Outdoors - Explore

POSTED: Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2009

Meet cycling enthusiast Jason Babcock

Name: Jason Babcock

Age: 31

Residence: Everson

Day job: Science teacher and bicycle-frame builder

Gear: "I make my own frames under the name Shuksan Cycles, so I'm a tad partial. I love riding single speed 29-inch mountain bikes; fenders are a must on the road. As for the rest, I'm not picky."

How much time during the week you road bike: 15 to 30 hours in the summer; 5 to15 in the winter

Tradeoffs: "My wife, Amber, rides as well, so I don't have to sacrifice time with her to get out. If anything, sometimes sleeping-in gets cut."

How you got started in road cycling: "I started as a kid - 15 years old - and was lucky enough to get hired on in a bike shop. The people I worked with there really established a foundation for a lifetime of cycling."

Goal: "Road race more often. The adrenaline during the race and the post-race 'high' are feelings tough to match."

Favorite Web site/blog: Bike Snob NYC, www.bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com

Favorite place to ride in Whatcom County: "Artist Point with a stop at Graham's (Restaurant) for espresso."

Favorite pro cyclist: Eddie Merckx

Pet peeve: "Road cyclists that ride like idiots in traffic. They are representing all of us and create animosity on the part of drivers. That being said, Whatcom County is one of the friendlier places in the country to ride."

Biggest victory: "Starting a business building bicycle frames. I had some wins a while back, but there's always another winner the next week. Building people bicycles that allow them to experience the joys of cycling for years to come has proven more lasting than any race."

Best tip: "Motivate yourself to get out on the bike - do whatever it takes. For some this means buying new bikes and accessories, for others it's arranging to meet for social rides."

EXPERT TIPS

"Be prepared. Think about how long you'll ride, what the weather is doing, where you are going. Carry enough water and food, a flat repair kit and pump, a little money and maybe a cell phone. It sounds like a lot of stuff to carry on your bike but it's not. Almost every time I think I'm just going out for a short spin, it turns into a longer ride, and I'm glad I was prepared." - Pamela Robertson, Bellingham, started serious cycling in 1990. She competed in triathlons for five years before switching to road and mountain bike racing. She raced at the Pro Elite level for many years. Robertson currently works with community-oriented programs, including Smart Trips and Everybody Bike, to get more people out of their cars and onto bikes.

"Make sure your bike and your equipment fit properly, especially helmets, gloves and shoes. These items should be snug enough to stay in place without becoming uncomfortable during your ride. Pick up a book on basic bike maintenance and practice replacing inner tubes at home before you need to do it roadside." - Kevin Rowe, Bellingham, started riding road bikes regularly in 1996 and road racing in 1998. He won the Washington State Championship Best All-Around Rider (2004) and was seventh in the Elite National Championship Time Trial (2008). He currently races for Bobs-bicycles.com based in Boise, Idaho.

"Assume you are invisible. Most motorists are too busy with the car stereo, cell phone, restless children or some sort of impairment to see cyclists. It's not that motorists are purely evil; it's just that cyclists are hit because they are never seen. Blinking lights, bright clothing and headlights aimed at a motorist's eye level are good starting points, but always assume you are invisible and you are more likely to not to get hit." - Pat White, Bellingham, has been road cycling since 1983. He is a 10-time Washington State Champion in track and road-cycling events and five-time medalist in U.S. National Championship track-cycling events.

LOCAL RESOURCES

Bellingham Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, www.cob.org/government/public/boards-commissions/bicycle-ped.aspx

Bicycle Alliance of Washington, www.bicyclealliance.org

City of Bellingham bicycle programs, www.cob.org/services/transportation/biking.aspx

Bike Western, www.ac.wwu.edu/~bikewwu/

Mt. Baker Bicycle Club, www.mtbakerbikeclub.org

Tour de Whatcom, www.tourdewhatcom.com

Whatcom Trails Co-op, www.whatcomtrails.com

Whatcom Smart Trips EverybodyBIKE, www.everybodybike.com

Whatcom Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), www.co.whatcom.wa.us/boards/bpac/bpac_home.jsp

WHIMPs Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC), www.whimpsmtb.com

LOCAL SHOPS

Drop n' Zone, www.dropnzone.com

Fairhaven Bike & Ski, www.fairhavenbike.com

Fanatik Bikes, www.fanatikbike.com

The Hub Community Bike Cooperative, www.pedalproject.org

Jack's Bicycle Center, www.jacksbicyclecenter.net Kulshan Cycles, www.kulshancycles.com

The Outdoor Center at Western Washington University, http://outdoor.as.wwu.edu/bicycle.php

REI, www.rei.com/stores/65

Robert's Bike Repair, www.robertsbicyclerepair.com

Shuksan Cycles, www.shuksancycles.com