Competitive Cycling in Rochester
By: Elizabeth Harness
Updated: June 9, 2009
They're a racing team that's gaining ground in Rochester.
“So far, it's been a pretty successful year,” says Todd Scheske, a member of the Preferred Care Elite Cycling team.
This year, there's a new addition to preferred care’s team: a woman. Meet Janel Bedard of East Aurora.
“It's not too bad, the guys are really cool about it so it's pretty fund,” says Bedard, who at age 25 has been racing for years.
“We're trying to take on younger riders and give opportunities to others as they're upgrading through the ranks and getting better,” says Scheske, “we're riding seven days a week pretty much and generally around 14 to 17 hours training minimum.”
“I just love the adrenaline before a race, and just getting in there and hopefully doing well and pushing myself,” says Bedard.
In order to participate in Preferred Care’s Elite Team, you must be at least a Catagory 2 cyclist, participating in both mixed pro and amateur races. If you're not at the level of Preferred Care's team, Scheske says there are plenty of other opportunities to bike in Rochester.
“To join Genesee Valley Cycling Club is a pretty nominal fee of 50 dollars. We have about 25 weeks of racing that you can do for about a dollar a week of insurance, which is pretty cheap insurance,” says Scheske, “if they're looking for more people to ride with and things then there's the Rochester Bike club and they do more touring and things.”
But if you're thinking about the elite team, Janel has this advice:
“If you love the competition, if you love to ride your bike, then go for it.”
For more information on Preferred Care’s Elite Cycling Team:
For information on the Genesee Valley Cycling Club:
