VERO BEACH — Several dozen cyclists braved the rainy weather Sunday morning to participate in the 2011 Tour de Vero, a charity bike ride to benefit the Vero Beach Fire Fighters Association and honor a fallen Indian River County fire fighter and cycling enthusiast.
Cyclists chose amongst a 34-, 54- and 100-mile course, all of which ran along the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway.
The competitive charity ride was organized in honor of the late Fire Chief and fellow cyclist Brian Nolan, who died in August 2010 of coronary arterial disease. The ride was created to raise money for the Fire Fighters Association and to raise awareness about heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women.
Vero Beach neurologist, Dr. Jim Shafer, joined forces with Indian River County Firefighter John O’Conner to bring back this biking event after a four-year hiatus.
“We hope we can keep this tradition going,” O’Conner said about the charity bike ride. “Brian Nolan would have been proud of all the people who showed up today and rode in these not-so-perfect conditions.”
“It was a great turn out, despite the weather,” Shafer said. “Not only did people come out to honor Brian and raise money for the firefighters – we have been able to raise awareness about coronary arterial disease.”
One of the first cyclists to pass the finish line was Vero Beach resident, Kathy Flynn, an 18-year veteran of cycling.
“This has been an amazing day,” said Flynn who glided in easily at the finish line at MacWilliam Park under the Barber Street Bridge. “It was very well organized, had good SAG support, and it was all for a great cause. No matter what the weather, I would have been here to support this ride.”
Just across the way, another cyclist, Dr. Larry Erickson, 74, Dermatologist and resident of Vero Beach, rode almost effortlessly past the finish line.
He said he had been an avid bike rider from his native state of Colorado, but this had been one of his first rides locally in a long time.
“I usually do spin classes at the gym, but I thought I should get out here today, take part in this event,” Erickson said as he completed his 54-mile trek. “It rained at the start, but that made up for it not being too hot. That east wind made it tough at times, but all and all, it was an easy ride.”
A group of friends soon came over the finish line with broad smiles and high fives.
Rafael Ospina, Vero Beach real estate agent from Treasure Coast Sotheby’s in training for the half-ironman competition, breezed by after his 54-mile ride.
His two friends, Kimberly Palmer, director of fitness at the Moorings Club, and Chris Vorce, CPA, from Kmetz Nuttall Elwell and Graham, followed right behind him.
“It was our first time doing this length of a ride,” Vorce said. “And we had such a great time.”
“I usually run and participate in track,” Palmer added. “This was really fun.”
Ospina, who cycles three times a week as part of his training was very proud of his friends.
“This was a great day,” he said. “We were proud to be part of this.”
Indian River County Budget Director Jason Brown got a chance to come out from behind his desk and ride for the cause.
“I worked with Brian Nolan and he was a great guy,” Brown said as he pulled in from his 54-mile ride. “This is such a nice thing to have an event like this in his honor. It was like he was out here with us in spirit”
Lt. David Dangerfield, of Indian River County Fire Rescue, was one of many firefighters who assisted in lending support to the event. He was also a friend of the man being honored, Brian Nolan.
“Brian was a great leader and would have loved a day like today,” said Dangerfield.
The proceeds from the day came from the registration fees, the raffle, and the sponsorships.
“It takes a lot of people working together to make things like this happen,” said organizer John O’Connor. “The money we raised today will help many people: the Indian River County Burn Fund, scholarships, and fairground improvements among other charitable organizations.”
“Hopefully it will also remind people about heart disease and teach them how to look out for early warning signs and symptoms,” said Dr. Shaffer, a fellow event organizer. “That is what Brian would have wanted to come out of this.”
