Is cycling the new golf?

7/21/08 Posted in Cover Story  |  0 Comments

Plaid shorts are being ditched for spandex, as many friends and colleagues are catching up through cycling instead of golf.

The participation rate of those playing golf regularly has gone down by 17.5 percent in the past 10 years, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. They also reported that last year, for the first time in 60 years, more golf courses shut down than opened. 

On the other hand, the participation rate of those bicycling has going up 5 percent since 2007 alone. 

Nationwide the demand for specially made bikes is higher than ever. Local bike shops are also feeling the spike in popularity of the sport through their increasing sales. 

“We’ve seen a huge increase in sales,” Dirk Bus said. “Around a 50 percent increase since last year.” Bus, 60, is the manager of Eric’s Cycling and Fitness Center. 

The owner of P & T Fitness in Jackson, George Webster, 55, has also seen a dramatic increase in sales this year. “Looking at the month of May alone, our sales have increased 40 percent compared to last year,” he said.

Last month Velocipede Peddler sold more bikes than they ever have in a single month, said owner Mark Sanderson, 54. 

Bike accessories, clothing and tune-ups are big sellers right now too, Webster added. “Attachable computers that will show the rider how far and fast are selling big,” he said. “Bells and mirrors are big sellers right now too.” 

The Fitness Factor 

One factor that may be pulling people off of the golf course and onto a bike trail is the level of fitness involved with the sport. 

“Cycling is one of the best cardiovascular workouts that you can get, that also has a very low impact to the body,” said Webster, who started biking in his 20s to stay healthy. 

Aging baby boomers with worn-out knees have taken to the sport for this reason, he said. People ages 45 to 64 accounted for 20 percent of all those over age 7 who rode a bike at least 6 times last year, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. This number is up 13 percent from a decade ago. “Cycling is much better for you than walking around a golf course,” said the co-owner of Riverfront Cycle, David Hanson, 49. 

Family Time 

“Biking is also a great way for a family to bond,” Hanson said. “Lot’s of families are finding places to tour on their bikes around Michigan.”

Sanderson recently sold a whole group of bikes to a family wanting to get more into the sport, he said. 

Bus enjoys biking because of the group camaraderie that comes with the sport, he said. “I enjoy taking day trips with friends,” he said. “Sometimes it’s nice to get up early, talk while riding somewhere with a friend, have breakfast and then ride home.” 

Compared to golf, cycling is more of a free sport, Bus said. 

“You can go where you want, when you want,” Bus said. “If you go golfing you’ll be out for about four hours but you can jump on a bike and leave, and then be back whenever you feel like it.” 

Corporate Sponsorship 

A number of companies are now sponsoring cycling events instead of golf events to raise camaraderie among employees, colleagues and partners. One company Trek Travel, trektravel.com, is geared towards arranging bike trips and events for corporate groups and families. 

“There are a lot of new bike clubs as well as more triathlons popping up,” Hanson said. 

Replacing hole sponsorships that give away golf balls with rest stop sponsorships that give away water bottles is an easy way to convert any golfing event into a bicycle outing. 

Cost Cutting 

Golf also costs more money compared to biking, Bus said. “Once you’ve purchased the bike other than a little bit of maintenance, there’s no other cost,” he said. All in all, there is no way to deny cycling’s growing popularity. “Everyday someone comes in to the shop saying, ‘I haven’t ridden a bike in years, but I want to get started,’” Webster said. 

by Sherri Powers