Cycling: the technical side of the sport
The Holy Saturday cycling classic is upon us and after a look at how the riders prepare for the grueling races; News Five’s Duane Moody went behind the scenes today to look at the technical side and find out about the mechanics of the sport…
Duane Moody, Reporting
There are different types of bicycles; BMX bikes, mountain bikes and the most popularly known beach cruisers. But in the Cross Country Cycling Race, the athletes use road bikes. Despite the array of brands and styles, the owner of Bruce Bike Shop, Bruce Sanchez Jr., says that most cyclist personalize their bikes and gear to match their riding form.
Bruce Sanchez Jr. Owner, Bruce Bike Shop
“The helmet is very essential; I like to tell my customers to purchase a helmet before you purchase the bike. So on the day, everybody are obligated—or should have to ride with a helmet and this protects the cyclist, obviously if he falls or something like that. The shades, on a very hot day like the Cross Country, is very key. It prevents you from getting stuff in your eyes, the glare, the UV lights and you know it helps with your eyes to focus throughout the race. The shorts is a very key part of cycling. Any cyclist, either getting into it—first time getting into it or are elite, are encourage to use a shorts. The shorts are designed with a padding piece inside, it’s called a Chamois, some even have gels inside. This is like a skin fit tight that goes—it’s designed for aerodynamics and prevents you from getting chafe and things like that and so the padding will prevent you from getting chafe and then basically the cyclist will sit on the seat, and you know that will help him. The jersey is important as well. It fits on you—it sticks on you. The design is very extreme in the sense that it gets dry quickly. So, when you’re riding it prevents you from holding that sweat. It has a sense of getting dry quickly. The other most important thing is the cycling shoe. There is like a cleat, they call it cleats that attaches to the shoe and then attaches to the pedal so the cyclist becomes one with the bike.”
In the cycling world, a bike is just like a vehicle. It requires regular tune ups and servicing. And a lot of cyclists flock here at Ordonez’s Bike Repair and Sales for that service.
Duane Moody
“How often do these bikes need to get serviced?”
Andrew Ordonez, Owner, Ordonez Bike Repair and Sales
“It’s just like a motorcar—the more you use it, the more it will need service. It’s surprising how much miles that guy’s take place in the race, I mean they put on more miles than people do on their cars so of course it needs regular maintained. I would say on a regularly basis, two months. In rainy conditions it would be about a month. One of the major problems that you would have is a broken chain. So normally we put it on the stand and you visually inspect the chain for any gaps. If the chains has an opening, you don’t want it cause it would fail. I mean the guys are riding and they use force and force will snap the chain if it’s incorrectly done. You also check for the pedals; these need to be properly tightened. You have to check the quick release if it is not properly secured, it would fall right off, I mean, if you apply pressure this would slip right off.”
And if you might think that a wrench can solve any bike problems, Ordonez claims it’s quite the contrary.
Andrew Ordonez
“These bikes are not like your average beach cruisers that you just use adjustable and screw driver, you need special tools. All these tools are special for each individual job. To remove the head set you have the Alan wrench… and most of these bikes are fitted with Alan wrenches that makes the job much easier.”
Duane Moody
“And now I understand that sometimes there is failure when it comes to the gear shifting, you have to make sure that regularly you grease the gears, all different kind of things, I didn’t know, I thought you normally do that only for vehicle. I didn’t know that bicycle had all those components and what to do and all of that you know.”
The cost of servicing a bike is in the range of thirty-five dollars, but to purchase a new road bike and cycling gears can cost up to ten thousand dollars or more.
Bruce Sanchez
“It would cost a cyclist with a good back, you know with essential stuff at least four to five thousand dollars just to partake in a race. A pair of wheel like this would cost a cyclist at least five thousand dollars, the minimum. A jersey would cost you from a hundred bucks to two hundred and fifty dollars and a good shorts would start off at a hundred and sixty-four dollars and up.”
Andrew Ordonez
“Ih noh pay off, from you when they break they collar bone. To go to the medical place it will cost you a lot of money. So, da di love, da di love.”
And come Sunday, when junior cyclists make their way to the starting line, they will be riding for the fun and love of the sport. Duane Moody, reporting for News Five.
