They came from all over the five boroughs and Long Island, as well, to compete in the third annual Tour de Brooklyn cycling event last Sunday morning. All the over 2,000 competitors certainly enjoyed the journey, conducted by Transportation Alternatives and the Brooklyn Borough President's office.The 'race' was put on by one of the co-coordinators Dani Simons, along with the Department of Transportation newly appointed Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, and their staff. In addition, Borough President Marty Markowitz was on hand and started the 18-mile event inside Prospect Park near Grand Army Plaza.The officials did not keep time as no winners and standings were recorded.The course went partly through Prospect Park, Dyker Beach Park, Dyker Heights, Midwood, Park Slope, Sunset Park, near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Gowanus Canal, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst and Fort Hamilton. It ended in Prospect Park near Empire Blvd. and Flatbush Ave.The Wonderwheels Bike Racing Team helped lead the tour through the borough,"Cycling is a good exercise and a good way to be outside and enjoy the weather," said 24-year-old cyclist Eric Barlow of Crown Heights. "I (even) cycle to work as I'm a teacher at MS 534 in Bed-Stuy."The competitors cycled for about three hours and made a long stop in the middle of competition. They stepped for about 30 minutes, got some food, and rested before continuing their journey. Cycling is indeed a good exercise,There was a slow pace but it didn't bother Brian Maloney, a resident of Greenpoint."We saw some good scenery, especially along Shore Road in Bay Ridge," he said. "We had a nice ride and it was fun. This is my first time in this Tour de Brooklyn."Ed Mezzardi did the tour in two hours."A few things I liked about the event," said Mezzardi of Mezzardi Real Estate, located at 8l Street and 18th Avenue. "I liked the camaraderie as I met a lot of nice people. The police were terrific and made it nice and easy for us to ride on the course and we were waiving to the people (spectators) They were great. I like to see it a few times a year, at least once a season,"The resident of Bath Beach an avid sports fisherman, working three nights a week at Captain Mike in Queens, made his debut in a cycling event, because of a heart attack five weeks ago."I'm trying to get my heart back into shape," the 54-year-old Mezzardi added.Mezzardi was aboard a Cannondale bicycleAll the riders agreed that they had a great time. The event was nice and easy with a lot of families in it. The people along the way were great and came out of their house to cheer on the cyclists.Meanwhile, the Schnell family of children Eoin and Eamonn and 42-year-old parent Patrick enjoyed their ride, but the pace was at times was a little slow."There was a little too much traffic but (overall) it was good," Patrick said. "We saw many different parts of Brooklyn. We ride wherever we go because we don't have a car."Last year the Tour de Brooklyn drew 1500 cyclists, due to the rain."We were satisfied with the turnout of 2000," added Noah Budnick, deputy director for Advocacy Transportation Alternatives and an MC before the event began. "We drew a lot of parents and kids and people of all ages. They had a good fun time."This event, a good outing, shows that a bicycle can be ridden in New York City."Brooklyn high school students Dan Rosen of Bensonhurst and John and Alice Liang of Sheepshead Bay enjoyed getting a good workout riding in such a fun event. . Markowitz was on hand for the start of the activities. And some 40 members of the 78th Precinct came out for the start of the event in Prospect Park.The Tour de Brooklyn was such a successful event."This event grows each year," Markowitz said. "Brooklyn cyclists eagerly look forward to it once a year. We started this event three years ago because it promotes good health and community involvement. This is a great way to stay in shape."Tour de Brooklyn has a new route every year. In 2008, it will be the 125th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge; the directors may plan for the competitors to ride over the bridge. It will once again he held in June."This tour of Brooklyn was fun," Dave Simons said. "We showed that bicycling could be conducted here. We try to encourage people who haven't been on their bicycles for a while to get out and give it a try. We have a lot of experienced marshals who came out and helped the cyclists get comfortable on the streets of Brooklyn. It was a big day!"This free event with a family like atmosphere is similar to that of the one in The Bronx that has been going on for 13 years.The staff of Transportation Alternatives felt it was great to start one in this borough some three years ago. For the past two years the Brooklyn showcase of cyclists was a success, thanks to a very competent staff and volunteers. And it was the same last Sunday morning.Plans will shortly start for the 2008 Tour de Brooklyn once again.