Bicycling Goals and Records

No matter what level of bicyclist you may be, the challenge of finding out what you are capable of can make bicycling more fun and interesting. As a beginner, goals can be as simple as making it up a hill, reaching a nearby park, or bicycling to work for a day or an entire week. Veteran riders, might enter competitions to see how they stacks up against other bicyclists.

Everyone starts form the same point; and everyone who pushes their limits will eventually have periods where they just want to stop.

There are hundreds of reasons to stop: The hills are too long, the wind is too strong, I’m too old for this. But the real reason to keep going is, quite simple, you ­ your health, your peace of mind, your enjoyment.

Consider finding inspiration in what some of the larger-than-life figures in bicycling have done. Famous riders like Eddy Merckx, Beryl Burton, Sean Kelly, and of course our very own Greg LeMond, started the same way we all do ­ by learning to ride! Like all of us, their success was tempered by motivation, attitude and willpower.That is why cycling is the "working class sport": Hard work and dedication are the real obstacles for most of us.

Graeme Obree, a Scot, turned the cycling world upside down in 1993 by setting a new distance record for the hour (an event where a lone cyclist rides as far as he or she can in one hour). This event had one of the longest standing records in cycling.

This accomplishment was spurred by Obree’s unconventional look at aerodynamics and how we sit on a bike. Then, using commonly available parts, such as a bearing from a washing machine, he built his own bicycle. He followed up his record-setting performance by winning the World Championship in the pursuit, a specialized track event. Of course, all of this would not have been possible without long hours of training.

Local individuals have also beat the odds and gone on to accomplish great feats on the bike. Green Bay native Colin O’Brien set a national record for the hour in 1981. He continues to reshape the idea of the bicycle, only now his drive is targeted at innovative design production.

Inspiration can also be drawn from everyday bicycling heroes whose goals are not necessarily measured in mph. There is the man who’s goal it is to ride every mile of every road in Dunn County. There is the paraplegic who rides a hand pedaled bike. And there are plenty of people out there who commute to work or to school solely by bicycle.

Bicycling is fun, and that seems to hold true for everyone who tries it. Every past hero who paid their dues, so to speak, still rides a bike. Whether you race, commute or glide along, being on a bike on the open road will never cease to thrill.

Jim Haraughty works for Cronometro Bike Shop in Madison.