Biking to Glory With the All-New Cycling Club

Biking enthusiasts who have had to dodge the jaywalkers and traffic of Harvard Square can escape urban mahem now under the auspices of a new campus club.

After spending five years as part of the Athletic Department, the Harvard University Cycling Association was officially established as a club sport last spring.

According to members of the Association, the club's resuscitation ends a 50-year absence of club-level biking at Harvard.

But casual bikers might be warned not to reach for their Rollfasts. John F. Tomlinson '87, president of the association, says the new organization is "oriented toward bike road racing."

He adds, "We compete in collegiate races, as well as the United States Cycling Federation. We usually ride about 10--70 miles each race."

Although some neophyte cyclists may consider these types of workouts harsh, club officials point out that not all members are experienced racers. "I had never done competitive athletics, and I started cycling last spring," says Kirsten Berggren '88, vice president of the association.

She adds, "For a woman in cycling it's really easy to move up and be competitive."

To prepare for the races, co-coach John C. Allis, a three-time Olympic team member, leads morning rides west of Cambridge.

"We go out to Lincoln, around Cambridge Reservoir, and then come back in through Watertown," says Allis.

"The rides go from 20 to 40 miles. I've been impressed with the number of people who come out regularly."

According to club members, four or five of the most serious riders compete every weekend--sometimes as far away as Pennsylvania. For example, at the end of September, Berggren finished in the field at the national Wheat Thins Classic Championships.

Andrew W. Ward '79, a fourth year student at the GSAS, has been racing regularly since his undergraduate years. "Cycling is not like running, where the strongest man wins. You're playing head games with your opponents all the time."

As viewers of "Breaking Away" are aware, teamwork is as crucial to good bike racing as cunning. "Both John and I try very hard to develop the team concept," co-coach David K. Smith '58 says, says, "because when you're drafting with teammate, you only use 80 percent of the energy."

He adds that, in his experience with Harvard's new club, "I've been very impressed with the internal support between athletes, encouraging each other.

Coaches and athletes agree that bike riding is exciting not just as in its competitive form, but also as a hobby.

"Cycling is a lifetime sport," says Smith. "Injuries are usually short-lived, and you can even race competitively when you're 50, although not against college students. I think universities and colleges should encourage lifetime sports."

The official status of the association--which has scheduled meetings on Mondays at 5 pm at Adams House--now entitles it to vye for grants from the Undergraduate Council as well as recognition by the University.