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Presented here is
a collection of articles written about the Kickbike®.
Enjoy!
Indiana Star Article
Concord Monitor Article
Lake City Journal Article
The Southern Illoniosian Article
New York Times Article
U.S News Article
ezinearticles.com |
Gary Schmitt purchased a scooter at Toys R Us a couple
of years ago and began racing it. He traveled
to Finland and, against riders nearly 10 years
younger,
became a world champion.
Sound preposterous? The Finns thought so, too.
" It surprised the hell out of them. And it surprised me, too," Schmitt
said.
Schmitt, 54, is 5-9, 168 pounds, and a native of Dayton, Ohio. The graphic
designer at Indiana University's School of Medicine has lived in Indianapolis
since 1980. His scooter is not to be confused with a motorized gadget or child's
toy. Riders kick from high-tech machines that resemble a racing bicycle with
a small rear
wheel and no seat or pedals. What originated in Finland a century ago as kick-sledding
-- a winter sport -- was transformed into a summer sport in the 1990s with
a scooter designed
like the sleds. The International Kicksled and Scooter Association had its
first world championship in 2004. Schmitt won two gold medals in the over-45
masters division, at 1,200 meters and a marathon, on Aug. 4 and 6. He won the
1,200 meters in a parking lot next to Helsinki Stadium, site of the 1952 Olympics,
on a course that ended near a sculpture of legendary runner
Paavo Nurmi. Schmitt won the marathon on a hilly course in 1 hour, 37 minutes,
35 seconds at Espoo. He beat Finnish champion Matti Pessälä by six
seconds. Schmitt had built a large lead, fell behind after dehydrating and
developing
leg cramps, and then came back to win. " The last sprint over the top
was just pure adrenaline," Schmitt said.
Only 11 countries were represented
at the world championships, and none of the races had more than 50 entries.
There is little racing outside Finland,
the Netherlands, Czech Republic or Italy. But Schmitt decided he was training
well enough that the $2,500 trip to Finland would
be worth it. He has covered a mile in 3:23 and
five miles in 18:29. He said he likes the longer
movements
of scooter racing, compared to cycling or skating.
Schmitt, who had formerly raced on bicycles and inline skates, learned about
the new sport on the Internet. He found scooter racing to be a combination
of cycling, running, skating and cross country skiing. " It probably
takes advantage of more of my abilities," he said. "And
you have to be agile because you have to be able to shift your feet at high
speeds." |
Concord Monitor "Just kicking
around"
Kickbikes more than just a fad
May 22. 200
He does get looks when he's pushing on that weird-looking
thing, but John Varrill is a fan. On the streets
of Concord, whether it be a 10-mile spin after
work or a 30-mile weekend jaunt, the
50-year-old State Department of Education employee
is out putting miles on his Kickbike. Whether it
be the challenge of an uphill or the thrill of
zipping down at 45 mph, Varrill considers
the Kickbike a well-designed scooter, and after
finding one five years ago, he's hooked. "
You ride, you get the glide," he says. "There
is freedom of movement. It's just something I enjoy." A
modified scooter, the Kickbike has a front wheel
the size of a bicycle tire, a wide platform and
hand brakes for stopping.
A European import, a recent New York Times article
said in the last few years Kickbikes have become
a favorite of some (ultra-) marathoners and other
racers in the United States who appreciate how
these grown-up scooters work their legs but leave
them less sore than high-impact exercise.
Four models are produced, ranging in cost from
$289 to $389, and are capable of reaching speeds
of 60 mph. Like bicycles, there are dirt and road
rigs. Varrill describes it as a cross between running
and bicycling. Varrill did his running in high
school and college. He also was into racquetball
for about 25 years. Eventually, his knees and joints
started bothering him. He read an article in Timemagazine
about five
years ago on a scooter called a Razor. He did some
research, stumbled across the Kickbike, bought
one unseen, and now is the moderator of a Kickbike
USA newsgroup on Yahoo with more than 200 members.
According to Varrill, in Europe there are several
scooter
races ranging from one to 50 kilometers,
and most racers use Kickbikes. Lately, some teams
have used the X-Country Kickbike instead of a mountain
bike when competing in multi-discipline adventure
races or 24-hour mountain bike relay races.
