Spring Break
Cycling Club to host weekend rides, competitions
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: News
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Kenyan said he has been cycling since he was little, riding off natural and makeshift jumps on the farm in Rhode Island where he grew up. Today, he seeks similar challenges on campus.
"I just come here at night and find a lot of ledges around here and drops and ... just use your imagination and pick a line and go off," Kenyan said. "There's anything from two-foot drops to - I've seen a couple of 15-footers around here, so there's something for anybody around here."
Kenyan doesn't limit himself to any particular aspect of the sport, but enjoys mountain biking as well as road racing, and is looking to get into track racing.
Now, Kenyan is working with associate professor of landscape architecture William Gordon to spread his passion for cycling to the URI community.
Gordon, the club's coach, takes a dual-pronged approach to the sport.
"What we're attempting to do is have a club that promotes general fitness as well as support the efforts of a racing team," Gordon said.
USA Cycling, the organization that oversees collegiate club cycling, sanctions track, mountain, cyclo-cross and road races.
Mountain bike races involve trail and downhill riding, while road racing is the format familiar to many through the Tour de France. Track racing involves shorter, high-speed races around artificial tracks. Cyclo-cross, a newer format, involves racing on and off road and on and off wheels, with obstacles that force racers to dismount and carry their bicycles.
Club members will have the option of competing in any of these formats.
The club will host regular weekend rides for anyone wishing to participate, and members will not be required to compete.
