Naples Velo Bicycle Club is a not-for-profit organization promoting cycling at all skill levels and dedicated to improving cycling safety and awareness in southwest Florida.
Newsletter
December 2018
We hope you enjoy our third Newsletter!
Member Services by Bill Percival

Naples Velo Strava Club
December Time Trial Competition: Prizes and Awards will be announced later this month.

For the month of December, Naples Velo is running a time trial competition on Gordon Drive. This is a well-known route for most members of Naples Velo, is safe and easy to access, has generous bike lanes going both south and north on Gordon Drive and avoids conflict with traffic signals and pedestrian crosswalks.

The Stava segment is named "NV-Gordon Drive 20/20 TT " and can be found at the following link:   https://www.strava.com/segments/19429532  and contestants can track their progress and the competition from this page.

As a side note, If you have not already associated your Strava membership with the Naples Velo Strava Club, you can do that at the following link:   https://www.strava.com/clubs/1772 . All of your activity in Strava will then be added automatically to the Club's page. 

Segment/Course Detail
As is implied by the name, the segment starts heading southbound on Gordon Drive at 20th Ave South, runs straight to the turnaround at the end of Gordon Drive (Bay Road) and finishes heading northbound at 20th Ave South. Total distance is 3.85 miles. 

The Rules & Details:  
1) Contestants will be limited to members of Naples Velo.
2) The competition runs monthly beginning on the first day of the month, and ends at 8 pm on the last day of the month.
3) Each month, four riders will be recognized on Naples Velo's website with the fastest segment times across the following categories:
  • Solo effort women
  • Solo effort men
  • Group effort women
  • Group effort men
4) For solo efforts: No e-bikes, no virtual efforts, no motor-pacing.
5) For group efforts: Appropriate etiquette applies - e.g. respect your fellow rider, ride safely within your limits, and do the work (don't sit-in).

Most importantly, be careful and be safe. It's full-season time with increasing numbers of drivers on the road. Don't push efforts that could get you, or your fellow riders tangled up with a distracted or slow driver.  

-- 
Bill Percival
239-216-3835
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Tech Tips by Greg Pelican
Fixing a Flat
Fixing a flat on the road takes knowledge and experience! There are lots of subtle tricks to getting it right. Even then S_ _ T Happens! Check out the first video of an inflator blowing up in our Estero Service Manager's hands while I shot this video!

Joaquin Herrera recovered well and went on the demonstrate the nuances of fixing a flat. We would be happy to do this type of clinic in our Naples store for Naples Velo members.

Enjoy!
If you have any tech questions, want us to run a clinic or have a topic you want covered don't hesitate to email me: gpelican@trekbikesflorida.com
Supporting Youth Cycling by Don Ruppercht
Naples BMX Track is conducting a fund raiser through March 31, 2019 to raise $25000. The track – which has held thousands of races and is 15 years old – is sorely in need of repairs.
 
The track uses an older style of starting gate that is less safe and reliable than the new roll gates used at almost every other track in the state. The new starting hill and gate will require some additional track modifications that will be covered by the proceeds of the campaign. 

The goal is to have the campaign completed by the end of Q1 2019 to allow proper time to permit and coordinate the work that needs to be done before the 2019-2020 cycling season begins. This renovation will allow Naples BMX Track to petition for a State Series Race to be held in Naples in early 2020. These events bring in thousands of visitors to our community and help pump revenue into our local economy.

ALL $2,500.00 DONORS MAY CHOOSE TO HAVE THEIR COMPANY LOGO EMBLAZENED ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE STARTING GATE FOR 3 YEARS TO ENSURE EVERYONE KNOWS WHO HAS SUPPORTED CYCLING AND THE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

The track is also working to integrate a permanent walk of fame into the new starting hill to thank every donor who is at the $1,000 level. These may be in the form of stepping stones or engraved bricks as a reminder of how the community came together to help create an amazing facility that encourages kids and families to fall in love with cycling.

Naples Velo is managing the campaign through its affiliated company Naples Velo Cycling Alliance, Inc. (NVCA), a 501(c) (3) not for profit corporation.
Anyone interested in helping to support the Naples BMX Track and its cycling program for youth may make a tax-deductible contribution to NVCA. 100% of your contribution will go directly to the Naples BMX Track Renovation Campaign Fund.

Your support of the local BMX track is sincerely appreciated.

To make a donation click on the below link:

For additional questions and information contact Matt McCain at 239-209-8891 lafnrhino@yahoo.com
Social "The Hub"

. 2018 & 2019 Naples Velo Social Events

December
Holiday Party at Naples Grande Beach Resort
Wednesday December 12 th  6 – 10PM
The annual Holiday Party will be held at the newly redecorated Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, on Wednesday December 12 th . Members and guests will enjoy cocktails and appetizers outdoors on the Vista Terrace with dinner to follow in the Vista Ballroom. Bring your dancing shoes. A live DJ and dancing finish up the evening. This is a Naples Velo member only (member and 1 guest) event, please make sure your membership is current in December. Click on the below link to register for the party.

