Call it a kick-butt time at nationals for local cyclists.
Two-time U.S. Olympian Bobby Lea of Topton captured three more national titles last week in Carson, Calif., at the USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships.
Lea was one of seven area cyclists to win gold medals during elite nationals.
Giddeon Massie of Zion Hill and Matt Baranoski of Perkasie both won two national titles and 2012 U.S. Olympian Lauren Tamayo of Barto, now living in North Carolina, added a title in the team pursuit, while Jackie Simes of New Tripoli, Andy Lakatosh of Trexlertown and Zach Noonan of Kutztown all won national titles.
Lea earned gold medals in the individual pursuit, the points race and teamed with Simes to win the Madison. Lea also placed fifth in the scratch race.
Noonan was on the wining team pursuit and placed fourth in the scratch race.
Massie teamed with Lakatosh to win the team sprint, won the keirin and placed third in the sprint and kilometer time trial. Lakatosh also earned second in the sprint and keirin.
Baranoski won the sprint (area men went 1-2-3 in that event), won the kilometer and placed second in the team sprint. He actually finished first in the keirin but was relegated; otherwise it would have been another 1-2-3 sweep for Lehigh Valley cyclists in the keirin.
Kim Geist of Emmaus placed second in the individual pursuit and fifth in the points race. Dana Feiss of Telford placed second in the team sprint, fourth in the sprint and keirin, and fifth in the 500-meter time trial.
VeloFest 2012: If you're into cycling, Trexlertown is the place to be this weekend.
VeloFest 2012, the largest cycling-related flea market in North America, takes place 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday inside the gates of the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Pets will not be allowed inside the gates.
If you're interested in upgrading your cycling or running gear, or getting some great bargains on used bikes, clothing and other accessories to get started in the sport or the recreational end of cycling, VeloFest includes some of the top retailers in the country as well as hundreds of private vendors, including cycling stars like Olympic silver medalist Bobby Julich, a third-place finisher in the Tour de France, as well as top pros like Kyle Wamsley and Kim Geist, who call T-town home.
The Breakaway Café, featuring Rodale Catering's all-organic menus, will be open for the event.
Bicycling magazine Fall Classic: The second annual "ride where the editors ride" Bicycling magazine Fall Classic will take place Sunday, beginning and ending at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center.
Online signups ended on Wednesday. Day-of and day-before registration is $30 for the 10-miler, $60 for the 25-milers, $70 for the 50-miler and $100 for the 90-mile Gran Fondo, which includes chip timing on the hills and prizes for the top male and female climbers.
The 10-, 25- and 50-mile rides through the scenic back roads of the Lehigh Valley feature full support and are on the same roads the editors of "Bicycling," as well as international professional riders, train on throughout the year.
Ride times begin at 8 a.m. for the Gran Fondo, 9 a.m. for the 50-miler, 10 a.m. for the 25-miler and 11 a.m. for the 10-milers. A post-ride party takes place inside the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, including a Bicycling Fall Classic steel pint glass, live music and massages.
Volunteers needed for running events: Both the Runner's World Half Marathon and D&L Marathon and Half Marathon are in need of race day volunteers.
The Runner's World Half Marathon and Running Festival in Bethlehem needs volunteers for Oct. 18-21.
To sign up as individuals or groups, go online to http://bit.ly/RWHalfVolunteer.
The D&L Marathon and Half Marathon, which benefits the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, takes place from Northampton and crosses the Lehigh River to go north on the D&L Trail on Sunday, Nov. 4.
To volunteer, go online to http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/marathon/volunteers.php.
To sign up to race, go online to http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/marathon.
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