By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Children participate in a "skilled" race recently at the Kiwanis Park in Loveland. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

Cyclist Evan Thomas-Arnold of Mount Lookout says just being in a race floods the senses.

"It's so graceful," says the 18-year-old. "It's a giant flow of people. I mean, imagine being in rush-hour traffic, but still going 60 mph and having to monitor everyone around you at all times."

Concentration and skill become his allies as he closes into his own mental "zone" at the start of a race.

"It's kind of like a horse with the blinds next to their eyes," says Thomas-Arnold. "I only allow myself to register and respond to certain actions by certain people, but mostly I am very focused, scanning the group for people I know I need to keep an eye on."

The growing number of junior racing cyclists in the Tristate gives Thomas-Arnold plenty to look out for. Doug Dobrozsi of the Queen City Wheels cycling club says that's a good thing.

Dobrozsi's brainchild, Kids on Bikes, is akin to a Little League for cyclists ages 8 and older. Now in its fourth year, the program teaches kids the basics of competitive cycling and holds weekly race meets in Lebanon, Montgomery and Loveland. They can also compete in the USA Cycling-sanctioned PUR Tour Lance Armstrong Junior Olympics Race Series, being held this year in Mason.

Dobrozsi and fellow cyclist Bob Lyon helped bring the PUR Tour to Cincinnati as part of Ohio Valley Dog Days, Aug. 23-24. The two-day event includes nine individual and team races on Saturday (with a special Kids on Bikes challenge race) in Mason and the high-powered criterium races Sunday in Ault Park.

The junior races give area boys and girls the chance to show off their cycling skills in one of the few events in this area available for young cyclists.

"Most of the racing focus is on men ages 20-50 with money to spend on nice bikes," says Dobrozsi. "I wanted to create opportunities for kids to race bikes."

Thomas-Arnold says being a part of the race is "powerful and beautiful."

"The sportsmanship is incredible," he says. "The code of ethics that goes along with group riding or racing is not something picked up overnight."

One cycling mom says the mental and physical benefits make it good for kids, too.

"It's a healthy way to make sure they don't become overweight or obese," says cyclist Margie Hartzel, whose 12-year-old daughter, Sarah, plans to compete.

"Parents should set the lifestyle for them," says Hartzel, 46, of Symmes Township. "If kids see their parents are active, they're more likely to be."

Several parents are involved as coaches in Kids on Bikes, including Rick Klug, who guides the Loveland team, and Randy Frauhiger with the Lebanon team.

Matt Murphy, national events manager for the United States Cycling Federation, says he's seen an increase nationally in the number of young people becoming competitive cyclists. He says programs such as Kids on Bikes are great training grounds for future Lance Armstrongs and Tyler Hamiltons.

"That's where we get our competitive racers from," Murphy says. "They start in these programs at the local level and then go on to college and pro racing."

Young adult racers who go on to college may find monetary assistance to continue their wheel dreams. For example, Thomas-Arnold attends Marian College in Indianapolis on a cycling scholarship.

The additional years of training readies junior cyclists for future

Olympics and special events. Kids on Bikes alum Ben Showman of Fairfield competed in le Tour L'abitibi in Quebec last month.

Dobrozsi says other young racers to watch are newcomer Bria Clough of Blue Ash, who clocked the fastest race in this season's time trials; sisters Generose and Julie Klug of Clermont County; and Jarrett Frauhiger of Lebanon.

"Jarrett participated in the very first year of our Kids on Bikes program and has been back every year since," says Dobrozsi. "He has also participated in racing year-round, often racing against himself because no one else would brave the cold and rain."

Wick Hardenbergh is another junior cyclist who loves to race. The Anderson Township 9-year-old has participated for the last three years in Kids on Bikes.

His mom, Susan, says he's always been in love with cycling. Wick says he enjoys cruising through the neighborhood with his friends but also enjoys the challenge of competitive racing.

"It's a lot of exercise, but it's really fun," says Wick. "It's just fun to compete."

Cycling glossary

Watching a race for the first time? The Denver-based wednesdayworlds.com offers a glossary to help understand cycling events.

Attack: A sudden acceleration to elude another rider or group of riders.

Break, Breakaway: A rider or group of riders that escapes from the main group.

Bunnyhop: To jump the bike, without dismounting.

Chasers: Riders who are trying to catch a breakaway group.

Circuit race: A multilap event on a course usually two miles or more in length.

Criterium: A multilap event on a course usually a mile or less.

Drafting: Riding closely behind another rider to save energy by using that racer as a windbreak.

Field: The main group of riders.

Force (the pace): When one rider increases the tempo to cause the group to go harder.

Hook: To suddenly move one's back wheel to the side, forcing the following rider to slow down to avoid running into the front rider's side.

Pretzel or taco: To wreck a wheel.

Snakebite: Most common type of flat tire. Caused by hitting an obstacle so hard that the inner tube is pinched against the rim. Results in a double puncture that resembles two fang holes. Also called a "pinch flat."

If you go

What: Ohio Valley Dog Days, featuring PUR Tour and Ault Park Criterium Race

When: Aug. 23-24

Where: PUR Tour - first race 8:30 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Procter & Gamble Health Care Research Center, Mason. Ault Park Criterium Race - first race 9 a.m. Aug. 24 at Ault Park in Mount Lookout.

How much: Free admission. Cyclists: $10-$15 ages 10-18; $20 adults. $5 late fee if registered after Aug. 18 by mail or Aug. 20 online.

Information: Call 403-1951; Web site or www.qcw.org.

E-mail srhone@enquirer.com