BikeWalkLee: Royal Palm Classic tops list of bike events

BikeWalkLee's March 6, 2013 column in "Go Coastal" Section of News-Press
This week's BWL column encourages people to beat the traffic by going by bike to Spring training games, to try the Tour de Parks route, and participate in the upcoming Royal Palm Classic ride.

Our weather can’t be beaten, but there are too many cars on the street. It’s a great time to take a ride (rather than a drive) — so if you haven’t been on your bike lately, now’s the time to mount up.

Right on cue, here comes the annual Royal Palm Classic, a signature event for the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club now in its 16th year. There’s a distance for everyone — from a metric century (62 miles) to a “no rider left behind” 15-miler — all with full support, marked routes and lunch is even included. It kicks off at 8 a.m. (for the longest ride) on Sunday, March 16, at a new location this year — the Fort Myers Brewing Company in Gateway off Daniels Parkway just east of JetBlue Park.
More information and registration is at royalpalmclassic.org, It’s a great first ride for the novice and a good test for the veteran —but be sure to bring your helmet, as it’s required to participate (and just a good idea overall).

Beat the traffic

Nice weather and overwhelming traffic must mean it’s spring training, with both the Red Sox and the Twins in the midst of their spring schedules.

Both JetBlue Park and the Lee County Sports Complex are easily accessible by bike, even for the most inexperienced riders. The Sports Complex, in particular, is served by bike paths from all directions, making it comfortable for even the most wary cyclists. JetBlue has protected streets leading in from the north, while the most popular Daniels Parkway route is mostly served by bike paths with some bike lanes thrown in. Coming from the south on Treeline Avenue will mean using the roadway’s popular bike lanes — and, while you’ll share the road with motor vehicle traffic, you’ll have your own space that’s marked and (mostly) respected by drivers. Too much for you? Use the sidepaths along both sides of Treeline instead.


Many of these routes are part of the county’s “Tour de Parks” network, which ties together Lakes Park and the Calusa Nature Center, the Yarbrough Linear Park and the North Colonial Linear Trail, the full length of Six Mile Cypress Parkway from College Parkway to U.S. 41 — and the two stadiums, of course.

Find out more at bikewalklee.org. Click on the “Maps” link from the home page to get all the maps and even turn-by-turn directions to ride to both parks.

Change of pace

Looking for something new in your riding or hiking?

Both bikers and walkers can find some new trails at Caloosahatchee Regional Park, particularly if you’re looking for a break from the flat terrain so prevalent in Southwest Florida.

Thanks to the volunteer efforts of the Florida Mudcutters, you can access more than 11 miles of off-road bike trails (even with hills!) ranging from easy to advanced, all on the north side of the park.
Across the street, hikers can traverse a variety of loops along more than 3.5 miles of flatter trails.

And, if you want to bring your kayak along, there’s even an access point to the Caloosahatchee for launching.

Find out more about the park at leeparks.org, and about the Mudcutters and the bike trails at mudcutters.org.

Upcoming events 

Running/walking:
• Saturday, March 15: Race in the Park 5K at the Lehigh Spring Festival, Veterans Park 55 Homestead Road South, Lehigh Acres (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, March 29: Scope for Hope 5K, Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
 
Cycling and other events:
• Sunday, March 16: Royal Palm Classic, organized by the Caloosa Riders. Starts at Fort Myers Brewing Company east of JetBlue Park, with 15-, 30- and 62-mile rides and a “no one left behind” guided 15-mile loop. SAG support and lunch included (caloosariders.org)
• Saturday, March 29: Walk, Wheel, & Wobble for Ataxia, Florida Gulf Coast University. 10-, 30- and 62-mile rides, 5K run (knowataxia.webs.com/)
• Saturday, April 5: Pedal and Play in Paradise, five different rides start in Punta Gorda including 15-, 30- and 62-miles rides, a 10-mile poker run and a City Manager’s History Tour. All rides benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and TEAM Punta Gorda’s bicycle-friendly initiatives. SAG support and lunch included (pedalandplayinparadise.com/)
• Sunday, April 13: Immokalee Ride for Literacy, 15-, 30- and 62-mile rides. SAG support and lunch included (caloosariders.org/)
• Sunday, April 13: Everglades Ride, McLeod Park, Everglades City, sponsored by Naples Pathways Coalition and River of Grass Greenway. On-road rides 16 to 62 miles, plus an off-pavement 27-mile ride. SAG support and lunch included (evergladesROGG.org)

— BikeWalkLee is 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.org.

