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Cycling/Triathlon

Bicyclists can test times riding with this trial

By JESSICA MUNDIE
Published August 30, 2006

Florida Bicycle Sports Team members will play host at the next Thursday Night 10-Mile Time Trial, to be held at Fort DeSoto Park, in Tierra Verde, at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7. All riders are welcome to participate.

Fast, aerodynamic time trial and triathlon bicycles will be seen, but some riders test their fitness and skills in this distance on a road bike, or even a heavier and more upright hybrid "city bike" machine. No drafting is permitted in these time trials, but helmets are required.

The time trial events are against the clock, and they provide a safe, fun, environment where kids and adults can challenge themselves. For some, time trials are the first experience with bicycle racing.

Top Pinellas county riders who are leading the points standings include Joey Sinibaldi (juniors), Brant Speed (elite), and Patricia Hoffman (elite women).

For further information, go to: www.floridabicyclesports.com; or call Matt or Ted at: 727-823-7820.

TARPON SPRINGS TRIATHLON: The popular 18th annual Tarpon Springs Triathlon (swim .25 mile, bike 10 miles, and run 3.1 miles) will be held at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 9, at Fred Howard Park, in Tarpon Springs.

Proceeds will benefit the Tarpon Springs Rotary Club. Packet pickup and race expo will be at the Holiday Inn Tarpon Springs, near U.S. 19 and Klosterman Road, on Sept. 8, from 3-7 pm. Top five awards in age divisions, including Clydesdales, Athenas and relay teams.

To register or volunteer, or for more information on the triathlon, call the race hot line: 727-938-4359.

SAND KEY TRIATHLON: Race director Bev Buysse is looking for volunteers for the Sand Key Triathlon, which will be held on Sept. 24, at Sand Key Park in Clearwater.

"We have been getting calls from athletes who are eager to race on the Ironman 70.3 race course," Buysse said. "The field is getting larger, but we still have room for more competitors. All we need is perfect weather."

Race distances for the Sand Key Triathlon will be swim ¹/₃ mile, bike 11 miles, and run 3.1 miles.

For details log on to www.sand keytriathlon.com .

LOCAL CYCLING UPDATE: United States Cycling Federation racers from Florida have had a busy season. Florida's season extends well beyond the rest of the United States, and local standouts are gearing up for fall.

Category 1 racer Mark Yeager (Team Neptune/Greg Lemond) of St. Petersburg is the top ranked local at 16th place. At the end of a successful cycling season, in which he won a state road championship, Yeager, 48, crashed on a training ride, fracturing his pelvis, putting him on Neptune's injured list for the duration.

Florida's top-ranked Master racer remains David Stedje (BBC), 42, of Lutz.

Largo's Mike McCollum is at the top of the 60-plus rankings, and the next bicycle race in Stuart is in his sights.

Best rider at last month's USA Cycling Masters National Track Championships at the velodrome in Colorado Springs was Earl Henry, 60, of Pinellas Park. Henry won the sprint and the 500-meter events, setting a world record of 37.242 seconds for 500 meters.

In a few weeks, Henry will travel to Manchester, England, for the UCI World Masters Track Championships. The Pan-Am Masters Games will be next for Henry, in Argentina.

FALL TOURING: Milder conditions and the area's fall bicycle touring season are in the air.

The first tours (enjoyable organized rides that are not races) have set their dates, including Tour Of Sebring on Saturday ; MS 150 in St. Augustine, on Sept. 16; Mount Dora Bicycle Festival, on Oct. 13; Horse Farm Hundred, on Oct. 22, in Gainesville; Tampa Bay Freewheelers Hilly Hundred, on Oct. 22, in Dade City; and the Spacecoast Freewheelers Century, on Oct. 29, in Cocoa Beach.

Visit local bike shops for fliers.

13 HOURS: Area riders know the fall cycling season is approaching, when they see offroad-event organizers printing out fliers.

The next big thing is 13 Hours Of Santos, a 13-hour endurance event, to be held Sunday at Santos Trails, in Belleview.

The 13 Hours Of Santos welcomes teams (male, female, or mixed) at Santos Trails, and the starter's gun goes off at 10 a.m, ending at 11 p.m. Camping and practice riding are available.

To sign up, call David and Terry Berger at 352-873-9279 or check out www.goneriding.com.

[Last modified August 29, 2006, 10:39:12]