Biking to a beat

Today the New York Times profiles a group of teens in Queens who have converted their bikes into rolling stereo systems, some pumping out thousands of watts and up to 150 decibels. They play music from their iPods and power them with car batteries.

“People say, ‘It’s the next best thing to having a system in a car.’ But it’s better because you don’t even have to roll down the windows,” one said.

Just when you thought you've seen everything from bike culture...

[Image via New York Times]

Share the Road ads air in California

San Luis Obispo County has put together some great commercials educating the public about cyclists' rights and responsibilities on the road. Built in conjunction with their SLO County Bicycle Coalition, the spots were paired with ads on buses and in movie theaters.

Cycling do's and don'ts

The Times' Lorrie Lykins recently addressed a concern from a reader complaining about group rides in Pinellas County in her Dr. Delay column:

Irritated with cyclists who don't observe the "share the road" principle? You're not alone. Questions about the legality of cyclists' biking on area roads in packs hit the Doc's mailbox weekly.

Bill Balmer of Seminole recently wrote: "I frequently travel Indian Rocks /Oakhurst Road in Largo and Seminole on Sunday mornings. I usually see a bicycle group heading north with a lineup of cars behind them Indian Rocks Road is one lane in each direction. This group consists of 25 cyclists or more. This morning I happened to be northbound and got caught behind them. They paid no attention to the cars backed up behind them and rode as many as four abreast. There was no way that any cars could safely pass."

Balmer said that as the pack approached one traffic signal, it turned red but the pack proceeded through it. He wonders what can be done about cyclists' flouting traffic laws and endangering themselves and others.

We shared Balmer's concerns with Sgt. Jim Bordner of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Bordner said Florida law prohibits bicyclists from riding more than two abreast except when they are on paths or parts of roads set aside for their use.

Also, "bicyclists who are riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic," Bordner said.

Florida statutes also state that a bicyclist has all the rights and assumes all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle, so a cyclist must stop for stop signs and traffic signals.

Florida law also requires that bicyclists riding on a public road at less than the normal speed of traffic ride as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the road except when they are overtaking another bicycle or vehicle traveling in the same direction. Exceptions to the right-hand-curb requirement: preparing for a left turn or avoiding an unsafe situation, or if the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel side by side safely.

Bordner said he would forward Balmer's concerns to the commander of the sheriff's patrol operations bureau.

Group riders running red lights should never happen and I can't say I've seen it happen, but there will always be bad behavior. There must be a way to reach a consensus about how we can continue the group rides and do so in a responsible manner.

Australian cyclist struck, killed in Florida Keys

A section of U.S. 1 through the Florida Keys was closed much of this afternoon after an Australian tourist was struck and killed on a bicycle, authorities said.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the tourist, who was not immediately named, died after getting hit by a car while trying to cross U.S. 1 near mile marker 81 around 1 p.m.

I've always wanted to try to ride to Key West. Maybe it isn't such a good idea after all. I know the shoulder of U.S. is incredibly narrow and dangerous, but people make this trip via bike all the time.

I think I'll wait until the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail is finished.

Have any Spoke N Word readers ridden through the Keys?

Where did you ride today?

Thanks to the open-source code of Google Maps, several sites have sprung up that feature route planning for cyclists and other athletes. One of the best is MapMyRide.com. Totally free to use, MapMyRide lets you enter your route by clicking on the map or find new routes in your area. It then shows you total mileage, calories expended and even elevation gain. (Not much use here in Florida) You can add notes to the route along the way, include waypoints for breaks, hills or dangerous intersections and email them to your friends.

MapMyRide also has features that require a free registration. There is a community forum, a training log where you can track your rides and listings of upcoming events in your area. When you register, you can create a profile and share your routes. I created this one of the popular St. Pete Bike Club morning ride from North Shore Pool:

Some of the other sites that feature map planning are Gmaps Pedometer, Bikely, RouteSlip and BikeJournal. Check them out and share some of your favorite rides with Spoke N Word!

