Sports
Oregon Daily Emerald
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
“He might’ve won the war,
but the battle’s not over. ”
Cadillac Williams on his friendly competition with Auburn teammate
Ronnie Brown, picked three spots higher than him in the 2005 NFL Draft
■ Outdoor recreation
Lauren Wimer | Senior photographer
The Ruth Bascomb Riverbanks trail is one of the bike and running trails in the Eugene area where bicyclists can ride next to the Willamette River.
Getting
Bikers can travel on several paths in and around the Eugene area
to help them attain their goals of fun and a more healthy lifestyle
BY ASHLEY GRIFFIN
OUTDOOR RECREATION REPORTER
Bicycles were introduced more than a
century ago as a novelty item used by
the upper class in Paris and London.
Today, bicycles have evolved and are used
for entertainment, competitive racing,
efficient transportation and for a fresh-air car
diovascular workout. Armed with Schwinns
and Specialized, banana boat seats and
Avatar Gel Saddles, Eugene area bikers have
the sport at their fingertips — should they
wish to pedal.
Local and school-associated biking clubs
provide plenty of opportunities for introduc
tory biking. The University of Oregon’s Club
Sports Cycling team has group rides on Satur
days at 10 a.in. that last two to three hours.
“During most of the school year, we ride
together on Saturdays and Sundays and a lot
of us ride together on weekdays too,” club co
ordinator Jason Thorpe said. “We also have a
women’s-only ride that meets on the week
ends. It is pretty informal except during the
racing season, which is the first five weeks of
spring term.”
The team welcomes riders of all skill levels,
but newcomers won’t be able to compete
with the club until next season. To officially
join the club, students must have the appro
priate gear and a medical release form on file
at the Club Sports office.
If joining a competitive team sounds a bit
daunting, other groups such as Eugene Gears
organize weekly group rides. Another option
is taking to the trails by yourself. Either ap
proach will allow students to learn about and
practice the sport while gaining a good deal of
physical benefits.
“Spending 20 hours on the bike every week
is sure to improve your fitness level,” Thorpe
said. “When you are training to race you can’t
just focus on riding your bike, you have to
learn a lot of other things too, like how to eat
right and how important sleep really is. You
become more aware of what it takes to be
healthy and the urge to be the first to the top
of a hill on a weekly ride or to win a sprint fin
ish in a race provides the motivation to make
healthy choices.”
University instructor and long-time cyclist
Annie Dochnahl said Eugene’s mild climate
makes it possible to reap health benefits
year-round.
“(Biking is) excellent for cardio condition
ing and endurance,” she said. “In this climate,
you can bike year-round and maintain a base
line fitness in the winter by cycling.”
Eugene and the surrounding areas have
some great bike trails to help students reap
physical benefits. Many of the city’s bike
paths, like the Ruth Bascomb Riverbanks trail
system, are flat, paved trails perfect for begin
ners and recreationalists. Beyond these paths
and city limits lie several more unique rides.
“I would have to say that my favorite route
here in Eugene would have to be Wolf Creek,
which is about 60 miles long and has a few
good climbs,” Thorpe said. “My favorite route
ever would definitely be riding over McKen
zie Pass from McKenzie Bridge to Sisters. The
views are amazing and the ride is epic.”
Dochnahl enjoys biking southwest of Eu
gene in the Lorraine Valley’s rolling green
landscapes. Cycling Club Women’s Team Co
ordinator Ashley Thrower has found local
rides to suit her tastes.
“The best places to ride around Eugene are
in Crow, McKenzie and in Coburg,” she said.
“The roads in these little towns are away from
the city and traffic and are surrounded by
farmlands and forests.”
To access these trails, students will need to
CYCLING, page 10
■ Duck football
Binns' departure leaves hole in Oregon defense
Oregon cornerback Marques Binns has decided to transfer
from the University, citing personal reasons behind the decision
BY JON ROETMAN
SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
Cornerback Marques Binns has left the
Oregon football team for personal reasons
with the intent to transfer to another school,
according to the Ducks’ head football coach
Mike Bellotti.
A rising senior, Binns amassed 61 tackles,
one interception and one fumble recovery in
26 games during his previous three seasons.
He appeared in five games during his junior
season, recording 12 tackles and one fumble
recovery. He also accumulated 30 tackles as a
true freshman, when he was thrust into the
starting lineup on two occasions.
Listed at 5-foot-ll and 175 pounds, Binns
was set to enter the fall as one of Oregon’s
more experienced defensive backs.
“(Losing Binns) effects us a lot because he
had a lot of experience,” senior cornerback
Aaron Gipson said after practice Thesday. “He
came in with me and we played as true fresh
men. He was a good, solid player, so some
body has to pick up the slack.”
When asked why Binns decided to transfer,
Gipson said, “I assume he made the best deci
sion for him.”
While Binns gained experience during his
three years at Oregon, it didn’t al
ways translate into more playing
time. The Los Angeles native often
struggled in man-to-man coverage
and spent most of his time in a
reserve role.
During a start last season at
Washington State, Binns was
burned for two first-quarter touch
down passes before being removed
from the game.
MARQUES BINNS
CORNERBACK
tackles and a forced fumble against
Southern California.
SuperPrep magazine rated Binns
as one of the top prep defensive
back prospects coming out of
Dorsey High School, when he was
credited with 35 tackles and three
interceptions as a senior. He also
accumulated 30 receptions for
590 yards as a wide receiver.
Oregon still has nlpntv nf rlpnfh
Oregon secondary coach John Neal didn t
share Gipson’s opinion when asked how the f
loss of Binns would effect the secondary.
“It’s his loss, not ours,” Neal said. “It’s «
pretty obvious to people (why he left).”
Binns’ best game as a Duck came during
his freshman season when he amassed eight
t cornerback, including Gipson, senior Justin
'hinisee, sophomore Jackie Bates, true fresh
nan Willie Glasper and redshirt freshman
iharrod Davis.
ionroetman@dailyemerald.com