Urban bike racers descend on downtown

The beep-beep-beep of a motorcycle horn announced the coming horde.

A moment later, dozens of cyclists whooshed past the corner of Franklin Street and Kennedy Boulevard on their latest lap around downtown.

For 45 minutes, the peloton of cyclists navigated the half-mile course, leaning hard into 90-degree turns, riding a few inches apart on the straight-aways. All the way, spectators shouted encouragement from the sidelines.

In its second year, the Tampa Twilight Criterium bike race offered a taste of the Tour de France without the passport or the airfare. For much of Saturday, Lykes Gaslight Square park was overrun with high-tech bikes, super-fit riders and vendors targeting them.

The event drew more than 450 cyclists and their supporters for a human-powered alternative to the Honda Grand Prix race being held across the Bay. The crowd was up 50 percent over last year.

"The word of mouth from last year was phenomenal," said organizer Keri Burns of Orlando.

Riders ranged from preteens to seniors, many of them atop racing bikes the price of a small car. Most riders were amateurs, although the professionals' sundown race gives the event its name.

The rules can take a little work to understand. Races are for a set time - from 20 minutes to 75 minutes - and end with a three-lap sprint. The rider who completes most laps in the time allotted wins.

The riders will gather again today to race through the streets of Pinellas Park. Then it's on to Webster next week and Miami after that.

In all, Criterium riders can spend 30 weekends a year racing through the streets of Florida's cities, Burns said.

For Shane Collins, 40, of Clermont, street racing is a way to stay in shape and squeeze in some time with the family. His son, Nicholas, was part of the pack of 10- to 14-year-old riders.

Father and son switched to Criterium riding after taking up triathalons.

"This is more fun," Shane Collins said.

Spectators Ray and Mary Ann Smith of Beach Park found a shady spot along Franklin Street to watch the racers whiz by. They're fans of the Tour de France and came to the Criterium mostly out of curiosity.

"It's just good to see downtown coming alive," Mary Ann Smith said.