Bike Walk Lee: Let's bike on out to spring training

 This week's BWLcolumn encourages readers to use the Tour de Parks route to bike to spring training games, as well as to the Calusa Nature Center's this Saturday, where the improved trail is opening for biking and Dan Moser is offering bicycling basics training.

BWL's News-Press Column in "Go Coastal" Section: Feb. 13, 2014

 Spring training games return to Lee County on Feb. 27, which means baseball, blue skies — and some serious traffic tie-ups as thousands descend on the county’s two stadiums to watch the often sold-out games.
Rather than being one of those stuck in your car in a long line of slow-moving traffic, why not take some of the stress out of getting to the game and ride your bike instead?

Download:View a printable copy of the Tour de Parks map

 Both JetBlue Park and the Lee County Sports Complex — hosting the Red Sox and Twins, respectively — are easily accessible by bike, even for the most inexperienced riders. The Sports Complex, in particular, is served by bike paths from all directions, making it comfortable for even the most wary cyclists. JetBlue has protected streets leading in from the north, while the most popular Daniels Parkway route is mostly served by bike paths with some bike lanes thrown in.

 Coming from the south on Treeline Avenue will mean using the roadway’s popular bike lanes — and, while you’ll share the road with motor vehicle traffic, you’ll have your own space that’s marked and (mostly) respected by drivers.

Many of these routes are part of the county’s Tour de Parks network, which ties together Lakes Park and the Calusa Nature Center, the Yarbrough Linear Park and the North Colonial Linear Trail, the full length of Six Mile Cypress Parkway from College Parkway to U.S. 41 – and the two stadiums, of course.

With its easy access from major residential and commercial areas, this network is convenient and well used – and offers enough variations and variable to allow to you ride it again and again while tailoring the trip and the time to your needs. Be sure to give it a try.

Getting back to the ballgames, however, if you live on or near the “Tour de Parks route you may discover that biking is the fastest way to get to the game. Just be sure:

• To allow plenty of time to get there… you may be moving faster than the traffic but you still have to negotiate the same intersections and issues.

• To bring sunscreen and a hat (for the hopefully sunny skies) and stay hydrated (yes, beer counts… but water is better for the riding part at least).

• To bring a lock, since you’ll need a way to secure your cycle once you get there.

• When riding on sidepaths you’ll be dealing with heavy pedestrian traffic the closer you get to the stadiums – so understand that those on foot have priority and be sure to warn them and proceed with caution when passing pedestrians.
 
BikeWalkLee is 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 at BikeWalkLee.org.

Find out more at bikewalklee.org. Click on the “Maps” link from the home page to get all the maps and even turn-by-turn directions to ride to both parks.

Go Riding

Want to spice up your Saturday bike ride?
Head to Calusa Nature Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, and be among the first to ride trails that were previously open only to foot traffic (this is a test run; they’re unpaved, so not all bikes are appropriate) or take a guided, interpretive hike on the boardwalks. Entry is free for those who participate in a “rules of the road & pathways” program prior to the trail ride or boardwalk hike. However, donations to the center are encouraged.

Schedule:
• 9-10 a.m.: Bicycling Basics – Rules of the Road and Pathways & Safety Tips
• 10-11 a.m.: Guided bike ride of the Wildlands and Berm Trails
• 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Guided interpretive hike of the Boardwalk Trails
• 11 a.m.-noon: Bicycling Basics – Rules of the Road and Pathways & Safety Tips (repeated for those who missed the first session)

The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a private, not for profit, environmental education organization located on the northwest corner of Colonial Blvd and Ortiz Ave (3450 Ortiz Ave, Fort Myers). Its 105-acre site has a museum, three nature trails, a Planetarium, butterfly and bird aviaries, a gift shop and meeting and picnic areas. Daily educational programs allow visitors an up close and personal view of some of the resident creatures, including a skunk, a raccoon, fox, Butterfly Aviary, and an Audubon Aviary which houses permanently injured birds of prey (hawks, vultures, bald eagles, owls and more).

