Who she is: Born in New York, Chelsea Midlarsky’s family left the frozen north for Boca Raton when she was 6 months old. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2010 with a degree in hospitality management and a minor in event planning and business administration, and took a job working for a major cycling club in South Florida.

Using what she’d learned, Midlarsky returned to Delray Beach and, in 2012, she founded the Delray Beach Twilight Festival. The second annual bike race takes place along Atlantic Avenue March 23.

Because bike race aren’t the easiest sports for spectators to watch, Midlarsky was inspired by the Athens (Ga.) Twilight Race, which uses a short loop track so riders pass by spectators every minute or so making it a lot more fun to watch. The first nighttime race in the U.S., it now draws about 50,00o fans.

Midlarsky contacted Gene Dixon, the owner of the Athens Twilight, flew him to Florida and showed him around downtown Delray Beach. He too fell in love with the city by the sea, and saw the potential to make Delray Beach the site of a national cycling event.

Her brother, Michael, a world-class racer, helped designed a course that rides by many of Delray’s restaurants. About 150 pros will come to race, but for Midlarsky it’s about the spectators and the charity work she integrated into the race, which supports Kids In Distress.

Biking is a family affair in the Midlarsky family. Her father took up the sport, bringing her 7-year-old brother, Michael, along for the ride. Though Michael went pro at 19, Midlarsky says she’s not competitive and is a “weekend rider” and “big into yoga,” which keeps her grounded. She’s single and lives in Delray Beach.

For more information about the race event, call 561-869-4916 or visit delraybeachtwilight.com

Here are a few of her favorites:

Favorite breakfast place?

Christina’s Restaurant in Pineapple Grove. Great food, good people, friendly atmosphere. The coffee rocks!

Christina’s, 263 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach. Info: 561-278-3200.

Favorite lunch spot?

Collado’s Market in Delray Beach. Prepared Italian foods and custom sandwiches. Family owned. So good! I eat here at least 3-4 times a week. Perfect for a quick business lunch.

Collado’s Gourmet Market, 3416 S. Federal Hwy, Delray Beach. Info: 561-276-1866.

Favorite fine-dining restaurant?

CUT 432. Great steak and seafood.

Cut 432, 432 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Info: 561-272-9898; cut432.com

Favorite place for a quiet dinner?

Joseph’s Wine Bar & Cafe. Another family run restaurant. Great Greek food and fantastic wines.

Joseph’s Wine Bar, 200 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach. Info: 561-292-6100; josephswinebar.com

Favorite restaurant to take out of town guests?

Park Tavern. Very fun atmosphere, in the heart of Downtown Delray. Good food too.

Park Tavern, 32 S.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach. Info: 561-265-5093; parktaverndelray.com

Favorite park?

I love taking my dogs to the Lake Ida Dog Park.

Lake Ida Dog Park, 1455 Lake Ida Rd, Delray Beach. Info: 561-966-6611

Favorite tourist-y place to take out-of-towners?

Living in Delray Beach, the best spot to take people is the beach. After a long day in the ocean, grabbing a drink at Sandbar makes a vacation perfect!

Sandbar at Boston’s On the Beach, 40 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Info: 561-278-3364; bostonssandbar.com

Favorite boutique or store for browsing or buying?

House of Zen Dali. I have unique pieces and I love the bohemian style.

House of Zen Dali, 424 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Info: 561-330-3436; jenscoz.com

Favorite way/place to relax and recharge?

I am a beach girl. When I need to relax and recharge I take a quick bike ride to the beach and sit in the sand.