Cyclofrogs look to race ahead as club sport
Official bike club focuses on friends, fun
By Braden Howell
Staff Reporter

Whether training for an upcoming race, or just looking for some exercise with good company, students interested in cycling have a common home.

Cyclofrogs is the official bike club of TCU. Two summers ago the club was nothing more than a small group of students who enjoyed spending their afternoons riding throughout the city, but due to the work of current club treasurer Casey Gordon, Cyclofrogs became an official club sport in January 2002, club president Ryan Lund said.

“When I was looking at colleges, I was trying to find one that had club cycling, but I chose TCU instead,” Gordon, a senior advertising/public relations major, said. “Once we found an interest here, we knew we could do something with it.”

In addition to Gordon and Lund, the 15-member club is headed up by vice president Justin Wallace. Although all three are competitive racers, Lund, a senior communication major, said the club offers something for cyclers of every skill level.

“We’re not a crazy, spandex-clad, 300-mile-a-day club,” Lund said. “Our group rides offer something for everyone. It’s a nice way to get some exercise while hanging out with your friends.”

Every week the club meets in front of The Main at 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday for group rides. Lund said the type of ride the group does depends on who shows up each day, but that groups rides usually range from 20 to 60 miles and can be either road or mountain rides.

Wallace, a sophomore marketing and entrepreneurial management major, said the club is more about having fun, but that it’s also a great opportunity to get people involved in competitive racing.

“Riding alone gets pretty boring so having a group is nice, and it’s also good that we have people of every ability,” Wallace said.

Gordon said he and other members of the club participated March 30 in the University of Texas at Arlington’s race, the UTA Criterium, marking the first time the TCU students participated as a collegiate team.

The club is open to TCU students, faculty and staff, although only students are allowed to compete at races. Membership fees are $75 for the year, and included in the membership is a team jersey and discounts at local bike shops, Lund said.

Lund said the club also sells team jerseys to the general public for $65 as a way of raising money for the club and students can pay for the jerseys using send-home.

“We sell jerseys to pay for entrance fees to races and for hotel rooms when we go to competitions,” Lund said. “Everything costs money so the more jerseys we sell, the more opportunities we provide our members.”

Gordon, a senior, said he has been pleased with the success of the club, but said his main goal is to see the club continue after he graduates.

More information about the TCU Bike Club can be found at the Cyclofrogs Web site at (www.orgs.tcu.edu/biketcu).

Braden Howell