O
Okiemoose
Guest
Thought the newsgroup might enjoy seeing this. It's from the sports section of Oklahoma's largest
newspaper, which has statewide circulation.
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The Sunday Oklahoman Oklahoma City, OK Sunday, April 6, 2003
Redbud Classic: Recumbent bikes allow many to extend riding time
By Josh Ward The Oklahoman
Paul Thompson looked too comfortable for a man who just rode a bicycle 33 miles. As participants in
the Redbud Classic bicycling events dismounted and headed for water stands, the pancake tent or a
massage therapist Saturday morning, Thompson coasted up to the Waterford Complex reclined in a
position suitable for napping. Don't be fooled by his posture. Thompson rode 33 miles -- but he
intended to go 50.
"The wind caught up with me," said Thompson, one of an estimated 1,000 participants in the Redbud
cycling events through Nichols Hills. "I didn't prepare myself like I should've."
Thompson is part of the ever-growing popularity of recumbent bicycles, a variation on the standard
design that allows a rider to sit reclined in a seat as opposed to on top of one, providing a
less-painful option for long-distance riders.
"They say 'You look too comfortable,' " Thompson said. "People on uprights, within a mile or two
they're already shifting in their seats. "
Redbud cyclists rode in tours of 10-, 33- and 50-miles and a new 100-kilometer (62.1 miles) tour.
The 21st annual Redbud Classic's main event comes today with a 2 p.m. 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) race.
Today's events also include an inline skating race at 1:30 p.m., a wheelchair event at 1:45
p.m., a 2-mile run to coincide with the 10K race and a citizen's walk.
Bikes like Thompson's recumbent bicycle have been around for years and their popularity is booming,
especially with older riders or those who find standard bikes too uncomfortable.
"It's extended my biking life until I'm 90," said Thompson, a 46-year-old father of two who made the
switch after 30 years of riding a standard bike. "But the young kids turn their nose up at it."
Thompson wasn't the only rider to be reclined on a bike during the ride. He estimated between 20 and
30 recumbent riders navigated the Redbud course. The bikes are becoming so popular among riders,
Thompson said, that many events --including the Redbud Classic -- have begun classifying this style
of riding in its own category.
Two years ago, before the reclassification, a recumbent rider won the Redbud Classic.
"People are starting to come over and not thinking it's just a fad," Thompson said.
But despite its casual posture in a sport dominated by hand- made, high-tech and aerodynamic
machines, Thompson said his bike gives him as good a workout as the others, with a slight
difference.
"On a recumbent," Thompson said, "it's all legs. The higher your feet are, the more efficient
you'll be."
But the bikes, Thompson admits, aren't perfect.
"I'll pass everyone going downhill but I'm nice to them," Thompson said. "Because going up, the guys
I passed will be passing me."
newspaper, which has statewide circulation.
---------------------------------------------
The Sunday Oklahoman Oklahoma City, OK Sunday, April 6, 2003
Redbud Classic: Recumbent bikes allow many to extend riding time
By Josh Ward The Oklahoman
Paul Thompson looked too comfortable for a man who just rode a bicycle 33 miles. As participants in
the Redbud Classic bicycling events dismounted and headed for water stands, the pancake tent or a
massage therapist Saturday morning, Thompson coasted up to the Waterford Complex reclined in a
position suitable for napping. Don't be fooled by his posture. Thompson rode 33 miles -- but he
intended to go 50.
"The wind caught up with me," said Thompson, one of an estimated 1,000 participants in the Redbud
cycling events through Nichols Hills. "I didn't prepare myself like I should've."
Thompson is part of the ever-growing popularity of recumbent bicycles, a variation on the standard
design that allows a rider to sit reclined in a seat as opposed to on top of one, providing a
less-painful option for long-distance riders.
"They say 'You look too comfortable,' " Thompson said. "People on uprights, within a mile or two
they're already shifting in their seats. "
Redbud cyclists rode in tours of 10-, 33- and 50-miles and a new 100-kilometer (62.1 miles) tour.
The 21st annual Redbud Classic's main event comes today with a 2 p.m. 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) race.
Today's events also include an inline skating race at 1:30 p.m., a wheelchair event at 1:45
p.m., a 2-mile run to coincide with the 10K race and a citizen's walk.
Bikes like Thompson's recumbent bicycle have been around for years and their popularity is booming,
especially with older riders or those who find standard bikes too uncomfortable.
"It's extended my biking life until I'm 90," said Thompson, a 46-year-old father of two who made the
switch after 30 years of riding a standard bike. "But the young kids turn their nose up at it."
Thompson wasn't the only rider to be reclined on a bike during the ride. He estimated between 20 and
30 recumbent riders navigated the Redbud course. The bikes are becoming so popular among riders,
Thompson said, that many events --including the Redbud Classic -- have begun classifying this style
of riding in its own category.
Two years ago, before the reclassification, a recumbent rider won the Redbud Classic.
"People are starting to come over and not thinking it's just a fad," Thompson said.
But despite its casual posture in a sport dominated by hand- made, high-tech and aerodynamic
machines, Thompson said his bike gives him as good a workout as the others, with a slight
difference.
"On a recumbent," Thompson said, "it's all legs. The higher your feet are, the more efficient
you'll be."
But the bikes, Thompson admits, aren't perfect.
"I'll pass everyone going downhill but I'm nice to them," Thompson said. "Because going up, the guys
I passed will be passing me."
