Fifty-seven million people rode bicycles in 2002, according to a survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which totals more than 27 percent of the country’s population ages 16 and up.
Of all the people surveyed by the Department of Transportation in 2002, almost 50 percent of bike riders reported using their bikes for either recreation or exercise.
A club sport at N.C. State meets both of the two most common reasons for riding a bicycle.
The mountain biking and cycling club is a group of approximately 60 students who love to ride bikes. Some do it competitively, taking part in the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference and others are just looking for a group of people with whom to ride on bike trails.
Club president Hannah Whitaker, a senior in art and design, said the club is a good way to get involved in mountain bike racing, road racing or recreational riding.
“There are people who go to every single race, and there are people who just don’t race and want to ride with some people,” Whitaker said. “It’s as competitive as you want it to be.”
Chris Dirito, a senior in mechanical engineering, serves as the club’s vice president for mountain biking. Dirito said the price of equipment can seem daunting at first, and the need for equipment is a big deterrent for getting new members.
Whitaker agreed, but said that’s no reason not to give the club a try.
“A lot of people hesitate to get into cycling because it’s really comprehensive as far as owning a bicycle and all that,” she said. “If you don’t know anything about it, it can be hard to get started. The club does a good job trying to welcome people and get them started with bikes or putting them in the right direction as far as eBay or what size bike they need, just basic information.”
David Duncan, a senior in political science and the club’s vice president for road racing, said a lot of the club members work in bike shops or have other connections to the industry.
“If someone needs a new wheel set or something like that, and they don’t really have the cash, sometimes we can just do a big order from a distributor and get stuff at a discount,” Duncan said.
“We can work things out, but it’s a case-by-case thing. If you can make it to a meeting and talk to us about it, we’ll definitely see what we can do and advise you. Money is no reason to stay away from the sport.”
The mountain biking part of the season is in the fall and road racing is in the spring, Whitaker said.
Dirito added there are different aspects of each type of racing.
“We have a cross-country event, which tests your lungs more than your muscles,” he said. “The distance is 10, 15 or 20 miles. We have gravity games, which is downhill riding or dual slalom.”
But he was quick to point out that the club isn’t only about racing.
“We can do as much racing as people can handle, but we’re also good for just getting together and going for a ride on trails and hanging out,” Dirito said. “Don’t feel like you can’t come because you don’t want to race.”
Anyone affiliated with State can join the club, but to race, you have to be a full-time student, according to Duncan.
“We have a schedule and we compete in the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference,” he said. “We have schools from North Carolina to lower Maryland. The season starts in late February, early March. Each school hosts a race and we go to those. You’re only competing against other college students.”
Duncan added the club dues cover entry fees for collegiate racing, but the club doesn’t cover noncollegiate entry fees.
Dirito said he is in his second season of mountain and road racing. His biggest piece of advice to potential club members is quite simple.
“Get out and ride,” he said. “It’s great exercise, and you get to meet people. I remember my freshman year I had no gear. Next thing you know I’ve got a race bike, and I’m putting long hours in. You just have to go out and start and you’ll love it.”
