbs build character, strength and toughness. For many of us, the climbs are the best part - there is no place to go but up, so you climb to the point of physical exhaustion but continue to push on. You begin to question your ability, your fitness and your sanity. You reposition, you shift gears, get out of the saddle and work a different set of muscles for a little relief. You fool yourself into thinking that it’s not so bad and you can almost see the top. Your heart beats out of your chest, you squeeze as much air from your lungs as possible so you can pack more in on the next breath. You don’t want to cramp or get dizzy but you know that you’re almost to your limit. You fight the waves of nausea, your head pounds and you can’t get enough oxygen, but somehow you keep climbing because you know that relief is there somewhere.

Finally when you are hurting so bad and you are at your limit, you’re there, you made it. After a short recovery you tell yourself that it wasn’t so bad after all. You give yourself credit for the hard work and get ready to ride down. It’s more than just a bike ride.

Riders who ride on the road are called “roadies,” and their bikes are the most highly evolved versions of the prototypes that first appeared in the early 1800s. In terms of cost of transportation (calories per gram per kilometer) the bicycle is the most efficient machine ever invented. That’s right, the most efficient. It uses the right muscles (the most powerful muscles of the body), in the most efficient manner (rotary action), with a design that transmits power with extreme effectiveness (ball bearings and a bush-roller chain), while minimizing rolling resistance (pneumatic tires) and weight (high tech materials). Additionally, the bicycle makes little demand on energy resources, contributes very little to pollution, and has a positive influence on the rider’s health and fitness.

Modern road bikes typically weigh less than 20 pounds and are pricey, starting at about $700. They are manufactured from materials such as light alloys, Kevlar, carbon fiber, and plastics that result in a stiff but light structure. To those who have little regard for bicycles, a bicycle is a bicycle ... a toy. But to those who want to get all they can from road riding, only the latest and most refined (and expensive) gear will do. While non-cyclists, whose only exposure to bicycles is at a Wal-mart or that dated clunker in the back of the barn, this is an outrageous extravagance. But to those who are hooked by the riding experience, a quality bicycle is indeed a recreational bargain.

Road riding can take on many appearances, ranging from sanctioned competitive events to informal group or solo rides. Most road riding is done in groups, since for one thing there is safety in numbers. More importantly, group riding increases rider efficiency while allowing participants to learn and improve skills. Contrary to what many people may think, most road riding occurs in the absence of heavy traffic. Savvy riders choose their routes and times to avoid as many road hazards as possible. Although not always possible, avoiding heavily traveled roads, especially around commuter hours, is just a smart choice. Most areas have published maps of safe riding routes, and local shops can also give advice. Skillful defensive riding can significantly reduce hazards.

Group or club rides can be awfully intimidating to those who are new to the sport, but it remains the best way to learn, improve and enjoy road riding. Sometimes finding groups is hard, but not that hard if you ask around. You can find yourself over your head or be pleasantly surprised by your ability. It becomes clear early in a ride just who the superior riders are, and they can be either kind or punishing in the pace that they set. Riders, however, vary widely in ability and eventually find themselves surrounded by riders of somewhat equal ability. This is almost always the case with larger group rides. Group rides are very often referred to as A or B rides, the latter being less intense. Event or charity rides are widely available throughout the season and are a great way to get started. Usually for a modest entry fee, riders get some tech support, nourishment and water stops and a T shirt. They can be a lot of fun.

As I mentioned above, group riding increases efficiency. Drafting in a “paceline” to cheat the wind is an incredible experience that most riders crave. Each rider takes a turn “pulling” the group from the front of the line. Actually, the rider in front is not pulling anyone, but creating a wind block allowing each rider behind to get a progressively lighter wind load the farther back their position is from the front. Before the front rider tires too greatly, he gives a subtle nod, checks for traffic, and moves to the left. He drifts back and rejoins the line in the back to get a much deserved rest. The next rider in line now pulls the group until he tires. A word of advice - don’t stay up front too long because if you tire too much you may struggle to claim your position in the back and get left behind by other riders. This is called “getting dropped.” As the process continues, each rider takes a turn at the front as long as the road and conditions allow. Riding in a paceline is a great lesson in team work but requires precise handling skills. Pedaling along inches apart at 20 to 30 miles per hour leaves small margin for error and mistakes or sudden moves can spell disaster. This is why it is considered good etiquette to ask permission when joining a paceline with a group of riders you meet on the road with whom you have not previously ridden.

Road riding is the purest form of cycling with the longest tradition. Bicycle racing in Europe is as popular as auto racing in the U.S. The most accomplished American champions of the sport are Greg LeMonde, 3 times Tour de France winner, and more recently Lance Armstrong, whose inspirational influence has done wonders for American cycling. Lance has won twice so far and the French press seems to hate him. Road riding and racing remain a poorly understood fringe sport in this country. The challenge of self propulsion pales in popularity when compared to motorized sports. But then human power isn’t as exciting as gasoline power, nor does it have the potential to excite spectators like the thrills of motorized sports. Cyclists are not spectators.

Admittedly, there is a tendency for us roadies to take ourselves way too seriously and look ridiculous to the unbiased observer. All right, maybe padded lycra shorts look foolish, but they’re functional and comfortable and give loggers something at which to pitch empty Mountain Dew cans. Brightly colored team jerseys, helmets and even socks have made us slaves to fashion and our bike components become obsolete almost as fast as computer hardware. We need gadgets to tell us our distance, our current, average, and maximum speed, even heart rate and elevation gain. Braking and shifting is at our fingertips and we are attached to our pedals. Our tires weigh less than 8 ounces and hold 120 pounds of air pressure. We consume power gels, energy bars and fortified sports drinks to make us perform better. But if you think all of this is a bit over the top, check out fly fishing or golf.

(Molin owns and operates Motion Makers bicycle shop on Main Street in Sylva.)

 

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The Smoky Mountain News