http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_13621149

Boulder chef serves up 'Bike Ride & Lunch' for charity

Cyclists gather for monthly ride that ends with family-style Italian meal
By Peter Budoff Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 10/22/2009 07:25:23 PM MDT

Bacaro s new chef, Fabio Flagiello, in the kitchen on Oct. 1. Flagiello, who is also an Iron Man competitor, is starting up a monthly "Bike Ride & Lunch" in Boulder this weekend. ( KASIA BROUSSALIAN )
If you go
What: Inaugural Bacaro Bike Ride & Lunch

When: 8:30 a.m. Sunday

Where: Bacaro Venetian Taverna, 921 Pearl St., Boulder

Cost: $25 for the ride and lunch

More info./RSVP: 303-444-4888

Boulder chef Fabio Flagiello is hoping this weekend's Italian-style group bike ride -- starting with a cappuccino and ending with a hot lunch -- will be the first of many.

Bacaro Venetian Taverna's new chef, Flagiello is also a triathlete and Iron Man competitor. For his new event, the "Bike Ride & Lunch," participants will meet for cappuccino at the Italian restaurant, then get on


Davis Phinney and his wife, Connie Carpenter Phinney, moved back to Boulder after living in Italy. The elite riders are taking part in Sunday s "Bike Ride & Lunch," which will benefit high school cycling. ( JOSHUA LAWTON )
their bikes for either a 30- or 40-mile ride around Boulder. The ride will conclude back at Bacaro with a family-style Italian lunch.
The ride -- the first of what is planned to be a monthly event -- features elite cyclists Tom Danielson, Davis Phinney and Connie Carpenter Phinney and will benefit the Colorado High School Cycling League, which seeks to promote cycling in high schools.

Flagiello started the event at his old restaurant in California.

"It was a way to bring people together, have fun and get away from the stress," he said. "It's not an intense ride. We try to relax and have some fun."

He said the decision to bring the event to Boulder was a "no-brainer" because "Boulder is the capital of cycling."

Danielson, a professional cyclist, said he's been involved with youth cycling for a long time and wanted to help support the new Colorado branch of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.

"Cycling and the lifestyle that goes with it is such a positive thing," Danielson said. "High school is a great time to get kids turned on to cycling because it's a real formative time."

Flagiello said his goal is to hold the ride on the last weekend of every month, with each ride benefiting a different community group.

He said the reception from the Boulder cycling community has been positive -- so far, about 40 people have signed up. The rides in California drew as many 70 participants, he said.