THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100205
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: In the Hot Seat
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Deputies Timmy Worrell and Paul Phelps were sweating bullets during the recent hot weather.
Pumping against heat and humidity, down country roads, into subdivisions and onto major highways, the two-man bicycle patrol hit the pavement like the old beat cops once did.
On June 16, the pair swapped four wheels for two and traded air conditioned comfort for nature's brutal 90-degree heat.
``Everybody asks, `What did you two do to deserve this?' '' Worrell said recently, as he wiped sweat from his face. ``We tell `em, `Nothing. We asked for it.'''
``We're always ready to try anything new,'' Phelps said. ``And we don't like to fail.''
Now, they ride four hours a day, three days a week in assigned areas. They might pedal two hours in one area, load the bikes on the car, drive to another location and ride some more.
Top speed, so far - about 28 miles an hour. Mileage, so far, for the pair - nearly 150.
And when these guys fuel up, it's on Gatorade and iced tea at local convenience stores.
They've issued tickets for reckless driving, improper towing and loud music.
Though any call can be answered on the bikes, the idea is to use them as public relations tools to meet the people and get to know the communities.
The brown sheriff's cars intimidate many people, causing them to scatter and go inside. But people respond differently when they ride bikes, Worrell said.
Recently, a Camptown woman and her 10-year-old son saw them sweating in the heat and raced to a store to fetch bottles of water.
``They said, `You looked so hot. We wanted to give you some water,' '' Worrell said.
``If they feel that way, it's worth it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Timmy Worrell traded four wheels for two when he joined the bicycle
patrol.
by CNB