Cycling Shifts Into High Gear And 59-Year-Old Spokane Man, Family Make Most Of The Ride

Spokane resident Ken Fuller and a few family members spent nearly $10,000 for 14 mountain bikes in the past year. They also spent close to another $3,000 in mountain bike gear. Why, you ask?

“I caught the mountain-bike bug at the NORBA event last year,” Fuller said.

So when Fuller was infected, the entire family soon caught on.

Fuller, and thousands more, were on hand Thursday for the first day of events at the 1995 Jeep/NORBA National Championship series at Mount Spokane.

The day’s events included the Reebok Dual Slalom Competition and downhill and cross country practice runs.

The dual slalom finals and the Jeep Cross Country Competition are today.

As for Fuller, 59, one of three owners of Music City downtown, he won’t compete until Sunday in his cross country event.

At 59 years young, Fuller by no means reflects the average racer on the mountain.

“Hey, you know what? I don’t feel much like a grandfather,” Fuller said.

He doesn’t look like one either.

After getting excited about what he saw during last year’s NORBA races, Fuller spent every day on his bike riding at least seven to 10 miles a day. The mild winter helped him shed close to 40 pounds in the past year.

At first, Fuller purchased two run-of-the-mill mountain bikes for $300. As the cost and sophistication of the bikes he bought went up, before he knew it, he had plopped down $1,700, $1,400 and $1,900 for three bikes.

Fuller isn’t one to boast, but he is proud that he had the first Trek 22 Y-bike in Spokane.

The 14 bikes purchased in the past year are ridden by Fuller’s wife Carol, his son Scott and daughter Carrie, his son-in-law Jan and his daughter-in-law Nancy.

The costs are high, but to Fuller, his love of being on the bike has brought him something he hadn’t had for sometime. Good health.

“I’ve lost 35 pounds since I started riding. Shortly after I got into this, I went to my doctor for a checkup. He was stunned. He told me, ‘Whatever you’re doing - keep on doing it.’ This has been one of the best things to happen to me.”

And in the process of getting in shape, something else happened to Fuller and his wife.

“For the first time in my life, I actually started to care about what I ate,” he said. “We watch the cholesterol and we cut back on red meat.”

As for the rest of the weekend, Fuller, also a volunteer for the NORBA event, can probably be found on a routine break with his video camera recording as much action as he can.

“I look at these young kids out here, and I’m just amazed. Some might say, ‘Aw, anybody can ride a bike.’ But these courses are tough. You’ve got to be in tremendous condition to do some of the things they’re doing out here.”

For now, Fuller likes the fact that the NORBA event reminds him of what the annual Bloomsday race used to be, or at least to him, anyway.

“I ran in the first Bloomsday when there were 1,325 participants,” he said. “With the exception of the serious runners, that event has ballooned into somewhat of a charade that is more of a spectacle.

“For now, the people that are up here are competing. It’s more of a personal athletic event.”

Jeep/NORBA notes

The cross country course has a lot of mud on it this year. Last year the race was held in mid-July. This year, there is still a significant amount of snowpack on various parts of the trail. There are some spots where 10-foot snowdrifts encroach.

Want to participate in the dual slalom and downhill events? Be prepared to pay for it. The equipment for such events doesn’t come cheap. An average pair of cycling pants cost $145; shoes, $48; helmet, $160; gloves, $35; jersey, $25; full-suspension bike, $1,600; other added amenities to the bike, $100 and up. Total cost: $2,113.

For Kirkland resident Todd Scheffer, the cost is worth it. “I’m an adrenaline junkie.” said Scheffer, a pro motocross racer who can’t seem to get enough. But it remains to be seen whether or not his body can withstand the punishment.

At last count, Scheffer said he has broken 15 bones.