Ride your bike for two great causes

Last weekend was a busy one for organized rides here in Tampa Bay. The Josh Kuck Memorial Ride and the Ride Without Limits were well attended (and a bit chilly!) and the Diabetes Challenge saw a huge turnout and wonderful weather. This week we get to eat back all those calories we burned, but if you go overboard, here's two more great events coming up :

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is hosting the Run and Ride with the Stars.  Featuring a 25 mile ride, a 10k fun ride, a 5k run or a 1 mile fun run, there should be an event for everyone. The funds raised through sponsorships and registrations support the Sheriff’s Christmas Sharing Project. Agency members use the proceeds to shop for deserving families and then personally deliver the holiday packages of food, clothing and children’s toys.
When: December 1
Where: Fort DeSoto Park

The Ministries of Mercy are hosting the Brake the Cycle of Poverty ride at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. Proceeds benefit Catholic Charities and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, both of which work to help the poor in our backyards, as well as the Pinellas Hope Project.  There will routes of 37 miles, 16 miles and a 3-mile fun ride.
When: December 1
Where: Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park

Both rides are $20 if you pre-register and $25 day-of registration. Participating in these types of rides during the holidays is a great way to give back to the community and remind ourselves how lucky we are to be able to ride.

Riders remember USF team founder

By Courtney Herrig
Times Correspondent

Led by the USF cycling team, dozens of riders braved an early morning chill to pedal 20-plus miles in honor of Josh Kuck, the team’s co-founder and president who was killed Oct. 22 during a race near Dade City.

The memorial ride also featured Dana Temple, Josh Kuck’s stepfather, who wore a T-shirt that said "Josh Kuck’s Dad."

The ride followed the same route of the 2007 "Hilly Hundred" event, during which Kuck was killed in a collision with a truck at the Clay Hill Road and Blanton Road intersection.

The annual Hilly Hundred event will now be renamed the "The Hilly Hundred, in Memory of Josh Kuck" and money raised will be donated to a memorial fund set up in his honor.

Ruben Watson, the president of the Tampa Bay Freewheelers and organizer of the Hilly Hundred, said he believes the fund could raise thousands over the next few years.

Watson has been in touch with Temple nearly every day since the accident, sometimes speaking 10 times a day. Temple has called about accident reports, insurance information and help with moving Kuck’s belongings back to Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

But the dominate conversations have been about organizing the memorial fund.

"If we do a scholarship fund that means that it is linked to an individual and we have less flexibility with the spending," said Watson. "But if it is organized as a memorial fund, it could help pay for particular expenses associated with a cyclist besides tuition, such as training or equipment for training."

The consensus opinion is to continue with the goals Kuck was working towards. A junior, Kuck helped start the USF cycling team two years ago with nearly $15,000 collected from sponsors. Team members called him dedicated and selfless.

"I cannot think of any greater tribute to Josh than to do this," said Temple. "This is what he would have wanted, this was his life. This is what he was working at, he wanted the team to become a recognized sporting team and to promote this sport in Florida."

Many people associated with the cycling community showed up for Saturday’s event. Alyssa Baptista, Kuck’s girlfriend and a biology student at USF, helped at the rest stops.

Another ride leader was Brandon Crain, Kuck’s partner in founding the USF cycling team.

"I think this is a closure experience for a lot of us," Crain said. "I know many had not been back to the site yet. So riding up there and being able to see the site of the accident with his father — I think it was helpful for everyone to come out and do this."

For Temple, it was a somber opportunity to see what his stepson had accomplished.

"I have never felt so proud in my life — never. It literally brought tears to my eyes," he said.

The memorial fund that the Tampa Free Wheelers are helping to organize with Temple is not the only fund being created.

"We are doing all sorts of fundraising in Maine. Josh’s high school started up a scholarship in his name," said Temple. "The people I work with are helping with the fundraising. Everybody I know is helping in anyway they can."

The most important goal is to keep in mind what Kuck would have wanted.

