Bicycle Events Are Coming Up

I know it's weird -- it's late October and it's supposed to be cooling down. But even though the acorns are flying, it still feels like summer, all muggy and all. But don't fret. Some terrific bicycle events are around the corner in November.

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Close to home here in Seminole Heights, there's a Seminole Heights Bicycle Club tripleheader on Nov. 7.
8:30 AM: "Tour de Brisket," easy 5 1/2-mile neighborhood ride. Meet at 1203 E. Powhatan Ave.
11AM-3PM: SHBC expo at the Old Seminole Heights Fall Festival at Ola and Henry Park.
6PM: Bike-in Movie Night and Pot-luck dinner at 1203 E. Powhatan Ave. (That's where Doug Jesseph's brisket comes in): Movie is the "Amateur."

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Also on Nov. 7, the Tour de Vie will be held at Walsingham Park in Largo to raise money for the ALS Association Florida Chapter. Here are the basics:
Cycling routes: 100K Century Loop starts 7 a.m.; 25 Mile Challenge, 8 a.m.; 5 Mile Family Fun Ride, 9 a.m.; Health & Wellness Expo, 10 a.m.
Where: Walsingham Park, 12615 102nd Ave. N, Largo
Information: tourdevie.org or toll-free at 1-888-257-1717

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Nov. 6-8 is SWAMP's Alafia Fat Tire Festival.
http://www.swampclub.org/alafiaftf.htm
Alafia River State Park, South of Brandon, Florida
Join the SWAMP Mountain Bike Club for 3-days of off-road adventure at Alafia and Boyette
Fri-Sun event registration is $85 per person, $70 for SWAMP members.
Saturday only registration is $60 and does not include event SWAG or camping.
Sunday only registration is $20 and does not include event SWAG or camping.

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Nov. 15 -- MDA Bike Tour Challenge held by the Suncoast Cycling Club
WHERE: HIGHLANDER PARK ◊ 903 Michigan Blvd. ◊ Dunedin (near Dunedin Community Center)
Registration Fees:
ADULT 100K, 50K, 25K - $35.00
ADULT 10K - $25.00
CHILD (under 13) - $5.00
(Add $5.00 for late or day-off registration)
Ride Choices::
100K (62 miles) — 8:00 am
50K (31 miles) — 8:30 am
25K (16 miles) — 9:00 am
10K (6 miles) — 9:00 am
http://www.mdachallenge.com/event.htm

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Nov. 21: 2009 Ride Without Limits - Tampa Bay www.ridewithoutlimits.org

It's a one-day, multiple distance cycling event. The Ride will help raise funds and awareness for UCP/Achieve Tampa Bay, to help provide equal opportunities and access for children and adults with disabilities. Cyclists will have the option of riding 35, 65 or up to 112 miles during this amazing ride.

The Ride will start at J.B. Starkey Park with the 35 mile route continuing mainly on trails and the 65 and 112 mile routes using the back roads of Pasco and Hernando counties to maximize scenery and minimize traffic. Each rider agrees to raise a minimum of $150 in donations in order to ride. You may also register to participate in the Ride as a volunteer for the event.

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John Sinibaldi tells me there are some terrific cyclo-cross clinics led by Jeb Stewart coming up.

Where: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. 1001 N. Blvd., 33607.
When: Saturdays, 2-3:30pm, Oct. 31, Nov. 14 & 28
What: Improve your ‘cross skills w/ instruction from USAC elite coach Jeb Stewart, including; mounts, dismounts, starts, cornering, running barriers, run-ups and off camber riding. Practice your skills each week on a real ‘cross course!
Cost: $20/session or $60 for the series
Contact info: (503) 863-8886 or jstewart@endurofit.com
Find out more at: www.endurofit.com