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A Costly Obsession

Cyclists go to the extreme to obtain necessary gear for riding

BY MEGAN WOCHNICK

THE OLYMPIAN

Some call it an obsession. Others say it's addictive.
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But for local cyclists, it seems all too natural.

Avid cyclists go to great lengths to make sure they have all of the equipment necessary for rides, such as the 27th annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, which starts today.

"Bikers can get absolutely crazy when it comes to their bicycles and the components," said Sarah Clark Allen, who is an office manager at Bicycle Adventures in Olympia. "Everything from the wheels to the water bottles."

Allen is the wife of Olympian fishing and outdoors columnist Chester Allen, who called her a "nutso cyclist" in a recent column.

Sarah Allen, who will be riding in her eighth STP today, said she spends $500 to $1,000 annually on cycling gear. This year, she purchased a new Giant TCR Advanced bicycle, which retails between $5,500 and $6,500.

Allen owns a jersey and padded shorts, which cost about $65 and $189, respectively. Her cycling sunglasses with interchangeable lenses retail for $109, while the cycling shoes she wears cost almost $200. And, of course, there are cycling gloves at $30 a pair and carbon-fiber water bottle holders, which cost $50 apiece.

However, there are also cyclists who will ride STP with no special gear and riding only a $50 bike.

So, why do some cyclists spend so much money on their gear?

"It's addictive," said Ian Shopland, who works for The Bike Stand inside Olympic Outfitters.

"People like to spend a lot of new stuff as technology improves every year."

While needs and wants vary from person to person, every rider has their in price point, Shopland said.

Most recently, The Bike Stand sold a $5,500 bicycle, and most bikes that expensive are intended for racing only. For many cyclists, one bike isn't enough as many have at least three or four.

One of the hot trends is carbon-fiber on the forks of a bike, which reduces the total weight of the bike --in essence, making it easier to pedal uphill, Shopland said.

Allen started cycling 10 years ago when she started working at Bicycle Adventures. Her father owns the company and even though she never thought she would be working for him, she completely fell in love with the business.

"When I came to work here, all the co-workers were riding bikes, so I started doing it and I really enjoyed it" Allen said. "It's really hard to work for a bicycling company and not get sucked into cycling."

Shopland said cycling iis the fastest-growing industry in the outdoors world, and the STP coming through Thurston County brings a lot of attention to the sport.

"Cycling draws a diverse crowd from all around the area," he said. "It draws a lot of people along the route and the big cities."

What keeps Allen going is the effort cycling requires and the freedom it provides.

"I love the physical effort," she said. "It's the only thing I really enjoy. It's like a runner's high."

Shopland agreed.

"Everyone puts their own investment in something," he added.

For them, it's cycling.
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