"We want to make sure the cycling team continues indefinitely," said Temple. "I know this is what Josh wanted and this is where most of my efforts are going. I plan to come down here every year that I can for the rest of my life."

[Photo Courtney Herrig]

Ride away those Turkey Day calories

Once again there will be traditional holiday rides from North Shore Pool in St. Petersburg.

Place: North Shore Pool parking lot at North Shore Drive NE & 9th Avenue NE.

Date: Thanksgiving Day, November 22

Time: Riders take off at 8:30 AM sharp.  Most rides end about 10:00 AM.

There will be ride groups with speeds for everyone, including couch potatoes and desk jockeys. If you'd rather talk than bicycle, ask for the Gib's Ride Group. Faster riders can choose from the Casual 16s and Mass Start groups.

What to do if you're in an accident

Maybe it's happened to you before. It's probably happened to someone you know. While I hope no one ever needs this information firsthand, it can be crucial to making the best of a dreadful situation. While you might know what to do if you're in an accident in your car, a bike accident is very different. You may be injured and certainly your nerves will be frayed. The folks at BicycleLaw have laid out the basics for you:

ALWAYS wait for the police to respond to the accident scene so that an official report will be filed. Some cyclists do not realize that they have been injured until several hours after the accident. By then, it may be too late to identify the at-fault driver. Seemingly minor injuries can develop into serious and permanent injuries.

YOU should not attempt to negotiate with the at-fault driver. He or she may not give you accurate information about their identity, insurance coverage or vehicle ownership. Many drivers who cause accidents will initially apologize and accept blame for the accident, but will later, after they have time to consider the ramifications, will deny that they were negligent. They may even deny that they were even present at the accident scene! The accident report will include the driver's statements as well as all other witness statements. Additionally, the responding officer may decide to ticket the driver and this can be useful when trying to settle the case with the insurance company.

THE ACCIDENT SCENE should be investigated for information about how the accident occurred. The investigation should include obtaining skid mark measurements, photographing accident scene, speaking with additional witnesses, and measuring and diagramming the accident scene.

SEEK prompt medical treatment for you injuries. This is proof that you were in fact injured and the medical records generated by the medical provider will help establish the extent of your injuries. Have several photos from different angles and different lighting taken of your injuries as soon as possible after the accident. Keep a journal (injury diary) of your physical symptoms starting immediately after the accident and make entries every couple of days.

LEAVE your bike and other damaged property in the same state as it was after the accident. Take photos of all of your damaged equipment and accessories.   

DO NOT communicate with the insurance company before consulting with an attorney. Most cyclists want to be fair and reasonable with the insurance company. When you communicate with the insurance company, they are gathering information. Unfortunately, a fair and honest account of the accident can be turned around and used against you later.

CONTACT Biclelaw.com or another personal injury attorney who understands bicycling. While many attorneys are competent to handle general injury cases, make sure your attorney is familiar and has experience with:

• Bicycle traffic laws
• Negotiating bicycle accident cases with insurance companies
• Trying bicycle accident cases in court
• The prevailing prejudice against cyclists by motorists and juries
• The names and function of all bicycle components
• The speed bikes travel as well as braking and cornering
• Bicycle handling skills, techniques and customs
• How to get the full value property damage estimates for your bicycle
• Establishing the value of lost riding time
• Leading bicycle accident reconstruction experts
• Licensed forensic bicycle engineers
• Establishing the value of permanent diminished riding ability

Diabetes Challenge Ride Sunday

Sorry for the late notice. On Sunday the Suncoast Cycling Club and Frenchy's restaurants are hosting their annual Diabetes Challenge ride to benefit, you guessed it, the America Diabetes Association.