Several people have crossed the country on a
Kickbike and, starting July 2, one guy is going
to try to
break the U.S. crossing record of 21 days, 9
hours, 57 minutes.Varrill has kicked 100 miles
in 8 hours, 45 minutes in a 5-mile Concord loop
and used that same circuit
for a double century clocked at 21 hours, 33
minutes. He's considering entering the Vermont
50, a dirt
run/bicycle race, or the Seacoast Century, a
bike ride, in September. Varrill and Nashua teacher
Jim Hansen once did a metric century - about 63
miles -on Kickbikes
during the Seacoast Century. Hansen is a veteran
of about 40 marathons and uses the contraption
as a supplement for training.The 46-year-old
was reading a book about running a few years ago
where it was suggested to use
a scooter as a way of improving form. He hit
the
Internet and, voila, ended up with a Kickbike.
"
The Kickbike is more gentle than running," Hansen
said. "You get a longer running stride, but
there isn't the pounding like running."
According to Hansen, the Kickbike isn't as harsh
on his back as a bicycle nor does his backside
hurt after spending miles in the saddle. Hansen
has also competed in triathlons and Ironman
races."
Breaking-down endurance athletes seem to be
turning to it as an alternative,"he said
with a laugh. Now in his third year of using
a Kickbike, Hansen also wanted to see how far
he could
go on it.
So he left Nashua. Later that day, he found
himself on Cape Cod after pushing his way 127
miles. Kickbike enthusiasts develop different
techniques over the miles. Depending on the
terrain, riders
switch feet every five to 10 kicks. Going uphill,
they may use short strides and switch more
frequently.
Hansen calls the Kickbike a good equalizer.
When he's on it, he can keep pace with his
children,
15 and 10, while they are on their bicycles.
Both Hansen and Varrill said people are drawn
to the Kickbike and always ask questions.
They are
constantly getting stares from passing motorists.
Both wear helmets while riding. There aren't
Kickbike specific clothes, except what is
comfortable. "
I just hope people become aware of Kickbikes
and see if they are for them," said Varrill.
(Marty Basch can be reached at http://www.martybasch.com.) |
Lake City Journal
"Kickbike rider visits Lake City, near end of 2,500
mile trip for God
and charity" July 20, 2005
By Karl R. Burkhardt
Jim Delzer looked fit and happy in Lake City
after riding some 2,400 miles on two wheels – mostly
on a kickbike, sometimes on a bicycle. His
coast-to-coast journey, that started July 2
in San Diego,
is a mission for God, for cancer
survivors and to inspire others.
Florida’s heat did not bother him. “Not after the 115 degree heat
in Arizona,” he said after lunch at the Subway on US 90 across from Texas
Roadhouse. “I knew I missed the record after a slow start in the California
hills and the heat in Arizona.”
Yes, there is a Guinness World Record for the
fastest time crossing the country on a kickbike:
20 days. “I set it in 2001, then another
guy broke it,” Delzer
said. Dan Nielsen of Colorado claimed the record of 21 days 9 hours 57
minutes (3827 km) on November 22, 2001.
Delzer established the original record through the northern states of
35 days 4 hours 44 minutes (3,260 miles) on July 3, 2001.
“
I’ve changed my concept to a hybrid,” he said Wednesday, using
the bicycle in construction zones and other dangerous areas, riding the kickbike
the rest of the time.
Delzer, a personal trainer, is 48. His mother Ruby, 78, is driving a
chase car with the spare bicycle on top.
His goal, in addition to biking across the southern
United States, is to raise funds for the Lance
Armstrong Foundation Peloton Project, Crystal
Cathedral Ministries and to “encourage at least five million
people to do something, however small, to help others.”
“
The Lance Armstrong Foundation www.livestrong.org offers physical support and
information on living with cancer,” Delzer says on his website, www.ag2g.com
(all glory 2 God).
