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UMBRC Recreational Cycling

The recreational side of the UMBRC has not been as active in recent years as it should be and we need your help to change this. Perhaps the word "Racing" in our name confuses the issue. The UMBRC is home to our competitive racing teams, both road racers and off road racers, but we also support recreational members.

Racing and recreational members belong to the same club, but have different riding goals. The demands of training, racing, and being full-time students does not leave sufficient time for our current officers to focus on the challenge. Our goal for 2006-2007 year is to address this shortcoming. You can help us build a stronger community of recreational riders. We are looking for an individual or group of individuals, currently in the club or not, who will take charge of steering the recreational club activities.

Cycling is an incredible leisure and competitive sport, but everyone needs to start somewhere. The support of an organized group is an invaluable resource for getting started on the right foot.

What do recreational members do in the club?

Most likely the first thing you will be interested in doing is riding your bike! The club is a perfect place to meet other riders and form a riding group that share your riding goals and schedule.

Maybe you will find that one day you want to race your bike (the lure is strong!) and the club is a great way to get started. Collegiate racing is about fun, first and foremost. The competition is strong but the race categories are such that everyone who wants to participate can feel comfortable and enjoy themselves. As a member of the club you will have a lot of support at races from your teammates (fixing bike problems, borrowing wheels, tactics, cheering, etc.) You would be hard pressed to find the same support structure beginning anywhere else.

As an club we want to be more involved in the community. Recreational riders and racers can work together on this to gain exposure for the club and build goodwill in the campus and area community. We have some ideas of the types of whole club (racer and recreational) activities we could develop:

• Partner with the Amherst or Campus police to present a bicycle safety clinic. A stand alone event or part of a campus community day. We could teach proper signaling, riding etiquette, road safety, the benefits of lighting, why to wear a helmet, etc.
• Group rides where race members join the recreational riders to share knowledge about group riding and technique. Nice, relaxed rides for everyone.
• Rides open to citizens of the surrounding community.
• ...build this list with your ideas....

What are the benefits of riding a bike?

If you are already a cyclist, you know the joys and benefits of riding. If you haven't tried it, you won't believe what your missing. Many of our members and hundreds of avid cyclists were not interested in the sport at all until they gave it a try. Now it's hard to keep them out of the saddle!

• Cycling is a universally available sport and is an activity you can participate in for the rest of your life!
• There are over 70 million cyclists in the United States. Cycling is the most popular sport among doctors and lawyers over forty years old and the second most participated sport; more than golf, tennis, skiing, and snow boarding combined<1>
• If you are a frustrated former athlete, you will most likely love this sport. There is a bit to know but in short time you will have the fitness and knowledge to re-enter competitive sports. This sport is addictive, perhaps like nothing you have tried before and collegiate competition is a great entry point for novice racers.
• Cycling only a few hours a week is great for your physical fitness and overall health. The sport is great fun and great for you.

Ride in Amherst while you have the chance!

There's an abundance of great riding roads and trails in the Amherst area. Club members are a an excellent resource for learning new routes and roads. In the fall the scenery can't be beat and you have the best seat in the house. The options are endless; many of us have been riding in Amherst for a number of years and we are still discovering new roads and trails. The majority of the pavement in the Pioneer Valley is in great shape (not at all like the roads around campus!) and the because the area is so 'cycling-friendly' you can feel safe around traffic. For those who want to ride off-road, the mountain trails in the area are rated among the best in the country.

What are you waiting for?

Head back to the join page and get on the team! With your help we will soon have a stronger community of UMass cyclists. The process of building the recreational membership will begin and this site can be filled with recreational rider resources.

1 - National Sporting Goods Association Survey, Sports Participation Consumer Spending.