Not a very accomplished rider?
Hey, it’s a ride, not a race! We’ve got four different distances for you to choose from, including a 10K Pinellas Trail ride, so the whole family can participate.
Challenge yourself!
Set a fund raising goal for yourself or form a team and work together. It’s your chance to do something worthwhile and be part of the solution! Plus, you can qualify for some really cool incentives!
Most of us know someone who has struggled with diabetes.
Believe it or not, just by participating in the Diabetes Challenge, your donation will make a difference!
So, get ready, choose a ride, and maybe sweat a bit, but mostly you can smile because you’ll know you are making a difference in the lives of the over 21 million Americans affected by diabetes!

There are some great door prizes and a raffle for a Specialized Roubaix road bike. The ride starts at Highlander Park in Dunedin from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. depending on the distance. Gear up, ride hard, save lives.

Coming from St. Pete? There's a small group leaving from 102nd and the Pinellas Trail at 6:30 a.m., riding up to the start in Dunedin. Depending on the number of riders, they will take either the Trail or Indian Rocks Rd. up to S. Ft. Harrison thru Clearwater, then Alt 19 to Duedin. Riders should be in Dunedin by about 7:15 a.m., riding at a moderate pace.

Reminder: Josh Kuck memorial ride on Saturday

USF Cycling and the Tampa Bay Freewheelers are hosting a memorial ride for team founder Josh Kuck, who was killed while riding the Hilly Hundred. The ride is Saturday, Nov. 17, starting at the Pasco-Hernando Community College in Dade City. (Click here for directions). The team is asking for optional $10 donations for the Josh Kuck Cycling Scholarship. You can register online or day-of registration is available. There will be a 20-mile and a 34-mile loop. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the ride starts at 8:30.

Naples cracks down on pacelines, group rides

Always a popular topic with the Spoke N Word crowd: Word is that the city of Naples is taking broader steps to enforce vehicular cycling after receiving several complaints about groups of cyclists running lights and stop signs. They are staking out specific intersections that have caused problems in the past.

Officers are requiring group rides to stop at all stop signs and lights together, then proceed together as one large group. They say this is safer than many cyclists mixing together with traffic one at a time.

Also:

The group must stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, whereas a single bike can navigate around a pedestrian, a group is like a car!

What if you are waved thru? First you better have slowed to show intent to stop. If it is one of the bike patrol officers they may be lenient but if it’s not the bike patrol you could get a ticket.

Catch all the details over at Spokes N Folks.

I know most of you support vehicular cycling, but many also participate in group rides. Would you continue to participate if the group stopped at EVERY appropriate point? Be honest.

A marathon ride to honor his son

Elias Feliciano will take the 200-mile bike ride with his son, Elias II, in mind.

Elias Feliciano's eyes twinkle and his pencil-thin moustache stretches wide with a grin when he shares tales of human triumph - even when they're about people he only knows through YouTube video clips.

"Oh man, have you seen the one of Dick and Rick Hoyt?" Feliciano said, shaking his head before telling of the more than 900 marathons, triathlons and road races in which Dick has competed with his disabled son Rick in tow.

"You've got to watch it. He's pulling his son in a little raft while he's swimming this triathlon. If I ever meet that guy, I'm going to give him the biggest hug."

Then there's the video of the break-dancer who was born with arthrogryposis, a rare muscular disorder that affects one in every 3,000 newborns, including Feliciano's 6-year-old son, Elias II.

"This Lazy Legz Luca, his story got told on TV," Feliciano said. "His legs are hanging straight down and he's on crutches, but his upper body is so massive, so muscular, that he can do all these break-dance moves. I showed Elias. I said, 'Look at this! Look what this guy can do!' "

Little Elias is more interested these days in whether his dad is going to win the 200-mile bike race he has been training for with predawn trips to the gym.

"It's not that kind of race," Feliciano, 32, of Brandon tells his son over and over.

Continue...

