Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 22

Tuesday, May 1977 Bicycling still popular transportation jkA JiJ Mr. lit A v-. .4 Li rJ 1 mM i vli Mmfii hu -t ByMARTALADD CHARLESTON An old form of transportation still is one of the most popular. Interest in bicycling has steadily increased since 1970, with bicycle sales doubling during 1972 and 1973, according to Carlos Harrison, owner of Harrison's Schwinn Cyclery in Charleston. Probably the first Charleston couple to venture away from home on their bicycles were Bob and Nell Wiseman.

Seven years ago they road north on Illinois 130 to Champaign. It took five and one-half hours each way, to cover the 100 mfles. Mrs. Wiseman was severly sunburned on her arms and face, and the cumberson gallon jug of water she carried with her didn't satisfy her thirst. Today the Wiseman's have 15 rather than 10-speed bicycles and make the same trip In two and one-half hours.

Only a small bottle of water is needed because there is less travel time and physical exertion. Now Mrs. Wiseman always wears a hat and long sleeves, which she urges all women to do for protection against the sun. Wiseman also suggests avoiding oily roads because tires sink into the oil when it gets hot. One of the Wiseman's favorite trips is to go east on Harrison Street, cross the bridge and continue on the blacktop until reaching Westfield.

From there they go north on Illinois 49 to Illinois 16 and return to Charleston on Illinois 16- A shorter trip, which offers pleasant scenery, begins on Fourth Street going south out of getting a township map from the1 Coles County Regional Planning Commission in Charleston to locate loop bicycle trips on Townshjp roadp. And if you are interested in getting off of that bicycle for. a while and hiking, there are paths around Lake Charleston and Lake Shelby ville; Fox Ridge State Park offers steeper paths to prepare for more rigid backpacking and hiking. On Saturday July 12, the Charleston Recreation department Is planning a family Bike-Hike. The trip begins at the Recreation Department office on Douglas and ends at Lincoln Log Cabin State Park, where games and a picnic will be held.

For more information call 345-6897, If you are in the market to buy a bicycle, a wide variety with prices ranging from $10 for a used bicycle, as is, to a touring bike selling for $685, according to Harrison. Bicycles should be checked each spring and usually only need lubrication and tires repaired. "It is important to keep bicycles with gears out of the weather, to prevent rust," Harrison said. A touring bike is essential for long ragge, serious bicycling, according to Randy Johnson, an EIU student and counselor, who traveled 1,500 miles the last two summers. His travels took him through Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan, besides Illinois.

Johnson says Illinois 16 is dangerous and suggests traveling on Illinois 130. Quality equipment is his top priority whether hiking or bicycling. Get equipment that has a double usage, such as rainwear that also can be used as a tarp or fishnet underwear that will bundle up, dishes for washing in a stream, Johnson says. Although Charleston has no specific bicycle routes, Johnson says the marked bicycle lanes on the streets are beneficial and well used. Couple plans bicycle trip Nell and Bob Wiseman are probably Charleston's most experienced bicycling couple.

For seven years the Wiseman's have ridden out from Charleston In every direction, with trips ranging from 10 to more than 100 miles. This summer. they plan a ride to the state Capitol. lic3 4 had scrapes and bruises. Since then they always carry a can of Halt.

Scott and Catherine Smith have been bicycling for four years. Their first trip included their children, who are now all almost grown. The Smith family traveled, south to Effingham through back roads. Now the Smiths take their bicycles to various parts of the state on a bicycle rack carried on their car. Mrs.

Smith recommends Charleston to the Lincoln Lou Cabin Stale Hark "We use this route for a warm up. It lakes us about 4(i minutes," Mrs Wiseman said This summer they hope to ride to Springfield. Besides being physically prepared, having a good bicycle and taking adequate equipment for protection against the weather, the Wiseman's also always carry a can of "Hall" with them to spray aggressive dogs. "It doesn't hurl the dog, it only makes it leave you alone," Wiseman said. The only accident the Wiseman's have had was caused by a pack of dogs.

