October 29: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• Saturday, Nov. 3: Lions Chase and Cub Run 5K, Villas Elementary School, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 10: Achieva Credit Union Coconut Run 5K, 7:30 a.m., Sun Splash/Coconut Festival, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
• 
  Saturday, Nov. 10: Olde Naples 10K run/2K walk, 7:30 a.m.(gcrunner.org)
• Saturday, Nov. 10: Midpoint Madness 5K, 7.00 p.m., Midpoint Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Twins Tot Walk and 5K, 4:15 p.m., Laishley Park, Punta Gorda (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 17: Inspiring Health 5K, Lee Health Coconut Pointe, Estero (runsignup.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Naples Fall Classic Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: 39th annual Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cape Coral Wellness Center, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk, 7 a.m., Germain Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: FGCU Gobbler 5K, Alico Arena, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: GCR Thanksgiving 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cambier Park, Naples (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Dec. 1: 40th Annual River Run 10K, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Dec. 1: CCSP 5K. Run or walk to benefit Collier County Public Schools. Barron Collier High School (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Dec. 8: Christmas Glow Run 5K, 6 p.m. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (eliteevents.org)
• Sunday, Dec. 9: Florida West Coast Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (eliteevents.org)
• Saturday, Dec. 15: Naples Christmas Glow Run 5K, 6 p.m., sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• 
  Friday, Nov. 2: SW Florida Critical Mass ride. A family-friendly slow ride through Fort Myers starting at a special time: 7:15 p.m. Front and rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in the open field next to Publix at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Nov. 4: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Nov. 4: Gulf Coast Cyclefest. 104-, 79-, 63-, 35- or 20-mile routes starting at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota. Breakfast, lunch, SAG, rest stops, well-marked routes. (caloosariders.org or active.com)  
• Sunday, Nov. 25: Iron Joe Turkey Ride. Begins and ends at Fit & Fuel Bicycle Café in the Pavilion Shipping Center, Naples. Fully supported ride of 62, 40, 20 and 5 miles (caloosariders.org)
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic tris, sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com) 
• Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• Jan. 6, 2019: HITS Triathlon Series, with sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distances. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (hitstriathlonseries.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.

Environment near schools for bikes, walkers, cars needs to be improved

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 10/24/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

A car blocking the sidewalk is an all-too-common sight around Allen Park Elementary School in Fort Myers,
even with No Parking signs posted everywhere.

Even if you don’t live very near a school there’s a good chance you’re affected by one or more of them each day they’re in session. Whether you’re a nearby resident or simply have to navigate around one or more schools during the morning or afternoon bells, you are well aware of the congestion and chaos around them. Based on conditions you witness daily, if you have a student in your household you’d understandably be skeptical of allowing your child to walk or ride a bike there. If you’re a chauffeur for your child, you are the reason for the problem.

I recently took part in Walk to School Day activities and a couple of bike-safety training sessions for school resource officers. Those experiences prompted me to again write about the very poor conditions for anyone around school campuses on foot or bike, and even in their cars. The relatively recent phenomenon (at least for an old guy like me) of so many kids being driven to school has resulted in a vicious cycle that won’t end unless changes are made. The environment is downright hostile, whether you’re a student, parent or just some poor sap who ventures near.

Per Florida policy, any student who lives within one mile (elementary) or two miles (all other grades) of a school are considered close enough to walk or bike unless there are hazardous walking conditions between home and the school — then a school bus would be an option. Hazardous walking conditions include crossing major highways where no crossing guards are in place, lack of safe conditions along busy roads (no sidewalk may not be enough to warrant hazardous conditions), or other things determined on a case-by-case basis. Many students who have bus transportation available, whether because they reside more than walking distance away or due to hazardous conditions, are instead driven by parents. For those eligible to be bused, this means wasted tax dollars because the bus must still be available for the entirety of the school year (the annual busing/ transportation budget for Lee District Schools is more than $58 million).

Besides congestion there’s the ongoing issue of speeding and driver distraction in school zones. Safe Kids Worldwide (www.safekids.org) reports that within school zones the number of teen pedestrian deaths has increased 13 percent since 2013. But there are ways deal with the traffic problems created by the high number of parents driving kids to school.

