Jackson Free Press

Hall's renewed interest in cycling began about five years ago when he borrowed a bike from his brother-in-law. Already an avid fisherman who competed in fishing contests, Hall was looking for a way to get into shape.

"I first became involved in cycling to exercise, then moved on to mountain biking and on to road biking after that," he says.

The cycling bug bit Hall hard. Now 45, the Madison resident loves to train and competes in a variety of road and mountain biking events throughout the year.

Mountain and road biking are not as different as one might expect, he explains. A mountain bike is heavier, and every mountain mile biked is like two in road biking. Mountain biking provides variation in the rider's heart rate, offering a challenging workout. And while it may sound more difficult, Hall says mountain (or trail) biking is slower riding. Road biking, on the other hand, allows for more group rides and a steady heart rate.

Since the bike bug bit him, Hall has also joined two cycling clubs in the metro area. First, he joined the Tri-County Mountain Biking Association and gained access to the trails club members enjoy in Ridgeland.

Hall then learned of the Jackson Metro Cyclists. This group not only enters road bike races and sponsors group rides for members on the weekends, but it also lobbies for bike-friendly laws.

During the spring and summer, Hall rides four to six days a week, alternating between hard and easy rides. Over the course of a week, Hall bikes from 40 to 60 miles. He and his wife, Denise, 31, also enjoy riding together in group rides.

Last year, Hall competed in every mountain biking event of the Mississippi State Championship Series. The MSCS is a sub series of the South Central Regional Championship Series, which hosts races in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The 2011 SCRCS kicks off March 20 in Hattiesburg and has seven races scheduled through October in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Hall stresses that "size matters" in a good bike. Newbies should go a reputable bike shop to find the bike size and fit that works best for them. Accessories and equipment, like clip-less pedals, proper clothing and gloves are also important.

One piece of equipment you should never go without is a good helmet. "Once, I got my weight over the pedal and went head first over the handle bars," Hall recalls. "If not for my helmet, I would have been injured seriously."

"I encourage everyone to find a good helmet, because I have been saved more times than I can count from injury just by wearing one," he adds.

While Hall started biking as a way to get into shape, it has since become a way for him to make new friends and compete in events, among other benefits.

"Cycling has allowed me to be health oriented and has become a family event that I can share with my wife," he says.

It's not often we can revert back to our childhoods, but the cliché is true: You never forget how to ride a bike. With cycling, you can have fun, be respectful of the environment, get into shape and even compete, like most athletes eventually want to do.

Local Cycling Resources

Bike Clubs and Organizations
South Central Regional Championship Series: http://www.scrcs.org.
Tri-County Mountain Bike Association: http://www.tricountymtb.org.
Jackson Metro Cyclists: 601 957-1113, ext. 102, or visit http://jmc.clubexpress.com.
Jackson Bike Advocates: http://www.jacksonbikeadvocates.org.
Bike Walk Mississippi: http://www.bikewalkmississippi.org

Bikes, Equipment and Biking Advice
Indian Cyclist Fitness and Outdoors (677 S. Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-8383, http://www.indiancyclefitness.com), open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Bike Rack (2282 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-936-2100, http://www.thebikerackms.com), open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ride South Bikes & Boats (105 Avalon Court, Brandon, 601-992-2490, http://www.ridesouth.com), open Monday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hall's renewed interest in cycling began about five years ago when he borrowed a bike from his brother-in-law. Already an avid fisherman who competed in fishing contests, Hall was looking for a way to get into shape.

"I first became involved in cycling to exercise, then moved on to mountain biking and on to road biking after that," he says.

The cycling bug bit Hall hard. Now 45, the Madison resident loves to train and competes in a variety of road and mountain biking events throughout the year.

Mountain and road biking are not as different as one might expect, he explains. A mountain bike is heavier, and every mountain mile biked is like two in road biking. Mountain biking provides variation in the rider's heart rate, offering a challenging workout. And while it may sound more difficult, Hall says mountain (or trail) biking is slower riding. Road biking, on the other hand, allows for more group rides and a steady heart rate.

Since the bike bug bit him, Hall has also joined two cycling clubs in the metro area. First, he joined the Tri-County Mountain Biking Association and gained access to the trails club members enjoy in Ridgeland.

Hall then learned of the Jackson Metro Cyclists. This group not only enters road bike races and sponsors group rides for members on the weekends, but it also lobbies for bike-friendly laws.

During the spring and summer, Hall rides four to six days a week, alternating between hard and easy rides. Over the course of a week, Hall bikes from 40 to 60 miles. He and his wife, Denise, 31, also enjoy riding together in group rides.

Last year, Hall competed in every mountain biking event of the Mississippi State Championship Series. The MSCS is a sub series of the South Central Regional Championship Series, which hosts races in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The 2011 SCRCS kicks off March 20 in Hattiesburg and has seven races scheduled through October in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Hall stresses that "size matters" in a good bike. Newbies should go a reputable bike shop to find the bike size and fit that works best for them. Accessories and equipment, like clip-less pedals, proper clothing and gloves are also important.

One piece of equipment you should never go without is a good helmet. "Once, I got my weight over the pedal and went head first over the handle bars," Hall recalls. "If not for my helmet, I would have been injured seriously."

"I encourage everyone to find a good helmet, because I have been saved more times than I can count from injury just by wearing one," he adds.

While Hall started biking as a way to get into shape, it has since become a way for him to make new friends and compete in events, among other benefits.

"Cycling has allowed me to be health oriented and has become a family event that I can share with my wife," he says.

It's not often we can revert back to our childhoods, but the cliché is true: You never forget how to ride a bike. With cycling, you can have fun, be respectful of the environment, get into shape and even compete, like most athletes eventually want to do.

Local Cycling Resources

Bike Clubs and Organizations
South Central Regional Championship Series: http://www.scrcs.org.
Tri-County Mountain Bike Association: http://www.tricountymtb.org.
Jackson Metro Cyclists: 601 957-1113, ext. 102, or visit http://jmc.clubexpress.com.
Jackson Bike Advocates: http://www.jacksonbikeadvocates.org.
Bike Walk Mississippi: http://www.bikewalkmississippi.org

Bikes, Equipment and Biking Advice
Indian Cyclist Fitness and Outdoors (677 S. Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-8383, http://www.indiancyclefitness.com), open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Bike Rack (2282 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-936-2100, http://www.thebikerackms.com), open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ride South Bikes & Boats (105 Avalon Court, Brandon, 601-992-2490, http://www.ridesouth.com), open Monday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.