For more information about Calusa Nature Center please visit their website at www.calusanature.org or call (239) 275-3435; for questions or comments related to the bike ride or “rules of the road & pathway” program contact Dan Moser at dan@floridabicycle.org or (239) 334-6417.

Running/walking:
• Saturday: Edison Fest 5K, downtown Fort Myers. (edisonfestival.org/race or ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Feb. 22: Swamp Stomp 5K. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Sunday, March 2: Hooters Half Marathon, Fort Myers. 7 a.m. (hootershalfmarathon.com)
• Saturday, March 29: Scope for Hope 5K, Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
 
Cycling & other events
• Saturday: Ride for Hope, Bonita Springs. 10- 25- and 50-mile options (hopehcs.org/ride)
• Sunday, March 16: Royal Palm Classic, organized by the Caloosa Riders. Starts at Fort Myers Brewing Company east of JetBlue Park, with 15-, 30- and 62-mile rides and a “no one left behind” guided 15-mil loop (caloosariders.org)
• Saturday, March 29: Walk, Wheel, & Wobble for Ataxia, Florida Gulf Coast University. 10-, 30- and 62-mile rides, 5K run (knowataxia.webs.com/)
• Sunday, April 13: Immokalee Ride for Literacy, 15-, 30- and 62-mile rides (caloosariders.org/)

 —

Pedal to the Park!

BikeWalkLee is collaborating with the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) on an initiative to promote biking to the upcoming Spring Training games.  Kudos to VCB and BWL's Mike Bacigalupo for stepping up to the plate to work on this.  Stay tuned for more details in early 2014.

Riding a bike to the Ball Park for a Spring Training Game is a viable option for the 2014 Spring Training Season with improved bike friendly lanes and paths navigating to the parks.  

Located in Ft. Myers are Hammond Stadium the home for the Minnesota Twins and Jet Blue Park the home to the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.  Once at the park, bike parking is free and much less of a hassle.  

So are you ready to leave the car behind..?

The 2014 Spring Training Season officially starts the end of February and runs through March; perfect weather to get outside.  Riders of all ages and all abilities can safely and easily navigate to the parks.  Distances can vary from a few miles to larger loops around the City.  

Spring Training brings with it a following of fans from all over the nation, many looking for places to eat, sleep, and be merry.  Fort Myers Visitor and Convention Bureau is coordinating with popular hotels/motels and bike shops in providing special lodging packages that come with the use of the bikes.  Local residents don’t despair - your Family can take advantage of a “stay-cation” and experience firsthand why our city is a tourist hotspot.  

This initiative is part of Lee County's complete streets program that promotes alternative modes of transportation, and encourages residents and visitors to use the county's  expanded biking and walking facilities.  Pedal the unique South Florida landscape on a series of interconnecting bike routes that highlight some of what the County has to offer.  Both of these ball parks are stops on the Tour de Parks Route.  The 36-mile Tour de Parks route, complete with way finding signs and a map, is almost entirely on shared use paths, linking eight parks and recreation facilities, including both ballparks.

Bike Routes & Maps:

Bike Routes to Spring Training Parks

Jet Blue Park - Bicycle Access Map

Tour de Parks Bike Route

Park & Bike Option:  

There are options for biking to Ball Parks if you live too far away or want just a short ride. Good starting points are other Parks included on the Tour de Parks Bike Route.  These Parks often offer parking and bathroom facilities.  Another good starting point are one of the Bike Shops highlighted on the Tour de Parks map.  In the event a bike needs air in the tires or a minor adjustment the local Bike Shop would be more than willing to help.  In addition there are numerous retailers located along the routes.  

Check for Updates:  

Visit the links below to learn more as the Spring Training Season gets closer.  

Ft Myers Visitor Convention Bureau

BikeWalkLee - Website

BikeWalkLee - facebook

BikeWalkLee - blog

So get off your behind and leave the behind.  Not only will you avoid traffic congestion, it is fun, good for your health, and contributes to the sustainability of Lee County.  Once the Spring Training Season is complete Hammond Stadium is home to the Ft. Myers Miracle Regular Season.  