Some customs, reported by the National Center for Bicycling and Walking (www.bikewalk.org).

• In Odense, Denmark, parents are told at an assembly that their kids are capable of walking or biking to school and that student drop-offs are not allowed. Having a good bike/ped infrastructure is key to 80 percent of students using their feet or bikes.
• Bolzano, Italy, closes the streets around schools to cars for 15 minutes before and after bell times and has been doing it for over 20 years. This has resulted in a 50 percent drop in injuries involving cars versus people. And one school in Vienna is doing the same as a pilot project.
• A school in Vancouver, Canada, has taken the annual Walk/Bike to School Day concept and made it a weekly event. “Freedom Friday” was created as a way to encourage parents to allow their kids to get out of the car each Friday and it has resulted in a major increase in that happening as well as a coinciding significant decrease in cars around the school, exactly as intended.

While it is possible to change people’s behavior on this matter, the political will must be in place. Unfortunately, as is the case with our local leadership’s unwillingness to address the larger problem (i.e., being the most dangerous place in the U.S. for pedestrians), there’s little hope for anything like those examples to be undertaken here. But all it would take is one or two school principals or a few school board members to have the courage to take action to prove it can be done. Getting kids back on their feet, bikes, skateboards and scooters improves their health and ability to learn. Reducing the number of cars around schools creates a better environment for those kids and reduces the number of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. It’s a win-win. Keep abreast of issues like this by visiting www.bikewalklee.blogspot.com. ¦


- Dan Moser is a long-time bicycle/pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com and 334-6417. 

For Lee County cycling and tri events visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL). The Florida Bicycle Association (floridabicycle.org) is your source for statewide happenings. BikeWalkLee’s blog site has all the information you’ll need to stay abreast of advocacy efforts in Southwest Florida as well as statewide and nationally.

Saving Daylight Saving Time

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, 10/25/2018
by Ken Gooderham

Not this coming weekend, but the one after that, we’ll all have a chance to “fall back” again due to the departure of Daylight Saving Time.

And if you’re thinking that doesn’t sound quite right… well, you’re right (sort of).

During the last legislative session in Tallahassee, lawmakers in both houses overwhelmingly approved what was called the “Sunshine Protection Act” – basically leaving Daylight Saving Time in place year-round. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill, and it became law in July.

Except the Legislature doesn’t have the authority to do any of that.

You see, DST is a federal thing, first instituted in 1918 supposedly as a wartime way of lessening energy needs by keeping daylight lighter longer. The country went back and forth on the concept, finally adopting it for good during the energy crisis of the 1970s… except, of course, those exceptions such as Arizona and Hawaii that steadfastly stay on the same time.

So states can vote all they want to adjust (or not adjust) their clocks, but only Congress can actually act to enact such measures. And, so far, this Congress has not – although Sen. Marco Rubio has filed two bills to save DST, one for Florida only and the other for the entire country, which have yet to win a hearing on the Hill.

So, come 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, we’ll be falling back once more – disruptive, to be certain, but at least less so than springing ahead next march.

So what does this have to do with biking, running and walking? Plenty, if you do any of that outdoors.

Tinkering with the sun’s timing is usually a zero-sum game – for everyone who gains by getting more light at one end of the day, someone else loses when the sun disappears sooner that it did before.

For those whose time is not their own thanks to jobs and other commitments, it’s even more of an issue. Like to go for a run before you head to work? An earlier sunrise can be your friend. How about a bike ride after work? When sunset jumps forward by an hour, you either dig out the lights or leave the bike in the garage.

It can also have a very real impact on other whose schedules can’t adjust when the clocks do. It’s particularly difficult on students who either wait for the bus by the side of the road in the morning or walk home from the bus stop in the afternoon – because doing either of those in the dark or even dusk adds danger to the beginning or end of their school day.

Either way the clock shifts, someone’s safety is at risk – which should be a warning to drivers to keep a sharper eye after the time change as everyone adjusts to the different light and time conditions. Unfortunately, we live by the clock and stay safe by the sun – so when the two re-adjust their daily routine, bad things can happen.

