Parker County Today September 2015 | Page 58

our sports: CYCLING European Adventure PC Athlete Wheels Through Europe SEPTEMBER 2015 PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY BY MELISSA MOORMAN Hunter Hinton has had quite a summer adventure training and competing on his bicycle throughout Belgium, traveling through the picturesque villages as he gained skills and experience on his racing bike. According to his father John Hinton, the experience has made him quite European, talking about his rides in terms of kilometers not miles anymore and cavalierly throwing out names of European cities like Brussels, Kerken, Bruges, Oudenaarde and Ghent. He holds a license through USA Cycling as well as an international license through Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to race throughout the world.  Hunter was planning on leaving in mid-June to go to Belgium but after an accident at a race in McKinney in late May where he broke his collarbone, it looked like he would b,e staying stateside this summer. But always the fierce competitor, he rehabbed his shoulder and spent only three weeks training on his bike before heading to Europe in July to compete against other racers from around the world.   In Belgium the towns support and celebrate the bike races by hosting carnivals in conjunction with several different races for the different divisions throughout the week. Hunter competes in the 17-18 year old junior group. It’s less expensive to race in the European events costing each rider only 10 Euros, half of which you get back when you return your number. That is a contrast to a $20 per race fee here in the U.S. “That’s where you go to race really,” Hunter said. “That is what they do, they have 200,000 plus racers there. For every American racer, they put out ten,” he continued. The junior racers have restrictions put on their gears to safeguard their knees. These safeguards keep the bikes going up to 2 miles per hour slower, which is a challenge locally when he is racing up to adult participants who don’t have the same junior gears on their bikes. Hunter’s coach is Christian Williams, of the Williams Racing Academy located in Wimberly, Texas. He and his wife spend three to four months a year in Belgium helping riders train and receive “that racing and living experience that can only be had in the heartland of bicycle racing.” The coach’s house is located in the Flanders region where many of the races are held.   He took his bike with him when he traveled to Europe. It’s not hard to ship a bike overseas, according to Hunter. It’s just a large suitcase with wheels, just over- 56 sized baggage. The bikes that the racers use cost between $7,000 and $10,000, so it’s much more valuable than the items most send to the luggage area of the plane. Racing bikes must be at least 14 lbs. and the lighter the bike, the more it costs. Racing bikes have between 10 and 12 gears, giving the racers 20 to 22 choices to optimize their rides. Opportunities exist for partial or full scholarships to college mostly at smaller schools in states like Colorado and Tennessee. There are also pro bike riders who earn a salary from their team along with sponsorships. His racing career hasn’t been long, beginning at age 13, only three years ago. He began riding with his dad on a tandem bike when he was nine. The two participated in their first ride in Aledo, which then led to the Texas Timed Trials for Hunter. Other races followed including the Hotter than Hell ride in Wichita Falls that they have ridden several times, races in Dallas, Houston and College Station.  Hunter likes the thrill and competition that comes along with bike racing and said on a recent ride he rode an average of 27 miles per hour for two hours straight. “The competition never lets down,” Hunter said. Hunter participates in the Texas High School League and represents Weatherford High School. The racing season in Texas begins in February and runs through the end of September. He hopes to be on the podium at the State Championship. The Texas State Championship Road Race is being held on September 26 and 27 in Fort Hood, Texas.