Clermont, FL – 4th Tour Latino

Sunday, February 19, 2017, started at 6 am in 63-degree weather. It was a clear, low humidity day with small to medium gusts of wind. All in all a great day to ride after we traveled through a patch of showers on our way to the event. Dawn, Diana, Jodel, and Z participated in the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF) Tour Latino event in Clermont, FL.

The Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF) of Florida, Inc. is the leading Hispanic non-profit economic development organization in Florida. Since 1991, HBIF has specialized in providing free bilingual business development services to Hispanic entrepreneurs trying to establish or expand their business. Its quality professional services—provided to clients for free—include educational assistance, individual consulting and technical assistance, entrepreneurial grants for subcontracted services, and loan facilitation.

The Ride

This was our fourth Tour Latino event to participate in. Our group had all different level of riders, including some that had been sidelined for a while due to injury. We all though we were participating in the 50-mile course.

We started off on time. Jodel and Z made sure our music was synched up to keep us going in the hills of Clermont. About 4 miles into the ride, though, trouble came our way. Dawn took a tumble. Not just an ordinary fall, no, she had to do a crazy flip over her handlebars with the bike still attached. She let go and just rolled with it. We were at a 3-way intersection manned by Sheriff’s department, so he helped out along with the team members to make sure Dawn was ok. SAG support was there right away. Dawn, ever the trouper, was a bit banged up but after an assessment decided she would press on. The team members got back underway, ready to tackle some climbing.

The first hill was small but steep. A small uphill to get used to shifting and pedaling. The hills got a little more challenging each time. Caution was in order due to some roads being a little damp still after the rains, along with some sand. We were still on track to finish the 50-mile course, 6 miles after Dawn’s fall we were stopped at a light and she said she wasn’t going to make the 50 miles.

We all changed course to ride the 24-mile course because we stay together always. After some rolling hills, including the welcome downhills, the first SAG stop was there. A wonderful young man was flipping his sign to make sure riders knew where to stop! Our friendly volunteers offered us PB&J, trail mix, nuts, bananas, oranges, Gatorade, water, and snack bars. A wide variety of snacks to suit most any need.

Volunteers made it seem like we had hardly expended any effort to get here with their smiles and encouragement. After a short break, it was time to get back on the road.

A short distance later, Dawn decided that her spill earlier was taking its toll. She turned back around to get a ride back to the start/finish line. She was disappointed, but health and safety come first. The rest of the team members continued on now that she was in safe hands with the SAG team.

There were still challenging hills to be faced. We were looking forward to each downhill portion more and more. The weather held to a cool breeze, so at least we did not have to deal with high humidity and heat. By the time we got to the 20-mile mark, we knew we’d be at that finish line soon. Once we were at mile 24, we were excited but had to cautiously navigate the trail that had quite a few joggers, strollers, and park visitors by that time. Then there was the finish line! A great way to end a challenging ride.

The best part of the ride, though, was the great food provided and the camaraderie we shared at lunch. These rides are always a great experience for the simple fact we all share a love of biking and can share a sense of accomplishment in what we did that day.

The Food

The food at this event is like no other and it was all catered by Zaza “New Cuban Diner” (http://zazacubandiner.com).

Main Course

Mojo Chicken Breast (Pollo Asado): Grilled medley of veggies which include corn, red peepr, garlic, onions and carrots.
Congri: Black beans and rice cooked together.
Maduros: Sweet fried plantains.
Salad and Cuban bread with butter was also on hand.

Pastries

Quesitos: Cream cheese rolled in light pastry dough and sugar, baked until caramelized to a golden finish.
Guava Pastries: Puff Pastry filled with guava jelly.
Guava Con Queso: Puff pastry filled with guava jelly and cream cheese.

What was missing to cap off such a great meal was a cup of brew like they had in the past. What latin meal is complete without un cafecito?! We hope they bring it back next year.

Corladito: A double shot of espresso, infused with cremita sugar.
Cortadito: A double shot of espresso, infused with cremita sugar and topped with a small amount of steamed milk.
Café con leche (Coffee with milk): An espresso (without sugar) served alongside a cup of hot or steamed milk. Traditionally served separate from the coffee, the espresso is poured to the desired darkness into the cup of hot milk and then stirred.