LAKEWOOD RANCH — There will be bike ride for every ambition Sunday at the 2009 Gulf Coast Cycle Fest Ride.
Cyclists will have their choice of 15-, 31-, 62- or 100-mile rides, starting at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton campus, 5000 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
An estimated 500 riders are expected to take part, said event chairman David Hodgkinson of the Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle Club.
Early registration is set for 1-4 p.m. Saturday, with check-in slated for 6:30-8:45 a.m. Sunday. Cyclists will begin their rides at half-hour intervals starting at 7:30 a.m.
“It’s a rally, not a race. We are encouraging people to have healthy exercise and enjoyable company,” Hodgkinson said.
A portion of the proceeds will go to student scholarships for LECOM, he said.
“Traditionally, a lot of people turn up on the morning of the event,” he said, and riders can register early at http://www.smbc.us/cyclefest.html or in person Sunday morning at LECOM.
El Parent of Bradenton had heart surgery in December 2000. He is 800 miles short of reaching the 30,000-mile mark on a bike, all of it since his surgery.
“They tell me that it’s really good for me. It’s become an important part of my life,” Parent said of cycling.
He won’t be able to ride in Sunday’s event because he will be working as an event volunteer at one of the break stations.
Breakfast will be offered at 6:45 a.m., as well as a lunch buffet 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Rest stops will be provided along the way, stocked with water, sports drinks, sandwiches and fruit. There also will be a bike mechanic at the starting line, massages will be available at a nominal cost, and door prizes will be awarded.
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