Cycling enthusiasts give the spokin’ word

By Greg Gulas

BOARDMAN — Dan and Erin Quinlan have always enjoyed riding their bicycles, at first as recreational escape from their jobs.

When Dan met the Mahoning Valley Cycling Team on one of his rides and was introduced to competitive racing, it wasn’t too long afterwards that he became hooked, with his wife not too far behind.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, the founders of the elite cycling team, Carbon Racing, have grown by leaps and bounds over the past 12 months and have plans for even more growth over the next year as well.

“We really enjoy riding and Dan has really enjoyed the competitive races. However, when I found out that women race competitively as well then it was only natural that we should do this together,” Erin said.

Dan is the owner of The Energy Detectives, a local residential and commercial energy consulting firm, while his wife is a physical therapy assistant and director of two outpatient facilities.

They’ve expanded Carbon Racing from 10 team members in 2009 to12 racers for the upcoming 2010 racing season; a season that typically lasts from mid-March until the end of September.

The husband and wife team is always recruiting new members and both agree it is that portion of the game that remains a labor of love for both.

“There are five levels in racing with Level 5 rated for beginners and Level 1 for professionals.

“Levels 4 and 3 are obviously above the beginning stage with Carbon Cycling currently rated a Level 2 on the grading scale.

“The Ohio Cycling Association moves you up according to your race finishes so there is no questioning your competition level,” Dan stated.

Most races occur in the Cleveland and Akron areas with the Quinlans competing as far away as Arizona and in New England.

Last year, their initial “Tour of the Valley” race was rated Ohio’s largest stage race with plans already in place for a follow-up race next summer.

The race was held July 10-12 in Canfield, Ellsworth, Columbiana and downtown Youngstown with four events over the three-day session and 200 total miles highlighting the pro race.

Both Dan and Erin have always been environmentally conscious and with funds raised from their Tour of the Valley race, they earmark a large portion of the proceeds to offset the staging of that event.

As the Quinlans continue their recruitment, the goal of Carbon Racing remains to develop a core group of young cyclists with their ultimate goal to place someone down the road in the premier Tour de France race.

For further information on Carbon Racing, visit their Web site carbonracing.org e-mail them at carbonracing09@gmail.

Next week’s guest speaker will by YSU women’s basketball coach Cindy Martin.