“Lance Armstrong’s story of cancer
diagnosis, survival and victory has motivated many
people, myself included. I lost a sister-in-law
to cancer on my birthday
and know people who have died, people who have been diagnosed and
are getting treatment, and others who are in remission.
Cancer affects us all whether we
have cancer or not,” he wrote.
Delzer wears one of the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s
yellow “Livestrong” wristbands. “I
want to do whatever I can to help and this record attempt in conjunction
with the Crystal Cathedral and the LAF Peloton
Project seems to be the perfect opportunity,” he
wrote before he started. During his trip, he has been keeping up with
the news about his hero, Lance Armstrong, and
the Discovery Team in the Tour de France. Armstrong
is leading
in the event.
On Friday, July 14, Delzer said he received a warm reception when
he visited the Lance Armstrong Foundation headquarters in Austin,
Tex.,
and was interviewed
by reporters.
Delzer is a member of the Crystal Cathedral Choir in Garden Grove,
Calif., which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. “You can see me singing in the choir
every Sunday on TV on Hour of Power where Dr. Schuller offers his inspirational
message around the world,” he said.
The most relaxing rides were through Mississippi,
Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle,” he
said. “There’s too much traffic in cities.” Delzer
calls his bike-and-car group the Yellowstone Club Express. One
of the sponsors, the Yellowstone Club, is a ski and golf
resort. KickBike America, TeckUSA and Jax Bicycle also are sponsors.
There are hotlinks to each on his Web site, as well as links
for making
donations. He plans to arrive in Jacksonville on Thursday and
ride to Jarboe Park in Neptune Beach. Then, he and his mother
will drive back
to California.
The Southern Illionoisian |
AT IN THE WORLD IS A KICKBIKE? CARBONDALE STORE
HOPS ON NEW CYCLING TREND
BY NICOLE SACK _THE SOUTHERN
NICOLE SACK/THE SOUTHERN
 |
David Nadolski of Murphysboro shows off the
Kickbike at Phoenix Cycle which is the only
retail shop to carry the hybrid model.
CARBONDALE - It's a bike. It's a scooter.
Actually, it's a little of both. |
Kickbikes are being spotted on both coasts of
the United States and are wildly popular in Europe,
but have only been available for purchase on
the Internet.
Until now, that is. And the only retail shop
in the U.S. to carry the Kickbike is Phoenix
Cycle, 300 S. Illinois
Ave.,
in Carbondale. How did it happen that a small
bike shop in Southern Illinois would break
the online-only
sales? Simple: the distributor of the Kickbike
for most of the country lives in Jackson County.
David Nadolski has been selling the Kickbike
in 35
states since December. He has shipped more
than
350 from his warehouse in rural Murphysboro.
Nadolski also distributes overseas and is working
to tap
into the Canadian market. However, he has given
the curious in Carbondale a chance to see and
try the scooter-bicycle hybrid by selling it
directly
from Phoenix Cycle. "
That is the beauty of it," Nadolski said. "They
are the same price as online, but you (Southern
Illinoisans) don't have to pay the shipping and
handling and they come assembled."
The Kickbike comes in four models - the city
cruiser, the racer, the cross country and the
classic sport.
Each model has a different size and has wheels
of different thicknesses depending on the type
of terrain. The cross country has shock absorbers.
Kickbike retail prices range from $290 to $389.
That includes
the bell and basket. They also
come equipped with brakes and a covered rear
wheel to
prevent tire burn on one's shoe.
Doug McDonald, owner of Phoenix Cycle, has
been in the bike business for more than 30
years.
He's excited about the new type of bike. "
I've seen a lot of things over the years," McDonald
said. "But these are well built and draw
heavily on bicycle technology." McDonald
said his shop will also be able to provide
maintenance for the machines. The Kickbike
has received some special attention in the
New
York Times, U.S. News & World
Report and on CBS's The Early Show. A California
man is bringing the bike-scooter hybrid to
life. Jim Delzer is attempting to
reclaim the
Guinness World Record for crossing the United
States on a Kickbike. Delzer has already traveled
3,260
miles during his first trip in the Northern
United States. Now he plans to travel 2,500
miles in
a Southern route.While traveling coast to coast
is a bit extreme for most folks, the Kickbike
is smooth and
easy to ride around town, Nadolski said.There
are no pedals on a Kickbike, but there are
handlebars. A rider grips the handlebars
as he
or she would with a bike, but instead of peddling,
the rider uses their feet to crate momentum,
just like with a scooter.
nicole.sack@thesouthern.com
618-529-5454 5816 |
ezinearticles.com
See it to believe it … use
it to FEEL it!!
