2012 Tour de Frederick

I had to post this before it'll be a month late.

Speaking of bikes, the only high-wheel bike (antiques and replicas) race in America was held in historic downtown Frederick last August 18. It was organized by the Potomac Region Wheelmen and benefited the Frederick Bicycle Coalition.

We couldn't afford to miss it, of course, so we went downtown a couple of hours early.

The gentleman at the far (right) end with the little replica of a high wheel bike was not part of the race.


Photo opportunities before the race started.





Dear photographer in gray, can you let me borrow a copy of the photo that you took in this photo for my "Before and After" series?



There's the mister. Hello, dear!



I was salivating for soft pretzels from the Brewer's Alley. There were some people that I saw munching before the race started and while watching the race.


Every time we go downtown, I'd always challenge everyone to who'd see a friend(s) first and this time, the mister and the boy won. No one can beat Jay since he has more friends in Frederick in real life and not online. Second was the boy when he met his elementary teacher. She was somewhere in this crowd in a blue printed button top and khaki shorts.


Click HERE for the riders' profiles.




This was the only rider with a camera attached to his yellow helmet.






Michael D. Kennedy (front) of Hagerstown, Maryland
Bike: 51 3/4" Summerfield 2010



Alison Torpey of Louisville, Kentucky.
Bike: 52" Expert Columbia 1887



Richard DeLombard of Ohio (wearing tie)
Bike: 51" Zimovcak



Carson Torpey (Red and white stripes) of Louisville, Kentucky
Bike: 54" Mesicek 1994



Good job volunteer who made sure pedestrians were safe to cross the street during the race!


The kiddos came with the mister and I too, as always.


Almost over.


Sheryl Kennedy with the colorful socks had a group of die-hard fans (see left side). She was also the winner in the women's category.


He's one of the organizers.


There's the photographer in gray again. 


Winner in the men's category, Rick Stumff.

By the way, Greg LeMond attended the event too. (Wore a black shirt -- white haired taking photo of the winner.)

"In 1986, LeMond became the first American and the first non-European cyclist to win the Tour de France. The following year he was shot and seriously injured in a hunting accident. He was able to return to the Tour in 1989, winning it dramatically in its final stage. He won again for the third time the following year in 1990. He is one of eight cyclists to have won the Tour three or more times. LeMond was born in Lakewood, California, and raised in Reno, Nevada." - source

Wow! She rode the race in those leather heeled shoes.


There were riders who came with their bikes but weren't part of the race obviously. 



The event was perfect and fun, except at the very end when Alison Torpey and another rider collided . According to the kids who were sitting near where the accident happened, Torpey hit the back of her head at the side of the street. She was released from the hospital three days later. Thank God.


I got pissed with some volunteers who kept telling people who took photos of the race who were taking pictures to stay on the sidewalk. DUH! We were already taking photos while standing on the sidewalk before they kept reminding us. Then he and his lady volunteer companion stood in front of us with their big cameras and took photos of the race. What?! So they also blocked our view to take photos? There was also this other volunteer who chuckled sarcastically every time I took photos of the accident. What the heck?!



Visit these sites:
The Frederick Clustered Spires High Wheel Race 


The Frederick Bicycle Coalition