Pedal Power

By Stacy Karten

Bicycle riding continues to be one of the most popular recreational activities in the United States, as 35.6 million Americans put their feet to the pedals annually. A lifetime activity, bicycling is both fun recreationally and provides exceptional fitness benefits.

Maryland features dozens of bike trails and routes approaching close to 1,000 miles, of which 600 are currently marked. Hundreds of thousands of people can be seen bicycling in the state during the year, among them the Hess family of Owings Mills, who are avid riders.

“I always liked the riding challenge and the freedom,” says Michael Hess, a school counselor at Randallstown Elementary School. He rides about four times a week and says that the variety of trails around Loch Raven Reservoir are his favorite.

Mr. Hess developed his interest in biking about 30 years ago. “In eighth grade I went to a bike road trip camp and we rode through New England and Nova Scotia. We would ride around 15 to 25 miles a day in New England and 100 miles a day in Canada,” he recalls, adding that the riders also packed 70 pounds of gear on the backs of their bikes. Then in his early 20s, Mr. Hess joined the Chesapeake Wheelmen, the second oldest bicycle club in the United States.

Due to knee and hip problems Mr. Hess cannot run as much as he would like to for exercise purposes, so bike riding has become more important to him for fitness. To maintain his regimen of bicycling when the weather prevents him from riding outside, Mr. Hess simply goes into his basement where he has a bike connected to a windtrainer to simulate various roads and hills.

Karen Hess, an account manager for an accounting firm, raves about the riding and fun her family recently enjoyed on a trip to St. Michaels. Their daughters, Jenna, 14, and Andrea, 11, are equally enthusiastic about bicycling. “I like the wind in my hair. It’s a way to exercise and transport myself,” Jenna says. Adds Andrea: “It’s fun and I feel happy when I ride my bike.”

For David Pearl, bike riding provides the perfect combination of exercise and relaxation. The Owings Mills resident and case worker for delinquent children, rides five times a week, frequently on the North Central Rail Trail starting in Cockeysville, or through his neighborhood.

“I just bought a Cannondale Bad Boy,” he says, which he describes as a hybrid. “I enjoy the exercise and faster pace. I’ll usually ride for two hours and go twenty to thirty miles.” He just started riding again in earnest and says bicycling is an inexpensive alternative to joining a health club. His advice to new bicyclists is to decide what your goals are, such as riding a mountain bike or on paved roads.

Bicycling Safety Tips

Basic tips according to Marc Lefkowitz, co-owner, RacePace Bicycle Shops.

• Wear a helmet. It is mandatory under Maryland law for ages under 16.

• Ride with the traffic.

• Be confident riding. Ride in a straight line. Don’t weave.

• Have a good lighting system for night riding.

• Make sure you are comfortable. Your bike should be a correct fit.

• Wear bicycling shorts and a jersey for better comfort.

Maryland Bike Trails Information

According to Stephanie Yanovitz, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator for the Maryland State Highway Administration, bicycling is extremely popular in the Free State and there are wonderful places to bike. A new bike trail map and brochure was published in June. Ms. Yanovitz suggests going to marylandroads.com and entering the word “bike” or “bicycling” in the search box. Other helpful web sites are baltobikeclub.org for the Baltimore Bike Club and waba.org for the Washington Area Bicycle Association.

October 5, 2007