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Cycling

Area couple stay on the go with BBC team

By JESSICA FISCH
Published March 30, 2005

Tampa bicycle racing champions Dave and Sherri Stedje have busy spring schedules.

The husband-and-wife duo has won many titles together, finding a balance between work, home, training and mentoring Best Of The Bay Cycling Team junior riders.

The late coach, Stan Anderson, founded BBC in the 1980s, along with a core of Hillsborough champions that included Tommy Wilson, Winston Edwards and the Stedjes. After Anderson lost his battle with cancer, the Stedjes vowed they would make the time to welcome juniors who wanted to join the team. Visitors to the Stedje home in Lutz will see a collection of medals and trophies from their USA Cycling wins at the Florida State Championships, National Championships, Sunshine State Games and dozens of other events.

Dave Stedje, 41, fits in training with promoting new events, officiating and working as an engineer. Sheri, 39, is busy training for the 2005 Redlands Bicycle Classic Stage Race, which is scheduled for today-Sunday in Redlands, Calif. Her husband and his BBC teammates say they had so much fun organizing last month's Squiggy Classic, in north Tampa, that they are planning to play host to the 2005 Florida State Criterium Championships, May 8 in Lakeland.

"Our event will be held on the same weekend as the Mayfaire Festival," Dave Stedje said. "I have seen the vendors and artists with their works all around the downtown lakes. It's just beautiful and a very exciting atmosphere."

Last month, the St. Pete Mad Dogs visited with Lakeland's Bob English at the Polk Senior Games. The talk turned to hosting events in revitalized Lakeland. English, 66, is an active triathlete and Lakeland Runners Club member. He has hosted multisport events near Lake Hollingsworth. "Downtown has had so many improvements. It has a new look," said English, who represents Polk County's District 1 on the board of commissioners.

Stedje knows that the quaint winding streets and a championship race with steep hills on each lap will make for a successful event. "The renovations in downtown Lakeland are amazing," he said. For information on the Florida State Criterium Championships, contact backbay1@yahoo.com or 813 949-2052. SPRING CLASSIC: St. Petersburg Bicycle Club members will celebrate during their biggest annual event, the 17th Spring Classic Ride on Sunday in Bradenton. Cyclists will gather at the starting point, behind the Lost Kangaroo Pub, 427-12th Street West. This event is a social training ride that will benefit The American Cancer Society.

The routes for the 8 a.m. ride are flat, rural and scenic and consist of 60, 35 and 25 miles. A registration of $30 includes a T-shirt, tech support, maps, rest stop with food and refreshments, massage, giveaways and post-ride food and entertainment. To get there from St. Petersburg, take I-275 south past Palmetto. Go to U.S. Business 41. The start is one block west of Business 41, between 4th and 5th Avenues. For information, go online to www.stpetecycling.com or call 727 866-1239.

STRAWBERRY CENTURY: Hillsborough County cyclists are organizing their premier spring touring event, the 23rd annual Tampa Bay Freewheelers Strawberry Century, set for April 10 in Plant City.

Known as the Strawberry Ride for the locally grown strawberries that are included in the day's refreshments, the event consists of 20-, 38-, 62-, or 100-mile flat to moderately rolling routes. The ride begins at Hillsborough Community College, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City.

Registration and breakfast starts at 6:30 a.m. The first cyclists will take off at 7:30. Online registration has been extended through Friday. The $29 entry includes a long-sleeve T-shirt, breakfast, lunch, tech support, vendors and giveaways, including a Trek 7500 hybrid cycle. Proceeds benefit Florida Bicycle Association. To register, go online to www.active.com or www.tbfreewheelers.com

[Last modified March 30, 2005, 01:03:17]