[Photo Courtesy of the Feliciano family]

Want to Bike Florida? Better start planning

Since 1994, Bike Florida has hosted a week-long, point-to-point, supported touring ride through the state. The 2008 Bike Florida ride will begin right here in Tampa Bay, starting in Clearwater on March 30 and finishing in Fanning Springs on April 4. Each year brings a new theme, and for its 15th anniversary the ride will connect the popular trails of west central Florida: The Pinellas Trail, the Suncoast Parkway Trail, Withlacoochee State Trail,  Withlacoochee Bay Trail, and Nature Coast State Trail. Registration isn't open yet, but keep your eyes on BikeFlorida.org for more info.

Ride to the Lightning game - get in free!

For the second year in a row the Tampa Bay Lightning will host its Go Green night at the St. Pete Times Forum to celebrate recycling and environmental awareness. On Wednesday, Nov. 14, as the Lightning take on the Carolina Hurricanes, any fan who arrives wearing green or with a valid transit pass will receive $15 off their ticket. Additionally, anyone who rides their bicycle to the St. Pete Times Forum will receive free admission. Secure bicycle parking will be provided.

Times photo by Dirk Shadd

How to live car-lite in Tampa Bay

Not many people are dedicated enough to give up their car and devote 100% of their transportation needs to cycling. Many, however, can benefit from living a "car-lite" lifestyle. This means riding your bike for all trips within two miles or so and commuting by bike whenever possible. With gas prices now over $3 and likely to stay that way, you don't need many more excuses.

Read how one single guy and a family of four did it at TBO.com.

Memorial ride for USF's Josh Kuck

The Tampa Bay Freewheelers and USF Cycling will be sponsoring a cycling tour in honor of Josh Kuck, the founder of the USF Cycling Team who was tragically killed on Oct. 21 during the Hilly Hundred bike ride.

The event will be held on Saturday, Nov 17 at the Pasco-Hernando Community College [map] in Dade City. The team will be raising money for the Josh Kuck Memorial Fund.

If you or your cycling friends wish to donate $10 (donation optional) to the Josh Kuck Memorial Fund and would like to pre-register for the event online, please do so by November 15, 7 PM. If you do not wish to register online, day-of-ride registration will also be available. We will be doing a relatively short ride of 20 or 34 miles. Pre-registered rider check-in and Day-of-Ride registration is at 7:30 a.m.  with a mass start at 8:30 a.m.

Register online at tbfreewheelers.com

Trek / Fisher / Lemond demo day at Alafia

Three SWFBUD member stores - Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium, Oliver's Cycle Sports and Suncoast Trailside Bicycles - will be having a Trek/Fisher/Lemond "Ride the Best" Demo at Alafia River State Park on Friday, November 9, from 9am-3pm at the main mountain bike trailhead.
Demo days like this are a great way to try out new models in the real world woods, not just in the shop parking lot. Be sure to get there early, it will be crowded!

The Half-Ironman World Championships post

Saturday's second annual Half-Ironman World Championship has grown to 1,500-plus elite athletes, but it should be less disruptive, organizers say. A three-part strategy aims to minimize traffic headaches.

Change the course: The bike course stretches from Gandy Boulevard nearly to the Pasco County line. A leg on the Courtney Campbell Parkway is gone. This year's course has more right turns, so fewer intersections will be closed.

Spread the word: Avoid McMullen-Booth and Belcher roads and use U.S. 19. Clearwater also has told its neighbors. Most complaints last year came from non-Clearwater residents who were "vaguely aware" of the race, said Kevin Dunbar, Clearwater's parks and recreation director.

Shuttle in: Spectators who want to watch the race at Clearwater Beach can catch shuttles in downtown and at Sand Key Park. Pier 60 is a good place to watch the swim. The County Courthouse at Court Street and Osceola Avenue in Clearwater is a good spot to watch parts of the bike and run.

Where and when: Cycling will start about 7:30 a.m. and will end no later than 1 p.m.

