Hoven talks family bike rides and long distance races

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Submitted by: Mathew Hoven

Upper school English Teacher Mathew Hoven bikes along one of Minnesota’s many bike trails. “What really changed me to serious biker, however, was experiencing the Minneapolis infrastructure… The extensive trail system made it easy to get on the bike for short trips to the store or the park,” Hoven said.

How long have you been biking? 

I’ve been playing around with bikes since I was a little kid, building, rebuilding, spray painting, and sometimes destroying the bikes I inherited from my older brothers and sister.
However, it wasn’t until I was eighteen or so that I realized I could go as far on a bike as I could in a car and get there in better spirits if I rode a quality bike. That’s when I bought my first name brand bike (a Giant mountain bike) with quality components.
What really changed me to serious biker, however, was experiencing the Minneapolis infrastructure.
Down south, getting on a bike involved a life or death decision– will the dude in the dually hit me with his spit can or his bumper, or will he simply yell obscenities?
Up here, I felt surprisingly safe to bike. The extensive trail system made it easy to get on the bike for short trips to the store or the park or the museum. I could put my four-year old in a bike trail without wanting to call DFS on myself.

Do you usually bike alone, with a friend, with a group?

I used to bike alone (and still do whenever no one else wants to go out), but now I bike with big groups of 40-50 people on the weekends. After the big group rides, I’ll wrangle my family onto bikes and Burleys and go out for another fifteen miles.

Tell us about a memorable bike trip you’ve taken.

I’m still flying high from riding the Almanzo100 down in Spring Valley, MN, last weekend. Started by a guy named Chris Skogen, it’s a bike race without sponsors, without support, and without pavement– all on gravel back roads.
It’s 102 miles long, and total feet of climbing ranges from 5,500 feet to 6,000 feet.
Over half the ride looks like Hobbiton, and the other half takes you through freshly fertilized (with manure) farm lands. At one point, you end up carrying a bike across a stream.
Regardless of the conditions, the people are beyond Minnesota nice. Covered in filthy gravel dust with mud splattered jerseys, we smile and talk about how stupid we all are for putting ourselves through this hell (even though we’ll all be back next year).

Over half the ride looks like Hobbiton, and the other half takes you through freshly fertilized (with manure) farm lands. At one point, you end up carrying a bike across a stream.

— US English teacher Mathew Hoven

What appeals to you about biking?

I see a meme occasionally on social media: “I bike to keep the crazy away.” That’s part of it– peace of mind.
The exercise, the camaraderie, and the exposure to the elements enliven me– they get me out of my head. Another part of it is the environmental impact. Anytime I bike, I’m not polluting the air.
Also, there’s the social justice aspect– a bike lets all of us be mobile. In a bike economy, $150 will get you solid, dependable transportation.
Finally, it’s the freedom to go as fast and as far as my body will let me.

If someone were interested in getting into biking, especially distance biking, what would you recommend they do?

Find a group of friendly bikers. Check out Twin Cities Bicycle Club or one of the local bike shops’ organized rides (The Hub, Freewheel, Erik’s, One on One, or Omnium). Riding in a group will build confidence and make you go faster.
No, you don’t have to wear spandex, but don’t knock it until you try it. Buy a decent bike with decent components ($150 [used]-$1,000 [new] will get you a decent, dependable ride).