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Riders come out in droves for bicycle tour By DON HUNT ASHLAND - The Ashland Triple Challenge bicycle tour is quite a venture, particularly for those choosing the 100-mile route. Imagine completing the century ride on a one-speed bike. That's what Ashland's Helmut Schroeder did on Sunday. Schroeder, 63, scaled the 4,551-foot Greensprings summit, looped around Hyatt and Howard Prairie reservoirs and Lake of the Woods and made his way down Dead Indian Memorial Road and back to Ashland on his single-speed bike that he bought at a Goodwill store for $10. Schroeder installed some better wheels and a chain ring from another bike and added new pedals, bringing his total investment to a whopping $40. "I just wanted to see what it would be like to ride 100 miles on this bike," said Schroeder, who left his 24-speed Trek in his garage. "I've ridden those roads a lot and I thought it would be fun to try something new." Schroeder had to stand during much of the 15-mile accent up the Greensprings, but passed 25 or 30 riders on his way to the summit. "Everyone passed me back on the downhill," Schroeder said. "All I could do is coast." Schroeder was in no hurry, however. Like most of the other 120 riders on the tour, his purpose was to get some exercise and observe, absorb and admire the surroundings. "I'm not out here to prove anything," he said. "I'm not a speed demon or a mileage junkie. I just want to take in some countryside and get some exercise." Born in Germany, Schroeder moved to Philadelphia in 1965 and to Ashland in 1969. He's retired from his job as a German teacher and fencing coach, but keeps busy driving a school bus and, of course, riding his bike. Schroeder rarely gets behind the wheel of his Volkswagen bus and refuses to drive anywhere for a cycling event. If he can't get to the starting line on two wheels, he won't go. "It's the principle of the matter," he explains, "and I like being independent from a car." Schroeder goes on weekly rides with the Siskiyou Velo Club - the largest cycling group in Southern Oregon - and has been known to go on long cycling journeys. He once rode 600 miles to Spokane for a family reunion, has ridden up and down the Oregon Coast and two years ago he toured the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon. A shorter trip might find him riding to the top of Dead Indian Memorial Road, Mount Ashland and the Greensprings - all in one day. Schroeder logs about 1,000 miles per month but doesn't like that information to leak out. Like he said, he's not a mileage junkie. Roland Westgate was one of a dozen riders who completed the 100-mile event on a recumbent bike. The bikes, which feature high handlebars, a smaller front tire and cushioned seats with backrests, are built for comfort. "It's a slower climb going up the hills because you can't stand up on them, but going downhill is a blast," said Westgate, who rode the tour on a recumbent for the first time Sunday. "You just sit back and enjoy the scenery." Eugene's Ben Langsdorf had never ridden further than 65 miles before completing the 100-mile event Sunday. A former track and cross country runner at Oakland High School and Willamette University, Langsdorf took up cycling 11/2 years ago as another means of exercise. "I'm sure my legs and shoulders will be a little sore tomorrow, but it was worth it," Langsdorf, 26, said. "It was a beautiful day and the scenery was great." Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.