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University Daily Kansan, September 26. 1983
Cyclists sweat it out in 45-mile race
By CHRISTY FISHER Staff Reporter
Other riders were panting heavily and drowning themselves in cool water, but the winner of the 45-mile KU Criterium stood effortlessly over his bicycle yesterday and cooled accepted congratulations.
On top of that, from Tulsa Billingsley, the 25-year-old winner from Tulsa, Okla., had placed second in a 32-mile bicycle race Saturday night in Springfield. After 77 miles of intense competition, he said he was just a little tired.
"I ride anywhere from 300 to 350 miles a week," he said yesterday. Since January, I've done over 10,000 miles so I'm used to 50 or 60 miles a day.
BILLINGSLY was one of 15 amateur cyclists who competed in the Men's Category I&2 45-mile race. The United States Cycling Federation licenses cyclists according to their experience and track record. Cyclists in the I&2 category are the fastest and most experienced riders who can compete in national competition. Category 1 cyclists are usually internationally acclaimed, said Cal Melick, promoter of the Criterium.
The cyclists whirred smoothly
around the winding 9-mile course for 50 laps in pursuit of the $600 prize money and for prizes, which are won within six races. sprint for prizes at designated points.
Top competitors earned a total of $1,150 in prize money and more than $350,000 in sales.
While most everyday bike riders would cringe at the thought of bicycling on Mount Oread for 50 laps, they are in the Criterium said they enjoyed it.
SUSAN HENSON, who won the women's race, said, "The course was terrific. I really like it — the tight corner with the hill and lots of winding turns made the course nice and varied."
Melick said that this was a very challenging course for a Criterium because the courses were normally on a flat street in a downtown area. He said that most of the riders enjoyed their ability to control the bicycle.
According to Ron Lathrop, president of the Mount Oread Bicycle Club, a camaraderie among cyclists develops.
"We get to know each other by name even though we live in different states," he said. "I guess it because we have lots of bicycles, cycling and some bitterness because
cycling is such an unknown sport in the United States.
"ALSO, THERE'S some bitterness against sports that are funded because many people don't know how to manage (financially) support this sport."
According to Billingly, his bike cost him about $1,200, the tires cost $35 and rims cost $45. Cyclists must also pay for their race clothes, the race entrance fees and an annual membership fee to the USCF. In return, they must pay accommodation and transportation expenses to the races.
George Behring, winner of the Veterans Category for cyclists that are 35 years and older said, "I'm in charge," referring to the car in gas and the car go home."
Behring agreed that the sport was very expensive. He and his daughter, Jana, had traveled each year. He also said that bikes must be replaced about every three years,
ALTHOUGH Billingsley won the event, he is like many amateurs who have only been racing for a few years. Susan Henson is another such cyclist. Henson is a 32-year-old mother of five who began racing two years ago.
STOP! Before you order your next pizza, hold this up to the light.
Walk raises money for world farming projects
Her blister们 were from the nine-mile 1984 Crow Walk, or Walk for Hunger, which Abrahamson, 18, 944 Lawrence Ave. took in pasted in yesterday afternoon
The blisters were huge, but they were worth it, Heather Abrahamson said.
By the Kansan Staff
More than 151 walkers headed west on Clinton Parkway's bike trail and had the choice of going $4 \frac{1}{2}$ miles, or taking whole route, which was nine miles.
The walkers were in all different age groups. Some jogged, some walked and others rode a bike.
This is the third year that Abrahamson has walked, she said, because
The Crop Walk is an annual event in Lawrence, Carol Carr, recruiter for the walk from the First Christian Church, 1000 Kentucky St., said different churches had sponsored the walk since the early 1970s. Area churches rotate the organizing duties. This year, the Vermont, was in charge of the walk. More than 10 churches had people walking.
the Crop Walk is one way she can help people in other countries.
"Last year we raised about $5,000." Carr said. "And of that, 25 percent of the local walk goes back to the Lawrence Emergency Service Council."
Walkers get sponsors to pledge
money for each mile that they walk.
The money raised each year pays for seeds, farming equipment, educational materials, instructors and technology for underdeveloped countries.
The Walk for Hunger was the brainstorm of the Church World Service organization. For more than 30 years, the international group has worked on five different continents and countries, organizing self-help projects that have been devastated by wars, economic hardships or natural causes.
Church World Services is a group similar to the Peace Corps.
"They go into Afghanistan," Carr says. "Everything is all torn up and there are no answers."
842-0600
LASER PHOTO ART SALE
University of Kansas
Mon. Sept. 26-Fri., Sept. 30 9-5
Located in Student Union Lobby
$4 each. 2 for $7
frames available
Sponsored by SUA Activities
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