Photography by Christine Rucker

It’s a long way to Oak Ridge from Pretoria, South Africa, but mountain biker Anina Aaron has proven she can go the distance. A resident of Guilford County since 2001, Aaron started biking in South Africa with her sister. “We would ride our bikes on off-road motorcycle trails,” she recalls. “We would wait until the guys were gone, and then we would bike.” With encouragement from her husband and other bikers in North Carolina, Aaron began mountain biking regularly. She is now a member of Hearts Racing Club, which is affiliated with Ken’s Bike Shop in Winston-Salem. She often rides on Tuesday evenings with the Farmers Market group - made up primarily of Triad residents. As many as 50 bikers participate in this road ride across a 34-mile loop. “It’s a hammer-fest ride, excellent for training, with people pedaling fast,” she says. “There are people in their 20s and people almost 70 years old. By the end of the season, everybody’s much faster.”

What do you ride?

My cross-country racing bike is a Trek TopFuel, full-suspension, full-carbon bike, which is very lightweight and built for speed. Most people who race have carbon bikes. They are not cheap - some are around $4,000. Treks don’t break; they are very durable bikes. At the end of the season, I may need a new chain, new brake pads, or a derailer. This is basic maintenance.

What do you wear when biking?

I wear normal biking gear from a bike shop, a sporting-goods shop, or an outdoor store. In cold weather, it’s important to layer, with the outermost layer being a windbreaker, one that’s fleece-lined if it’s cold. Padded shorts help prevent chafing, and I use a chamois cream, especially in hot weather. Cycling jerseys have multiple pockets for food, keys, money, and a cell phone. You’ll want a cell phone with you when you ride. I wear mountain-biking shoes, which have tread, since I might have to get off and carry my bike across the terrain.

What is your food and fluid intake before a race?

Two days before, I eat potatoes, pasta, bread, and vegetables and fruits. Eating starches builds up glycogen reserves for long-distance endurance. The day of an 8 a.m. race, I am up at 5:30 eating oatmeal with a little protein. I increase my water intake two days before the race, especially in the summer.

I drink a lot of water, grape juice, and hot herbal teas, but no caffeine. During a race, I use goo or gel packs. You tear off the end of them with your teeth and squeeze the contents into your mouth. You can also carry a bladder of water with a tube, or a bottle of water. Or you might also drink Gatorade for electrolyte replacement during the race.

Do you warm up?

Absolutely. If a race begins at 8 a.m., you should be registered and have your bike number by 7:15, so you can warm up for at least 45 minutes - biking, moving and stretching, and getting your heart rate going. If it is cold, keep warm clothes on until just before you race. Check your shoes, gloves, and helmet. Take along a small air pump for tires and a little Allen wrench for repairs, just in case. Different races have different support rules, with respect to feed zones and mechanical issues with the bike, and these rules vary depending on the series and the state you race in. You may or may not be able to get help from others if something happens, like a flat tire, so it’s best to be prepared.

What rules do you follow for safe biking?

In North Carolina law, a bicycle is a vehicle. Never ride facing traffic or on sidewalks. You must have lights when you ride at night. It’s important to have reflectors and a helmet. When you race, you must communicate with other riders to let them know when you want to pass. You cannot block other riders - you’ll be disqualified. Serious biking trails are only one direction. Bikers must yield to both equestrians and hikers. “Rules of the Trail” are available at imba.com (International Mountain Bicycling Association). Any good mountain biker obeys these rules. If you’re not having fun biking, you should re-evaluate the experience. It’s all about having fun and pushing your own limits.