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Cycling

Only two stages left in state cyclocross series

By JESSICA FISH
Published February 3, 2006

CROOM CHALLENGE: SWAMP (Southwest Association Of Mountain Bike Pedallers) is taking last-minute calls from Hillsborough riders about the club's annual Croom 35/50 Mile Singletrack Challenge, set this weekend at Withlacoochee State Forest near Brooksville.

Friday, club riders will host a guided ride, leaving Trailhead 3 at dusk. Helmets and lights that last at least two hours are required.

Saturday, the club offers a well-marked trail ride, during which riders go at their own pace. Refreshments and tech support will be available around the course.

For details, call Wes Eubank at 813 689-5109 or go to www.swampclub.org

RACE FOR HUMANITY: The area's first road race of the 2006 season will be the Race For Humanity Road Race and Criterium Stage Race Weekend Feb.18-19 in Pasco County. These events offer riders a chance to earn 2006 Florida Series Points.

The San Antonio Road Race will begin Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. near the San Antonio Federal Credit Union, 12542 Curley Road.

The Feb. 19 criterium will be in Dade City's downtown historic district starting at 8 a.m. and continuing throughout the day with racing in all USA Cycling categories.

For details, go to www.topviewsports.com or call Tim Molyneaux at 407 256-7971 or Pablo Santa Cruz at (727) 741-7250.

CYCLOCROSS SERIES: Largo's Lance Riddile said he is happy with the turnout for the Florida State Cyclocross Championship Series.

At the same time, he is hoping for an even bigger showing of cyclists for the two remaining stages, Feb.19 and Feb.26 at Central Park Nature Preserve.

"We are awarding the first ever Florida State Cyclocross Championship jerseys, and that's for all the different USA Cycling categories we have racing out here," said Riddile, a recreation supervisor for the city of Largo.

The wooded, grassy cyclocross race course at Largo Central Park Nature Preserve will undergo changes before cyclocross riders practice and compete in the two last races.

Resembling a steeplechase with a bicycle, most cyclocross courses feature challenges that are created by the designers and are sometimes changed during a series. The position of logs, railroad ties or stairs can be changed or combined to vary the race's tempo.

"The more running in these cyclocross races, the more I like it," said Hank Campbell, a professional triathlete and St. Petersburg resident who currently sits third in the Expert/Cat 1-2 category. "A couple of these guys are killing us in the super technical sections, but I can dismount and run while carrying my cross bike all day long. Bring it on.

"I have better fitness than most of them right now."

Campbell, 26, is cross training by cycling, swimming and running in preparation for the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K on Feb.25.

Top local competitors in the Cyclocross Championship Series:

Kids 6-8: Brandy Odum (Team Chainwheel Drive), Clearwater; Eric Addler (Team Revolution Bikes), St. Petersburg; Gabe Brown, Clearwater.

Kids 9-11: Cody Sanford (Ace Racing), Clearwater; Savannah and Graydon Odum (Team Chainwheel Drive), Clearwater.

Juniors 12-14: Graham Odum (Team Chainwheel Drive), Clearwater; Max Collins, St. Petersburg; Kenny Odum (Team Chainwheel Drive), Clearwater.

Juniors 15-18: Brad Andringa (Team BBC), St. Petersburg; John Sheets, Largo.

Men's 35-44: Eddie Mullally (Team Neptune Cyclery/Lemond), Tarpon Springs; Paul Kavan (Team Neptune Cyclery/Lemond), Tampa.

Women's Beginner: Emily Karsina, Clearwater.

Women's Expert: Jody Kopacz, Clearwater.

Men's C: Rex Carder (Team American Classic), Safety Harbor.

Men's Expert Cat. 1-2: Michael Gallagher (U.S. Army Cycling Team).

Like most cyclocross events, the series is sanctioned by USA Cycling. Riders must be annual members or purchase one-day racing licenses. To do so, go to www.usacycling.org

For details on the series, including racing and volunteering, contact Riddile at lriddile@largo.com or 518-3021.

[Last modified February 2, 2006, 11:27:10]