Metro cyclists gear up for competition

By Matt Gunn
gunnma@mscd.edu

Imagine a road race across one of Colorado's many byways and a field dominated by cyclists proudly wearing Metro jerseys.

That's what junior Ben Stein sees in the near future of the Metro cycling club.

Stein founded the school's latest athletic club last November, and the Roadrunner cyclists are a mere six weeks from their first race.

"We have to do our best to promote cycling, and that's one of the things I believe in," Stein said. "I want to get back to cycling and make sure everyone does it, because I don't want this thing to end."

Since November, interest in the club has been high among Auraria students. Before the Metro cycling club's first organizational meeting Jan. 24, the team had eight cyclists and as many as 49 signatures of students interested in joining.

"A few of them have been couriers, and they're just like 'I want to get out there on a road bike and race,'" Stein said. "A lot of guys are out there saying 'I don't road race, I mountain bike.'"

The club, which is open to male and female students, isn't just about road races. A large part of the cycling season begins next fall, when the club begins mountain biking. The two divisions fit together to provide a year-round activity.

"Road biking is training for me," Stein said. "Training for the summer, so I can get on a mountain bike."

"I get a lot of responses about mountain biking. Mountain biking is huge in Colorado, but road racing is a lot of fun. It keeps you strong for mountain bike season. That's what I do. I'm a mountain biker, but I'll road ride when there's snow in the mountains to build my strength."

With the interest Stein has received, it's not hard for him to believe great things will follow.

"I imagine we'll win a national championship for mountain biking," Stein said enthusiastically.

To get to that point requires a great deal of organization. The Metro cycling club is looking to gather enough sponsors to help achieve their ultimate goal. So far, the sponsors include Larimer Square's Gelazzi, Go Fast! Sports C3 custom cycles and Pablo Coffee.

Part of the process includes taking a look at what companies sponsor nearby schools to get an idea of who is in the market to help a cycling team. Beyond that, there's also the issue of building a competitive schedule for the upcoming season.

Metro's first race is March 4 and 5 in Colorado Springs.

The road-racing season includes competition against highly competitive, and established, teams from the University of Colorado, Colorado State University and the University of Utah.

"What I'm finding out is that by hosting these races, these teams are getting all their money," Stein explained. "They're taking entry fees, they're paying for the race and then taking a little bit of the money and paying for their entry fees to other races."

Additional expenses for each team member include a $60 fee to join USA Cycling, and a $25 club fee. Jerseys will cost an additional $63.

Stein hopes to organize a couple Metro-hosted races before he graduates, so he can not only establish the school as a cycling university, but can also help pay the team's expenses.

"That's our one goal for hosting a race is a mountain bike race. I'm not sure too much about the schedule for a mountain bike race, but if we can, we're going to host it."