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Cycling/Triathlon

Dunedin charity event draws more than 700

By JESSICA MUNDIE
Published November 22, 2006

Bicyclists from Suncoast Cycling Club entertained more than 700 fundraising riders at Sunday's Diabetes Challenge Ride in Dunedin.

The event was organized by Suncoast Cycling Club founder Bud Bradley and his core of volunteers including Patricia Crow of Dunedin; Bill Kracov of Safety Harbor; Palm Harbor's Marc Bershaw, Jim Foley, Dianne Franz and Anthony Monaco; plus Tom Ferraro and Christine Tabor of Clearwater.

"This event showcases our beautiful city of Dunedin and the hometown flavor we enjoy here," Dunedin mayor Bob Hackworth said.

At the Diabetes Challenge Ride, Hackworth pedaled his new carbon fiber bicycle 50 miles, and afterward the former professional cyclist shared some insights into the life of a pro racer on the national criterium circuit.

"As a pro cyclist, you give up a lot to travel and race," he said. "Being from Dunedin, I wanted to stay in the area, so I based myself out of Wesley Chapel, and those Pasco roads were the best training for road riders. We are lucky to have our parks and the Pinellas Trail."

Riders at the challenge raised more than $10,000. The late John Sinibaldi Sr. was named Honorary Chairman before his death, and a special award in memory of the two-time Olympic cyclist (1932 and '36) was presented to his sons, Robert and John Sinibaldi Jr., both avid cyclists.

For information on Suncoast Cycling Club, including the December Adopt-A-Road activities, log on: www.suncoastcycling.org or call (727) 781-2925.

ADVENTURE RACES: USA Triathlon Coach and Team In Training mentor Lewis Bennett invites cyclists, triathletes, runners, and their families to the Fort DeSoto Offroad Adventure Races at 8 a.m. Dec. 3.

Bennett's races and workouts reflect a fun approach, with elites and newcomers alike welcome.

"Just getting out there with friends is half the fun," Bennett said. "Our Weekly Training Activities that get e-mailed out each Monday have caused the groups to grow, in spite of the cold weather season. For the Adventure Races, just grab a mountain bike, hydration, and some sturdy trail running shoes. As for the rest, they will find out when they get there."

Contact Bennett for details on racing or volunteering at www.trilewis.com or (727) 224-4767.

IRONMAN MYSTERY: Many area residents watched and volunteered at the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 on Nov. 11, and for many it was their first exposure to world class triathetes.

Triathlete Laurie Cizek-Brannigan, 38, of Old Greenwich, Conn., said she was so impressed by the welcome that she and her husband might buy a second home here.

"People here are fantastic, and the night before the race, I was eating dinner at Carrabba's Italian Grill, when I met these two nice ladies who saw I was by myself," Cizek-Brannigan said. "They asked me my name, and I told them, not thinking any more of it. Well, I get to mile 48 on that bike course, and sure enough there is a huge sign reading 'GO Laurie Cizek GO, From Lynn And Sandy!' I was completely blown away. I have never seen anything like that. It was so great and so unexpected. I couldn't believe they took the time to look up my name and make that huge sign. I didn't know anything but their first names, so I have no way to thank them. It was amazing!"

Complete results from the event are at: www.ironman.com.

[Last modified November 22, 2006, 06:45:03]