BWL Column:Don’t let heat, rain put a damper on biking, walking

BikeWalkLee's biweekly column in July 9, 2015: News-Press "Go Coastal" section

(Photo: the news-press file photo)

Now that we’ve settled in to the summertime weather patterns — sunny mornings, stormy afternoons, hot just about all the time — be sure to adjust your outdoor plans accordingly. Heat doesn’t have to drive you off the bike lanes or walking paths, but you need to have a plan to keep your cool… which means:

•Watch the schedule: You can (hopefully) avoid heat and rain by avoiding afternoon outings for the next few months. Early mornings and early evenings can offer you some relief… some days. (Then there are those days where it’s 80 degrees at 7 a.m. and there’s nowhere to go but up.)
•Watch your route: Shade is your friend this time of year, so look for biking or walking routes that include some trees or tall buildings to give you a break from the heat. Breezes (if there are any) can help as well, so check the wind before you go to see if you can use it to help you cool down along the way.
•Watch the weather: Before you head out check the conditions (there’s an app for that!) for the next few hours. It can keep you from getting caught in any unpleasantness… and if that’s unavoidable, remember all the usual cautions about lightning, taking shelter, etc. Better safe than (very) sorry.
This doesn’t need to be work or interfere in any way with your outdoor activities. Just think of it as accommodating the climate — except, instead of arming yourself to deal with the winter cold up north (assuming that’s an experience you remember), you’re adjusting to the summer heat down south. Frankly, it’s easier to stay cool than get warm, so you’re already ahead of the game!
In this game, the rules are the same as dealing with the cold… you just don’t have to wear as much!

This means:
•Be prepared: Dress right, stay hydrated and throw in the sunscreen (if it’s bright) or some rain gear (if it’s not). For attire, think breathable fabrics and light colors — and a hat wouldn’t hurt (unless you’re wearing your bike helmet like you should). As to hydration, have a drink before you start and keep it up while out for your walk, run or ride. If you can’t carry it with you, pick a route that has water or some other cold liquid along the way. Gear up as needed… apply sunscreen before you go, add it if you’re out long enough to warrant it (or burn easily), remember your sunglasses, and have portable rain gear handy if you think it might pour.
•Be flexible: If weather conditions force you to re-schedule your ride or walk, require you to cut it short or force you to take shelter during… well, think of it as a small price to pay for warm winters (and for staying safe). As we mentioned, shade is your friend… and, if you have a choice, consider the surface on which you’ll be traveling (like clothing, lighter can be better). Take breaks to get out of the sun or cool off a little, and don’t expect to maintain your cool-weather pace during the summer.
•Consider your options: Going out early or late helps, as does letting exertion be your guide (rather than the clock). If the heat and humidity are getting to be too much, it may be time to head indoors for your biking or walking (or other exercise efforts) or head to the pool (swimming is good exercise, as is pool running) — at least until the temperature eases.

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 www.BikeWalkLee.org.


Ready to ride or run?
Run: Join the Fort Myers Track Club for its Summer Fun Run series… there’s even one tonight, starting/ending at Fort Myers Brewing Co. (in case you’ve worked up a thirst). Cost is $4 for members, $5 for non-members, with details at www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.
Ride: Early registration is closed for the July 12 Wings and Wheels ride in Punta Gorda... but you can still show up that day, pay your fee and join the fun. Lots of distances and events to keep everyone engaged. Details at www.peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com.
Both: Want to try a tri? There’s a traditional sprint or a duathlon (run/bike/run) at Sugden Regional Park in Naples on Sunday (www.eliteevents.org). Rather hit the beach? Then sign up for the Englewood YMCA Sprint on Saturday, July 18; details at www.swflymca.org/programs/englewood-triathlon/

Dan Moser Column: Stay motivated with meetup groups

Florida Weekly, Outdoors Section, July 8, 2015

Our intense summertime weather means it’s important to make plans for when one engages in outdoor activities. The best bet, of course, is to get out early, before the heat cranks up and thunderstorms threaten. But not everyone has the self-motivation to hit the road or pathway at that time, so having others to walk, run, or ride with could be just what it takes to make the difference.

One option for finding others who are interested in your preferred activity is through local meetup groups (meetup.com). Most are free or very low cost to join with the only expense being what you would otherwise pay for things like parking or entrance fees to parks or other places the group has decided to use for the select activity. They’re usually quite informal and embrace all skill or fitness levels. Below is a list of some in our area that might be of interest. The idea is that anyone can suggest an outing and take the lead with the help of the features included on meetup. By the way, I inherited the biking meetup group a number of years ago when the original organizers were backing away and asked me if I’d like to take over. My primary reason for agreeing to do so was and remains to get folks educated on the rules of the road and pathways so they can actually enjoy their rides by becoming confident they’re doing the right thing out there, whether on meetup rides or any other time. Give one or another meetups a shot, especially if you’re having trouble dragging yourself out the door this time of year.

