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Area riders get a taste of cyclocross

By JESSICA MUNDIE
Published January 17, 2007

Hardworking race organizer Lance Riddile got to enjoy all the compliments for his opening stage of Florida's State Cyclocross Championships on Sunday at Largo Nature Preserve. But that was only after he jumped in the last 12-lap event, earning second spot on the podium at the end of a grueling 17-hour day.

Locals agree that without Riddile's efforts, Florida's riders would not experience this European style sport of cyclocross.

"Largo Lance" Riddile said he enjoys being the recreation supervisor for the City of Largo and appreciates being able to create Florida cycling's first official state championship series in cyclocross.

Riders pedaled, jumped, ran and dismounted over barriers around the multi-lap grassy wooded course, which resembled a cross country or steeplechase course in woods and fields.

"The sport of cross is getting so big up north and on the East Coast, and of course it has always been huge in Europe," Riddile said.

"We were delighted with this great turnout and the fact that all the categories were represented. Now the series in Florida is gaining some momentum and the riders love racing for those state championship jerseys in the USA Cycling categories. We got a ton of positive feedback and we're on a roll now."

Sunday's beautiful weather brought out dozens of undecided bicycle road racers and many had not ridden the Largo Nature Preserve course during January preview rides and skills clinics, hosted by Riddile and pro triathlete and cyclocross rider Hank Campbell of St. Petersburg.

"Conditions out here on the course were extremely fast, and much different than last week," said Ken Odum, who raced in the 45-plus category. "My kids are active juniors and also race BMX. They love to come out here and practice ride, so we did that last week when it was muddy and not as fast. This was dry and more of an endurance race. The lap times were quick."

Odum's daughter, Brandy, won the juniors 6-8 category for the second year, followed by EJ Addler Team Revolution and Reece Gerdes of St. Petersburg. Many of the younger riders were joined by racing parents, making the event a family day of racing. Spectators rang cowbells along the course, spreading out their tents and blankets, enjoying a festival of championship racing and picnic lunches.

MORE COWBELL: In the second group of racing, Clearwater's 11-year-old BMX champion Cody Sandford (Team Chainwheel Drive) showed his gate start experience by sprinting away at the start. Sandford, a sixth-grade student at Coachman Fundamental School, stayed off the front of his group, spinning his fixed gear mini-bike with ease.

"Cody loves soccer but his favorite sports are BMX and cyclocross,' said Cody's mother, Heather Sandford. "And as long as the grades are up, he can do whatever sport he wants to compete in."

Sandford won his junior category, but it was not easy. His biggest challenge came from Sheila Lopez (Team Outspokin), a 39-year-old champion triathlete and runner. Lopez (formerly Mitchell) married category 1 bicycle racer Frank Lopez (Team Outspokin) the night before, and the two agreed to spend their honeymoon competing. Lopez rode the beginner women category and found herself tangling with Sandford each lap.

"We were both off the front, and we kept going back and forth, " Lopez said. "I was scared of going off into that water on the backstretch, so little Cody would get ahead of me. Believe me, I told my husband that my heart rate monitor said I was in the 170s, we were going so hard.

"Cody's technical skills over the dismount barriers were really good. Tactically, it was all I could do to hold Cody off in the final sprint."

MORE COUPLES RACING: Category 1 racer Frank Lopez ended up in second after state road champion Paul Kavan (Team Neptune/Dent Wizard) burst off the starting line, racing the 12-lap main event in consistent five-minute, 35-second splits. Kavan's speed was so fast he began to lap other riders just after the halfway point.

"I didn't know how I would do, because my wife Robin and I have not really trained specifically for cyclocross this winter," said Kavan, who lives in Tampa. "We are preparing for the bicycle racing season by riding on the road. We both won our races today and we were happy with that. This is totally just for fun."

TOP LOCALS: Dennis Claire won the category 3 event, followed by Tampa's Brant Speed (Team Chainwheel Drive). The aptly-named Speed, who ran track for Gaither High and University of Tampa, celebrated his 26th birthday with second place, outsprinting race director Riddile in a perfectly-timed 30-mph dash for the line.

Other top area riders in the state championship were St. Petersburg's Brad Andringa (Team Revolution), Henry Willis and Steve Rusnak, three of Florida's top Junior Men; juniors Connor Williams, Dillon Parrot and Savannah Odum; Robin Kavan (Team Neptune/Dent Wizard), followed by Diane Blake (Team Georgia/Outspokin) and Stephanie Gamble Morse.

Winning the competitive masters 45-plus championship was Kurt Leverett, followed by Mike Sandford (Team Chainwheel Drive), John Butler and Pinellas Park motocross champion Dave Ellis (Team Ellis Racing). Frank Mandero won the category 5 event, followed by Sean Morey, Jimmy Allen and John Johnson (Team Bicycle Outfitters) of Largo.

Jack Rich won the 35-plus race despite a puncture early in, forcing him to the wheel pit and a long chase for the well-deserved win.

Times Correspondent Jessica Mundie can be reached at sptimescycling@yahoo.com .

[Last modified January 17, 2007, 07:07:22]