I’m looking for someone with your club who can talk to me for a story I’m writing about the number of people who commute or ride bikes frequently in Tampa/Hillsborough County. I’m curious about how the city and county are doing when it come to improving safety for cyclists. I’d appreciate any help your members can give me this week. They can reach me at the numbers below.
Thanks.
Kevin Wiatrowski
Reporter The Tampa Tribune (813) 731-8168 (cell) (813) 259-7871 (office)Posted in News
57 °F (13 ° C) – unexpected cold so early in the month, low humidity!
Jola, Lili, Kz, Adam and Roger.
Rode in, keeping the pace at 20 to 22 mph average. Adam mentioned that I am leaving after 3 laps and therefore not reporting his sprints after 4. To make up for this he sprinted at the end of every lap. Don’t know how he was doing it as all we would hear is “vooosh, vooush, voush!” and he was off. Eventually we would catch up. At one time I heard Kz mumble something in another language when
we caught up, don’t know what he said but it sounded like it could be “is that all you have?”
Everyone else was uncomfortable with the cold, runny noses, stiff legs
– it was awkward but we cranked out 3 laps. At the end we sprinted, I
got it up to 27/28, Adam still passed “vroosh” doing over 30 mph it
seemed. Later he said he had some stream to blow off – Adam did a
fourth lap, met a couple cyclists and maintained 22/23 – good stuff.
Hello to Torri, Susana and Larry, hope to see you sometime with us.
To answer your concerns, we all like to ride and ride safe – we’re too
far along in age to fall (speaking for myself and our ladies are all
25 ). Mostly our rides start around 22 mph, some times more for a
bit of variety and fun. Everyone is expected to pace (no fun if other
just tag). In the pace line we try to be steady, pace for a few
minutes, signal and open left. We keep to the right of the track and
when passing others announce “passing on your left”. When in the
line, cyclists are expected to be aware of what is going on in front,
with the course and with cyclists. We try not to overlap the wheel in
front and we try not to pull our brakes. Tri bikes or roadies with
aero bars are generally not in the pace line, at least not in the
tucked position. But all in all we like to ride, have fun and ride
safe. Hoping to see you soon, remember we meet at 7:30 a.m. and leave
around 7:40 a.m. – later in the year we change to 8:00 a.m. on Sundays
or both days – this is emailed to all.
All, I will miss next weekend. Have a good one. Enjoy your week.
Roger
Posted in Uncategorized
Cool and Refreshing Fall morning, bit windy but near perfect conditions to ride. Wlcome back Jola and Kz. Together with Lili, we were joined by David, Roonell (yellow bike) and Ross. Next came Alberto. As a welcome back gift and in an effort to encourage the new bikes, we announced a controlled ride, 20/21 mph, at least for the first couple of laps.
The ride began a bit frisky but we moved to front and settled the line
early – this remained so for most of the first two laps. At the end
of the second, Jola and Kz took it up a bit and bid farewell. That move stirred up Alberto and Roonell who sprinted (a bit recklessly but no worries). Into the third and we picked it up, 23/24/23. The wind was coming from the West and that made a difference going in.
“ON YOUR LEFT!” shout came from behind as a small group of pacing tri
bikes passed and that was all Lili needed to latch from the front. We were up to 26 mph, all of us handling this well having enjoyed a fairly easy ride so far. Lost Ross, then David. Lily was high in the line looking comfortable. I was at the back, bouncing behind Roonell who did not seem settled but held. The pace was not too bad, 25/26 mph. At the end of the third I turned off. Lili kept with the group for a fourth.
Looking forward to another tomorrow at 7:30 am, Flatwoods.
Roger.
Posted in News
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