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Cyclists celebrate high mileage
YOUNGSTOWN
A local team of bicyclists is gearing up to celebrate its accomplishments in the annual National Bike Challenge, in which its 206 cyclists have collectively logged more than 169,000 miles since May 1.
The Bike Youngstown team ranks 38th nationally and has surpassed the mileage of the Pittsburgh team.
With many cyclists riding daily, rain or shine, the event is designed to promote advocacy and safety awareness concerning cycling, teamwork and community pride.
With the challenge ending today, Bike Youngstown will be celebrating its accomplishments from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Boxcar Lounge, 534 Mahoning Ave.
Nationally, 92,166 riders have logged about 36 million miles in this year’s challenge.
One Bike Youngstown cyclist, Glen Cimaglia of Boardman, a self-employed producer of signs and banners, has been riding 100 miles every day this month and is ranked first in Ohio and 11th nationally among participating individuals.
Cimaglia, whose normal cruising speed is 15 to 16 mph, said he has ridden about 11,000 miles so far this year, including about 9,500 since May.
“It’s like a vacation every day for me. I can ride down in the park [Mill Creek Park], or I can ride the Stavich Trail. You’re just out in nature. It’s beautiful. You tend to leave your cares behind when you’re on a bike, and you’re just living in the moment,” Cimaglia said.
Amy Pagac of Austintown, a graphic designer, who has logged about 2,300 cycling miles since May 1, said she was motivated to participate in Bike Youngstown by her desire to make the Youngstown area’s team competitive with teams from Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
“I think it’s just great because it brings all of us cyclists together in this area,” she said of the challenge.
Besides enjoying the benefits of a good physical fitness activity, cyclists “get to see a lot of things you might not see when you’re driving in a car,” she observed.
This past summer, she rode from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath bicycle trails.
Another Bike Youngstown participant, Maj. Alki Santamas of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, has ridden just over 600 miles since May 1.
“I just love to do it. It’s my passion,” he said of cycling.
“It’s a great way to keep fit. It’s a great way to keep healthy. It’s low impact, and you meet a lot of good people along the way,” he said.
Carl Frost, Beaver Township police chief and a former president of the local Outspokin’ Wheelmen bicycle club, said he is motivated to participate in the challenge by “trying to beat Pittsburgh and Cleveland.”
Frost said he rides for “mental health, physical health and fun.”