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© St. Petersburg Times, published December 26, 2001
Mountain bikers, Pinellas Trail sport enthusiasts, USA Cycling racers, and triathletes always join together at this time of the season.
They're looking for fun workouts to do, whether it's checking out festive holiday lights near downtown St. Petersburg, or popular run/bike trail events in Brooksville.
Many multisport coaches warn that even though Floridians are outdoors putting up lights in their shorts and swim suits, taking an athletic break helps prevent burnout.
Champions Ned Overend, Lance Armstrong, and Joe Bonness all compete in fun, off-road events, choosing to mix the power training with fun and friends.
Bonness, 47, of Naples, who won his triathlon age group in Hawaii before winning last October's Great Floridian Triathlon, says he is training mostly on his mountain bike.
Bonness, and his Naples Area Triathletes club, will play host at their annual Sand & Stone Triathlon on Sunday in Naples.
"Iron Joe has an exciting race weekend planned for riders down at the Sand & Stone Triathlon," York Somerville told St. Petersburg Bicycle Club members at last Saturday's morning ride.
"We camp out, have a cookout, and practice on the course at Joe's quarry down in Naples.
"It's open to beginners, as well as riders as strong as Danny Nolan."
For more information, contact Bonness at ironjoe3@aol.com or call (941) 598-1046.
HEAVEN & HELL: Meanwhile, Somerville and his army of St. Pete Mad Dog volunteers are planning the Heaven & Hell offroad duathlon and tag-team relay races Jan. 13 in Brooksville.
"The main thing about our events, is that we offer great, family fun, and it's challenging, but safe," Somerville said.
"We teach riders how to dismount, portage, climb, and ride downhill sections of the Gran Canyon course.
"There is something for everyone, and it's excellent offseason conditioning with a mental break for triathletes."
Somerville also offers private mountain bike lessons for adults and kids.
For further information on Heaven & Hell Offroad Duathlons, and Somerville's mountain biking school, call Somerville at (727) 527-8869 or check out www.triyork.com.
HAIR OF THE DOG: Before heading north to Brooksville's offroad terrain, some may want to ring in the new year with the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club.
You don't have to be an Ironman to enjoy The Hair Of The Dog Triathlon at Fort DeSoto Park at noon. Most say this is a New Year's Day picnic disguised as a race.
In year's past, the entry fee has consisted of no more than your ugliest (but freshly laundered, please!) event T-shirt, which goes into a special "dog bin." These shirts then become the race prizes.
Competitors dash into the frigid water for the first segment (swim distance varies from dipping a toe in, to the bravest swimming the usual .5 mile to the pier).
Then, they jump onto bicycles for the second segment (one year we saw adult trikes, chilly riders still wearing their black neoprene wetsuits, and 50-pound beach cruisers adorned with stuffed animals).
Finally, the running segment is easy, featuring teasing, taunting, laughing, and course cutting. Cheating is encouraged in all segments.
Refreshments, new Mad Dog memberships and racing outfits await at the finish line.
For information, call (727) 582-1910 or visit www.stpetemaddogs.com.
ST. ANTHONY'S EVENT: St. Anthony's Triathlon race organizer Steve Meckfessel confirmed that the online registration for the U.S. season opener on April 28 is nearly filled to capacity.
Pre-race registration (including 1,600 individuals and 40 or so relay team slots) will probably close out by the end of the year.
Meckfessel says that kids and rookie adults who wish to register for the Meek & Mighty mini-triathlon on April 27 may also want to do so early, but that the fields are much more open. Race distances for the 1,700 participants: 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run.
For more information, visit www.satriathlon.com or call (727) 825-1271.
TAMPA CRITERIUMS: Racers Dave and Sherri Stedje of the Best Of The Bay Cyclists (BBC Team) will host the Tampa Training Series criteriums, beginning at 1:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 6 at Woodlands Corporate Park, near Waters and Dale Mabry Highway.
The ongoing series will be held on a .8 mile course, which is flat and fast.
There will be one race per day, with special prizes for women and juniors. There will be cash for all USA Cycling categories.
For more information call (813) 267-2526 or send an e-mail to backbay1@yahoo.com.
WEST COAST WHEELMEN: Web site creators for Florida's 2001 statewide points series went online last week, thanking masters competitor Dennis Sullivan (West Coast Wheelmen Team) for his hard work on the series.
Sullivan, of St. Pete Beach, did an excellent job of tallying the 2001 points for Florida's USA Cycling racers at various events this past cycling season.