Homewood bike shop GoodSpeed Cycles organized a 60-mile ride through Homewood and Flossmoor on Sunday, August 18.
About 55 cyclists, most from the area but one from as far away as New Mexico, participated in the HoFlo Hundred and raised over $1,100 for the James Hart Outriders, an organization that teaches middle school students how to ride bikes.
HoFlo Hundred on Sunday, August 18. (Chris Weber/HF Chronicle)
The idea for the HoFlo Hundred, a “friendly neighborhood hundred-meter run,” came from a conversation between GoodSpeed’s sales manager and “event guy” Steve Buchtel and an avid cycling customer about a month before the event. Buchtel liked the idea so much that he decided to make it happen. As he drew the map, however, he realized he would have to get creative with the route.
“I can’t plan a 100-mile route across town without driving everyone crazy, but I can do 100 kilometers,” Buchtel said. “The beauty of a neighborhood ride like this is that people can start and stop whenever they want. If you get to mile 37 and can’t pedal anymore, that’s great because you’re a mile and a half from home.”
Due to the stop-and-go nature of the winding route, only five drivers completed the entire 100-kilometer circuit.
“This type of driving takes its toll,” Buchtel said. “Because of all the curves, you can’t just put your head down and drive fast.”
GoodSpeed Cycles sponsors and organizes several rides throughout the region each week. These meetups are designed to be fun for cycling enthusiasts of all ages and ability and motivation levels.
“Homewood is becoming a really big bike town,” Buchtel said.
The 100-kilometer course was a collection of routes that regular cyclists in the area might recognize. The cyclists rode three loops in reverse, returning to Goodspeed, the start and finish of the ride. Several local residents set up rest stops for the cyclists throughout the route. Some offered drinks and food. One stop sold lemonade to the cyclists and even put on a puppet show for a small fee.
Buchtel said it was important to them to raise funds for the James Hart Outriders because it is such a good cause. More bikes mean that PE teachers at James Hart can spend more time teaching students how to ride bikes, since fewer students have to take turns riding or wait for a bike.
“The Outriders program is really great,” Buchtel said. “They provide money for helmets, gear and bikes. They’re mountain bikes that sell for more than $800, and James Hart got 30 of them. Specialized (the bike manufacturer) gives them the bikes below cost.”
The $1,100 raised through the HoFlo Hundred is enough to purchase three bikes. Although GoodSpeed is a Trek dealer, they were happy to donate their time and expertise to assemble Specialized bikes for the Outrider program. Buchtel said this is just another of the many ways the shop tries to be a positive part of the community..
“They inspired me to start riding again,” said Terri Moore. Moore participated in the HoFlo Hundred and said she tries to ride as much as she can because she enjoys it so much.
Graham Bolkema, the owner of GoodSpeed Cycles, opened the business about 10 years ago after taking it over from his previous employer.
“We sell bikes for normal people here,” said Bolkema. “Do you really need a racing bike for all that? No, you need a normal bike. We sell nice ones.”
Bolkema’s statement is consistent with the store’s name and one of the statements on its website. “Goodspeed Cycles strives to create an environment and community where ‘YOUR speed is Goodspeed.’ No exceptions.”
Buchtel said he would keep the donation link up for a while in case anyone else is interested in helping the Outriders.
