High-speed showdown

By CHASE SQUIRES

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2000

Some of the bay area's top amateurs will compete against some of the nation's best bicyclists in the Dade Battle of Brilliance this weekend.

DADE CITY -- Small town America meets big time cycling Sunday when the inaugural Dade Battle of Brilliance bicycle races are expected to lure hundreds of the sport's top athletes to a high-speed showdown around the historic old courthouse.

The full day of racing, billed as a prelude to the 2012 Olympics, is the brainchild of local jewelers David Hevia and J.R. Harrelson. The course challenges bicyclists to tackle a six-turn, half-mile loop through Dade City's quaint downtown in a race for $7,000 in cash, trophies and watches.

Organizers are offering 14 races, beginning at 8 a.m., with races for first-timers, children and for racers older than 50, 40 and 30.

The biggest events are expected to begin after 11 a.m. when the nation's top two handcyclists -- racers who pedal customized bikes with their hands -- square off in a match for cash and bragging rights.

After St. Petersburg handcyclists Michel Bond and Scott McNeice finish their circuit, racing moves into professional ranks with nationally noted racers -- road course and sprint experts -- take over.

Racers include the full-timers, such as U.S. National Team member Josh Thornton, as well as an array of part-timers, such as Tampa vascular surgeon Tom Kerr and U.S. government engineer Andrew Cruz.

"It's going to be interesting," promised Winston Edwards, a former professional football player turned bike racer. "It's a tight, fast course. Bodies will bump."

Indeed, racing officials and cyclists are watching the Dade City course with interest. The first stretch down Meridian Avenue, one of the city's main streets, ends with a 90-degree turn to the right just as racers reach their top speeds of more than 35 mph, then hurls them into a tight series of turns before launching them back to a straightaway to the finish line.

Racers will ride from 20 to 60 minutes, jockeying for position and wearing each other down, before a five-lap sprint to the finish.

Admission and parking are free. Concession stands are scheduled to line the streets, and most of Dade City's antique shops and restaurants are expected to be open for between-race shopping trips.

The event is also a Toys for Tots sponsor, and everyone is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate.

At a glance: The Dade Battle of Brilliance, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, downtown Dade City. Free admission and parking. Bring sunscreen and a lawn chair. Race fees (cyclists can enter up to 15 minutes before each event) range from $2 for children to $25 for pros.

Saturday features a children's bicycle rodeo on Live Oak Avenue from 4 to 7 p.m. and a classic car cruise-in beginning at 5 p.m. Both events are free.

To get there: Take Interstate 75 to State Road 52, then drive east to Dade City. Follow signs to parking.

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