OnBikes Inaugural Tour de Tampa began with over one hundred and thirty participants and what a great time it was! They started at the Columbia restaurant parking lot and then after announcements, acknowledgments and instructions by OnBikes Founder Drew Weatherford, former Florida State Football quarterback who led the Seminoles to three bowl game victories. Drew said, "My love of bicycling is rooted in family memories of long bike rides." The 130 cyclist began their way through the streets of Ybor down 7th Avenue to their first stop, Gaspar's !!! Statuesque owner and hostess Shere H. Shiller, greeted the cyclist and presented them with a lovely buffet with salmon, fruits, pastas, vegetables and deserts beautifully presented with gourmet seasonings and sauces! What a great start! Ice water for all and open bar. After a gentle rain to cool the air they were off to our next stop, New World Brewery on 8th Avenue. Wow, thin and crispy pizza, good conversation with other cyclist about a variety of subjects, the book and movie, The Help, and concerns about coming rain and then off to their third stop on Franklin Street Hattricks, with its tall windows, Victorian drapery and contrasting sports photos everywhere. Dining on the famous Lemon Pepper Grouper Nuggets to Portabella Mushroom sandwiches and enjoying the cool air conditioning, the cyclist watched the rain pour for a little that cooled off the air and then it was off to, Taps at the corner of Ashley and Polk. What a great view of The Glazer Children’s Museum and a gastro delight with hummus, ordure's and chicken skewers in white sauce. Another rain and then a group picture at the Park and it was off to Hooters, hot wings, hugs and drinks and now at 7pm the ride back to The Columbia Restaurant parking lot the end of a perfect day! The children supported by this organization will receive a new bicycle and experience the joy most of us felt when we received our first bicycle.

The next tour De Tampa is scheduled for December 10, 2011.