Wetass Sport #47–Tour De Shipwreck: Earlier this month, as Lance Armstrong and the world’s elite cyclists sweated it out on the twisty roads of France, another group of hardcore bicyclists plunged into the waters of the Atlantic, 14 miles off the North Carolina coast, and hit the pedals. There were no sponsor cars, peletons, or Outdoor Life Network reporters for the 10th annual Underwater Bicycle Race, but the twelve competitors didn’t give a damn. All they were worried about was finding their bikes, which had been dumped into the 65-foot deep water, alongside a sunken 338-foot Marine landing craft repair ship, which was scuttled in 1992. Once they hit the bottom and hopped on board, some shed their flippers and pedalled properly. Others grabbed the handlebars and stretched out above the bike, finning furiously. The winner was the cyclist who stayed upright longest, which amounted to a time trial of about 40 feet. Lance wouldn’t really be impressed with the time or speeds. But he might be impressed with one of the traditions of the race: the winner’s bike is left underwater to become part of the artificial reef…



“Oh crap! I just ran over a sea urchin…”

(Photo: Dale A. Hansen)