NEWS

May is National Bike Month
The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week from May 12-16 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 16. Help us Count Cyclists In this May, and every month!
Go to http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/events.php the official site for National Bike Month. Check the events section often to see what bike month and bike to work week events are going on in your community.


2008 Snowbird
On Sunday March 30th the day began early…
I was so excited the night before I could not sleep! Why does this happen?? It’s always so hard to get a good night before these events and the races!!
By the time we got to Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, I was already so happy for being a part of the event!
Over 900 people participated in the ride, mostly from Miami but some even as far away as Australia! Bikers of all levels were there ready to ride away for 25, 40, 62 or 100 miles!
The event was very well organized. The route was beautiful. The stations were ready with wonderful volunteers!
I got to meet so many people! This is just another reason why these events are so much fun!
Thank you to the Everglades Bicycle Club for organizing this great event!

The Everglades Bicycle Club is a 501C Non-for profit organization and proceeds from the ride go to various charities such as the South Florida National Parks Fund and BikeFlorida.

As stated by many who participated
“A windy road to satisfaction!” Miguel Reyes, Miami FL
"I was hoping to see some rockets... What happened to the rockets?" Sam Rodriguez, Miami FL


7 Mile Bridge
A magical experience...That’s how I would have to describe it...
It all began with an amazing beautiful ride down to the keys. As soon as I got in my car I felt like I was on my way to an amazing experience! The ride down was just gorgeous. Beautiful blue Florida sky. With my windows down, the sun shining, seeing the ocean... What more can you ask for!
By the time we all met picking up our packets, you could already feel the good vibe... I mean, come on, we’re in the Keys!
But nothing prepared us for the amazing and beautiful place that was waiting for us when we got to our friends Jackie’s house! I don’t know about you, but I could get used to living there!
The morning of the race begun, it was all good except for that long line to the bathrooms, and then going IN those port-a-johns... That wasn’t a good experience.... I think they could definitely use more bathrooms ext year!
The race started, the sun was out, bright and HOT on our backs, people were happy, this girl running next to me was even singing, it all felt right! I felt like that was exactly the place where I wanted to be at that moment!
As we ran and waved at the cameras on the helicopters, we were just surrounded by some many runners, all sizes, all ages, and all levels! From barefoot Billy, to 76 year-old Silvia Weiner at 1:12 with a pace of 10:39, and the winner, JASON BODNAR at 35:39 with a pace average 5:15!!!
So we did it!! We all made it in! No bus needed!!! LOL! After a long and what felt like a forever-walk to finally get some water... It all felt worth it! We were standing by the ocean, well, some of us, in the ocean. The bananas and oranges tasted like heaven!
The day ended with a perfect lunch by the water... And a nice cool dip into Jackie’s pool!
I would have to say, it was not just “a race”... It was an experience! I think we all took brought something back with us. I know I learned something new about myself, and I had a magical experience!
The drive back was beautiful and relaxing. An emotional feeling came over me after such intense weekend... it was and overwhelming feeling of joy!
I sure hope to live it again next year!!!
I want to thank all the strong and amazing women who shared this experience with me. And special thanks to Jackie Sparber who was our motivation and inspiration!

Tachi Llamas.
Miamipace founder.


Swim Miami 2008
Swim Miami started in 2005, it was the revival of the “old” Miami Mile, a very popular open water race in the 80’s and early 90’s we only swam the Mile and the Dog Duathlon, it happened on a Saturday after Hurricane Wilma hit on Thursday, only 176 people could get there.
The course used the entire width of the bay it was more of a rectangle, the racers could not be seen at the other side of the bay. So many boats were sheltered on the bay, it was fun to swim around so many vessels; I don’t know how the officials kept the swimmers on line from cutting the buoys.
On the second outing in September 2006 we had a big rainstorm, 2 hours late start; the marine patrol stayed, and was able to finish, that year we started the 10K, we also raced the 5K, Mile and 800 Open Water “sprint.” It was a good lesson on the usage of the GPS. Almost 400 swimmers gathered for this event, and it was moderately successful, the need for better security was touched on.
Swim Miami 2007, marked the cut-off, we were going to turn international and truly be the site of the Florida Gold Coast Association Open Water Junior Olympics or bust; we were going to have more motorized vessels in the water or that was the end, the registration would be smoother we needed better personnel in the kayaks and put some jet skis in the water.
Swim Miami 2008 was moved to April, water was 10°F cooler, it was the best, at least for the international and Jr. Olympic racers, every detail of a great international championship was noticed: from the registration desk to the hospitality table, from the First Aid station to the Jon Boats carrying officials and rescuing a blind swimmer who experienced an asthma attack on her way to the Mile swim. The jet skis also had their chance to perform a rescue when one of the Down’s swimmers experienced a very severe cramp in his calf and foot arch. 600 swimmers participated, the parking lots filled, that was good news, we did not charge for parking and the admission fee was waived, because we did not sell the program... but we learned how to take care of business for next year. The Swim Gym Swim Team, starts calling the event it’s own, the parent booster club, a volunteer group, is compared with the best and hardest working group of group leaders, for the sake of their kids sport!!!

Sincerely,
Coach Robert Strauss
Swim Gym


ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon
On January 27th, 2008 more than 10,000 runners finished the 2008 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon! This sixth annual event started at 6:15am leaving from American Airlines Arena heading to South Beach North to Venetian Causeway, down Biscayne and ending the Half at Bayside. Those completing the Marathon kept going south to Coconut Grove and back up Brickell Avenue...!!!! 26.2 miles!!

It was a beautiful course with much of it with ocean view. Thanks to all the people who came out to support and cheer the runners! This means a lot to us all! It just helps you keep going and gets you even more motivated! I’m happy to se the city of Miami enjoying and living this event which grows more and more every year with participants coming from all over the US and the world!

Congratulatios to all participants!
click here to view pictures of this event

Curing tires.
Tires are made with nature rubber. This nature rubber needs to cure after the manufacture process which takes a while.


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