Orthopedic Surgeon Cycles 40 Miles with NASCAR drivers from St. Augustine to Daytona International Speedway

PALM COAST, Fla., February 23, 2016 On Feb. 17, Florida Hospital Flagler orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Gay was one of 40 cyclists to ride with seven NASCAR drivers on a 60-mile ride from St. Augustine to the Daytona International Speedway.

NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse and the Florida Department of Transportation teamed up for the second annual "Champions for Bicycle Safety" ride to help raise motorists awareness of cyclists and to remind cyclists to adhere to the rules of the road in an effort to prevent pedestrian and bicycle deaths and injuries.

The ride started along the scenic A1A highway, through a part of Florida that is most affected by collisions between motorists and cyclists, and finished with a lap on the Daytona International Speedway.

As a local orthopedic surgeon and long time advocate of cycling, Gay has performed competitive cycling and triathlons for many years and was invited to participate in this ride.

I have numerous patients that are recreational cyclists and a few professional triathlete patients, Gay said. It was important for me to participate in this event because the idea behind it was to humanize the cyclists that people pass everyday on the road. They are your neighbor, your doctor or possibly a professional NASCAR or Indy car driver.

Gay said the NASCAR drivers participating with him on this ride were all great guys that want to have safe roads for cycling. Many of them use cycling as a means of staying fit and healthy as part of their training.

As for the lap around the Daytona International Speedway, he told me the steepness of the banking in the corners was the most amazing thing. At 31 degrees in the turns, it was so steep, you could barely walk up the track in the corners, he said.

About Florida Hospital Flagler

Florida Hospital Flagler is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 44 hospital campuses and nearly 8,300 licensed beds in 10 states. With 99-beds, Florida Hospital Flagler employs nearly 1,000 caregivers. Florida Hospital Flagler is comprised of the hospitals main campus; Town Center Surgery, a freestanding outpatient center; and the Parkway Medical Plaza which includes a walk-in clinic, laboratory, imaging and women's center and physician offices.