Here's where and when to expect the heaviest bike traffic:

• Fort Harrison Avenue from Chestnut to Drew streets, 7:30 to 9:18 a.m.
• Drew Street from Fort Harrison to Belcher Road, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• Belcher Road from Drew to Countryside Boulevard, 7:38 to 9:55 a.m.
• Countryside Boulevard from Belcher to Lake St. George, 7:48 to 10:13 a.m.
• Tampa Road from Lake St. George to East Lake, 8 to 10:22 a.m.
• McMullen-Booth Road from Curlew Road to the Bayside Bridge, 8:18 to 11:20 a.m.
• 49th Street from the Bayside Bridge to Park Boulevard, 8:41 to 11:56 a.m.
• Park Boulevard from 49th Street to Belcher Road, 8:49 a.m. to 12:06 p.m.
• Belcher Road from Park Boulevard to Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, 8:55 a.m. to 12:43 p.m.
• Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard from Belcher Road to Clearwater Beach, 9:13 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you drive on race day:

• Police will direct motorists at intersections with traffic signals along the route.
• Yield to cyclists at intersections without signals. Bikes have right-of-way on the course.
• Drivers and cyclists will share multilane roads. Mostly cyclists will be in the outside curb lane and vehicles will travel in the remaining lanes. On McMullen-Booth Road, cyclists will be in the inside median lane, and vehicles will be in the outside lanes.

For more information, call (727) 562-4636or visit www.myclearwater.com/ironman.

Click here for a map of the course.

These officers are off duty, on their marks for Ironman

From left, Clearwater police Officers Dan Devol, John Pickart and Joseph Falcone are ready for the Ford Half-Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Car hits teenager riding his bike in Clearwater

A Countryside High School sophomore suffered life-threatening injuries this afternoon when he was struck by a car as he rode his bike with friends near Countryside Mall, police said.

Anthony Remon, 14, was one of four Countryside High students riding bikes from one teen's house to another home when the accident took place about 1:39 p.m., police said.

The group, which had a half-day of school today, was heading north on the sidewalk alongside U.S. 19 when it came to the intersection of Enterprise Road. Traffic heading west on Enterprise was stopped for a red light, so the teens started making their way through the stopped cars, police said.

Remon was hit when he rode into the turn lane, where traffic was not stopped. The driver, 51-year-old William Meier of Clearwater, was heading toward the intersection to make a right turn to go north on U.S. 19 when his Mercury Sable hit Remon's bike.

The impact broke the Mercury's windshield. Remon, who was not wearing a helmet, was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

Remon is the second 14-year-old boy to be hit and critically injured while riding his bicycle in Clearwater in a week. On Friday evening, Matthew R. Hanna of Largo suffered brain injuries when he was hit while riding on Franklin Street at Hillcrest Avenue. Like Remon, Hanna was not wearing a helmet.

- Eileen Schulte, Times staff writer

[Times photo by Bill Serne]

A Countryside High School sophomore suffered life-threatening injuries this afternoon when he was struck by a car as he rode his bike with friends near Countryside Mall, police said.

Anthony Remon, 14, was one of four Countryside High students riding bikes from one teen's house to another home when the accident took place about 1:39 p.m., police said.

The group, which had a half-day of school today, was heading north on the sidewalk alongside U.S. 19 when it came to the intersection of Enterprise Road. Traffic heading west on Enterprise was stopped for a red light, so the teens started making their way through the stopped cars, police said.

Remon was hit when he rode into the turn lane, where traffic was not stopped. The driver, 51-year-old William Meier of Clearwater, was heading toward the intersection to make a right turn to go north on U.S. 19 when his Mercury Sable hit Remon's bike.

The impact broke the Mercury's windshield. Remon, who was not wearing a helmet, was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

Remon is the second 14-year-old boy to be hit and critically injured while riding his bicycle in Clearwater in a week. On Friday evening, Matthew R. Hanna of Largo suffered brain injuries when he was hit while riding on Franklin Street at Hillcrest Avenue. Like Remon, Hanna was not wearing a helmet.

- Eileen Schulte, Times staff writer

[Times photo by Bill Serne]

Possible new trail system in Hernando

The Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Association have announced the rumor about resurrecting the Gran Canyon trail system in Hernando County is true. Gran Canyon is where mountain biking first found a home in Florida in the 80's and where some of the first races were held.