Fancy a lower body workout that’s fun and
competitive?
Welcome to the world of KICKBIKING! You’ve
gotta see it to believe it!
WHAT'S A KICKBIKE ANYWAY?
A Kickbike is a scooter/bicycle hybrid. It features
a scooter platform, front tyre like a bicycle
and back tyre like a scooter. It’s not pedal-powered
but it IS person-powered! You wanna move? It’s
all up to you! Unless you’re on a downhill
slope and then gravity’s your best friend
in the whole wide world!
Kickbike was designed by Hannu Vierikko, a
Finnish doctor who ran marathons and wanted
to get in
shape without injuring his joints. The Kickbike
is the
fastest scooter in the world!
WHAT KIND OF WORKOUT DOES IT GIVE?
It uses the same muscles as running, yet is
lower impact. In fact, a Kickbike workout uses
even
more muscles than running. It’s propelled by pushing
off with alternate legs in a motion very similar
to running.
Over hilly terrain, twenty minutes on a Kickbike
equals around one hour and fifteen minutes
on a road bike.
WHO'D USE A KICKBIKE?
Kickbike is a decidedly grown up scooter! It’s
not going to fold up so you can tuck it under your
arm and head to the 7-Eleven for a Big Gulp. It’s
not the kind of thing you’ll trade for Pokemon
Cards with your school buddies. It’s a serious
workout machine and deserves a little respect.
- The Australian Kickbike Racing Team can’t
imagine life without it!
- Women love it for the definition it helps
them build up in their backsides and thighs.
- Athletes use it for training.
- Dog-sledders ride their Kickbike while their
canine team lead them over the course.
- Enthusiasts regularly hold and attend tournaments
and events all over the country and the world!
4 DIFFERENT MODELS
The designers of Kickbike developed four different
styles to suit a range of exercise and transportation
needs.
THE CITY CRUISER: It’ll have you you running
errands in style, while turning your legs and backside
into the envy of your friends! Kick leisurely in
the park, improve your overall fitness and attract
glances while you do it! The City Cruiser's upright
position and enhanced wheels maximise rider form
and comfort.
THE X-COUNTRY: Go off-road, up mountains, along
streams, wherever your inclination takes you!
With front fork
suspension and disk brake, you can go hard
and get dirty!
THE SPORT CLASSIC: The durable tires are fast
on city streets, but still provide traction
and comfort
on country roads. Functionally designed, the
ergonomic frame, slick rims and lowered handlebars,
further
enhanced with an angle adjustable stem, make
it the best cross-trainer available.
THE MILLENNIUM RACER: The MR is for the athlete
in search seeking the best equipment and peak
experiences
without compromise. Every detail has been considered
with speed and lightness in mind. This is truly
the fastest scooter money can buy.
THE WHEEL DEAL: Kickbike is made from high-tech
bicycle components like aluminium alloy handlebars
and Trans
X components, which are found in many high-end
mountain bikes. There are no chains or gears
and no bicycle
grease. They weigh around eight and a half
kilograms and you can carry two in the back
of a car!
WHAT ELSE? Well, so many people are talking
Kickbiking, that you don’t have to look far for enthusiastic
repartee! There are Yahoo Groups, websites devoted
to the sport, and there’s even a Podcast
for Kickbikers!
Do not underestimate Kickbike for a kick-butt
workout … and
have fun doing it!
Gina Lofaro is the owner of Live It Up Lifestyle
Products (http://www.liveitup.net.au) and,
along with Kickbike, sells juicers, dehydrators,
coffee
machines, food smokers, intimate area shavers,
health books and more. She also runs her own
successful
copywriting business (http://www.ginalofaro.com.au).
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