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By Greg Harper/ Contributed photo Steve Lauber, manager of Bike World Ames, competes in the Valley West Wipeout, the first in the Iowa Championship Roller Race Series, Jan. 6 at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines. |
By: Laura Millsaps/The Tribune
02/03/2008
Updated 02/02/2008 10:13:30 PM CST
Winter in Iowa doesn't have to be downtime for bikers. They can race indoors.
As part of the Iowa Championship Roller Race Series, the Colorbiotics race team will host an indoor roller race, Ames Roller Assault, at noon Sunday, Feb. 10, at Bike World, 126 S. Third St.
Steve Lauber, manager at Bike World, said indoor roller racing is stationary, like a self-powered treadmill for bikes. Riders still require balance because the bike is free to move.
"Experienced racers have no trouble with it, but sometimes people do ride the bike right off the rollers," he said.
Lauber said anyone used to road riding on bicycles should be able to learn to ride rollers, and Bike World offers training sessions.
At the event, racers compete, two at a time, for time in the 2-mile event. Because of resistance, the average speeds are 12 to 23 miles per hour. The race rollers are attached to a computer to record time and distance.
Lauber said Iowa is the only place in the country doing a race series such as this, and bike racers participate to add some variety and interest to their winter indoor training regimen.
The Iowa Championship Roller Race Series started Jan. 6 at the Valley West Wipeout at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines. It has been hosted at various locations across the state. State championship medals are awarded at the end of the season at the Frostbuster Roller Race event Feb. 24 in Cedar Falls.
Those interested in the event or in learning how to roller ride can call Bike World at 232-3669, or visit the Web site www.bikeworldiowa.com.
As part of the Iowa Championship Roller Race Series, the Colorbiotics race team will host an indoor roller race, Ames Roller Assault, at noon Sunday, Feb. 10, at Bike World, 126 S. Third St.
Steve Lauber, manager at Bike World, said indoor roller racing is stationary, like a self-powered treadmill for bikes. Riders still require balance because the bike is free to move.
"Experienced racers have no trouble with it, but sometimes people do ride the bike right off the rollers," he said.
Lauber said anyone used to road riding on bicycles should be able to learn to ride rollers, and Bike World offers training sessions.
At the event, racers compete, two at a time, for time in the 2-mile event. Because of resistance, the average speeds are 12 to 23 miles per hour. The race rollers are attached to a computer to record time and distance.
Lauber said Iowa is the only place in the country doing a race series such as this, and bike racers participate to add some variety and interest to their winter indoor training regimen.
The Iowa Championship Roller Race Series started Jan. 6 at the Valley West Wipeout at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines. It has been hosted at various locations across the state. State championship medals are awarded at the end of the season at the Frostbuster Roller Race event Feb. 24 in Cedar Falls.
Those interested in the event or in learning how to roller ride can call Bike World at 232-3669, or visit the Web site www.bikeworldiowa.com.
