Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / July 21, 1983, edition 1 / Page 31
Part of Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
:S?:i:;Siij.: . I . 1 ' I 1 1 L I u I i jjjLcai.uii..niil :iyyiro..,-,..nyii.i,iii I m i n innii ilnnini J -i Tar HeelLes Hamashlma Biking fits in with the type of lifestyle here. It's easy, casual and fun. And if you look around town andvon campus you'll see that many people have taken the two wheel option just because they prefer it. .' it - - i J ' - - I i -V f ' . - - ' . ' ' i , ' ' , ' i ' , v- - a: Vt t'.; ' It v- v - !:. .:: : .wivKv,-.-.:. v....-: ::! -v: v;. . . : , : . :vVA . A ' ' J , - " ' - 'r ' ' - . - ":U'' - , : ' ' " J "'",','" ' '"-''' ; t ' v- - - "-" ' , . . ''; , . - i IT ' , , N ' ' v " ' ' , , ' v ' . " " x , - " - , , - - ; v-- ' - - ' ', ' ' - , ' - .y.w.v.V.--: $a offers much avid cyclists -IAMASH1MA ; f Writer rrounding area of Chapel Hill, which includes Orange, md Chatham counties, offers a variety of cycling terrain c day trips that is rare for such a small area. Chapel Hill you can ride east and be in flatland or ride 1 experience.rolling hills," said Alfred Reid, manager of ill Cycle Shop, in Chapel Hill. In almost every direction ipel Hill, there are interesting sights including Historic ugh, Durham and Duke Forest, and Pittsboro. Reid said isn't a problem as long as the rider was aware of the traf ns at different times of day. ) not have to be a superman tq enjoy cycle touring, but , one of 12 maps included in the bicycle iacket available at the Clean Machine in . Information offered includes points of facilities available and hazardous areas. being in good physical shape is important. "Running, swimming .and most other sports are good enough fo develop stamina, but the best way to condition for a bike trip is to ride a bike," said Reid. "You use different muscles in bike riding, especially the but tocks." Reid said one of the most common mistakes that novice riders make is trying to pedal too big a gear. This mistake results in sore knees and ankles. "A cadence (complete revolution of the sprocket) of about 80 rpms is about right," he said. . ; "Be sure to carry plenty of water," said Reid. He said a breeze blowing against the skin will quickly evaporate sweat so it seems that you are not perspiring. If the water is not replaced dehydra tion may result. Convenient, frame-mounted water bottles are available for about $10 at most bicycle shops. Reid cautioned against sunburn and advised carrying fruit and energy bars to re plenish spent nutrients. . - A small daypack or a handlebar bag allows sunscreen, snacks and small items to be within easy reach of the rider. The advan tages of the handlebar bag are weight distribution and conve nience. Most area cycle shops sell handlebar bags for about $25 and up. Before beginning a trip make sure the bicycle is in good mechan ical condition. Jim, Rumfelt, manager of The Clean Machine in Carrboro, said that many people neglect the maintenance of their bicycle and then expect trouble-free performance, "Often these people end up in the middle of nowhere with a broken bike." He said critical areas to inspect before the trip include the condition of the tires, the lubrication of the chain and hubs, and the perfor mance of the derailers. 'The quality of the bicycle and equipment is important up to a point but the most critical consideration is the attitude of the rider," said Rumfelt. The enjoyment of the actual trip is more im portant than the destination itself. "If you are in that much of a hurry to get somewhere you should just take a car," said Reid. ; The beginning cycle tourist should not try to ride too far in one day and should try to plan a route of relatively flat terrain. A route of 10 to 15 miles is a good starter. Rumfelt said the cyclist should remember that getting to a destination is only the halfway point of the trip and that he should allow time for fatigue and changes in the weather. , . Planning for an overnight or a weekend tour is more difficult than a day-trip because it is necessary to carry more. Jim Whatley, of Tumbleweed Cyclery in Carrboro, said a cyclist interested in the longer rides could either bicycle camp or bicycle tour. A bicycle tourist sleeps in motels and eats at restaurants while a bicycle camper is self-sufficient and carries his own food and sleeping ac commodations. "The nice thing about cycle touring is that you travel lighter so you can go faster," he said. Whatley said that the initial costs of bicycle camping are greater than bicycle touring be cause of the investment into the equipment that includes a light weight tent, cookware and a sleeping bag, but that in the long run bicycle camping is cheaper. ' - Packing for the bicycle camper is critical because of the weight of the equipment and the distribution of the load. Reid suggested - loading the bike with all of the gear being taken and ride for 20'to 30 miles with it to test the weight and load distribution. This should be done days before the trip, "It's better to find out it's too heavy now than to find out 30 miles down the road on your first day out and have to ride the rest of the way with it," he said. Reid warned the bicycle camper against we; the weight distribution and recomm rack, panniers (saddlebags), and hand to condition by riding 10 to 15 miles a two weeks before the extended trip t( The Clean Machine in Carrboro off ing maps. The packet of 12 maps inch Historic Hillsborough and Duke Fore such as points of interest, facilities ava The UNC Cycle Club, active in the t comes riders of all skill levels and : trips. You do not have to be a stude For statewide touring information, oped by the N.C. Department of Tri tailed collection of route guides that cd phy to Manteo. The program also offes club listings and "how-to" touring inf The packet is free. For those wanting to learn more a cycle mechanics, "Bike Touring: Th ings on Wheels," by Raymond Bridge: books on the subject. Illustrated and basic instruction as well as technical The Bicycle Program North Carolina Department of Tran P.O. Box 25201 Raleigh, N.C. 27611 Thursday, July:
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 21, 1983, edition 1
31
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75