Bike swap helps Cycling Club
The Cycling Club held their annual Bike Swap on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Merlin Olsen Central Park. Ira Tibbitts, president of the Cycling Club, said the Bike Swap began two years ago as a fundraiser for the Cycling Club and has been very successful.
“Anyone who wants to sell bikes or parts, we just check them in,” Tibbitts said. “It’s open to the community, and a percentage of the price goes to USU Cycling.”
Tibbitts said if anything doesn’t sell by the end of the day, sellers have the option to come pick their things up or donate them to Aggie Blue Bikes, an organization on campus whose self-proclaimed mission is to advocate biking as a form of exercise and healthy living.
Tibbitts said the Cycling Club at USU is currently comprised of 16 team members and 220 other members who ride anything from road bikes to mountain bikes. Other types include:
• Cycle cross, which Tibbitts said uses a bike that is a mix of a road bike and a mountain bike. The races are usually on a loop with with obstacles such as hopping off the bike, running up a flight of stairs and then getting back on the bike.
• Trials, which feature riders doing tricks like jumping on a table and bunny hopping, which Tibbitts calls “an art”.
• Commuting, which Tibbitts said simply means using bikes just to get around. Commuters can use any bike, but Tibbitts said single speeds have become more popular.
Tibbitts said during the season, road bikers who are on the team are gone almost every weekend competing in races. While most of the races are held in Colorado, Tibbitts said the club has the opportunity to hold a race here and is seriously considering it. The main goal, Tibbitts said, is to get to nationals.
“If anyone can get to nationals, it’s like the peak of your career,” Tibbitts said. “You watch March Madness, and that’s like what it is, and you’re in it.”
Tibbitts said although he had a flat tire during the race at nationals and did not place in the top 10 like he was expected to, it was still the highlight of his collegiate cycling experience.
According to www.bycyclinginfo.org, cycling has many benefits. It reduces traffic congestion, improves air quality and is a great form of exercise. According to the Web site, whether biking is used as a sport or a mode of transportation, its benefits span all areas of life.
Tibbitts said he personally began cycling as a way to stay in shape. Tibbitts said he began with mountain biking but began entering road races after receiving a bike from someone. However, Tibbitts said it wasn’t until he went to study abroad in France and watched the Tour de France that he really became passionate about cycling.
“I rode along the course, and it really inspired me.” Tibbitts said.
From there, Tibbitts said he worked hard to train and learn as much as he could about the cycling world.
“I learned a ton as I got involved,” Tibbitts said. “Everyone commented, ‘You’re really getting into it,’ and I was. It enhanced my life a lot.”
Tibbitts is currently a senior majoring in mechanical engineering and said after he graduates in May, he hopes to move forward with making cycling his profession.
“I plan to race in a few national races and spend at least another year just racing,” Tibbitts said, “and then I will look at getting noticed by a team.”
Tibbitts said he encourages anyone who is interested in cycling to try out the Cycling Club. Membership is open to anyone, and the Cycling Club is currently looking for people who are interested in mountain biking so they can begin training over the summer. Tibbitts said there are plenty of leadership positions open in the club for those looking to build their resumes.
“We are always looking for people who are looking to take on responsibility and promote the organization,” Tibbitts said.
Tibbitts said the club has even considered looking for a president who does not participate in cycling but still has a knowledge of it, so team members are able to focus on cycling.
Anyone interested can visit www.usu.edu/cycling for more information.
-amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu