 "Photo: Kevin Ho")
Too often is a Cal Poly student nearly hit or run off a sidewalk by rampant bikers on campus, without more than a second's notice to identify the culprit. Chances are, they might be a memeber of the Cal Poly Pomona Cyclng Club, the most delightful sporting menaces this side of the Bronco Student Center.
At a regular Thursday meeting, club Secretary Chris Snyder, a fifth-year marketing student, explained to prospective members what can be expected from joining.
"We do urban riding, go to skate parks, some BMX riding (…) There is always someone in our club who does whatever your style of riding. And we are all open to new things," said Snyder.
The club, presently all male, is a member of the Western Collegiate Cycling Conference and competes in National Collegiate Cycling Association events together across California and Nevada.
The club competes in events that range from the competitive and more physically exerting to those recreational and medium in intensity.
"We do a little bit of everything, for everyone," said Club Vice President Blair Brown, a fifth year business student.
On September 29, the club participated in "Mad Max Classic," a weekend-long mountain bike race in Fontana. As a USA Cycling Sanction event, the race was coed and featured cross-country, short track and downhill courses. Overall, the team came in third place for downhill racing and Brown came in fourth on the mountain bike track.
More recreational and "mellow" rides, as Brown puts it, include those endorsed by long-time Los Angeles riding organization Midnight Ridazz.
The benefits of biking are manifold, being eco-friendly as well as a healthy alternative to driving.
"With biking, you actually go faster sometimes because of traffic," says Snyder.
Many cyclists use their bikes for local errands, and it is not uncommon around Cal Poly for students to park off campus and then ride to class.
"Personally, I take the train to work in Pasadena then ride my bike back to Cal Poly," says club president Nicholas Jacobs, a third-year manufacturing student.
When participating in mass rides in downtown Los Angeles, the members often use the Metrolink or carpool.
"This city is not very biker-friendly," said Brown.
There are no bike lanes in Pomona, including on campus. To get around this problem, cyclists often ride on sidewalks, even though it is illegal.
Every Thursday the club meets in front of the Bronco Library during U-Hour. Membership fees are not mandatory, but for those willing to pay a one-time fee of 20 dollars, officially joining includes a team jersey at low cost, reduced race fees and discounts from local bike shops.
One of the sponsors supporting Cal Poly Cycling Club is local bike shop Incycle, located on Arrow Highway in San Dimas. Being sponsored by this store means that often times Incycle will lend out demo bikes to members for either races or simply testing.
Anybody is welcome to attend the weekly meetings or accompany the club on rides.
Reach Jessica Garcia at asstlifestyle@thepolypost.com.
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