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Suncoast Pasco News

Cycling club promotes its sport with annual ride

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BY KLINT LOWRY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: February 11, 2009

Updated: 02/16/2009 07:22 pm

The 400 or so members of the Suncoast Cycling Club love their sport, and they use it to support many good causes with fundraising events throughout the year.

When they take to the streets Feb. 21, the cause they will promote is cycling itself, as the group holds its annual "Step Up Florida!" ride.

"It's turned into a ride that everyone enjoys," said Larry Viens, a board member of the Suncoast Cycling Club and co-owner of Bike Lane Bike Shop, in New Port Richey.

The ride is an official event of "Step Up, Florida - On Our Way to Healthy Living!" The Florida Department of Health initiated the program in 2004 to promote physical activity, nutrition and healthy lifestyles to Florida's residents and visitors. During February and March, events are held in every county in the state to educate and encourage participation in the many ways people can get exercise.

The Suncoast Cycling Club has participated in Step Up, Florida since its inception as a way of promoting bicycling in Pinellas and Pasco counties.
Bike riders will hit the road at about 8:30 a.m. from the parking lot of Chainwheel Drive, 32796 US 19, Palm Harbor.

"It's officially 8 a.m., but by the time we're done with chit-chat it will be more like 8:30," Viens said.

The ride will start heading east on Tampa Road, loop around on Curlew Road then head north on East Lake Road. Crossing into Pasco County, the route will continue along Trinity Boulevard to Little Road, where it will continue north until it reaches Bike Lane Bike Shop, 9834 Little Road, New Port Richey. That is the unofficial halfway point and an official rest stop for the ride.

Publix has donated fresh fruit for the riders to replenish themselves. Viens said.

A meandering route through side streets will take the riders south to Trouble Creek Road, where they will head west. After another rest stop, they will ride to Anclote Road and begin heading south, taking the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail to Tampa Road and ending back at Chainwheel Drive.

A truck will ride alongside the pack, with a caution sign warning motorists to leave a 3-foot berth. A police escort will follow along with the cyclists during much of the route, increasing their visibility and helping them get through intersections as a unit.

Law enforcement agencies in both counties have been great to work with over the years, Viens said, and they play an important role in keeping the event rolling.

The idea of a cluster of up to 100 cyclists riding together along city streets may sound like something that would cause traffic problems, Viens said. At the pace they ride, however, the group's presence can barely be felt in any one spot and passing through a major intersection takes maybe 15 seconds, he said.

This is not exactly a casual little ride, according to Viens. The pace will be around 20 mph for the entire 54.8 miles - casual for seasoned cyclists maybe, but something beginners should consider.

Membership in Suncoast Cycling Club is not required to take part in the ride and there is no entry fee.

A helmet is required, and riders are asked to wear cycling pants, not baggy shorts, as the group will travel in formation and one fabric-in-chain mishap could cause a major problem, Viens said.

For more information about the ride, call Bike Lane at 727-819-2700 or visit www.suncoastcyclists.com>.

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