Mountain bikers at USF 'shredding the track' at river

By TIMES STAFF WRITER

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 23, 2000

TAMPA -- College students from all parts of Florida are cranking out the spring training miles in between studying, socializing and working part-time jobs.

Some students, like the ones at the University of South Florida, are mountain biking adventurers who prefer "shredding on the off-road single track" near the Morris Bridge area along the Hillsborough River.

North Tampa's mountain biking in among the best in the bay area, providing riders with hours of fun on winding, bumpy trails through the woods. Most enjoyable are giant spider webs that stretch across the trail, packs of black wild pigs running along the bushes, and the post-ride storytelling.

For updates on trail conditions in north Tampa, send e-mail to Wes Eubank at CDaleKid@gte.net, or call the USF bicycle shop at (813) 974-3193.

USF TRIBULLS: Martha Vidal, a winner of the Great Floridian Triathlon (a full Ironman in Clermont each fall), is the most well-known member of the USF TriBulls club. There are more than two dozen other members listed on the TriBulls Web site, including co-presidents Melissa Jarrell and Rob Minshall.

Like Gainesville's TriGators, the USF TriBulls have collegiate nationals on their minds, and coach T.J. Woodbury works on the newsletter and Web site every month. Check out the TriBulls' 2000 triathlon schedule at www.ctr.usf.edu/tribulls.

$4,500 CYCLING WEEKEND: Central Florida's biggest cash-prize bicycle stage race is this weekend near the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Gator Cycling Weekend will have individual time trials (7 miles) at 8 a.m. Saturday and team time trials (12 miles) at 2 p.m. Both will award cash prizes in most USA Cycling categories.

Many spectators are expected for the Gator Street Sprints that will begin at 7 p.m. near the UF campus.

The Saturn Gator Criterium will begin on Sunday morning. USA Cycling categories including juniors, women, masters and seniors will be racing for overall points and stage wins, with thousands of dollars up for grabs.

To watch the Saturday time trials, take I-75 exit 75 and go east on Archer Road to U.S. 441. Turn right and go south approximately 12 miles to CR 234 at Micanopy, then left on to CR 234 and the park.

For the Gator Street Sprints on Saturday evening or Sunday's Gator Criterium, take I-75 exit 76 and go east on SR 26 (Newberry Road and University Avenue) about 6 miles to Main Street. Turn right and go south two blocks.

For Gator Cycling Weekend hotel information, call (352) 376-2222; for Gator bicycle racing information, call (352) 376-2173, or check the Web site at www.ufcycling.org.

WOLVERINES MENTOR: Now in its 17th year, Mike Walden's School of Cycling will hold another early-season bicycle racing training camp north of Orlando. Walden, known to all cyclists and speed skaters in the Detroit area, has coached many Olympians on their way up, including Sheila Young-Ochowicz, Connie Paraskevin-Young, Roger Young, Tom Schuler, Sally Zack, Jeff Pierce, Tom Prehn and more.

Walden's school will be held March 12-18 and March 19-25. The $550 fee includes food, housing, coaching and more. For further information, call (248) 652-0511, send a fax to (248) 652-0535, or e-mail WaldenSch@aol.com.

NOT FOR RACING: For those looking for a leisurely, social, relaxing adult ride averaging 12-15 miles per hour, The Wheel People group rides are a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.

The rides vary from 18-22 miles. On March 12, a ride will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Long Center on Belcher Road in Clearwater. It will venture to the Safety Harbor and Countryside areas, with lunch at Safety Harbor's Paradise Restaurant on Main Street.

On March 19, a ride will begin at 9:30 a.m. from McDonald's at Curlew Road and Alternate U.S. 19 with a Tarpon Springs destination and returning via Crystal Beach and Ozona. A lunch stop will be in Tarpon Springs.

The Wheel People will ride near the Lansbrook area on March 26 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Fairway Pizza on East Lake Road near Tarpon Woods Boulevard.

For further information on joining the social rides, call Jay at (727) 443-2797.

RALPH PERRY RIDE: The St. Petersburg Bicycle Club will honor the late Ralph G. Perry, an SPBC member and Ironman triathlete, at the 12th annual Spring Classic on Sunday, April 2, in Palmetto.

This year's event will benefit the American Cancer Society and is expected to be crowded with the many cycling and triathlon friends who knew of Perry's battle with prostate cancer. The much-loved local star passed away shortly before last Christmas.

Riders may choose distances of 19, 35 or 62 miles. Rides start at 8 a.m. at the Manatee County Fairgrounds on 17th Street W (west of U.S. 19) in Palmetto.

For information, call (727) 527-1437 or sign on to www.xoom.com/spcycle.htm.

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