Mayor Bob Jackson and Curtis Holmes shared a biking vision after they nearly collided. They're supporting a cycling tour for the city's centennial.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published January 2, 2004
LARGO - Talk of a bike race blossomed last summer after Mayor Bob Jackson nearly ran over one of his toughest political critics with his Schwinn Beach Cruiser.
The city researched the feasibility of a sanctioned race and ruled it out. But officials now favor a daylong leisurely cycling tour that some are already calling the Tour de Largo.
An official race would require the city to close numerous roads, including those with county and state jurisdiction, and fork out extra funds for overtime law enforcement, said Chip Potts, athletic and teen program manager.
"Logistically it's a huge endeavor," said Potts. "Typically these races go over 90 miles."
Besides, it wouldn't have the relaxed family appeal that Largo is looking for.
City leaders hope to incorporate the Tour de Largo with its centennial celebration, which will run from June 2004 to June 2005.
"We could have pros and guys like me that like to piddle around," Jackson said.
Curtis Holmes, the political critic and cycling enthusiast who inspired the event, likes the idea of a casual family-friendly tour.
"You don't want a race course. People pushing the envelope. They're going to hurt themselves," Holmes said.
For the tour, law enforcement could stop traffic sporadically to let riders cross, rather than block roads off entirely, Potts said.
The idea for the Tour de Largo arose from a fluky meeting between Jackson and Holmes last June.
Holmes, who had filed an ethics and an elections complaint against Jackson with state commissions, had roamed outside onto a Belcher sidewalk after hearing a "racket" on the road.
Jackson, who was riding his bike through the neighborhood, was cycling toward Holmes, who was looking the other way.
Jackson stopped just in time. Then, the political adversaries chatted about the condition of Jackson's bicycle and Holmes offered to lube his bike and put air in his tires.
A few days later, Holmes e-mailed Jackson with a suggestion to boost Largo's image - a bike race.
"I just thought it would be a neat-o event," Holmes said.
Jackson thought so, too, and asked city staff to explore the idea.
So far, Jackson hasn't stopped by Holmes' house for a bike tuneup, but Holmes said the offer still stands.
"I should take him up on it," Jackson said. "One day, I'm going to go by there."
