|
 |
Bicycling - good for you, good for the environment
|
| By: Kathy Pierce, Ogden Reporter staff writer |
July 22, 2009 |
|
 |
Doug Nebbe, owner of Ogden’s Bike Barn, explains the “diamond frame” most commonly used in men’s bicycles.
|
|
YOU'VE BEEN hearing about it for years. After all, it's a 37-year tradition in Iowa - RAGBRAI - The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. You've thought of signing on, only to back down when you realize it entails a week of serious exercise perched on top of a hard plastic wedge.
But you tell yourself, "It must be fun, because over 8,000 riders participate per day, many from around of the country.
RAGBRAI began in 1973 with 80 bicyclists. The following year the ride grew to 2,500. That's the same year Doug Nebbe opened the Bike Barn here. He was one of the 2,500 participants. Now RAGBRAI is the largest one-week group ride in the world.
Nebbe says he really never outgrew riding his bicycle.
"I was still riding my bike at 18," he explained. "When my youngest brother was old enough to get his driving permit Mom asked if I'd like to get mine. I replied, 'Why? I've got my bike.'"
Nebbe graduated from college with an engineering degree and took a job in Ames. He later returned to Ogden and started a business with his brother, Four-N Industries, selling awnings and home improvement products. The current Bike Barn facility was purchased for warehouse use. That's when he developed the idea of a bike shop.
"Every time I sold an awning, I bought a bicycle," he told. He gradually built up the business and eventually was working the store full-time.
The bicycle business in the United States reached its peak about 10 years ago when there were over 10,000 business. Now there are less than half.
Nebbe said they used to sell mostly entry level bikes, but when those numbers dwindled, he sought out a big ticket item to try and bolster the business. This item was the recumbent bicycle designed to be ridden laying back or sitting up with the legs stretched out in front of you.
"Of the $20 million in bike sales in the U.S., recumbents are just a minute niche," Nebbe said. It turned out to be a good decision for Nebbe who grew into the number one dealer in Iowa.
Nebbe credits what he calls the "Lance Armstrong Effect" with keeping many of the bike shops going. (American Lance Armstrong has gained worldwide recognition as a Tour de France bicycle racing champion.) But, with the lagging economy, Nebbe says he is seeing a drop off in bicycle sales.
Biking and exercise
As far as exercise, biking and swimming are the only no impact sports and biking has the advantage of being low-cost and more accessible. Running, jogging and many of the contact sports cause wear and tear on the body, especially the knees, hips and ankles.
In biking, almost all parts of the body are exercised although it is more recommended for people who wish to strengthen the lower half.
It is also an effective cardiovascular activity and can help tone the muscles and keep a person fit.
Which bicycle is best for me?
Nebbe says you must first ask yourself: Will I ride short distances on the weekend as a casual cyclist? Am I thinking of commuting back and forth to work via bicycle? Does road racing interest me? Or would I like to get off the beaten path and into the woods?
He describes the three main types of bicycles: Racing, cross-bike, mountain and recumbent bike.
RACING: This is the thoroughbred of bicycles and features narrow tires and drop handlebars designed to reduce air drag while racing. As it is designed for speed, weight is also a factor. The first bicycles were made with heavy steel frames. Aluminum later became the standard and since has been replaced with titanium and carbon fiber in the more elite models.
"Reducing the revolving weights (those portions of the bicycle that move - gears, wheels, etc.) gives greater reward than reducing the static parts (frame, seat, etc.)," says Nebbe.
MOUNTAIN BIKE: "This is the tank of the industry," says Nebbe. "It allows you unlimited access and opens up a lot of new places to bike. Pretty much any place you can walk, you can bike." Wider, deep-tread tires are attached to heavier built frames.
CROSS-BIKE: Or hybrid as it is often referred, takes the best parts of the mountain and racing bike to make a multipurpose vehicle. It is built for comfort, has wider tires, is durable, but slower than the racing variety.
RECUMBENT: Unlike the traditional upright bicycle recumbents put less pressure on the back and entire upper body since you are sitting back. It also is more aerodynamic due to the horizontal profile created. There is also less strain on the neck, wrists, hands, arms and shoulders.
Then there is the CRUISER: This old-fashioned style is making a comeback, and for the casual rider it is a great choice. Cruisers are simple, comfortable and relatively inexpensive. They have a wide saddle seat, a single gear, and fat tires that roll easily over less than perfect road surfaces, and a reliable coaster brake on the rear wheel. With only one gear, it is not a good choice for hilly areas.
During the 1970s bike boom 10 speeds were the norm. Today's standard is 21 speeds. Nebbe says individuals tend to settle on three speeds that work well for them, and stay in that range. Some of the more expensive models now have disc brakes but the rim hand brakes are still universal.
Am I ready for a big ride?
"Many people under 30 years of age and at least a little fit may not need a lot of training for a ride such as RAGBRAI," says Nebbe. He suggests you start riding at least three months before the ride putting in 500 to 1,000 miles total. RAGBRAI guidelines suggest getting at least two 50-mile trips under your belt. "That is a good gauge of whether or not you'll be able to finish a day's ride," Nebbe explains.
He says you see all types of bicycles on RAGBRAI, but the most popular are racing styles with drop handlebars.
"The biggest percentage think it's a race with emphasis on how fast they can complete it, but I see the real thing taking place is a leisurely move through the environment leaving little impact. It's also a chance to see and experience small town Iowa."
RAGBRAI 2009 began Sunday July 19 and goes through Saturday, July 25. The ride stretches 442 miles starting at Council Bluffs with overnight stays in Red Oak, Greenfield, Indianola, Chariton, Ottumwa and Mt. Pleasant before finishing up at Burlington.
For those interested in next year's ride, stops will be announced in February. Applications are made available in March. A limit of 8,000 weekly passes are allotted per year and daily passes are also available. More information is available on the website ragbrai.com
|
|
©The Ogden Reporter 2009
|
|
|
