Riding a bike can be a great source of exercise, an outlet for competition or a way to connect with friends. The Cal Poly Pomona Cycling Club is open to anyone on campus interested in road biking, mountain biking or recreational cycling.

The club offers free minor bicycle repairs once a month during U-hour to students, faculty and staff. At a bicycle shop, these repairs normally cost around $20.

¿We ask ASI for money for repairs and we go buy tools and parts to work on students¿ bicycles, so we¿re essentially giving back a free service for them,¿ says the club advisor, David Flores.

The club also hosts rides that are open to anyone interested in recreational cycling, including the popular ¿In-N-Out Ride.¿ Cyclists meet on campus and ride to the In-N-Out Burger on Valley Boulevard and Grand Avenue, eat dinner and ride back. These rides are advertised on the club¿s website and Facebook page.

While these rides are purely for fun, the club emphasizes safety. This includes obeying the rules of the road and locking bicycles when not in use.

¿The last thing we want to see is a bicycle stolen that wasn¿t locked properly,¿ Flores says. ¿We encourage all students on campus to register their bikes with the University Police.¿

Many members of the club are involved in competitive cycling as well. Augusto Peraza, a management and human resources major, placed third in the Elite Road Race Championship at the 2011 Golden Empire Classic in June.

Peraza, a newcomer to competitive cycling, says he enjoys the adrenaline rush.

¿When you see someone make an acceleration and you follow it, it¿s the best feeling knowing that you have a chance to win it,¿ he says.

For students looking to get involved with the cycling club or racing, Peraza offers simple advice: ¿Have fun and wear a helmet.¿