BikeWalkLee: How to buy a bike

BikeWalkLee Column ‘Go Coastal’
The News-Press, October 21, 2021
by Ken Gooderham 

Image courtesy soci.bike

Are you new to biking? Decided to try it as a new habit, or new to the area and want to enjoy that fabled Florida winter weather? There are a couple of questions you may want to answer to help make your new foray on two wheels more fun… or at least less painful:

Where will you ride?

On the road? Most any bike will work. On the trails? Look for a mountain bike with tires that can dig in the loose dirt. On the beach? Big tires are must, as is a regular routine for maintenance to keep the sand at bay if you riding on the actual beach. For more possibilities, see below.

Why will you ride?

Just cruising around? Get a cruiser, built for comfort and not speed. Plan on running errands? Get a bike that can haul you and your stuff. Looking to get into long rides? A road bike may be a smart choice. Riding for your health? A fitness or hybrid bike can combine lighter weight and plenty of gears with a more back-friendly riding position. Just riding around town? Comfort bikes give you enough gears to handle our flat terrain and a more upright riding position.

How will you buy it?

For the best selection and best advice, head to your local bike store – they can let you test a few types to find the one you like, and then make sure it’s fitted to your body. Looking for lower cost? A big-box store may suffice, but you’ll be on your own (except maybe for assembly). Know what you want? Buying online might be for you, as long as you’re ready to build it yourself. Don’t forget the used-bike option, which can get you more bike for your bucks. Finally, the whole process is premised on the supply chain being intact, as pandemic demand emptied bike stores (and has made it harder to refill them).

How will you maintain it?

If you have basic skills, good – most new bikes will ride great out of the box, with only routine maintenance and some minor adjustments needed as the miles mount up. If you don’t have those skills, either learn them or learn to be friends with your local bike store… who can either show you what to do or do it for you.

How will you treat it?

See above… the most basic of maintenance is sufficient to keep most bikes rolling, but higher-end or high-performance road bikes need more TLC to do their best. If you a “ride ‘em till they break” person, you may want something sturdier that will withstand such abuse… or, again, get to know your local bike mechanic very well.

What do you need (or not need)?

If you’re into commuting or just easier riding, maybe look at an e-bike… more bike to deal with (in terms of weight) but less work for you (since the motor takes over). Bad back or a bigger person size-wise? Try a recumbent – and there are a lot of choices to suit your needs. Prefer riding with your partner? Tandems can be a great option, especially for pairs with different levels of fitness or endurance. Planning to travel? They make folding bikes for that… and they’re easier and cheaper to ship.

What do you know (or not know) about riding a bike?

If you’re a savvy rider who’s comfortable in most circumstances, go have a great ride. If you’re not, however, start out slow – stick to the neighborhood and the bike paths to build up your confidence, or think about taking a skills course to learn a few new tricks. Your local bike store can help or get you in touch with a local coach, or check out the tips and teachings from the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) at floridabicycle.org.

What else will I need?

Helmet? Yes, please… your brain will thank you. After that, it’s up to you, your comfort and your riding plans. Things to consider: Gloves (comfort and protection), bike shorts (comfort), lights front and back (protection first, and absolutely essential if you need to ride when it’s dark), bike bell (to let people know you’re coming), bike lock (if you want to be sure your bike is there when you get back), bike tools (if you know what to do and don’t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere) and the means to carry them, weather-specific gear (if you plan to or have to ride when it’s wet or cold), bike shoes (if you’re in it for the long ride) and various means of hauling stuff (if you plan to haul stuff).

Finally, let’s end with three dictums that may prove helpful:

• The best bike is the one you want to ride (and will do so, often).
• When in doubt, buy more bike than you need (but don’t spend money you don’t have).
• Ask for advice… there’s always someone who’s made a mistake or figured out a work-around so you won’t have to.

Mobility Week ahead

Speaking of FBA, check out their website to find out more about Mobility Week (which starts Oct. 29) and the Love to Ride Florida Challenge (which runs through November).

Mobility Week is intended to celebrate safe multi-modal (more than one mode) transportation options… and with season staring using the face, getting people out of their cars and into other ways of getting around couldn’t be more timely.

The Love to Ride Challenge is way to give people some incentives to get on their bikes over the next month – and hopefully start a habit they’ll stick with all year. Details on both at floridabicycle.org – take a look.

