Cycling Tour of Sebring cranks up

Be prepared to see a multitude of spandex-clad bicyclists perched on their fancy rides Labor Day weekend for the 28th annual Tour of Sebring.

The event is hosted by the Kenilworth Lodge and the Highlands Pedalers bicycle club.

Registration begins today at the Kenilworth, and a variety of rides will be offered Saturday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 6.

"It's a good event," said Mark Stewart, the hotel's owner, on Thursday. "When this group of people comes in they're frequenting the local restaurants, the shops and hotels. I can't house them all so it benefits everybody.

"There's spandex everywhere. This is a group of people we love," he said.

The Highlands County Tourist Development Council will give out goodie bags to all the participants, said Stewart. All 110 rooms at the Kenilworth Lodge will be occupied by bicyclists this weekend.

"Last year we had approximately 340 people," said Stewart. "We hope to beat that this year."

Bob Bennett, the Highlands Pedalers secretary and website administrator, said Thursday that this event began with a West Palm Beach cycling club, but has since taken on a local flavor.

He guessed that more than 99 percent of the participants are from Florida. And, these are not inexpensive rigs they'll be riding. Some ultra-light bikes cost more than $9,000.

"We have a little over 100 members," said Bennett. "About two years ago we had 30 members, so it's been growing pretty fast."

There are many reasons people join bicycle clubs, according to Bennett's wife, Rita. Some join for health, for fitness and still others join for the friendship and camaraderie.

"That's how Bob and I met is through bicycling," said Rita Bennett, who said they met while living in Baltimore, Md. "We met on a ride and that was 25 years ago."

Watch out for bicycles

"This is Labor Day weekend," said Rita Bennett. "Bicyclists have the right to be on the road, to share the road. We have been really impressed with the cooperative nature of the motorists around here."

Police officers may exercise discretion during enforcement actions involving cyclists, according to the Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide, published by the Florida Bicycle Association.

"Cyclists on roadways fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles," the handbook stated. "Cyclists may ride two abreast only within a single lane and when not impeding traffic."

There is a three-foot separation rule in Florida for drivers passing a bicyclist.

The tour

The Tour of Sebring includes a variety of SAG-supported rides, varying in length from 10 miles to, a "full century" ride (100 miles for the serious cyclists), said Bennett.

Bennett researched the term SAG and learned it in all likelihood stood for support and gear, meaning these rides will have a vehicle behind the pack to help out any broken down, injured or exhausted riders to offer assistance.

Riders are offered marked routes, rest stops, a daily buffet, an ice cream social on Saturday and much more at this event.

The Tour of Sebring is the largest of the four major Sebring bicycling events and is held each Labor Day weekend at the Kenilworth Lodge.

There are other organized rides held throughout the year. For more information, go to www.highlandspedalers.com/ or call Bennett at 863-382-7184.