TAKE THE TIME TO PICK RIGHT BIKE

Choosing the right bike for your needs can be difficult. There are so many different types available.

Eric Gooden, owner of Cape Bicycle on Broadway in Cape Girardeau, said that the most popular selling bicycles right now are mountain bikes.

"The mountain bikes," said Gooden, "are geared low enough that you could almost peddle up a tree.

"They have wider tires than other types of bikes. The wider tires make the bike roll slower but also more comfortably. They are really good for short to medium trips."

Gooden said that sales have been good for companies making mountain bikes.

If a mountain bike doesn't grab you, a touring bike may be more your style.

Ann Bartlett, co-tour director of the Velo Girardeau bike club, uses an 18-speed touring bike. She said the bike has a granny gear that helps it get up hills better. She also had hers modified to have upright handlebars instead of those that curl under.

"Mountain bikes," said club member Judy Pulley, who has a 15-speed touring bike, "with their wider tires, create a lot more friction and that makes them slower.

"I had a mountain bike at first but I switched to the touring bike because they are a lot better and ride faster and smoother for the long rides we go on with the group."

Pulley said that most people use touring bikes in the club.