Cycling keeps him the picture of health
Posted on Tue, Mar. 25, 2008
By DESONTA HOLDER
Tom Pike Jr. is training for this summer's USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Vermont.
Tom Pike Jr., 51
Biscayne Park
film teacher
Man in motion: I started riding in Connecticut about 12 years ago. When I moved here eight years ago I wasn't going to bring my bike because ''Florida mountain'' is an oxymoron, but I discovered Oleta River State Park. I found out there are some ranked trails here in Florida. That's when riding became a lifestyle.
Heavy pedaling: I ride to school -- Design and Architecture Senior High -- about three to four days a week, 12 miles round trip. If there's a head wind it's like riding uphill. I also train three to four days a week, riding 20 to 40 miles. Those 100 to 120 miles are split between road biking on Key Biscayne and ''mountain'' biking at Oleta River State Park. I just did a 100K race to raise money for Hospice of South Florida and in 2007 I earned first place in the Florida State Mountain Bike Series, in the grand master sport division.
What's next: I'm training for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Mt. Snow, Vermont, this summer. How cool is that?
Reading, writing, riding: Students see my bike and pictures of me in races and we start discussing biking and nutrition. They start dragging bikes out of their parents' garages. Some of the kids are pretty knowledgeable and we can talk nuts and bolts about carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They know a lot. Whether they put it into practice, I don't know.
More carbs, please: For breakfast I have nonfat organic yogurt with granola, blueberries, wheat germ oil, flaxseed and honey and juice. For lunch, peanut butter and jelly on whole grain, and fruit. I'm a big fan of Cliff bars for fuel replacement. I eat red meat maybe one day a week. I usually have fish or chicken for dinner with wild rice and fresh vegetables -- broccoli, green beans, sweet potatoes. I need carbs.
Guilty pleasure: Cold Stone Creamery ice cream, peanut butter flavor.
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