70°
CROTON, N.Y. - Leif Lorenzen watched mountain bikers come into his fathers deli every Saturday morning and it piqued his interest.
Every boy loves a bike, said the Croton native.
He began apprenticing at Down Cycles Bike Shop in Montrose at 14-years-old and an obsession was kindled. Lorenzen is now a professional mountain biker in the Northeast, where mountain biking used to be a seldom practiced sport.
My father bought a used mountain bike and it went from there, said Lorenzen, who takes three hour daily runs through Blue Mountain and other local parks.
Interest in the sport has grown over the last ten years. A.J. Picarello, the owner of Down Cycles, said he cant get bikes.
We call the manufacturers and theyre out, said Picarello. I have to call my outside rep and ask him for the models people want.
Picarello said its not uncommon for people to drive two to three hours to get a bike in the size and color they want because bike shops are so frequently out of stock.
Mountain biking appears to be gaining traction in the area from the numbers of newbies coming into Down Cycles requesting all the gear necessary to start riding, such as a starter bike, helmet and any extra padding desired.
David DeLucia, director of parks facilities for Westchester County parks, is a member of the Westchester Mountain Bike Association.
I like to lead beginner rides because its a great way to introduce people into the sport and also give them an introduction to trail etiquette, he said.
DeLucia said one thing new riders need to learn not to create their own trails, which often drain poorly and cause erosion in the park.
There is a long system of trails throughout Westchester County for those interested in riding. The Briarcliff-Peekskill trail, which was originally planned to be a parkway, could physically be ridden from the Old Croton Aqueduct all the way to the Bronx, according to DeLucia. Other parks offering trails for mountain biking include Graham Hills Park in Pleasantville and Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers. All parks are planned by the Westchester County Parks Department to have trails that gradually increase in difficulty as they leave the parking lot.
Mountain biking is not something you want to do on your own," said DeLucia. "The biggest thing is safety, if something happens you dont want to be alone.
As a professional, Lorenzen has sustained broken bones, gashes and sprains. Most riders agree the sport is not one for the faint of heart.
Im glad, said Nicholas Schwartz, a new convert to the mountain biking scene, when I get to ride with these other guys that are much more experienced."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.