Ridge Riders is asking anyone who might be interested in such a great trail coming back to life to contact Hernando County and let them know of your enthusiasm.  Please send an email with your
support to: StevenD@Hernandocounty.us.

For the latest developments, check out the FLMTB bulletin board.

Want to ride? Pay the price

Ironically, the same day as Tampa Bay's largest cycling event, the Bicycle Bash, this letter appeared in the St. Petersburg Times.

Want to ride? Pay the price

I have no objections to cyclists sharing the road with vehicles. But in all fairness, shouldn't they have to pay for registrations and tags and insurance like the rest of us do for the privilege of driving on our roads?

Most bike riders I've encountered do not obey the rules of the road. I think if they had to pay for registrations and insurance like vehicle and motorcycle users, they would think twice about all the complaints they seem to be making about fairness and the driving habits of others. Vehicle and motorcycle drivers encounter rudeness on the roads, too, at times, and not just from other cars, trucks or motorcycles.

Sherry Gallagher, St. Petersburg

Sherry has a valid point in that most cyclists completely disregard traffic laws, drivers' No. 1 complaint. My first reaction is that neither drivers' insurance or registration premiums pay for roads or sidewalks. If drivers feel like cyclists are getting way with something for free, it's because they are. Cycling is beautiful because it costs next to nothing compared to driving.

Your thoughts? Share them here or write to the Times at this link.

Giro d' Tampa

It's not for a few months, but Tampa's first alleycat should separate the pretenders from the contenders. (Did I really just type that?).
Anyway, check it out on the Spoke N Word calendar:

Bicycle Bash photos

The Bicycle Bash was a hit. Big shout out to Alan Snel for putting together this great event!

UPDATE: Check out some great coverage from the USF Cycling Blog and Bike Commuters.

UPDATE: Here's the write up from Times Correspondent Jessica Mundie:

The Bicycle Bash by the Bay attracted more than 2,500 cycling enthusiasts to St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park Sunday. The crowds came from all parts of Florida and included from BMX fans, camping bicyclists, Orlando racers and 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.

Local bicycle clubs from both sides of the bay came out in full force, much to the delight of organizer Alan Snel. Palm Harbor's Tom Ferraro represented Suncoast Cycling Club. Others who passed by the dozens of expo tents were Tom Stevenson of St. Petersburg Bicycle Club, Wes Eubank of SWAMP Club (Southwest Association Of Mountain Bike Pedallers), Scottie Graham of BBC (Best Of The Bay) Racing Club, champion cyclists Doug Franzese and Greg Sironen of West Coast Wheelmenk, Ruben Watson of Tampa Bay Freewheelers, and Rue Morgan, founder of the St. Pete Mad Dogs.

Also in attendance were the students from University Of South Florida cycling team, celebrated collector and cycling author Chip Haynes of Clearwater, and race announcer John Sinibaldi of Seminole.

Adventure Cycling Assn. honors local shop

The Adventure Cycling Association, the nation's largest premire organization for bicycle travel, has honored Bicycle Outfitters of Seminole for their support of the active bicycling lifestyle. They will receive the 2007 Sam Braxton Bike Shop Award.

The staff at Bicycle Outfitters patiently and proficiently guides customers through the process of gearing up, fitting bikes and choosing routes. As Marci Moore, a member of Adventure Cycling, proclaimed in her nomination, “This shop specializes in getting people on bikes for life. These guys are terrific and they have in a way saved our lives. We are healthier and happier. They change lives everyday by helping people at all levels embrace cycling for a lifetime.” Bicycle Outfitters is committed to getting more people excited about bike travel and go to incredible lengths to achieve just that.

The Sam Braxton Award goes to shops that go out of their way to provide service for traveling cyclists, including a long-standing commitment by providing touring equipment and gear, skilled mechanics and great services.

Congrats Bicycle Outfitters!