Research has ruled out some of the presumed benefits to DST… in fact, in subtropical areas such as ours, having sun later in the day can increase energy use as we run the A/C longer to keep cool. And most of the world does not bother with springing forward nor falling back, just sticking with the same old time all year long.

So is permanent DST a good idea? Who knows… and, unless Congress does something to change it, who cares? We’re stuck with the time shifts we have no choice but to get used to – which is a lot easier falling back than springing ahead

So ask most people their opinion on Nov. 4, and they’ll be happy for the “extra” hour. Wait until March 10 next year (when DST returns) and you’ll probably get a very different answer.

Ready to ride or run?

Run?  Any holiday is a good excuse for a race, and Halloween is no exception: There will be themed 5Ks this Saturday at Babcock Ranch and Fleischmann Park in Naples (3dracinginc.com and gcrunner.org respectively), plus the annual F.I.S.H. 10K on Sanibel (ftmyerstrackclub.com) and a Run for Recess 5K at Diplomat Elementary in Cape Coral (runsignup.com). Another elementary school run follows on Nov. 3 at Villas Elementary in Fort Myers (runsignup.com).

Ride? The Cape Coral Critical Mass amasses tomorrow (Friday) night at the SWF Military Museum, followed by the Saturday Slow Roll in downtown Fort Myers the next morning. The following Friday (Nov. 2) brings the original Critical Mass rise in downtown Fort Myers. Lights are required for the night rides and helmets are recommended for all; details at meetup.com. This weekend also brings the annual Tour de Northport on Sunday, with 15-, 35- and 65-mile rides planned (caloosarider.org). The Gulf Coast Cyclefest rides in the following weekend, with 104-, 79-, 63-, 35- or 20-mile routes starting at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota (caloosariders.org or active.com). You can also join the no-drop Wakey, Wakey! Sunday morning ride leaving from Fort Myers Trek. The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group.

Both? Upcoming events include:

• Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic-distance tris, plus a sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com)
• Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• Jan. 6, 2019: HITS Triathlon Series, with sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distances. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (hitstriathlonseries.com)
• Willing to drive? Check trifind.com or active.com for tris around the state.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:

Have a favorite route you like to bike, or a unique walk you’d like to share with others? Tell us about it at info@bikewalklee.org, and maybe we can feature it in an upcoming column.

# # #

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County — streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at www.BikeWalkLee.org. 


 

October 22: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• Saturday, Oct. 27: F.I.S.H. 10K, Sanibel Community House, 7:30 a.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Halloween Monster 5K. This 5K race will begin at Fleischmann Park. Immediately following the race we will have awards and a costume competition with refreshments. Everyone is encouraged to wear your favorite Halloween costume. Fleischmann Park, Naples, 7:30 a.m. (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Babcock Ranch Trick or Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Babcock Ranch (3dracinginc.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Run For Recess 5K, 8 a.m., Diplomat Elementary School Cape Coral (runsignup.com) 
• Saturday, Nov. 3: Lions Chase and Cub Run 5K, Villas Elementary School, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 10: Achieva Credit Union Coconut Run 5K, 7:30 a.m., Sun Splash/Coconut Festival, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
• 
  Saturday, Nov. 10: Olde Naples 10K run/2K walk, 7:30 a.m.(gcrunner.org)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Midpoint Madness 5K, Midpoint Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Twins Tot Walk and 5K, 4:15 p.m., Laishley Park, Punta Gorda (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 17: Inspiring Health 5K, Lee Health Coconut Pointe, Estero (runsignup.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Naples Fall Classic Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: 39th annual Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cape Coral Wellness Center, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk, 7 a.m., Germain Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: FGCU Gobbler 5K, Alico Arena, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: GCR Thanksgiving 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cambier Park, Naples (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Dec. 1: 40th Annual River Run 10K, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Dec. 1: CCSP 5K. Run or walk to benefit Collier County Public Schools. Barron Collier High School (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Dec. 8: Christmas Glow Run 5K, 6 p.m. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (eliteevents.org)
• Sunday, Dec. 9: Florida West Coast Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (eliteevents.org)
• Saturday, Dec. 15: Naples Christmas Glow Run 5K, 6 p.m., sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• 
  Friday, Oct. 26: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather at 7:30 p.m. at the Southwest Florida Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard Street for a family-friendly ride through the Cape. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Saturday Slow Roll 8 a.m. meet-up at 2160 McGregor Blvd. Recommended for inexperienced/young riders. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: 9th annual Tour de Northport. 7 a.m., 15-, 35- and 65-mile routes (caloosariders.org) 
• Sunday, Oct. 28: 9th annual Tour de North Port, 15-, 35- and 65-mile rides, 7:30 a.m., Imagine School, Upper Campus, 2757 Sycamore Street, North Port (caloosariders.org)
• Sunday, Oct. 28: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Friday, Nov. 2: SW Florida Critical Mass ride. A family-friendly slow ride through Fort Myers starting at a special time: 7:15 p.m. Front and rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in the open field next to Publix at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Nov. 4: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Nov. 4: Gulf Coast Cyclefest. 104-, 79-, 63-, 35- or 20-mile routes starting at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota. Breakfast, lunch, SAG, rest stops, well-marked routes. (caloosariders.org or active.com)  
• Sunday, Nov. 25: Iron Joe Turkey Ride. Begins and ends at Fit & Fuel Bicycle Café in the Pavilion Shipping Center, Naples. Fully supported ride of 62, 40, 20 and 5 miles (caloosariders.org)
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic tris, sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com) 
• Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• Jan. 6, 2019: HITS Triathlon Series, with sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distances. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (hitstriathlonseries.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.

