The 97th Tour de France caught the attention of fans in July, and may have inspired many to become cyclists, but there are a few things to keep in mind before pedaling into the sport. Chris Kraly has been cycling since the mid-1970s. “They [observers] looked at us like we were from Mars,” Kraly said of his experience cycling on the East Coast nearly four decades ago. In those days, it was not uncommon for cyclists to have bottles thrown at them or to be shot with pellet guns, Kraly said, acknowledging how far public acceptance of the sport has come. Back then, cycling shorts were made from merino wool, not spandex; cycling shoes did not clip onto the pedals, but rather were caged onto pedals. Kraly, who now works for Bicycle Warehouse in Pacific Beach, said the trend of merino wool is making a comeback and laughs that it is now referred to as retro. In the early ’80s, Kraly, a self-described career Marine, found himself stationed in San Diego. “I felt like I was reborn and went to bicycle heaven,” Kraly said. People were cycling here, leaving him no longer feeling like an oddity. Cycling on the road is often referred to as road biking, as opposed to mountain biking or beach cruising. Road bicycles are often lighter and more aerodynamic than other types of bicycles. Those new to the sport need to remember that purchasing a new bicycle is like purchasing a new car, Kraly said. It depreciates once purchased and taken off the lot. “One nice thing about an entry-level bike is that it is upgradeable,” said Kraly. Enthusiasts can upgrade parts as their skill level improves. It should take a good hour to be properly fit onto a new road bicycle. This is the most important consideration when making the purchase, Kraly said. “The bike needs to be properly fit so it isn’t working against you, but with you,” Kraly said. He said cyclists need to use arm signals and common sense. The number one rule, he said, is that cyclists wear a helmet 100 percent of the time. Riding etiquette can be learned from other cyclists. Kraly advises new riders to consider joining a cycling group. Kraly suggests newcomers spend time riding around Mission Bay Park in order to adjust and become comfortable with riding a road bike.
