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10 - PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, July 12,1972 BICYCLING: From six to sixty, the boom is on . in Canada Just a couple of years ago, a person over 20 riding a bicycle in this country was a rarity, and the notion seemed to exist that those of middle age who rode bicycles were tweedy, slightly eccentric professors peddling furiously from class to class on the 'campus of some large univer- sity. Butina very short period of time, the whole concept of cycling inNorth America has changed. And now, in the summer of 1972, bicycles seem to be everywhere, and enthusiasigts from six. to sixty (and over) are peddling for health and pleasure on the highways and in the cities, towns and villages. There are no accurate statistics on just how many people in Canada now own bicycles, but there is no doubt that a boom is on. A report indicates that one Canadian manufacturer is turning out 500,000 - bicycles this year and many higherxquality "bicycles are being imported from Europe. And of course anybody who has recently decided to purchase a bicy- cle, especially . the very popular 10-speed models will probably attest that retail dealers are constantly in short supply. Why the sudden and dra- matic surge in the popularity of the sport in Canada? Although anybody who owns a bicycle may have his own personal reasons, there are really three main reasons, Firstly, cyclingisa very good form of exercise, and gener- ally speaking, people today are more health-conscious: "than ever before. Calorie burn-up values from cycling range from 300 per hour to as high as 2500 depending on the cycling speed and terrains Accoridng to Lloyd Perci- val, wellknown director of the Fitness Institute, the nature of the exercise is a very effective way of improv- ing heart-circulatory fitness and attaining maximum oxygen intake. Along with this, most cyclists consider the activity a good way to keep the waist-line trim. The environmental reas- ons for cycling are also very important, especially in the larger cities where auto- mobile emmission is a major contributor to pollution in the atmosphere. And with traffic snarl-ups now common in most urban areas, people are simply finding it quicker and easier to get around by bicycle, Although cycling is just now really starting to catch on in North America, many people of all ages, have long been riding bikes in other parts of the world, especially in Europe. Mr. Henry Smits, who owns the Cycle and Sport Shop in Port Perry and was a cycling enthusiast in his native Holland for many years explained that for a great many Europeans owning and operating a car was financially impossible, Thus a bicycle was really the only means of transportation to work or to do the shopping. And in Europe 1t was 'nothing for whole families to go on week-end or longer excursion trips by bicycle. As a competitive sport, cycling has -always enjoyed: great popularity in Europe, with possibly the most famous event being the Tour de France. Because so many people were dependent on bicycles for both business and plea- sure, all European countries Home & Cottage interior bargains for you W00D PANELLING MAHOGANY 4' x 8' | CORK PANELLING COVERS 9 square feet CEILING PLAIN WHITE 12" x 12" TILE T&G FLOOR TILE PEEL & STICK 3 styles to choose from WALLPAPER SUNWORTHY Large Assortment CITATION PAINT CLEARING STOCK LESS 30% LAKE SCUGOG LUMBER 235 WAITER SIT. 985-7391 - developed bike paths and trails. Now that the sport is catching on here, Mr. Smits said that governments should consider adding a strip of pavement to the sides of roads and highways for cyclists. Already municipal governments in larger centres are providing exclu- sive cycle trails, and Ottawa has some sixty miles of these winding through the capital. Here in Port Perry, Mr. Smits reports that sales of bicycles this summer have been "fantastic," with ten- speed models by far the most popular. Prices for a ten- speed bicycle range any- where from less than $100 to $400 and higher. Mr. Smits, who does re- pairs and tuning, says that the average bicycle owner can do his own basic repairs and maintenance using a few tools and following instruc- tion manuals. But, he cau- tioned, "you have to keep the bike clean, and you can't treat a 10-speed machine like a steamroller." Other than this, he advises that the beginner cyclist (continued on page 20) 5210 15 22... $1.39. '895 Gal. PORT PERRY WES LANE PLUMBING - HEATING - - ELECTRIC - PORT PERRY 983-2413 OFFICE -- RESIDENCE "CENTENNIAL TAVERN FULLY LICENSED 1 SPECIALIZING IN Steak -- Chicken and Spaghetti Located at Water Street and 7A Hwy. TAKE-OUT SERVICE Port Perry 985-3281 | Deep Fried Chicken fish & Chips etc. BUSINESS HOURS Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs.