Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

St. Petersburg Bicycle Club plans upcoming season opener

By JESSICA FISH
Published March 29, 2006

The St. Petersburg Bicycle Club will kick off its spring touring season with the 18th annual St. Petersburg Bicycle Club Spring Classic, April 9 in Manatee County.

Avid bicycle tourist Pat McNulty said a GPS will accurately measure the routes, which he describes as scenic, flat and fast. Rides will be 25, 35 or 60 miles and begin at Tony D's, 304 Seventh St. W, in Palmetto. First riders depart at 8 a.m.

"The Spring Classic is such a pretty ride, and everybody should grab their bikes and come down," McNulty said. "Every year, when we measure and mark the various routes down there, we always say that the roads are beautiful for cycling."

Spring Classic packet pickup and ride registration begins at 7:15 a.m. in Palmetto. Riders will get refreshments, custom T-shirts, maps, tech support along the course and postride party with door prizes and free lunch. The new SPBC cycling jerseys may still be available in most sizes.

SPBC recommends riders bring cycling helmets, water bottles, appropriate clothing and properly tuned bicycles of any style. Most riders stay for the postride party, and triathletes always get together for a running workout after their rides.

For information, call the SPBC Spring Classic event director at 727 510-9098 or log onto the SPBC Web site, www.stpetecycling.com

ESCAPE FROM FORT DESOTO TRIATHLON: Race Place Magazine publisher Joe Fernandez of Tampa will be host at the 20th annual Escape From Fort DeSoto Triathlon, April 15 in Fort DeSoto Park North Beach.

"We looked at our message board postings, after Chilly Willy Duathlon on Feb. 19, and we could tell that the excitement was growing already," said Fernandez, the race director. "It's hard to believe that we have been doing this for 20 years, and that this is our 20th anniversary. "The party is going to be memorable. Athletes are already sending in old pictures, and some of our original race T-shirts from back in the 1980s. Looking forward, our 2006 series looks better than ever, but looking back, it's emotional, to say the least."

"We will be giving away $30 high-tech shirts to each entrant, and this is also our way of celebrating our 20th year out at Fort DeSoto Park." said event co-director Freddie "Rizzi" Rzymek of Safety Harbor. "We plan to host a nice, postrace barbecue dinner at the race site, and we will treat the athletes to barbecue chicken, hot dogs, pizza, burgers and more. It's going to be quite a party."

Race distances for the local season opener are swim .5 mile, bike 10 miles and run 4 miles. Awards will be given for the top five in age divisions, including Clydesdales and relay teams. This event, like all RPM events, is sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

Packages are available for triathletes who want to save money and register for all of Fernandez's Fort DeSoto events, which run throughout the triathlon season. The 2006 Triathlons Of Fort DeSoto Series now includes a three-pack: the Escape From Fort DeSoto Triathlon, Top Gun Triathlon on Aug. 6 and Suncoast Triathlon on Oct.29.

To race or to volunteer, call Fernandez at 813 874-7223. To check out the triathlon Web site, including last year's race video, produced by Largo triathlete Bela Molnar, go to www.escapefromfortdesoto.com For last season's age group results at Escape From Fort DeSoto Triathlon, check out www.altavistasports.com

MS 150 BIKE TOUR: There still may be time to participate as a rider or a volunteer at the Bright House Networks MS 150 Bike Tour on April 29-30.

The popular annual fund-raising ride helps those with multiple sclerosis. This year's MS 150 route (150 miles total) ventures from Busch Gardens in Tampa to Orlando's Sea World and back.

MS 150 riders raise an average of $582 in ride pledges, which goes to finding a cure. Some riders name the MS 150 Bike Tour as one of their main cycling goals each spring.

"One of my best friends, Roman Fish, got me to join the Raymond James Cycling Team, and I started riding the MS 150 rides with them back in 1996," Seminole cyclist and triathlete Craig Lester said.

"Our RJ Cycling Team has done the Tampa ride every year, and also the St. Augustine MS 150 Bike Tour several times," Lester said. "Our team always attends the dinner on Saturday nights, and we listen to the speeches given by the organizers, volunteers and those afflicted with MS. Those people are so grateful for our participation, and it really motivates you for the long ride on Sunday."

For information on the MS 150 Bike Ride, call the Mid Florida Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 407 478-8880, or visit www.nationalmssociety.org

[Last modified March 29, 2006, 01:23:20]