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c thursday may 23 2002 33 economist sun stouffville tribune sports recreation cycling continues to gain momentum as a popular recreational and competitive sport staff photosrob alary ian boyd of boyds source for sports remembers childhood days spent biking by michael laughlin special if you havent seen them riding along city streets and country back roads its likely you soon will they are cyclists and they are a growing phenomenon in york region its not a new fad by any means but this recreational activity has been gath ering momentum over the past few years why people are so enthused about taking their two wheeled machines along paved streets or woodland trails cant easily be explained there are sev eral factors that might weigh into the final equation for starters cycling is an activity with few limitations its something that can be enjoyed by young and old families have also been known to take excur sions cycling is also an ideal way to enhance cardiovascular health and strengthen leg muscles even better its an opportunity to shake off the winter doldrums and cabin fever for some adults cycling allows them to turn back the hands of time to the days when they took their first two- wheeler out for a spin cycling used to be just a way of getting back and forth from a buddys house cycling used to be just a way of get ting back and forth from a buddys house recalled ian boyd owner of boyds source for sports in stouffville and president of the markham- stouffville cycling club but not any more in york region cycling has flour ished as evidenced by sales of bicycles and accessories at retail outlets george varela owner of cycle path said sales of bicycles and other related zac wheeler is a cyclwg spedakst ss equipment at his maridiainbased out let have been brisk over the past few years james bongard spokesperson for aurorabased bicycle supplier kh bicycles said sales began to escalate two years ago especially for road bikes this he speculated could be attributed to the exploits of american rider lance armstrong who overcame cancer to capture the prestigious tour de france three consecutive times cyclists can enjoy the sport solo however cycling clubs can make an individuals introduction to the sport smoother generally people are joining clubs because it is safer and it is more fun mr varela said there is a lot of talking going on when riders are on the roads as well theres the social aspect where riders can meet fellow partici- pants and make new friends while shar- see technology page 34 club jcc bcwl 146 old kennedy rd markham 905 4770894 of hops ihe perfect 1c pin way to have eon youth bumper cowling with lite weight balls 1 hcu ce bowling eun ek justs1000lane youth birthday pap1y packages private pap1y pcoms wwwcluibccbcwlcca4 taxes shoes rental extra where applicable nc cash value ceeep available aicnf pi sim mil ctpinc the mcnth ce june ii i iiiliii inn ii n inniiti n mlf if li ii ii i i i r i i