Mike Bacigalupo 

Volunteer Opportunities:  

BikeWalkLee is looking for volunteers to participate in upcoming events.  If you can help out, please contact: Mike Bacigalupo at MrMikeBaci@gmail.com.  

Report by Mike Bacigalupo

BWL Column:Bike trips offers fun, challenge at Lakes Park in Fort Myers

Tour de Parks Route Map

Today's BWL column encourages you to check out the new Tour de Parks biking route and provides three suggested rides.

News-Press "Go Coastal" Section: May 30, 2013

Looking for a ride that’s safe and interesting? One that keeps you off the roadways (except to cross them) and shows off some of the county’s recreational assets?
Well, grab your bikes and head to Lakes Park in south Fort Myers.

You should start at this 279-acre park for two reasons: Plenty of parking and plenty to do for the non-bike riders in the crowd. (You can even use an easy ride around the park as a warm-up.)

Entrance to Lakes Park on Gladiolus Dr.

We’ll give you three options for ride length – 8, 12 and 20 miles – and there’s even a map of the route (dubbed the “Tour de Parks”) on your way out of the park. There are also wayfinding signs with directions and distances along the route, although not always facing in the right direction for some riders.



Start out from Lakes Park and turn left onto the bike path that runs along the north side of Gladiolus Drive to its intersection with U.S. 41. Cross (carefully and patiently) and pick up the path on the north side of Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Stay on that until you reach Daniels Parkway, passing Hammond Stadium (where the Twins and Miracle play) on your left.

• If you’re doing 8 miles, turn left onto the path on the north side of Daniels and stay on that until you across Metro Parkway and Ten Mile Canal. Then turn south (you may need to go further west to the signal to cross safely) and pick up the Yarbrough Linear Park trail south to Six Mile Cypress, turn right and proceed back to Lakes Park.

• For the 12-mile route, continue north on Six Mile Cypress Parkway (you can switch to the path on the west side if you prefer) to Penzance Blvd. and the Six Mile Cypress Slough Center. This is the hub of the 3,400-acre wetlands ecosystem, which includes a 1.2 mile boardwalk into the slough itself (for those who’d like a little walk). When you’re done, retrace your ride (or swing over to the Linear Park Trail on the 8-mile route) and return to Lakes Park.

New wayfinding signs

• Going the full 20 miles? Stay northbound on the Six Mile pathway to the intersection with Colonial Blvd. – and be careful on the northern portion with all the shopping center entrances. Negotiate the intersection to end up on the northeast corner, where you’ll find the Calusa Nature Center nestled in the trees. This 105-acre site has a museum, three nature trails, a planetarium, and butterfly and bird aviaries.

Heading back to Lakes Park, you can either use the Colonial Blvd. trail (more direct and protected) or the North Colonial Linear Park Trail (more scenic), which goes past the city’s Neighborhood Trailhead Park when it crosses Shoemaker Blvd. However, it also means you’ll have to ride in the bike lane on Metro Parkway south from where the Linear Park ends down to Colonial Blvd. – which may be off-putting for some.

Either way, pick up the Yarbrough trail along Ten Mile Canal south to Six Mile Cypress, then return to Lakes Park and the end of your ride.

Once you master this route, you can start from different points or throw in other side loops to expand your biking horizons even further. Use the new bike map or the county’s “Tour de Parks” map for guidance.

 More Information

• For a map of the full Tour de Parks route, download one from bikewalklee.org or leeparks.org.

— BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for Complete Streets in Lee County. Information, statistics and background online at BikeWalkLee.org.

Tour de Parks bike audit for elected officials and staff on Saturday

Commissioner Mann is the leader of the pack

On Saturday, May 18th  BikeWalkLee hosted another Tour de Parks ride and Bike Audit for City and County officials, advisory board members and staff.   

 We had 16 participants, including four elected officials--Commissioner Frank Mann, and three members of the Fort Myers City Council:  Mayor Randy Henderson, Councilman Tom Leonardo, and Councilman Levon Simms; along with the Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director from Fort Myers; Andy Getch from LeeDOT, a BPAC member, Lee Department of Health staff; other staff and local planning consultants.