October 15: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• Saturday, Oct. 20: Gulf to Gulf 80 Relay, 80-mile relay race starting and ending at Cambier park, Naples (gcrunner.org)
• 
  Saturday, Oct. 20: St Andrew Catholic School Run for the Stars 5K, 7:30 a.m., Jim Jeffers Park, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
• Sunday, Oct. 21: Rocktoberfest 10 Miler and Relay, North collier Regional Park, 7 a.m. (eliteevents.org)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: F.I.S.H. 10K, Sanibel Community House, 7:30 a.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Halloween Monster 5K, Fleischmann Park, Naples 7:30 a.m. (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Babcock Ranch Trick or Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Babcock Ranch (3dracinginc.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Run For Recess 5K, 8 a.m., Diplomat Elementary School Cape Coral (runsignup.com) 
• Saturday, Nov. 3: Lions Chase and Cub Run 5K, Villas Elementary School, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 10: Achieva Credit Union Coconut Run 5K, 7:30 a.m., Sun Splash/Coconut Festival, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
• 
  Saturday, Nov. 10: Olde Naples 10K run/2K walk, 7:30 a.m.(gcrunner.org)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Midpoint Madness 5K, Midpoint Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Twins Tot Walk and 5K, 4:15 p.m., Laishley Park, Punta Gorda (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 17: Inspiring Health 5K, Lee Health Coconut Pointe, Estero (runsignup.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Naples Fall Classic Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: 39th annual Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cape Coral Wellness Center, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk, 7 a.m., Germain Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: FGCU Gobbler 5K, Alico Arena, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: GCR Thanksgiving 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cambier Park, Naples (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Dec. 1: 40th Annual River Run 10K, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Dec. 1: CCSP 5K. Run or walk to benefit Collier County Public Schools. Barron Collier High School (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Dec. 8: Christmas Glow Run 5K, 6 p.m. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (eliteevents.org)
• Sunday, Dec. 9: Florida West Coast Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (eliteevents.org)
• Saturday, Dec. 15: Naples Christmas Glow Run 5K, 6 p.m., sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• Sunday, Oct. 21: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• 
  Friday, Oct. 26: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather at 7:30 p.m. at the Southwest Florida Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard Street for a family-friendly ride through the Cape. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Saturday Slow Roll 8 a.m. meet-up at 2160 McGregor Blvd. Recommended for inexperienced/young riders. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: 9th annual Tour de Northport. 7 a.m., 15-, 35- and 65-mile routes (caloosariders.org) 
• Sunday, Oct. 28: 9th annual Tour de North Port, 15-, 35- and 65-mile rides, 7:30 a.m., Imagine School, Upper Campus, 2757 Sycamore Street, North Port (caloosariders.org)
• Sunday, Oct. 28: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Friday, Nov. 2: SW Florida Critical Mass ride. A family-friendly slow ride through Fort Myers starting at a special time: 7:15 p.m. Front and rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in the open field next to Publix at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Nov. 4: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Nov. 4: Gulf Coast Cyclefest. 104-, 79-, 63-, 35- or 20-mile routes starting at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota. Breakfast, lunch, SAG, rest stops, well-marked routes. (caloosariders.org or active.com)  
• Sunday, Nov. 25: Iron Joe Turkey Ride. Begins and ends at Fit & Fuel Bicycle Café in the Pavilion Shipping Center, Naples. Fully supported ride of 62, 40, 20 and 5 miles (caloosariders.org)
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic tris, sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com) 
• Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• Jan. 6, 2019: HITS Triathlon Series, with sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distances. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (hitstriathlonseries.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.

