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Letter to the editor

BMX demo a big hit at Bicycle Bash by the Bay

By JESSICA MUNDIE, Cycling/ Triathlons
Published November 7, 2007

Bicycle Bash by the Bay attracted more than 2,500 cycling enthusiasts last Sunday, at St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park. The crowds came from all parts of Florida, and they ranged from BMX fans to camping bicyclists, to Orlando racers, to triathletes in town for the Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

A big attraction was the huge BMX start gate and demo held by riders from Profile in St. Petersburg. Profile's riders came in all sizes, starting from age 6, and the girls and boys were outfitted in the latest Fox racing uniforms.

City Of Largo recreation supervisor Lance Riddile organized a simulated cyclocross course, complete with the familiar yellow crime-scene tape to mark off the turns and straightaways that riders try to follow. Riddile gave younger riders a clinic on dismounting and getting over the obstacles.

Riddile also announced the race dates for 2008 Florida State Cyclocross Championship races: Jan. 13 at Celery Fields in Sarasota and Jan. 19 at Largo Central Nature Preserve, including the championship race. Contact Riddile for details at lriddile@largo.com or 727 518-3021.

SIGN UP WITH THE MAD DOGS:The members of the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club have announced early signup for St. Anthony's Triathlon at the upcoming 14th anniversary party. You must be a member to sign up, but all triathletes and their families are welcome to come to the party.

Join St. Pete Mad Dog president Tim Hudson on Nov.e_STnS17 for the 14th anniversary party at the Tavern At Bayboro, next to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, at 121 Seventh Ave. S. from 2 to 6 p.m.

For more information, check out www.stpetemaddogs.com or call the Mad Dog Hotline at (727) 582-1910.

RIDE WITH PETER REID: Triathletes at Chainwheel Drive (the host bike shop of this weekend's Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championships) invite all multisport enthusiasts to meet Ironman champion Peter Reid of Canada, and New Zealand native Terenzo Bazzone (winner of 2006 Wildflower Triathlon) tonight at 6.

There are demo rides with Reid and Bazzone on Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m., weather permitting. Meet at Chainwheel Drive, 1770 Drew St. in Clearwater. For information, go to www.chainwheeldrive.com, or to RSVP, call (727) 441-2444.

FORD IRONMAN 70.3:The world championship Sunday at Clearwater's Pier 60 at 7 a.m. The 70.3 refers to the half Ironman mileage for the competitors: swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles and run 13.1 miles.

Some of Florida's best triathletes have qualified for this event. The field of 1,800 competitors come from all over the world, and the professional prize purse totals $100,000.

Some local amateur triathletes (age groupers) have peaked their training for the race: Sharon Beltrandelrio, Palm Harbor; Sofia Bereza, Clearwater; Joe Bonness, Naples; Jeff Cuddeback, Longwood; Laura Dewitt, Brooksville; Pete Dubbeld, St. Petersburg; Celia Dubey, Tarpon Springs, Angela Ezell, St. Petersburg; Annette Frisch, St. Petersburg; Art Halttunen, St. Petersburg; Anders Heidemann, Largo; Clare Kelley, St. Petersburg; Katie Knight-Perry, St. Petersburg; Andres Munera, Tampa; Linda Musante, Tampa; Christina Noordstar, Tierra Verde; Marni Rakes, New Port Richey; Paul Reback, North Palm Beach; Dave Rowland, North Redington Beach; David and Brandi Szen, Palm Harbor; Jan Thompson, Tampa; Bob Wagoner, Largo, and David Weisenmantel, St. Petersburg.

Check out www.ironman.com for race information.

[Last modified November 6, 2007, 21:20:59]