"When a dog comes barking and running up to up I have Nell get beside me. But this time our handle bars locked and we were thrown from our bikes." The Wiseman's made it back to Charleston from near the Five Mile House where the accident occured, but Nell's bicycle was severly damaged, and they both 1 Family finds camping fun Visitors to Fox Ridge State Park can walk down to the scenic lake by way of the unique wooden stairway. There are two wooden stairways at the park. Rennovation work is presently underway at the park, and additional stairways are to be constructed. Lake stairway and want to fill up with water at a gas station and they simply don't want you to do it.

You have to be especially nice to them." Allen said he would highly recommend a CB radio for campers who like totake to the woods. "We were Out a good distance one time and the motor home wouldn't start. Luckily, we got on the CB and a wrecker came in no time at all. 1 think anyone who's traveling should have a CB," Allen urged. "My mother, who's In her 70's, loves to go with us.

We all 4ike camping. The thing I like best of all is while you're cruising down the highway and you get tired your wife can take over; or if you get hungry your wife can make a sandwich for you or get you something to drink. If there's a game on TV you want to watch, just let the wife drive for a while. Its ideal," Allen said with a great big smile: Great prices' (Sreattomraeto buoy "We prefer staying in rough areas, but we don't want lo rough it with a We'd much rather be in the woods than on a concrete area. By the way, Migliigan is another good state to camp in." "Invariably, when we go camping we meet friends, friends of friends or some distant relative.

Its a great experience. Campers are a close-knit group and we've made a lot of good friends. We enjoy sitting, talking and fishing with each other. The experiences are very en: joyable," Allen said. 1 Allen said his family tries to go camping "at least every other weekend" in the winter they take one long camping trip.

Each state has a guide book available that directs campers to camping areas and lists what facilities are available, according to Allen. "Most state parks lake reservations," lie said. "The privately owned sites usually won't make them. Its similar to making a reservation for a motel the people at the campgrounds usually honor them until you show up or call and cancel Allen said the year he "got the bug" to purchase a motor home and try his hand at camping, he took his family to Disney World. "We packed up the motor home and took said.

"Our camper is 24-feet long. It has a stereo, television, refrigerator, CB radio, hot and cold running water, a bathroom, holding tank LP gas furnace, cruise control, sofas and chairs. Us almost like being at home. "1 was a little nervous that first time out. I was apprehensive about what would run into, but there were no great problems," he added.

Allen, who's in the construction business, said one problem encountered by many campers is the "critical fuel problem" in some states. "These motor homes only get about four or five miles to the gallon and that can make it rough." he said. "t'ropane gas is hard to come by at times," he said. "Most camp sites have it available, hut sometimes its just hard to find It depends on where you are Sometimes water supplies are difficult to find too. Sometimes we get in little towns- MATTOON Until he received an invitation to go camping with some friends, Larry Allen of Tuscola was satisfied there were better things to do for vacations.

That was five years ago and today the Larry Allen family goes whenever they get a chance. "We've been all over the United States now," Allen said, "and the entire family enjoys it. We've got three teens and of course there are conflicts because of all their activities, but whenever we can, we take off." The Aliens travel in their motor home "its the only way to go" Allen Insists. "We have a self-contained unit it has its own generator and air conditioning and we stock it with linen, clothes, food and utensils. I never thought I'd like a tent so the motor home makes it more like I like it," Allen said.

The Aliens enjoy camping in the southern States, especially Florida. "We really enjoy Disney World and Florida has lots of nice camp grounds," he said. Allen said he believes tent camping is a "little more complex." "If you don't have a motor home, you need lanterns and portable cook stoves. Of course, no matter how you go camping, everyone needs a complete first aid kit," he said. FEBDERS GUARANTIED RltULTf WANT ADS CaM CteMlfM hr MM room air conditioners The Take 5,000 BTU'S 3400 year 3 I I Comparative shoppers, search no more.

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