Under construction

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, 10/11/2018
by Ken Gooderham

The idea for this piece came to me as I stood in a sea of barricades and orange cones at the corner of Six Mile Cypress Parkway and U.S. 41 South, trying to figure out where I was supposed to go next.

There were “Detour” signs pointing this way and “Pedestrian Walkway” signs pointing that way. The dedicated turn lane for vehicles was buried under a barrage of concrete barricades, so you had to watch out for cars turning onto U.S. 41 from the main traffic lanes (surprise!). There, on the other side of the always bustling highway, were two pedestrians looking totally lost, trying to figure out how – when? – to attempt to cross six lanes of four (or more)-wheeled fun.

Welcome to the Construction Zone.

If you cycle in Southwest Florida, you’re going to hit a roadway or intersection that’s under construction. It comes with the fast-growth territory, where a burgeoning population quickly outstrips an aging road system.



So what do you do when you see those orange cones popping up on your favorite bike lane? Assuming you can’t simply find a new way to go from Point A to Point B (usually not an easy solution when your bike facilities choices are limited as they are here), there are a few ways to stay safe:

First, assess the situation. Is the way to get where you want to go clear and obvious? Take the path (literally) of least resistance. Is the way forward hard to fathom? Then what are your options in terms of roadways, sidewalks or parking lots.

Second, realize that everyone else is as confused as you are. The motorists are trying to figure out how they get to where they want to be, just the same as you. The pedestrians (if they haven’t been scared off altogether) are as vulnerable as you are… but they can’t move as quickly, which makes them even easier targets for mistakes.

Finally, have a little patience. If the construction confusion means you need to take a minute to figure out the traffic pattern du jour, allow yourself that time. It’s better to be slow and safe than to be quick and on your way to the hospital.

Most construction sites should take steps to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians (if they don’t call your local or state DOT about that) – but sometimes those accommodations are more dangerous than just staying on the road with the other traffic. Riding through a detour filled with soft sand, sharp debris and uneven surfaces puts a cyclist at more risk, so follow your instincts if that’s the path you take.

The marked detour may end being your best option, even if it sends you on a less direct route. It should be the best marked and more stable way forward, which means you should take it if you don’t see other options or are not familiar with the area.

If you are comfortable sharing the road, do so – but remember the driving lanes may be narrower due to construction and unexpected obstacles and debris may arise, so you need to be a pretty good rider to hold your own here. If you’re not that skilled, then walk your bike through the worst of the detour and live to ride another day.

In a pinch, look at your off-road options. Parking lots can often be a good Plan B to get around a construction area, as long as you remember that drivers in parking lots don’t always look out for cyclists. (You’re lucky if they look out for other vehicles sometimes.)

A few final thoughts: Construction means disruption which, from a cyclist’s perspective, can mean unreliable surfaces and almost daily changes. If you riding a narrow-tire bike, soft or uneven surfaces can wreak havoc. And if those tires aren’t sturdy enough (meaning Kevlar reinforcements or something similar), it’s way too easy to pick up something in a construction zone that will flatten your tire in an instant.

