PHOTOS: Tour de Downbeach

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Ben took the raw videotape back to the studio around 1PM and "maybe" some will find its way onto the NBC40 news. A music video will be made for our WLV website's front page and shared with Ventnor Merchants and Marvelous Margate's business associations for their use on their websites also.

The turnout was GREAT with over 200 registered riders and a lot of others showing up to watch or as volunteer helpers. The organizing efforts by multiple towns really showed! Police escorts and volunteers kept the flow of riders running smoothly. Here are photos taken while Ben and I were running around to key points of the route. Other shutterbugs who've been contributing photos they've taken at events through this summer season were out in force and the Album is expected to grow.





Early-bird riders were already gathering around 9:15 AM



Merchants and citizens stepped up as donors to help make the t-shirts (and a lot of other things) possible.

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Mayors Becker (Margate), Kelly (Ventnor) and Russo (Longport)


Getting a mic for on-camera interview


Congressman LoBiondo was among the riders


Dianne, who along with Mike W. helped originate the first "Tour" as the Tour de Ventnor last year, gave instructions to the crowd. (Rule #1: It's a TOUR and not a competitive RACE. But tell that to some of the pre-teens making the ride. Hehehe!)

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Oh, and did we mention that the turnout was GREAT?

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Family groups and bike-pulled Tot Carts were seen all along the route.


Riders turned North on the Boardwalk to ride to the Ventnor city line, where these "Border Patrol" stood ready to turn them right back around to head South.



Being a local radio personality was not enough of a Passport for Barb Altman to get past those Border Patrolmen.

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At the southern end of town, Mike "the Bike" Wiesen -- an originator of the very first Tour in '08 -- stood on patrol to guide riders off the Boardwalk and onto the street (Washington Ave.) for the legs of the Tour through Margate and the tip of the island in Longport.




Ventnor police and Margate police were ready for a smooth handoff, blocking traffic on Atlantic Ave. so that waves of riders could safely cross into the bike lane.



Washington Ave. residents with a 9-11 memorial banner cheered the passing stream of yellow t-shirts.



Cruising down Atlantic Ave.

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At the tip of Longport, thirsty riders were welcomed at a refreshment station. Water for adults, fruit juice for kids.





Smooth handoff of juice to this youngster ...



And this participant was "all hands" and "no handlebars" for his handoff!

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Can a thirsty videographer get some water, too?



A tot-cart rides off in the distance ...



Meanwhile, back in Margate's back bay at Tomatoes, the DJ was running final tests on the sound system.

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Commissioner Weintrob and his wife had been busy grilling in Tomatoe's lot, to be prepared for a hungry crowd, as the first early arrivals showed up at the end of the ride.


There was a taste-tester on-hand ...



and all systems were a "go" on the hamburgers, rated "mighty fine" ...



Bikes got parked ...

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And the crowd of hungry riders just grew ...



and grew some more ...

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Link to Peter's gallery of photos from the event

http://picasaweb.google.com/pmokover...Downbeach2009#

ENJOY!









Ben Fogletto of ACPress posted an album of 9 photos at:
http://pressofac.mycapture.com/mycap...tegoryID=28447

Accompanying article:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...cc4c03286.html