Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express.

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THE SCOOP
Bike Chicago 2003 was in full bloom over the weekend.

For Bike to Work Day on Friday at Daley Plaza, Theresa Cowen of the Mayor's Office of Special Events told Chicago Athlete that about 1,000 people rode their bikes and another 1,500 participated. "It was a great turnout despite chilly and overcast weath- er," Cowen said. "We hope to see this number increase in the years to come. The rally is a great way for people to find out just how easy and fun bicycling to work is."

Bike the Drive on Sunday attracted almost 17,000 bicyclists to an early-morning ride on auto-free Lake Shore Drive. The wind was a bit brisk out of the north, but it was a gorgeous day to ride the 15- or 30-mile routes. According to event director Cathy Haibach of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the event grossed between $500,000 and $550,000, but she was not sure what the net profit will be until expenses for police, ambulances, food, water etc., are paid. Last year, the event netted $130,000, and Haiback said she expects the amount to be higher this year. Proceeds will be used for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's wide range of advocacy programs.

What about that mention in the Tribune about Lake Shore Drive possibly being open every Sunday for bicyclists? "This is an enormous undertaking with coord- ination between, the Chicago Department of Transportation, Streets and Sanitation, the Chicago Police Department and the Mayor's Office of Special Events, and is something that needs to be examined closely," Cowen said.

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THE QUESTION
Do you think Lake Shore Drive should be closed more often for events such as Bike the Drive? Let us know what you think by posting your opinions on our Web site. Here's the link to the Chicago Athlete Message Board:
www.chicagoaa.com/cgi-bin/messageboard/view.pl

Also, there will be a public meeting for Chicago Bike 2010 Plan on Thursday, June 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., 5th floor East. For information, contact 312-427-3325 x35 or www.biketraffic.org/2010/

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THE NEWS
A hearing was conducted on Tuesday in Muncie, IN, as officials at Ball State University consider dropping six sports, including track and field. To find out what you can do about it, please visit www.saveballstatetrack.com

Mark your calendars for Friday, July 11 at 6 p.m. That's when the first annual Beverly Hills Cycling Classic is set at 102nd and Longwood. The event will open the 17-day Superweek Series and feature local, regional, national and international riders. There also is a Tour de Beverly at 4:30 p.m. for citizen riders and kids rides. You can learn more at: www.bapa.org

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COMING ATTRACTIONS
Thursday night is busy with the Jim Gibbons Memorial 5K Run, 3K Walk and Survivors Strut (6:25 p.m.) at Randolph and the lake; the Short Run On A Long Day 5K (7 p.m.) at Main Park in Frankfort and the Cat. 1/2 Madison (7:30 p.m.) at the Northbrook Velodrome.

The weekend is shaping up as another big one. The first Hammerfest Triathlon in the Ottawa area kicks off at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. Race director Hammy Handwerker said the field has been closed with 315 competitors signed up. Remember, there is mandatory Friday check-in. Volunteers still are needed. For information, go to: www.hammerfesttri.com

The River's Edge Women's Triathlon, the first stop on the new Reebok Women's Triathlon Series, is Sunday at Centennial Beach in Naperville. This event is not filled and women of all abilities are encouraged to sign up and give it a try. For information, go to: http://www.caprievents.com

And watch for results at Grandma's Marathon on Saturday in Duluth, MN. Quite a few Illinois runners are entered, including Bob Cisler of Clarendon Hills and Gloria Iverson of Lincolnwood, who will be seeking times good enough to qualify for the Olympic Trials. Cisler needs a 2:21:59, Iverson a 2:47:59. For results this weekend, go to http://www.grandmasmarathon.com

The calendar is jammed with local runs and cycling events. One of our all- time favorites, the Swedish Days Ride, is on Sunday morning in Burlington, IL. For our updated searchable calendar, please visit: http://www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

If you're chomping at the bit to start following Lance Armstrong's Tour de France tour, you can get a head start and check out his Web site, http://www.lancearmstrong.com, where you can read about his warmup tour victory at the Dauphine Libere.

Fleet Feet Sports Chicago is looking for qualified part-time retail sales help in both its stores - Piper's Alley and Lincoln Square. The jobs are for a minimum of 15 hours per week. Send resume to resume@fleetfeetchicago.com, or fax resume to 312-944-4283.

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TRAIL WORK:
Volunteers will be out on the Illinois Prairie Path in downtown Wheaton this Saturday at 9 a.m. Appropriately, helpers are asked to meet at Volunteer Park at Carleton and Liberty Sts. Work will include picking up litter and pulling weeds. For more information, visit http://www.ipp.org

The Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr) continue to work on local trails so they can be used for off-road riding. Workdays are scheduled Saturday, June 28 at Palos/Willow Springs with a possible pre-work ride, and Sunday, June 29 at Deer Grove in Palatine with a ride possible after the work is completed. For more information, visit: http://www.cambr.org

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TRAINING FOR OCT. 12
The Lakeshore Athletic Club Marathon Training Program has joined the ranks of programs geared to the Oct. 12 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. The 17-week Lakeshore program is very comprehensive. Although it began June 16, it still is accepting participants. Visit the club at 211 N. Stetson or call 312-616-9000.

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THE CLOSER
Looking for something completely different for your fall marathon? How about running the inaugural Alexandria (Egypt) International Marathon on Friday, Oct. 10? There will be a marathon, half-marathon, 9K and 5K. Please confirm all event information with the race director. For more information, e-mail: Zara_events@hotmail.com, or visit: http:www.alexmarathon.com