Also, construction means workers and machinery. For the former, see and be seen if you’re passing nearby – and don’t give them grief because your bike path is pulverized, they’re just doing their job. As to the heavy equipment, give it a wide berth if you can. Again, that machinery is here to do a job, and it’s usually far less agile than your average motor vehicle so it can’t stop as fast or turn as quickly.

That may be your one advantage in a construction zone: Your size and agility. You can go where cars and trucks can’t, and sometimes that works for you when there’s roadwork ahead. Just make sure you’re not inadvertently riding into danger – or, worse, a dead end where you’ll have to beat a hasty retreat.

If it’s any consolation, in a few months the bulldozers will move on and the dust will settle… and you’ll have a nice new roadway to ride on (at least until the next batch of orange cones appear).

Ready to ride or run?

Run?  Plenty of choices if you’re ready to run: On Saturday, there’s the Cops & Joggers 5K in downtown Fort Myers at 7:45 p.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com) or the Sprint for Students 5K at Koreshan State Park in Estero (runsignup.com). Sunday brings the Run Like A Bandit 5K/10K at Port Charlotte Beach Park (runsignup.com). On Oct. 20, you can go long with the Gulf to Gulf 80 Relay, an 80-mile relay race starting and ending at Cambier Park, Naples (gcrunner.org). For a shorter course, consider the St Andrew Catholic School Run for the Stars 5K at Jim Jeffers Park, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com). Or for something in the middle, there’s the Rocktoberfest 10 Miler and Relay on Oct. 21 at North Collier Regional Park (eliteevents.org).

Ride? There’s a Critical Mass double-header (sort of), with the NE Lee ride on Friday night and the Sanibel ride Saturday night. Both are night rides so lights are required and helmets are recommended; details at http://www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/. You can also join the no-drop Wakey, Wakey! Sunday morning ride leaving from Fort Myers Trek. The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group.

Both? Upcoming events include:

• Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic-distance tris, plus a sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com)
• Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• Jan. 6, 2019: HITS Triathlon Series, with sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distances. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (hitstriathlonseries.com)
• Willing to drive? Check trifind.com or active.com for tris around the state.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:

Have a favorite route you like to bike, or a unique walk you’d like to share with others? Tell us about it at info@bikewalklee.org, and maybe we can feature it in an upcoming column.

# # #

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County — streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at www.BikeWalkLee.org. 


 

Your vote can help outdoor quality of life

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 10/10/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com




Since early this summer there have been quite a number of opinion pieces — from letters to editors to guest columnists’ writings — expressing exasperation and demanding solutions to our water woes. Like too many other problems our community faces, it took a near meltdown of the tourism and fishing industries for anyone other than the “usual suspects” (i.e., environmentalists, scientists and others who have been sounding the alarm for a long, long time) to finally become indignant and press for action.

Whether this newfound support to solve the problem will eventually succeed is yet to be determined, but it sure can’t hurt to have so many more aware of and concerned about just how much impact bad water has on our community’s economics and quality of life.

Much like our current water problems, our chronically unsafe traffic environment has been obvious and festering for decades. Both have been denied the attention and resources necessary to adequately address these issues. Why our local, state and federal governments, the business community and the general public give such relatively low priority to both significant problems remains a mystery to me.

Apparently, I’m expecting too much. One would think that routinely being among the worse environments in the country for non-motorists would eventually equate to it becoming a high priority to change that fact. Falling to the worst in the nation should have sent everyone scrambling. However, like other quality of life and vital economic aspects of Lee County and Southwest Florida, that’s not been the case.

Understandably, our water quality and natural environment have taken center stage recently. Just like the many obvious indicators of problems for pedestrians and cyclists that have and continue to plague our transportation network, our water and environment woes have been apparent for decades. Yet it wasn’t until the double-whammy of our inland waterways becoming clogged with algae and tons of suffocated sea life washing up on our shores did almost every elected official acknowledge the seriousness of the problem. And then only because of the economic impacts it’s having, not so much the environmental and health costs. So, until the lives lost or forever changed by traffic related incidents equate to what our leaders at all levels consider an economic crisis, it looks like nothing will change. Unless, of course, until there are leaders in office who decide we’ve had enough.

Being mid-term election season, we have an opportunity to move toward changing priorities that benefit all citizens when it comes to health, safety and quality of life. Each of those elements does indeed have economic value so there should really be no negative trade-off versus the status quo. In some cases it will take new representatives to recognize and address the problems. In others it’s just a matter of those in office being on the wrong side of the majority so they are being thwarted in their efforts. Unbiased information is required to determine how candidates and incumbents at various levels of government, from municipal positions to the federal levels, will work on those and other important matters.

For those seeking background of an overall sense on currently elected officials and candidates the Lee County chapter of League of Women Voters (lwvlee.org) is an excellent resource. Politifact Florida (politifact.com/florida) offers a Truth- O-Meter that covers many topics and statements made by elected officials and candidates.

Specific to issues related to pedestrians and bicyclists, Florida Bicycle Association (floridabicycle.org) has “Legislative Platform” pages and the League of American Bicyclists (bikeleague.org) has an “I Bike – I Vote” section. BikeWalkLee’s blog (bikewalklee.blogspot.com) is a good source of information on the people, organizations and policies.

If we are ever to shed the stigma and related reality of being the most dangerous place in the U.S. to be a pedestrian, we must have in place leaders who acknowledge and seriously address the causes. ¦

- Dan Moser is a long-time bicycle/pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com and 334-6417. 

For Lee County cycling and tri events visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL). The Florida Bicycle Association (floridabicycle.org) is your source for statewide happenings. BikeWalkLee’s blog site has all the information you’ll need to stay abreast of advocacy efforts in Southwest Florida as well as statewide and nationally.

Save the date! Public meeting SUN trail Cape Coral

On behalf of the City of Cape Coral, you are invited to a public meeting regarding plans for the City's Florida Shared-Use Non-motorized (SUN) trail, a bicycle and pedestrian multi-use trail connecting Burnt Store Road and Del Prado Boulevard.  The project involves construction of a new 12-foot wide multi-use trail and three new pedestrian bridges. The purpose of this public meeting is to receive public input from the local community.

MEETING INFORMATION
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Cape Coral Public Works Building
Large Conference Room A200 (Green Room)
815 Nicholas Parkway East, Cape Coral

The meeting will be held as an open house format, with a formal presentation at 6 p.m. Participants may review study information and discuss the project with City staff at any time during the meeting.
 
 

October 8: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• 

  (Photo: Roger Valdivia/Fort Myers Police Department/the News-press)

  Saturday, Oct. 13: Cops & Joggers 5K, downtown Fort Myers. 7:45 p.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 13: Sprint for Students 5K, Koreshan State Park, Estero (runsignup.com) 
• Sunday, Oct. 14: Run Like A Bandit 5K/10K, Port Charlotte Beach Park (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 20: Gulf to Gulf 80 Relay, 80-mile relay race starting and ending at Cambier park, Naples (gcrunner.org)
• Saturday, Oct. 20: St Andrew Catholic School Run for the Stars 5K, 7:30 a.m., Jim Jeffers Park, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
• Sunday, Oct. 21: Rocktoberfest 10 Miler and Relay, North collier Regional Park, 7 a.m. (eliteevents.org)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: F.I.S.H. 10K, Sanibel Community House, 7:30 a.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Halloween Monster 5K, Fleischmann Park, Naples 7:30 a.m. (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Babcock Ranch Trick or Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Babcock Ranch (3dracinginc.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Run For Recess 5K, 8 a.m., Diplomat Elementary School Cape Coral (runsignup.com) 
• Saturday, Nov. 3: Lions Chase and Cub Run 5K, Villas Elementary School, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 10: Achieva Credit Union Coconut Run 5K, 7:30 a.m., Sun Splash/Coconut Festival, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
• 
  Saturday, Nov. 10: Olde Naples 10K run/2K walk, 7:30 a.m.(gcrunner.org)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Midpoint Madness 5K, Midpoint Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Twins Tot Walk and 5K, 4:15 p.m., Laishley Park, Punta Gorda (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, Nov. 17: Inspiring Health 5K, Lee Health Coconut Pointe, Estero (runsignup.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Naples Fall Classic Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: 39th annual Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cape Coral Wellness Center, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk, 7 a.m., Germain Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: FGCU Gobbler 5K, Alico Arena, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: GCR Thanksgiving 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cambier Park, Naples (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Dec. 1: 40th Annual River Run 10K, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Dec. 1: CCSP 5K. Run or walk to benefit Collier County Public Schools. Barron Collier High School (gcrunner.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• Friday, Oct. 12: NE-Lee Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7:30 p.m. at the Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. Lights required, helmets recommended.  (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, Oct. 13: Sanibel Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7:30 p.m. at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. Lights required, helmets recommended.  (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Oct. 14: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group.  (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Oct. 22: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, Oct. 28: 9th annual Tour de Northport. 7 a.m., 15-, 35- and 65-mile routes (caloosariders.org)
• Sunday, Oct. 29: 9th annual Tour de North Port, 15-, 35- and 65-mile rides, 7:30 a.m., Imagine School, Upper Campus, 2757 Sycamore Street, North Port (caloosariders.org)
• Sunday, Nov. 4: Gulf Coast Cyclefest. 104-, 79-, 63-, 35- or 20-mile routes starting at Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota. Breakfast, lunch, SAG, rest stops, well-marked routes. (caloosariders.org or active.com) 
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic tris, sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com) 
• Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• Jan. 6, 2019: HITS Triathlon Series, with sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distances. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (hitstriathlonseries.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.

October 1: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• Thursday, Oct. 4: GCR Corporate Run. Come participate in Naples only Corporate Run/Walk! Open to all employees and family of local corporations, businesses, government offices, and institutions.  6 p.m., Gordon River Greenway, Naples (gcrunner.org)
• Saturday, Oct. 6: Busey Bank Run for Prevention 5K. This Run and Walk, which crosses the Edison Bridge, is great for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, and perfect for families and teams. The course is stroller and pet friendly. Centennial Park, Fort Myers, 5-8 p.m. (3dracinginc.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 13: Cops & Joggers 5K, downtown Fort Myers. 7:45 p.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 20: Gulf to Gulf 80 Relay, 80-mile relay race starting and ending at Cambier park, Naples (gcrunner.org)
• Saturday, Oct. 20: St Andrew Catholic School Run for the Stars 5K, 7:30 a.m., Jim Jeffers Park, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
• Sunday, Oct. 21: Rocktoberfest 10 Miler and Relay, North collier Regional Park, 7 a.m. (eliteevents.org)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: F.I.S.H. 10K, Sanibel Community House, 7:30 a.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Halloween Monster 5K, Fleischmann Park, Naples 7:30 a.m. (gcrunner.org) 
• Saturday, Oct. 27: Babcock Ranch Trick or Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Babcock Ranch (3dracinginc.com)
• 
  Saturday, Nov. 10: Olde Naples 10K run/2K walk, 7:30 a.m.(gcrunner.org)
• Sunday, Nov. 11: Midpoint Madness 5K, Midpoint Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Naples Fall Classic Half Marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: 39th annual Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cape Coral Wellness Center, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk, 7 a.m., Germain Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, Nov. 22: GCR Thanksgiving 5K, 7:30 a.m., Cambier Park, Naples (gcrunner.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• 
  Monday, Oct. 7: Gran Fondo Sarasota. This year, Team Tony is transitioning our annual bike ride to a one-day event! We are hosting the GRAN FONDO SARASOTA on October 7, 2018 at Nathan Benderson Park. Pick your distance and come out with the whole family to enjoy a day of day of cycling! (caloosariders.org, teamtony.org) 
• Sunday, Oct 7: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group.  (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Friday, Oct. 12: NE-Lee Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7:30 p.m. at the Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. Lights required, helmets recommended.  (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, Oct. 13: Sanibel Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7:30 p.m. at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. Lights required, helmets recommended.  (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Oct. 14: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group.  (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, Oct. 29: 9th annual Tour de North Port, 15-, 35- and 65-mile rides, 7:30 a.m., Imagine School, Upper Campus, 2757 Sycamore Street, North Port (caloosariders.org) 
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic tris, sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com) 
• Sunday, Dec. 16: Christmas Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sugden Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.org)
• Jan. 6, 2019: HITS Triathlon Series, with sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman distances. Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota (hitstriathlonseries.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.