Bike Ride Wrap

I received emails this week about great bicycling events.

My friend Tim Butts, president of the St. Pete Bike Club, reminds everyone that the Spring Classic is set on April 11.

It's a non-competitive cycling tour of Manatee County starting at Tony D’s at 304 7th Street W. in Palmetto (just north of Bradenton ).

The 60-mile ride starts at 8 am, the 35-mile ride starts at 8:10 and the 25-mile ride starts at 8:20.

Ride through the scenic roads of northern and eastern Manatee County . There will be well stocked SAG stops on each marked route.

All pre-registered riders will get a t-shirt (or equivalent). There will be a post-ride party with prizes and a great lunch. Registration before April 5 is $30, after $35. Register online at www.stpetecycling.com

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Dawn Heidemann and Dean Hurst are Tampa's only two AIDS LifeCycle riders. It's a 7-day, 545-mile charity bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. They live in the Seminole Heights/Sulfur Springs area.

On May 2nd, they are producing a benefit concert and art show called Art Pedalers: An AIDS LifeCycle and Francis House Benefit.

Five local bands including Have Gun, Will Travel and GreyMarket will be performing and art from local artists will be on display and most for sale, too. Please contact Dawn by email at dheidemann@hotmail.com or phone at 813-494-0250.

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Theresa Brown, event coordinator of the Tour d'Afrique, sends a message that the Tour d'Afrique riders have just crossed into Malawi - they're on a rest day today on the shores of the lake - and recently passed the halfway mark of the 12000km journey.

Here are some photos from the trip, contact theresa@tourdafrique.com and log onto www.tourdafrique.com.