FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com JULY 11, 2013 • THE QUEENS COURIER 69 sports TOUR DE QUEENS GIVES FAMILY FRIENDLY GLIMPSE OF QUEENS Ozone Howard takes the District 27 tournament BY BENJAMIN FANG Their teamwork paid off. The Ozone Howard Little League’s age 10-11 division won the Queens District 27 tournament on June 30, besting the Rockaway Little League in a three-game series. “This was an overall team effort and a great accomplishment for these kids,” Ozone Howard’s manager John Miden said. “They played hard and should be proud.” In the fi rst game against Rockaway, Ozone Howard’s Thomas Menechella pitched four scoreless innings and gave up a total of just two hits in an 11-0 win. Ozone Howard won the following game in similar fashion. Pitcher John Corcoran allowed just two hits and Ozone Howard’s offense exploded for a 12-0 victory. “This team has talent and they are playing up to their potential right now,” coach Andy Menechella said. “Great pitching, timely hitting and a great overall team effort. As coaches of this team, we are proud.” Ozone Howard’s next opponent will be the winner of a three-team race between Long Island’s Oceanside American Little League, Lynbrook Little League and Rockville Center Little League. Photo Courtesy of Andy Menechella The Ozone Howard Little League’s age 10-11 division won the Queens District 27 tournament on June 30. RIDERS ‘Tour’ Queens BY LIAM LA GUERRE lguerre@queenscourier.com After completing the Five Boro Bike Tour last year, Astoria resident Jennifer Chakrabarti wanted to do a bike ride with her nine-yearold son Bhaskar. The family-friendly sixth annual Tour de Queens on July 7 fi t the bill. This year, it began in Chakrabarti’s “backyard” at Astoria Park. “I like that it’s a slowpaced so that kids can do it,” Chakrabarti said. “That’s what really drew us to it, because he wanted to do a ride.” About 1,250 riders from all over the city saddled up for the annual bike tour to experience a relaxing ride and enjoy unique views of western Queens neighborhoods, which was a major lane change for the event. For the fi rst time ever, the ride started in Astoria Park instead of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. It continued for nearly 20 miles through Long Island City, Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Corona and Elmhurst. The ride also highlighted Juniper Valley Park at the halfway point, where the group gathered to rest, eat and reenergize. “We change the ride up every year to showcase different parts of the borough, to demonstrate the interconnectivity of the different neighborhoods and to show how easy it is to bike through the borough and to show people the sites,” said event director Ben McRoberts of Transportation Alternatives. Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, whose district was included in the tour, hoped the ride could help future business. “Not only is it healthy for all of us, but it is a great opportunity for people to see sites and small businesses that they never get to see,” said Van Bramer, who participated for the fi rst time this year. About 100 volunteer ride marshals in orange jackets followed riders to keep them on track and assist in case there were any issues. Paramedics also followed closely behind the bikers in case of medical problems. The NYPD escorted the ride to manage the crowd and traffi c and provide a safe atmosphere. Many participants felt secure with the cops guiding the tour, especially after the tragic events of the Boston Marathon earlier this year. “With this number of people, I guess there is a little bit of safety concern,” said Astoria cyclist Jonathan Co. “But I feel pretty safe for the most part.” THE COURIER/Photos by Liam La Guerre More than 1,000 riders participated in the annual Tour de Queens, which traveled through western Queens this year. Bhaskar Chakrabarti and his mother, Jennifer, got to ride together in the family friendly ride through Queens.
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