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Letter to the editor

Athletes come from all over to remember Hayes

By JESSICA MUNDIE Cycling/ triathlons
Published January 16, 2008

Bicyclists and their families from as far away as Perth, Australia, came to Pinellas County several weeks ago to honor bicycle racer and retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Joe Hayes, who died Dec. 28.

The 84-year-old champion bicycle racer lived with his wife, Angelle,in New Port Richey, and he had congestive heart failure in the weeks before the Christmas holiday.

Hayes made it to the podium many times at the World Masters Cup in the mountains near Kitzbuhel in St. Johann, Austria. His closets were full of cycling jerseys and "pro kits" - bibs and shorts with matching caps, socks and jerseys, emblazoned with the names of the professional cycling teams of the Tour de France peloton.

In recent years, Hayes made it a point to place himself among the finish-line spectators at local criteriums, but he and Angelle are mostly known for hosting groups of area riders at their summer home near Aix en Provence, France.

The Hayes family kept the French cycling tradition of gathering up the perfect table, chairs and tablecloths, along with fruit, baguettes, various cheeses, mustards, tarts and, of course, the red wines that come from the Rhone Valley. Each day in July, the French newspapers print the exact times and intersecting town roads in which the Tour de France peloton passes through, and each year the French fans line the roads in July, all with a world-class picnic.

Bastille Day celebrations and Tour de France spectating were among the simple pleasures Angelle and Hayes shared with area riders who visited them.

Hayes was also a retired Air Force pilot with a distinguished 30-year military career. His sons, Michael, Marcus and Patrick, told a mixture of cycling and military stories at last week's memorial service.

"He was born in 1923, and my dad's mom basically abandoned him after his dad died in Kansas City," Michael said. "Dad left high school, got a GED, lived with the nice people next door and went into the Air Force. His first mission as a bombardier was D-Day. It was June 6, 1944."

"My dad loved to fly. Dad was one of the last World War II veterans. The only thing that my dad loved more than flying was cycling."

Those wishing to send messages to the Hayes family are invited to call Michael Hayes at (713) 622-4920.

TRILEWIS KICKOFF: Triathlon and cycling seasons are well underway, and the Jan 9 TriLewis 2008 Planning Workshop & Dinner was attended by 25 triathletes. Some of the TriLewis athletes have already signed up for this June's Ironman Coeur d'Alene Triathlon.

For information on workouts, activities or the March TriLewis Training Camp in Clermont, head to www.trilewis.com.

SKINNER CROSSING OVER: St. Petersburg runner Denise Skinner has enjoyed a successful career as a member of the St. Pete Forerunners Track Club.

Skinner reached the finish line at Walt Disney World Marathon in 3:17:33 on Sunday, but she acknowledged that she is spending more time on her new racing bicycle.

"Disney was my 21st marathon, but I'm sure enjoying my cross training," Skinner said at the Walt Disney World Marathon finish line. "Our coach knows that we like to do different activities, and it's okay. I just signed up for Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon in Texas on June 29."

Observers say that if Skinner bikes and swims as well as she runs, there will be a new USA Triathlon All-American champion from the area.

[Last modified January 15, 2008, 23:00:38]