SPORTS FLASHBACK 2006: MIT Roadies ride for fun

MIT stands for Mennonites in Tights, although Mennonite affiliation is not necessary to belong to this recreational cycling club. In fact, there is a Lutheran or two along for the ride. Others, such as Steinbach lawyer Marcel Jodoin, have nary a discernible shred of Mennonite in them, but are still welcomed into the fold, as well.

Sixteen riders marshalled near Steinbach’s water tower at 6 a.m. last Saturday morning for their weekly excursion.

The one common thread amongst this group of avid cyclists, apart from the spandex of course, is their love of cycling, a form of recreation that provides exercise and camaraderie among the riders.

Saturday morning’s ride was 68 kilometres from Steinbach to Richer and back. According to unofficial MIT Roadies coordinator Jac Siemens, it took 2 hours and 38 minutes to complete, which included a stop for porridge in Richer.

The local group has grown steadily since it began in 2003, when Rudy and Sue Nickel from Steinbach began training for a cross-Canada cycling tour. About a half dozen cyclists, including Siemens, were part of that group. Now Siemens says there are about 30 people on his email list who participate in the club, including Shannon Sawatzky, who is training for the 2006 Ironman Triathlon in Penticton later in August, returning to the competition where she met husband Dale, a few years ago.

The MIT Roadies ride Saturday and Sunday mornings from spring until fall, with about 10 or 12 cyclists per ride, although the latest contingent of 16 was the most ever. Generally, the Saturday rides are longer, up to 100 km, while the Sunday rides are shorter, about 50 km.

Generally, they ride about 30 km/hr, staying only on paved roads. They ride in a pace line, with the lead rider blocking the wind for the riders following. The bikes are 10-18 speed road bikes, ranging in value from $500 to $4,000.

Destinations differ by weekend, with the longer rides to Woodridge, Richer, Deacons Corner, Dugald or St Malo. Shorter rides may include Grunthal, Kleefeld, New Bothwell or Landmark. The Saturday rides generally include a stop for coffee and waffles in Kleefeld, pan fries in Woodridge or oatmeal in Richer.

Siemens says their last ride of the 2005 season came on November 11 on a trek to Winnipeg and back. In spring, the rides are shorter, such as Kleefeld (36 km) and grow in length as the season progresses.

“We ride in most weather conditions, whether it be cold, hot or heavy rains.”

Some of the MIT Roadies use the club’s rides as training, or as a springboard for other cycling events, such as triathlons, run/bike events, the MCC ride, the MS ride or the Muddy Waters Century (100 mile) ride.

The benefits of riding are numerous. It improves physical fitness, reduces blood pressure, controls cholesterol and for some, results in weight loss. Siemens says he has lost 30 pounds since he got back on the bike in March.

Depending on time commitments, the MIT cyclists will put on anywhere from 2,500 km up to 7,000 km during the season, as Paul Harakal did last year. Siemens cycled 5,900 km last year, but has already logged 4,000 km this year and expects to surpass his 2005.

Last week, in addition to the Saturday and Sunday rides, there was also one on Thursday. Siemens, who rode in all three, admitted he was a little sore on Monday.

“The best part about riding as a group is the friendships that are built with people outside our normal peer/age group. As we ride along side-by-side, we solve many world issues along the way.”