Local bicyclist enjoys club membership
By Lori Berkey Contributing Writer

Westborough resident Todd Savage, president of the Minuteman Road Club, pedals full-speed during the Verge New England Championship Series cyclocross race in Gloucester in October. PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Westborough - When Westborough resident Todd Savage was young, he caught a fever for bike riding that never went away. Now in his 40s, Savage enjoys membership in the Minuteman Road Club (MRC), a cycling and multisport organization based in the Metrowest area, that holds groups rides and competitions. His participation in the club has helped make him a better rider, he said.

Savage rode purely for fun up until his senior year in high school. Hav- ing injured his knee in track, biking was easier on his joints. Soon, he joined two friends in a local bike race. The three placed third to last, second to last and last, but had a great time doing it.

He kept pedaling in college, but a few years after graduating, he hurt his back and had to stop riding. Between his injury and working night shifts, 10 years went by before Savage returned to biking.

In 2000, Savage's work schedule got better and he started cycling again. He felt if he joined a club, he could learn tricks of the trade, so he searched the Internet to see what was available. He found the MRC site and was impressed with the message board. He joined in 2001.

MRC is open to all ages. The club offers activities for road cyclists, cyclocross riders, mountain bikers and duathlon and triathlon participants. Members have access to an online message board that provides information about training activities, competitions, results and training tips. Social events and training clinics are also off ered.

With the road bike season running from March to September, Savage keeps in shape during the off -season with cyclocross events. Cyclocross, Savage said, is like steeple chase on a bicycle. It involves dismounting and jumping over obstacles and running up hills.

He's competed in numerous cyclocross events, including national competitions, in the past two years. In October, he placed 14th for age 35 and over at the Verge New England Championship Series in Gloucester.

Although Savage enjoys the family-friendly spectator aspect cyclocross events, he said he still prefers road bike racing.

"Cyclocross hurts too much," he said.

Savage said cyclocrossing has improved his road cycling, especially his ability to take corners better. Being part of the club has helped in other ways too, he said, adding that he especially enjoys the teamwork that members exhibit.

"At our level as weekend warriors," Savage said, "it's not unusual to be in races where it's every guy for himself. You're not getting paid to throw your race away for somebody else on the team, but we do that and it's fun when that happens."

Savage has enjoyed the camaraderie of group rides and became a ride captain soon after joining the club. He later took on responsibility for membership and then became MRC's president, an office he still holds.

According to Savage, the club works to support youth and has a junior rider component. His children, William, 8, and Anna, 6, have joined the club and have started racing. In addition to fostering the junior portion of the club, Savage said, club goals also include growing the women's team.

For more information about MRC, visit www.minutemanroadclub. com.