The gear of a serious cyclist indicates this is more than just a hobby.

It begins, of course, with his main piece of equipment – the sleek bicycle. The form-fitting jersey, biker shorts and helmet are also clues that the next hour or two won’t be so much a leisurely ride as it will be a test of endurance.

A local hub for experienced cyclists is the Vicksburg National Military Park, a 16-mile course some might say is better suited for a roller coaster than a bicycle. The steep hills and winding curves of the park can be a daunting sight for first-timers.

Mousa Khouri, 24, remembers the first time he brought his bike to the park when he moved to Mississippi from New York two years ago. He said he had been used to riding on flat land and didn’t know what he was getting himself into.

Now, Khouri said he rides four days a week at the park. He said he likes cycling because it offers a good stress-relieving workout without having to go to the gym.

&#8220Running’s too slow for me,” Khouri said. &#8220I like the speed and the adrenaline of biking, especially with this park. When you’re going down these hills, you’re doing about 35 miles per hour.”

During Wednesday evening’s ride, Khouri said he rode about 10 miles. On the weekends, he said, he increases the mileage.

Gary Haygood, 39, said he only started cycling a couple of years ago before buying a racing bike in October. He said he tries to ride in the park once or twice a week to clear his mind.

&#8220If I feel really gung-ho I’ll do the whole park,” Haygood said. &#8220But if I don’t feel gung-ho I’ll ride 10 or 20 miles out to what we call the flats and then I come back.”

Haygood said he’s still working to improve his endurance and cycling skills, but weightlifting has helped him climb the hills of the park better. He admits he has a long way to go before he becomes what he jokingly refers to as one of the &#8220psycho riders.”

Joe Giambrone, 39, and Scott Bourne, 44, might fit into that category. Both men are training for the Ironman triathlon on Aug. 26 in Louisville, Ky. On Wednesday, Giambrone and Bourne &#8220only” rode 30 miles because they are in a recovery week of a four-week training cycle.

Besides cycling two to four times a week, Giambrone and Bourne also are swimming and running a couple times a week to get ready for next month’s event.

&#8220You train all year,” Giambrone said. &#8220You can’t just sit around and get fat and happy. You pretty much got to be doing something all year round.”

As Giambrone and Bourne hopped back onto their bikes to finish their training for the day, Khouri pulled into the parking lot.

After unloading his bike from the back of his truck, Khouri popped in earbuds so he could listen to music during his ride before disappearing onto the hilly road amid joggers, walkers and other cyclists.

&#8220It’s a great atmosphere in this park,” Khouri said. &#8220I haven’t seen anything like it.”