Work on the Metro flyover has created major problems for Tour de Parks route users.• Running Friends of SW Florida, meetup.com/RunningFriendsofSWFL

• SW Florida Walking Meetup Group, meetup.com/Walking-SWFL

• SW Florida Biking Meetup Group, meetup.com/Biking-SWFL

• Body Core Saturday Fun Run Meetup Group, meetup.com/BodyCore-Saturday-Fun-Run-Meetup

• Bonita Springs Walkers to Runners Challenge Meetup Group, meetup.com/Bonita-Springs-Walking-to-Running-ChallengeGroup

• Lehigh Acres “Sole Survivors” Walking Group, meetup.com/Lehigh-Acres-Sole-Survivors-Walking-Group

• Sunrise Walking for Life (SWFL) Challenge, meetup.com/SWFLChallenge_SOLEMates

• Alligator Amblers Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, meetup.com/AlligatorAmblers

• Exercise Meetup Group, meetup.com/exercisemeetupgroup

• SW Florida Moms in Motion, meetup.com/SWFL-MIM

• Fort Myers Area Kayaking Group, meetup.com/fortmyerskayaking

• Gulf Coast Kayaking & Adventures, meetup.com/yakasses

• Fort Myers Tennis Meetup, meetup.com/Fort-Myers-Tennis-Meetup

• Fort Myers Cardio Tennis, meetup.com/Fort-Myers-Cardio-Tennis

Advocacy update

At a recent Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinating Committee meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization the agenda included an item relating to the Americans with Disability Act. Each jurisdiction was asked to provide an update as to the status of their streets and sidepaths being in compliance with the law that is intended to require public spaces to be accessible to all users, which, by the way, benefits sidepathriding cyclists as well. Although only a few jurisdictions actually provided what could be considered a detailed status report, one that did was the city of Fort Myers.

Since 2010 the city has been working to get into compliance with a U.S. Department of Justice settlement agreement that arose from a complaint acted upon by DOJ. The city representatives reported significant progress had been made since the settlement agreement.

Upcoming Events

>> Running/Walking:

Saturday, July 25: Beat the Heat 5K, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)

Various summertime dates, FMTC Summer Fun Runs (ftmyerstrackclub.com)

Various summertime dates, 3D Racing Summer Series (3dracinginc.com)

For more Lee County running events, visit Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Endurance Sports Timing (endurancesportstiming.com) and 3-D Racing (3dracinginc.com). For Naples/Collier running info, it’s the Gulf Coast Runners (gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at zoomersrun.com. Walkers can visit meetup.com/Walking-SWFL.

>> Cycling and other events:

Sunday, July 12: Wheels & Wings, Punta Gorda (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com)

Friday, Aug. 7: SWFL Critical Mass, Downtown Fort Myers (swflcriticalmass.wordpress.com)

Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); Naples Pathways Coalition (naplespathways.org); Naples Velo (naplesvelo.com); Peace River Riders (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com); SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL); and Coastal Cruisers Bicycle Club (coastalcruisers.net) for more information on local bicycling activities, including weekly rides.

— Contact Dan Moser at bikepedmoser@gmail.com or 334- 6417.

July 6th: Upcoming running/walking/biking/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

·         Thursday, July 9: The Fort Myers Track Club’s Summer Fun Run series continues with a 7 p.m. 2-miler from the Fort Myers Brewing Co., 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive. The series alternates between Tuesday and Thursday every two weeks, with the next one on Tuesday, July 21, from Run Florida, 13101 McGregor Blvd.

·         Saturday, July 25: Eagle Lakes 5K, Eagle lakes Community Park, 11565 East Tamiami trail, Naples. Starts 7 a.m. (www.eliteevents.org)

·         Saturday, July 25: 7th annual Beat the Heat 5K. Jaycee Park, 4125 SE 20th Place, Cape Coral. 7 a.m. (www.3dracinginc.com)

·         Saturday, Aug. 15: 7^th annual Cape 5K, Jaycee Park, 4125 SE 20th Place, Cape Coral. 7 a.m. (www.3dracinginc.com)

·         Saturday, Aug. 22: North Collier Regional Rampage 5K, North Collier Regional Park, 1500 Livingston Road, Naples. 7 a.m. (www.eliteevents.org).

Cycling:

·         Sunday, July 12: Wheels and Wings VI, Beef O'Bradys, 1105 Taylor Road Punta Gorda. Five different rides: 15 mile (Mystery Ride) 32-/50-/62-miles and a 40-mile Gravel Grinder. Food, fun and more. (www.peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com)

·         Sunday, July 26: Join the Caloosa Riders to ride 100km as part of the Rapha Women’s 100, a global event getting thousands of women around the world to ride 100km. Meet at Daniels Crossing Plaza and ride from Fort Myers to Captiva Island, in a nonsupported, self-contained no-drop ride. Please be able to ride 18-20 mph, and helmets are required. (www.caloosariders.org).

·         Friday, Aug.7: SWFL Critical Mass ride. Join a family fun slow ride through Fort Myers. Front and rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in the open field next to Publix (at 7:30 p.m.) at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (twitter.com/swflcm)

Triathlons:

·         Sunday, July 12: American Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon (run/bike/run), based at Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples. (www.eliteevents.org)

·         Saturday, July 18: Englewood YMCA Sprint Triathlon 2015. Based at Englewood Beach, Shelter 3, 2100 N. Beach Road., Englewood (http://www.swflymca.org/programs/englewood-triathlon/)

·         Sunday, Sept. 5: Venice YMCA Triathlon. Sprint distance, based at Sharky's on the Pier, 1600 Harbor Drive, Venice. (www.swflymca.org/programs/venice-triathlon)

·         Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 12-13: Galloway Captiva Triathlon. Kid’s events Saturday, three age groups with different distances. Adult sprint tri Sunday, all based at South Seas Island Resort, Captiva. (www.captivatri.org)