Starting from the Calusa Nature Center at the early hour of 8:00 a.m. riders received instructions on Rules of the Road from guide Dan Moser before heading out from the Nature Center down the North Colonial Linear Trail.  Several of the elected officials only had an hour for the ride, so the first group rode about six miles.  As you can see from the photo above, Commissioner Mann, who hadn't been on a bike in 30 years, led the way...at a pace of about 7 mph!  Next time he asked Dan to give him a bike with some gears!  Mayor Henderson sported his "Dunk City! FGCU t-shirt".  This was his second ride with BWL this week, having participated in Wednesday night's Ride of Silence. 

Fort Myers Mayor Henderson (notice Dunk City t-shirt!)

The second half of the ride, with the remaining hardy half, took us down 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, where we stopped at the Six Mile Cypress Slough, then headed towards Lakes Park.  We stopped at the Sun Coast OJ place for a much-needed cold drink, then took the John Yarbrough Linear Park Trail back to the Colonial Blvd. path and on up to our starting point at the Nature Center.

Throughout the ride, stops were made to observe and analyze roadway and intersection conditions, assessing design, engineering, and maintenance with an eye to those features that support safe and enjoyable cycling. Some aspects of the roadways and trail system were very well designed and others hindrances to both safety and convenience.

I put together a photo album on Facebook, which you can view here.  Enjoy!

Dan Moser fits Commissioner Mann with helmet.

 Many thanks to the four elected officials who took time out of their busy weekend to participate...and a special thanks to our tour leader, Dan Moser, and organizer, Ann Pierce.  Stay tuned for an announcement about our next ride for officials and staff.

Report by Darla Letourneau

Here's my favorite photo from the day:

BWL's Ann Pierce is wearing her new BWL jersey BACKWARDS--LOL!

Second Tour de Parks and Bike Audit for staff and local officials

On Sunday April 21 BikeWalkLee and Lee County Parks and Recreation hosted another Tour de Parks ride and Bike Audit for City and County officials, advisory board members and staff.   

 We had 11 participants, including representatives from City of Fort Myers Public Works, and Community Development, Lee County Office of Sustainability and several local planning consultants.  We were also happily joined by two riders from Naples Pathways – one, an avid cyclist at age 86!

Starting in the early morning coolness, riders received instructions on Rules of the Road from guide Dan Moser before heading out from Lakes Park, off of Gladiolus Drive, and traveling east and north along the Six Mile Cypress multi-use path to the Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers.  Most, both experienced and new cyclists alike chose to ride the entire 20 miles, returning via the John Yarbrough Linear Trail. Several, though were more comfortable opting for the two shorter alternatives routes of 12 and 16 miles.

Throughout the ride, stops were made to observe and analyze roadway and intersection conditions, assessing design, engineering, and maintenance with an eye to those features that support safe and enjoyable cycling. Some aspects of the roadways and trail system were very well designed and others hindrances to both safety and convenience.

Our guests from Naples found it “a most informative and pleasant ride” and “a wonderful program (they) would like to see it expanded to other counties and municipalities.”  They had never been to Lakes Park or cycled any of the links of Lee County’s Tour de Parks and were quite impressed with the quality of these facilities.

The next Bike Audit for staff, committee members, and local officials is planned for Saturday May 18^th, starting at 8:00 a.m. from the Calusa Nature Center in Fort Myers.

Report by Ann Pierce

Saturday's biking audit of Tour de Parks Route with Dan Moser

On Saturday, Dan Moser took the first group of county staff and committee members on a biking audit of the new Tour de Parks Route.  Thanks to Ann Pierce for organizing the ride and to Dan Moser for his informative and eye-opening tour.

 

 

Ann Pierce of BikeWalkLee, who's a member of the County's Local Planning Agency (LPA) and Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) organized the first of hopefully many biking audit tours of the new Tour de Parks Route.  The initial invites went to county advisory committee members whose decisions on bike/ped matters have real impact on others' lives, so it was an opportunity for them to experience and learn about the cycling in this area.

 

Below are several photos from the tour, led by Dan Moser, of BikeWalkLee and the County's long-time expert on all biking facilities throughout the county.  Thanks to Dan for his excellent tour and to Ann Pierce for organizing.  The full photo album with captions is on our Facebook page (BikeWalkLee):  Biking Audit--Tour de Parks with Dan Moser (13 photos).

  

If you're interested in participating in a future tour, contact us.