There’s more than just a draft created by U.S. cyclists Lance Armstrong and Matt Hamilton in their race to win the Tour de France.

Area bicycle dealers are seeing a rise in sales since Armstrong captured his first Tour win in 1998 after beating cancer. His popularity, coupled with an increasing awareness of the health benefits of cycling, have triggered renewed interest in road biking, especially among baby boomers who haven’t ridden regularly since they last took a spin on their Schwinn.

“Biking is a non-stress-bearing sport,” said John Grenier, owner of Rainbow Bicycles in Auburn. “It appeals to those of us with bad knees, bad joints, bad backs.”

Maine’s economy is also benefiting from the increasing popularity.

More than a dozen companies offer bike tours through the state, and the Maine Department of Transportation estimates biking tourism brings in $67 million to the state annually.

“A lot of people are taking trips in Maine,” said Jeffrey Miller, executive director of Bicycle Maine Coalition, a nonprofit group that promotes bike safety, education and access. “They have to eat, they stay in B&Bs or hotels … it all adds up.”

Jackie Gammon, owner of Wallace Wheels in Rumford, sees the evidence nearly every day. She used to see bike tours in western Maine only in the fall.

“Now I see them from April on,” she said.

Mountain bikes, which are built for traction with wider tires and suspension systems, are the most popular model of bike, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. According to a NSGA survey, mountain biking saw a 12.6 percent increase in participation between 2001 and 2002; road biking grew 6.1 percent.

But road bikes, with their narrower tires and lighter frames, are easier to peddle on streets. The market share has begun to shift.

Grenier said he sees a lot of people in their 30s and 40s coming into the shop to buy road bikes, inspired by Armstrong as well as a desire to get fit.

“These are people who are not into negotiating roots, carrying bikes or crossing streams,” said Grenier of the typical road bike buyer. He estimates road bikes now make up 20 percent of his sales; they were about 5 percent six years ago.

Gammon said it’s hard to gauge the percentage of sales, but she’s sold a lot of high-end road bikes that cost $2,000 or more.

Good-quality road bikes vary in price from $500 to upwards of $2,000; mountain bikes are several hundred dollars less.

That’s another reason more baby boomers are getting into road biking, said Grenier.

“They can better afford it.”

Gammon said she’s seeing an increase in the number of women biking the roads these days.

“I think it’s part of the health craze,’ she said, “but I also think it’s because manufacturers are doing a better job fitting bikes to people – male or female.”

Fit is important. An improperly fitted bike can result in fatigue or injuries. And it makes a big difference in the comfort of the rider, said Grenier. Adjustments and accessories are available to customize a bike to the individual rider. Nationally, bikes and supplies accounted for $4.9 billion in sales in 2002, according to the NSGA.

The popularity of the sport can measured another way: There are more than 50 bike clubs throughout the state, said Miller. His association has more than 5,500 members.

“I’ve seen a steady increase,” he said. “I think we’ll keep growing.”

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