For Jamie Smith and thousands of other enthusiasts, cycling is like a religion.
‘We have our own beliefs, dress, and language,? said Smith. ‘My parents were mystified.?
To explain the customs and quirks of bicycle racing, the Davisburg native wrote a book, ‘Roadie ? the Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer.?
‘It will hopefully explain why we ride 5 ? hours a day,? he said at a book signing Saturday at Kinetic Systems in downtown Clarkston. ‘I wanted to tell you what it’s really about in one, comprehensive package.?
Cycling fans and friends filled the bicycle shop to meet Smith and book illustrator Jef Mallett, creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip ‘Frazz.?
‘Jamie grew up in this store,? said Louis Kasl, who owns Kinetic Systems with Jeff Noftz in Clarkston. ‘He started riding with the club when he was a young teenager.?
‘I’ve known Jamie for 15 years ? all of us are teammates,? said Scott Claes of West Bloomfield, who stopped by for autographs and pictures.
Mallett and his Frazz character, an elementary school janitor, are also bike enthusiasts, and cycling is a frequent part of the comic strip.
?(Frazz) hits close to home,? said Ed Chenhalls of Waterford. ‘Everyone went to school with a corny teacher.?
‘I read it when I get the chance ? people send me copies, especially his biking stuff,? Claes said.
Despite collaborating on a 224-page book, the April 5 book signing was only the second time Smith and Mallett met face to face.
‘That’s more than a lot of author, illustrator collaborations,? Mallett said. ‘Publishers prefer it that way. But I wanted to meet the author first.?
A Lansing resident, Mallett didn’t have far to go to meet Smith, who works in Rochester Hills.
‘We got along right off the bat,? Mallett said. ‘Jamie gave me the text, and I looked at it and thought, I can illustrate this ? we have the same story to tell.?
‘Roadie? explains the lifestyle of a bike racer, including devotion to the sport, bike specifications, training, and nutrition. It moves on to technical features such as drafting, breakaway, sprints, temporary alliances, and crashes, as well as rituals of race day, referee and race rules, and sponsors. It explores cycling’s race formats, and how friends and family can get involved.
The author has been a bike racer since 1983 and race announcer since 1985.
For more information, check www.thatsbikeracing.com or call Kinetic at 248-625-7000.