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EVENTS 

October brings more organized events… and, it appears, the weather to enjoy them more. As always, confirm that scheduled events are being held as planned before you show up.

FORT MYERS TRACK CLUB (ftmyerstrackclub.com):

• 10K Race for F.I.S.H., Saturday, Oct. 23, Sanibel Island. In-person and virtual
• Midpoint Madness 5K, Thursday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m., Midpoint Bridge, Fort Myers
• Turkey Trot, Thursday, Nov. 25, 7:30 a.m. at its new location at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. In-person and virtual.
• River Run, Saturday, Dec. 4, details TK.
  

GC RUNNERS (gcrunner.org):

• Gulf to Gulf 80-mile relay, Saturday, Oct. 23, starts and ends at Cambier Park, Naples
• GCR Halloween Monster 5K, Saturday, Oct. 30, 7:30 a.m., Fleischmann Park, Naples
• Olde Naples 10K, Saturday, Nov. 13, 7:30 a.m.
  
• 2021 GCR Thanksgiving 5K, Thursday, Nov. 25, 7:30 a.m. Cambier Park, Naples and virtual
  

ELITE EVENTS (runeliteevents.com):

• Naples Distance Classic Half Marathon, 18K & 5K, Saturday, Nov. 13, Eagle Lakes Park, Naples
• Thanksgiving Day 5K (two races), Thursday, Oct. 25, Hertz Arena in Estero and The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, Naples. 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. respectively
• Christmas Glow Run 5K, 5:45 p.m., Sugden Regional Park, Naples.
• Naples Fall Classic half marathon and 5K, 7 a.m., Sugden Regional Park, Naples.
• Christmas Glow Run 5K, Saturday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m., Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota.
• Sarasota West Coast half marathon and 5K, Sunday, Dec. 19, 7 a.m., Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota.
  

OTHER RUNS

• LRC Hams & Gams 5K Turkey Trot, Saturday Nov. 13, Hendry Complex, LaBelle (active.com)
  
• Publix Run to the Arts 5K run/walk, Nov. 20, downtown Fort Myers runsignup.com or runtothearts.com
• ELCP Turkey Run 5K, Saturday, Nov. 20, 8 a.m., Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park, Naples. 
  

OTHER RIDES

• Tour de North Port, Sunday, Oct. 24, 15-, 35- and 65-mile routes, staggered start beginning at 8 a.m., full support and lunch (https://runsignup.com/tourdenorthport)
• 17th Annual Iron Joe Turkey Ride, Sunday, Nov. 28, 7:30 a.m., distances of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 62 miles. Eagle Lakes Community Park, Naples.
  

The Caloosa Riders are offering member rides, but some are open to non-members (and it wouldn’t hurt you to join the club); check their ride calendar (caloosariders.org) for a description of the distance and speed, and to see if the ride is open to all.

SW Florida Critical Mass is offering their usual slate of family-friendly rides. Check out their line-up online (www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/) for details and times (and to make sure the ride is still rolling).

• SW Florida Critical Mass ride, first Friday of the month. A family-friendly slow night ride through Fort Myers. Front and rear bike lights required. Helmet and lights required, meet in the parking lot at 2180 West First Street, Fort Myers. 
• Sanibel Critical Mass night ride, second Saturday of the month. Gathers at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. Lights required, helmets recommended.
• NE Lee Critical Mass ride, third Friday of the month. Gather in the Winn Dixie parking lot on Palm Beach Blvd. about five miles east of the Interstate; gather at 7 p.m. and roll at 7:30 p.m. for a slow ride through Fort Myers Shores.
• Cape Coral Critical Mass ride, fourth Friday of the month. Gather at the Southwest Florida Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard Street for a family-friendly night ride through the Cape; helmets and lights required.
• Saturday Morning Slow Roll, fourth Saturday of the month. Meet-up at 2160 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Recommended for inexperienced/young riders. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction..
  

TRIATHLONS

• St. Anthony’s Triathlon (St. Petersburg) has been rescheduled again, now to May 1, 2022, Olympic and sprint
• City Island Triathlon, Oct. 10, Sarasota 
• Spa Girl Tri, Nov. 13, Marco Island, sprint
• Manasota Key Tri, Nov. 14, Englewood, sprint
• Over The Hill Tri, Nov. 14, Venice, sprint
  

 
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.

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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 bikewalklee.blogspot.com.