The dark clouds billowed on the horizon and thunder rumbled in the distance, but a group of cyclists still set out on their weekly 42-mile ride knowing they'd get wet.
"It got really crazy out there," said Eddie Hsu of Buford, who was one of about two dozen riders to participate in the Tuesday night ride from and to North Gwinnett High School. "I rode in two inches of water with the lightning cracking all around. It was ridiculous, but I still managed to put in 50 miles, so it was all good."
Cycling in Atlanta has never been for the faint of heart, but dedicated riders like Tuesday's group and dozens of others like it in the metro area keep pedaling and hoping that their sport and the benefits of it gain traction.
That's why the second Gwinnett Bike Fest, which begins today on a four-day stage race in the suburbs, is so roundly celebrated.
The race expects around 600 riders of all skill levels (beginners to pros), and many of the top riders in the state and the region are entered. Prize money is offered in six different categories. And with the event coinciding with the final four days of the Tour de France, the Bike Fest also gives the sport a visible local connection.
"All cyclists are excited about all local races," said Bruce Sanders of Suwanee, a regular at the Tuesday night rides, which includes several members of the Gwinnett Touring Club, many of whom will race this weekend.
"It shows Gwinnett County is supportive of cycling," said Cathy Frazier, who, with husband Ralph, runs Frazier Cycling, a Suwanee-based group that coaches cyclists of all ages and skills. "And supportive of the cycling lifestyle. The more people [are exposed to] cycling, the better."
The Bike Fest also exposes the riders to competition, which is especially important for Frazier Cycling, which has the largest junior developmental cycling program in the Southeast. The junior program started with four kids five years ago, and now has more than 30. Six Frazier juniors are going to nationals next month, including Cathy Frazier's 13-year-old daughter Zoe, who was third in her age group last year at Nationals. Zoe also surprised many at last year's Bike Fest by hanging with the open women riders after she had won the junior division.
Hsu, 36, has sights set on "making a little money" as a pro racer eventually. This week, he'll compete in the Category 3 division, which pays $600 to stage and overall winners. But he's just as interested in keeping cycling as part of his everyday life. The sport has helped him lose nearly 80 pounds (from 253 to 175) and be less reliant on motorized transportation.
"I can't complain about four-dollar gasoline," said Hsu, who commutes 19 miles a day. "I don't need gas on these two wheels."
GWINNETT BIKE FEST
> Today: Road Atlanta Circuit Race; 2.5-mile motorsports track in Braselton. Race distances vary by category from 18 to 35 miles. 4 p.m. (pros race at 7 p.m.)
> Friday: Downtown Norcross Criterium Race; 1-mile circuit on downtown streets. Races run 25 to 90 minutes. 2 p.m. (pros race at 8 p.m.)
> Saturday: Competitor Southeast Road Race; 6.4-mile loop in the Lawrenceville area near Alcova Elementary School. Race distances vary by category from 14 to 63 miles. 8 a.m. (pros race at 2 p.m.)
> Sunday: Progress Center Circuit Race; 2.7-mile loop at Gwinnett Progress Center off Hurricane Shoals Road in Lawrenceville. Races run 20 to 90 minutes. 8 a.m. (pros race at 2:15 p.m.)
Copyright 2008 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution