HIT THE ROAD AND RELAX; BICYCLING ENTHUSIASTS BECOMING A MORE DIVERSE LOT

On the fronts of recreation, intense exercise and nostalgia, bicycling continues to turn on more and more people.

"It's still growing rapidly," said John Schnicker, manager of Cape Bicycle, Cycling and Fitness in Cape Girardeau. "A lot of people get into it because it is a very effective means of exercising without a lot of impact and jarring."

Bike shops, he said, serve a large and diverse market with enthusiasts ranging in age from teenagers to senior citizens. The single most popular style is the general group known as "mountain bikes."

"When talking about the term mountain bike, it's not necessarily something to take off-road. It's very good on roads and for commuting," Schnicker said.

But the primary allure for mountain bikes is the fact they can go anywhere.

"You can go places you would not think a bicycle could get through," said Bart Andrews, a mountain bike enthusiast from Carbondale, Ill.

"It's phenomenal and exhilarating," he said. "You have to get out on a trail to fully appreciate it."

Twenty-one speed mountain bikes are the most common, and the wide range of gears is particularly suited for making riding in hilly areas much easier. Their versatility also is a big selling point for the bikes, which range in price from $230 to $2,500.

Andrews, however, warns against low-end models for someone planning to go off-road. "You do not want to get on a trail with a cheap bike," he said. "You will be regretting it every half mile."

Road biking, however, hasn't diminished in popularity as the off-road version of the sport has risen. The Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club has been active in the region for a number of years and continues to sponsor rides each week. One need not be a club member to participate.

Every Sunday, Velo Girardeau takes extended rides of 20 to 100 miles on area roads. Also, during the summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the group sponsors shorter rides of 10 to 12 miles. Those leave from the Capaha Park Rose Garden at 6:30 p.m.

"It's good exercise," said Judy Pulley of Cape Girardeau, a member of Velo Girardeau. "I personally like biking not just for the exercise but because it is a chance to get out and not worry about anything else -- just hit the road and relax."

For touring cyclists, the days of the 10-speed are gone. Typically 18- or 21-speeds are preferred. Although mountain bikes can operate effectively on roads, the skinny tires of touring bikes make them more efficient on pavement.

In another of the many subdivisions of biking, nostalgia is fueling a comeback of old bicycle styles from the 1940s and 1950s, and manufacturers are responding by expanding lines that have the older look.

"They've always had bikes like that available but in limited numbers and styles," Schnicker said. "It was about 1994 when they started getting serious about retro bikes."

For Schwinn, the Cruiser brand has proved very popular. Old-style bikes range in price from $220 or $270.

"It's an extremely comfortable bike to ride and something a lot of people can identify with," Schnicker said.

Schwinn also plans to reproduce its 1949 Black Phantom. The new version will be identical to the original model, but as it marketed towards collectors, it's price certainly doesn't reflect the 1949 market value. The new Black Phantom will cost between $2,500 and $3,000.