Augusta leg of tour kicks off

Amateur Augusta-area cyclists gathered at a community festival at Augusta Common on Tuesday night to help kick off the Augusta leg of the Dodge Tour de Georgia.

Riding around the Augusta Common on a special three-wheeled, two-seater cycle was one of the youngest enthusiasts - Deena Rice, 8, of Martinez.

"I don't know - maybe, one day, I'd like to compete in a race," Deena said.

She and her father, Pete, participated in a family fun ride, which took them along part of the same route the pros will trek today.

A community festival on the Common, included booths from sports organizations and several health information tables.

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Shawn Vincent, administrative director of Cancer Services at the Medical College of Georgia, said proceeds from the Dodge Tour de Georgia will go to the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

"It focuses on prevention, early detection and access to quality cancer care to all cities in Georgia, and it ties into our mission," Mr. Vincent said.

MCG's Children's Medical Center also was on hand to promote bicycle safety - with the stark example of the crushed foam inside the shell of a helmet worn by a child involved in a bicycle accident.

"The helmet split to absorb the shock and did what it was supposed to," said Rene Hopkins, a nurse with the center.

Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or at jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Wednesday, April 23, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle