Upcoming events
Coronavirus update
Most of the near-term upcoming events are
still
postponed or cancelled, but there are options, as new virtual events are emerging. Check out this recent BikeWalkLee column to find out more.
To check the current
status of the regular events go to the event websites, such as Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org), Caloosa Riders (caloosariders.org), and South West Florida Critical Mass (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).
Protect
yourself and others by avoiding group activities and close proximity to
other
people. You may still enjoy the outdoors to exercise, alone or with a
partner. Just remember to practice social distancing (at least 6'
distance, more when you're exercising, use common sense) to keep
yourself
and others safe. If you feel sick, consider wearing a face mask or
staying home. Stay healthy. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov for more information.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Thursday, April 23, 2020
BikeWalkLee: Virus brings a batch of virtual events
BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, April 23, 2020
by Ken Gooderham
Just because you can’t gather in a group doesn’t mean you can’t have a group event. You just have to go virtual.
The good news: It doesn’t involve Zoom. The even better news: You pick the distance, the place and the prize.
As COVID-19 keeps us safer at home, runners (and those going a little stir crazy) have turned to virtual events to provide some motivation to move. There are a number of local options going on right now.
In the age of social distancing where face masks are recommended if you can keep your distance, what’s a runner or cyclist to do?
It depends.
If you plan to be in a crowd, be prepared to cover for the sake of others if not yourself. (One recent report suggested that six feet is not sufficient distancing for runners, who might leave a trail of exhaled moisture behind them... although that research has met some resistance from others.)
But if you can keep your distance, a mask might not be wise. First, to be effective it needs to somewhat restrict your breathing – not a great plan during physical exertion. Second, a wet mask (it is warming up, remember) might make matters worse instead of better, making them less good as a filter but much better as an incubator.
Finally, there’s no real proof that running, walking or cycling contribute to coronavirus transmission – as long as you keep your distance… and, if you can’t, cover up.
So golfing and pro wrestling are considered essential activities by the state of Florida… but parks have to be closed?
That makes no sense as a blanket policy.
Yes, places where people congregate need to controlled and physical distance needs to be maintained to control coronavirus.
But there are plenty of parks where people could avoid contact and still get exercise… or just get outside to shake off cabin fever!
Let me offer three local examples: Lakes Park, Caloosahatchee Regional Park and the Ten-Mile Canal (John Yarbrough) Linear Park.
The first two are a mix of activities, trails and pavilions. Obviously, the activities draw crowds (not good) and the pavilions likewise discourage distancing. But why close the miles of trails?
The third example is nothing but a trail, running from Colonial Blvd. to Six Mile Cypress Parkway, a place for cyclists, runners and walkers to keep fit while keeping their distance. (Plus, for cyclists, the park is a safer way to move north and south than riding along U.S. 41 or Metro Parkway.)
That’s not to mention the many smaller community parks that could also be utilized without risk by prudent people exercising caution along with their exercise.
Rather than barricades and barriers, wouldn’t it be better to balance safety and sanity by allowing limited use of the larger facilities… at least until the COVID crisis is on the wane?
Were you planning to join the climbers at the Fight for Air Stair Climb, or even thinking about it? The event, which was to be held April 25 at Oasis Tower, is morphing into something different. Watch for details at fightforairclimb.org/FortMyers.
Otherwise, group activities for running, riding or triathlons are on hold for the foreseeable future. So go virtual, because your real-world events will have to wait.
The News-Press, April 23, 2020
by Ken Gooderham
Just because you can’t gather in a group doesn’t mean you can’t have a group event. You just have to go virtual.The good news: It doesn’t involve Zoom. The even better news: You pick the distance, the place and the prize.
As COVID-19 keeps us safer at home, runners (and those going a little stir crazy) have turned to virtual events to provide some motivation to move. There are a number of local options going on right now.
- The Fort Myers Track Club is offering the Social Distance Challenge beginning April 6 and running through May 15. You get a choice of four distances – 5K, 10K, 15K and a half marathon – or the more robust runners can opt for the Stir Crazy 4 Distance Challenge and tackle all four distances. The cost is $30 for the individual races and $40 for the four-race package, with proceeds going to benefit local businesses hit hard by the coronavirus collapse of the local economy. Sign up by May 8, complete your distance(s) by May 15, post your time and wait for your T-shirt and medal. Details at ftmyerstrackclub.com.
- The City of Cape Coral has organized the Safer Way Virtual 5K that benefits Lee Health that takes place from April 24 to May 4. Details at www.capecoral.net under Parks & Rec – and they also have a number of other at-home fitness options posted there.
- Virtualrunchallenge.com has posted a number of Cape Coral-based virtual events -- 2020 Anything is PAW-sible Virtual 5K Run Walk, 2020 CoronaBusters Virtual 19K Run Walk, Remember the Fallen Virtual 21K Run Walk and Ope-RUN-ation Virtual Half Marathon Run Walk. Details at www.eventbrite.com.
- Gulf Coast Runners have also added virtual events to their race calendar, with details at gcrunner.org/virtual/
Fitness and face-covering
In the age of social distancing where face masks are recommended if you can keep your distance, what’s a runner or cyclist to do?
It depends.
If you plan to be in a crowd, be prepared to cover for the sake of others if not yourself. (One recent report suggested that six feet is not sufficient distancing for runners, who might leave a trail of exhaled moisture behind them... although that research has met some resistance from others.)
But if you can keep your distance, a mask might not be wise. First, to be effective it needs to somewhat restrict your breathing – not a great plan during physical exertion. Second, a wet mask (it is warming up, remember) might make matters worse instead of better, making them less good as a filter but much better as an incubator.
Finally, there’s no real proof that running, walking or cycling contribute to coronavirus transmission – as long as you keep your distance… and, if you can’t, cover up.
Isn’t exercise essential?
So golfing and pro wrestling are considered essential activities by the state of Florida… but parks have to be closed?
That makes no sense as a blanket policy.
Yes, places where people congregate need to controlled and physical distance needs to be maintained to control coronavirus.
But there are plenty of parks where people could avoid contact and still get exercise… or just get outside to shake off cabin fever!
Let me offer three local examples: Lakes Park, Caloosahatchee Regional Park and the Ten-Mile Canal (John Yarbrough) Linear Park.
The first two are a mix of activities, trails and pavilions. Obviously, the activities draw crowds (not good) and the pavilions likewise discourage distancing. But why close the miles of trails?
The third example is nothing but a trail, running from Colonial Blvd. to Six Mile Cypress Parkway, a place for cyclists, runners and walkers to keep fit while keeping their distance. (Plus, for cyclists, the park is a safer way to move north and south than riding along U.S. 41 or Metro Parkway.)
That’s not to mention the many smaller community parks that could also be utilized without risk by prudent people exercising caution along with their exercise.
Rather than barricades and barriers, wouldn’t it be better to balance safety and sanity by allowing limited use of the larger facilities… at least until the COVID crisis is on the wane?
Ready to ride or run?
Were you planning to join the climbers at the Fight for Air Stair Climb, or even thinking about it? The event, which was to be held April 25 at Oasis Tower, is morphing into something different. Watch for details at fightforairclimb.org/FortMyers.
Otherwise, group activities for running, riding or triathlons are on hold for the foreseeable future. So go virtual, because your real-world events will have to wait.
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.
Monday, April 20, 2020
April 20: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events
Upcoming events
Coronavirus update
Most of the near-term upcoming events are still postponed or cancelled. To check the current status of events go to the event websites, such as Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org), Caloosa Riders (caloosariders.org), and South West Florida Critical Mass (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).
Protect yourself and others by avoiding group activities and close proximity to other people. You may still enjoy the outdoors to exercise, alone or with a partner. Just remember to practice social distancing (at least 6' distance, more when you're exercising, use common sense) to keep yourself and others safe. If you feel sick, consider wearing a face mask or staying home. Stay healthy. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov for more information.
Coronavirus update
Most of the near-term upcoming events are still postponed or cancelled. To check the current status of events go to the event websites, such as Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org), Caloosa Riders (caloosariders.org), and South West Florida Critical Mass (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).
Protect yourself and others by avoiding group activities and close proximity to other people. You may still enjoy the outdoors to exercise, alone or with a partner. Just remember to practice social distancing (at least 6' distance, more when you're exercising, use common sense) to keep yourself and others safe. If you feel sick, consider wearing a face mask or staying home. Stay healthy. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov for more information.
Monday, April 13, 2020
April 13: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events
Upcoming events
Coronavirus update
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all of the near-term upcoming events are still postponed or cancelled until further notice. To check the current status go to the event websites, such as Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org), Caloosa Riders (caloosariders.org), and South West Florida Critical Mass (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).
Protect yourself and others by avoiding group activities and close proximity to other people. You may still enjoy the outdoors to exercise, alone or with a partner. Just remember to practice social distancing (at least 6' distance, more when you're exercising, use common sense) to keep yourself and others safe. If you feel sick, consider wearing a face mask or staying home. Stay healthy. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov for more information.
Coronavirus update
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all of the near-term upcoming events are still postponed or cancelled until further notice. To check the current status go to the event websites, such as Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org), Caloosa Riders (caloosariders.org), and South West Florida Critical Mass (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).
Protect yourself and others by avoiding group activities and close proximity to other people. You may still enjoy the outdoors to exercise, alone or with a partner. Just remember to practice social distancing (at least 6' distance, more when you're exercising, use common sense) to keep yourself and others safe. If you feel sick, consider wearing a face mask or staying home. Stay healthy. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov for more information.
Friday, April 10, 2020
BikeWalkLee: Can cycling go viral?
BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, April 9, 2020
by Ken Gooderham
The streets of Southwest Florida may be emptier thanks to the coronavirus… but its bike lanes and shared use paths have never been busier.
Let’s hope that people who are now finding biking, walking and running as their exercise of last resort eventually embrace this newfound habit as their first choice for fitness.
What’s driving this new surge? Obviously, closing gyms, pools and other exercise options over COVID-19 concerns has opened up the option of taking to the streets and paths as a way to stay fit. But it’s more than just the desire for health… it’s the desire to get outside and to see other people (at an appropriate distance, of course).
To those who have laced up their shoes or dusted off the bikes in response to the pandemic, welcome. We’re glad you’re getting out and staying fit, and hope you pick up a few new habits that will continue even when the day comes (eventually) when life returns to whatever the new normal ends up being.
But if you’re new to the lanes and paths, we’d like to remind you of a few helpful tips (but not too many… we’re all getting way too many restrictions in our daily lives right now).
More people may be out walking, running or biking, but they’ll a little less space in which to do it.
With the official “Safer at Home” executive order kicking in April 3, Lee county expanded its park closures to include county parks that had still been open to (and popular with) walkers, runners and cyclists. This includes the Ten Mile Canal Linear Park and the bike path that runs from Colonial Blvd. to Six Mile Cypress Parkway, as well as Lakes Park, a popular bike/walk connection between Summerlin Road and Gladiolus Drive.
So if you were used to using those paths as part of your walk or ride, you’ll need to find another route.
Alas, group activities for running, riding or triathlons are on hold for the foreseeable future. So unless you’re into virtual races, your real-world events will have to wait.
The News-Press, April 9, 2020
by Ken Gooderham
The streets of Southwest Florida may be emptier thanks to the coronavirus… but its bike lanes and shared use paths have never been busier.Let’s hope that people who are now finding biking, walking and running as their exercise of last resort eventually embrace this newfound habit as their first choice for fitness.
What’s driving this new surge? Obviously, closing gyms, pools and other exercise options over COVID-19 concerns has opened up the option of taking to the streets and paths as a way to stay fit. But it’s more than just the desire for health… it’s the desire to get outside and to see other people (at an appropriate distance, of course).
To those who have laced up their shoes or dusted off the bikes in response to the pandemic, welcome. We’re glad you’re getting out and staying fit, and hope you pick up a few new habits that will continue even when the day comes (eventually) when life returns to whatever the new normal ends up being.
But if you’re new to the lanes and paths, we’d like to remind you of a few helpful tips (but not too many… we’re all getting way too many restrictions in our daily lives right now).
Cyclists:
- Act like traffic (because you are!): Whether in the bike lane or on a sidewalk, act as much like the other traffic as you can. Bike in the same direction, signal your plans to turn or stop, be predictable.
- Be bright to be seen: Whether using bright colors or bright lights (or both), your goal is to stand out to other traffic, not to blend in.
- Helmets: Smart for all, but a must for kids (it’s the law).
- Bike defensively. Assume the worst and take control of any situation – whether with a motor vehicle, other cyclists or walkers and runner (and kids and dogs).
- Avoid distractions or impediments… such as earphones, smart phones, smart watches and other tech. Doing something else while you’re riding means you’re not paying attention to riding – and that’s potentially disastrous.
Walker & runners:
- Don’t act like traffic, at least in terms of direction. Walk or run facing traffic, so you can see when someone is not paying attention with enough time to take action.
- Be visible… bright colors during the day, bright lights at night.
- Share the path or lane. Particularly with more people out and about, don’t insist on walking three abreast and pushing other users into the roadway.
- Be aware of your surroundings, in terms of other people, vehicles, threats to safety, etc. For example, this is not the time for the noise-cancelling headphones that cut off a vital sense, but for earphones you can hear through
- Take care of your feet, because whether walking or running you want your feet to take care of you.
Everyone:
- Stay hydrated.
- Protect your skin with sunscreen.
- Dress appropriately for the temperature.
- Make it a family activity if possible.
- Have fun!
County park closures expanded
More people may be out walking, running or biking, but they’ll a little less space in which to do it.
With the official “Safer at Home” executive order kicking in April 3, Lee county expanded its park closures to include county parks that had still been open to (and popular with) walkers, runners and cyclists. This includes the Ten Mile Canal Linear Park and the bike path that runs from Colonial Blvd. to Six Mile Cypress Parkway, as well as Lakes Park, a popular bike/walk connection between Summerlin Road and Gladiolus Drive.
So if you were used to using those paths as part of your walk or ride, you’ll need to find another route.
Ready to ride or run?
Alas, group activities for running, riding or triathlons are on hold for the foreseeable future. So unless you’re into virtual races, your real-world events will have to wait.
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.
Monday, April 6, 2020
April 6: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events
Upcoming events
Coronavirus update
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all of the near-term upcoming events are still postponed or cancelled until further notice. To name a few, this concerns all races and rides of Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org), Caloosa Riders (caloosariders.org), and South West Florida Critical Mass (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).
Protect yourself and others by avoiding group activities and close proximity to other people. You may still enjoy the outdoors to exercise, alone or with a partner. Just remember to practice social distancing (at least 6' distance) to keep yourself and others safe. If you feel sick, consider wearing a face mask or staying home. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov for more information.
Coronavirus update
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all of the near-term upcoming events are still postponed or cancelled until further notice. To name a few, this concerns all races and rides of Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org), Caloosa Riders (caloosariders.org), and South West Florida Critical Mass (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).
Protect yourself and others by avoiding group activities and close proximity to other people. You may still enjoy the outdoors to exercise, alone or with a partner. Just remember to practice social distancing (at least 6' distance) to keep yourself and others safe. If you feel sick, consider wearing a face mask or staying home. Visit floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov for more information.