Cyclists turn out for Rail Ride

Each year as the calendar turns to summer, sports fans shift their focus away from the more mainstream team-based sports such as basketball, football, hockey and soccer and, for a few short weeks, turn their attention to the athletic accomplishments of the individual.

Tournaments such as Wimbledon and The Open Championship and the Tour De France — a 24-day bike race — become the focal points, and for a short time these sports and athletes are given their time in the spotlight.

This is especially true for cycling, a sport that for most of the year goes almost unnoticed by most sports fans.

However, in that brief timeframe, for those 24 days, the competitors who dedicate their entire lives to training and working toward competing at the highest level are celebrated — with so much passion that, as was the case with British rider Chris Froome (this year’s winner) and his teammates, spectators spat on them, punched them and even threw urine at them following news reports in France that they were suspected of blood doping.

As coverage of the race screens repeatedly on cable television, a strange phenomenon begins to occur, around the world and certainly here in the Tri-state region: while the professional athletes endure endless miles of cycling up the steepest mountains in Europe, slopes so grueling that my legs hurt just thinking about it, the roads here in New York and Connecticut are suddenly littered with amateurs imitating the athletes they admire. 

Whether they are just out for a brief ride around town or for a day-long excursion around the winding roads of New York and New England, these cyclists seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere, dressed in black spandex shorts and some version of a colored polyester “jersey” with a sponsor logo plastered across the back.

I often find myself wondering who these people are and where do they come from and what is so great about riding a bike that so many people want to do it? And then just as quickly as they appeared, they disappear from the roads, not entirely but enough to be noticeable at least for someone like me, who spends the majority of my day in a car, driving around.

Sunday, July 25, marked the official end to the Tour de  France. On that same day, amateur cyclists had the chance at the Harlem Valley Rail Ride in Millerton (turn to Page A16 for the full story). The event features eight different distanced routes, ranging from 100 miles down to 19, one for every level of amateur rider, so everyone is included and can go celebrate the sport they enjoy.

The athletes competing in the Tour De France do it for the money and the glory. These riders don’t get paid and probably no one will know the time it took to complete their ride.

So what would make someone voluntarily ride 100 miles on a Sunday? 

“It’s all about the scenery,” said Leslie Grinaway. “I often find myself stopping and just taking in the views. It’s simply amazing. Every year I come. I don’t miss it because of that. Well, that and the barbecue, which is the best around.”

Jamiyla Chisholm and Marsha Brooks drove here all the way from Brooklyn, N.Y., for the second year for that same reason. 

“I love the freedom, just getting into the zone and then being able to see all the amazing things as I just ride,” said Brooks.

I’d have to say one of the advantages of living in an area like the Tri-state region is the scenery and being able to enjoy the outdoors. So instead of just tuning into cycling during those short 24 days, maybe I’ll give it a shot and hop on a bike and see what I can see. At least it’s an excuse not to go to the gym.

Click here for more on the Rail Ride.