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Stupidity and insanity.
Those were two reasons cyclists cited repeatedly in explaining why they decided to embark on challenging 100-mile rides during Cape Coral's 19th annual Tour de Cape.
They were joking, of course, but it was evident that even the most seasoned cyclists were aware of the feat they were taking on when they pedaled their Saeco and Trek bikes onto the street at Cape Harbour for the event.
Fort Myers resident Jeff Jewitt, 55, munched on a banana as he stood with his brother Al, 54, before the 7:30 a.m. century ride began.
Jeff Jewitt, who has participated in Tour de Cape multiple times, convinced his brother to travel from his home in New Jersey for the event, which is organized by the City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by The News-Press.
The men seemed confident as they stood clad in their helmets and spandex before the tour, in which there were no winners or official times. The Jewitt brothers said a big key to the ride would be to monitor their heart rates and make sure they stayed relatively steady.
Joe Bonness, 55, of Naples, said he ate oatmeal and granola for energy before the ride. Fellow cyclist Brian Hopkins 28, of Pennsylvania - who said he rides his bike between one to three hours every day - chose oatmeal with peanut butter and brown sugar for his pre-ride breakfast.
"It's all about pacing yourself," Bonness said of the 100-mile ride, which he ended finishing in a little more than four and a half hours.
Sanibel Island resident Christine Donovan, 41, competes in Ironman triathlons and rode in her second Tour de Cape at the urging of three friends who were participating. Donovan said her group rode 80 miles during the event, which officially offers tours of 15, 30, 66 and 100 miles.
Echoing several other cyclists, Donovan said it was "obnoxiously windy" during the tour, which made the ride extra challenging. Still, she enjoyed the euphoria she felt after crossing the finish line.
"I love the feeling of having constant energy and the accomplishment of getting better," she said of her fitness endeavors.
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Lehigh Acres resident Ken Vega, 54, and Andy Hernandez, 56, of Cape Coral, rode 66 miles together during the event to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The men's wives - who cheered them on from the sidelines - have both been diagnosed with MS.
"That's my purpose in life - supporting the cause," Vega said after the ride.
After they completed their bicycle rides or their 5K run/walks - which were timed and held the day before the cycling events - most Tour de Cape participants said they were looking forward to relaxing to celebrate their accomplishments.
Some listened to live music, ate lunch at Cape Harbour restaurants and enjoyed free massages. After his 100-mile cycle, Bonness said he would reward himself with a beer at
Rumrunners.
Cape Coral residents Pat Roush, 60, and Bill Clarke, 70, who ran the 5K together, said they planned to spend the rest of the day boating to unwind from the race.
The two-day Tour de Cape offered families an opportunity to get outside and celebrate together after they donned their Nikes for the 5K or took leisurely 7-mile bike rides around the Cape for "Family Fun Sunday," which was promoted for the first time this year.
"We're excited about getting families out to be active," said Todd King, special events coordinator for the city of Cape Coral. "When you market something to kids and schools, they kind of pull their parents into it. It might get dad off the couch. It might start a lifestyle change."
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