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=41203

January 2019
Welcome Back Seasonal Riders and Friends
Friday January 18 th  5:30-8 PM @ Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill
8990 Fontana Del Sol Way (off Vanderbilt Beach Road), Naples 34109
Safety First by Don Rupprecht
“Be Visible”

Last month, we focused on “Be Predicable” and concluded with a warning to expect the unexpected. That is why you should always while riding have an escape plan. We cannot all possess the bike handling skills of Peter Sagan and ride over bikes and riders when there is a crash in front of you. Therefore, you must always anticipate a change in your direction in the event a car turns in front of you or riders go down in front of you. Always have an escape plan?

In Collier County your options are often limited because of all the vertical curbs aka curb and gutter. As new roads are built it would be to the advantage of cyclists to use valley gutters. But that is not the current direction for Collier County. So you must be extra alert and creative in planning your escape route.
You can see and react to circumstances occurring in front of you. But how do you protect yourself from being hit by a motorist from behind? Within the past month there have been two fatal crashes in Florida, one in Venice and the other in Sunrise. The motorists involved in the crashes claimed that they did not see the cyclists in front of them because they were distracted. Each crash resulted in the death of a cyclist and numerous cyclists with serious injuries.

Approximately, five years ago a group of cyclists on a Naples Velo Ride had a similar experience in Ft. Myers when an 84-year-old motorist ran over them from behind even though they were riding on the shoulder of the road. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. But there were numerous very serious injuries and residual medical conditions. On Tuesday, 11/27/18, a member of the Spinners group here in Naples was seriously injured on Bonita Beach Rd. when hit from behind by a hit and run motorist.

Again, as a cyclist, one must ask yourself how do I protect myself from being hit by a motorist from behind? One way is to Be Visible . Riding in a group rather than alone increases your visibility. Wear bright colored clothing. Operate a bright rear tail light night and day. Realize that if you are riding into the low morning sun, motorists behind you will have difficulty seeing you in the sun light. Vanderbilt Beach Rd. experiences this phenomenon during certain times of the year. Finally, be aware of cars behind you. Share that information with other cyclists by shouting out “car back”. Being aware that a car is behind you may give you the ability to react more quickly to a preoccupied motorist who is about to hit you and follow your escape plan.

Over the past three years, Naples Velo has been attempting to increase the awareness of motorists in Southwest Florida to the fact that cyclists are on the roads. We have worked in cooperation with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the Naples Police Dept. to have mobile electronic message boards display safe cycling messages on the roads of the City of Naples and Collier County. We have also run thousands of ads on radio and TV about the 3 ft move over law in Florida. We have also conducted cycling skills and safety clinics for the general public.

On January 16, 2019, Naples Velo will host a Cycling Safety Seminar at the Countryside Country Club off of Davis Blvd just west of Santa Barbara Blvd. Space is limited. If you are interested in attending, please register by e-mailing:
Bob MeLucci - rjmelucci@me.com

Be Safe and Have Fun Cycling
Don Rupprecht
Sponsor's Spotlight: The Bike Route Naples
Naples VELO Members get Double Rewards on Carbon Card Loyalty Program. Find out more
Each month we will feature one of our great sponsors... and this month is The Bike Route Naples.. Check out our new Sponsor Pages Link by clicking on our sponsor's logo at www.naplesvelo.com!

The Bike Route Naples (bikeroutenaples.com) has been locally owned and operated since 1982. Founder, Doug Newman, began his bicycle retail career in 1978 in a smaller, 1000 sq. ft. facility near J Alexander's, a local restaurant, selling tennis racquets, tennis shoes and bikes. In August 1982 he and brother Keith risked most of their financial resources to buy out owner Eric Wallstedt. In 1996 Doug made an even greater commitment by buying the store's real estate. Doug's outlook is "We are in that sweet spot of size and scale... not too big and not too small in our 3000 sq. ft. building".

Doug has streamlined operations for maximum efficiency with no offsite storage, an active third row display rack and minimal employee turnover. Minimal turnover is accomplished by involving family members: wife Karen, brother Keith and son Brian in key operations.

The Bike Route offers Electra, Giant and Cannondale. These brands market both Ebikes and pedal powered bikes. Bike rentals are a thriving part of their business. Ebike rentals will be available in early 2019.

The Service Department guarantees 24 hour or less turnaround time for repair completion. A two year apprenticeship is required of all service employees to maintain the best in service quality. If you are looking for a place to restore your vintage bike, then look no further than The Bike Route. They have the skills and tools, including a vintage Campagnolo tool kit for the best of restorations.

See The Bike Route for all your cycling needs. Located at 655 Tamiami Trl. N., Naples, FL 34102, Call 239-262-8373 or Go to bikeroutenaples.com
Early Season Bicycle Crashes

MULTIPLE CYCLISTS STRUCK BY CARS IN TWO CRASHES:
A BAD START TO THE WINTER SEASON
 
By: Ted Zelman
 
There was a horrific accident in Venice, Florida, in late October. It involved four experienced bicyclists between the ages of 55 and 67. They were struck from behind by a motor vehicle driven by a 91-year-old woman. All four bicyclists were hospitalized. One of them died. 
 
The cyclists were riding together in a bike lane at about 8:30 a.m. As they approached an intersection at which they intended to turn left, they exited the bike lane to cross two lanes and enter a left turn lane. The motorist was traveling the same direction and struck all of them. 
 
From the evidence at the scene, the motorist did not appear to brake until after hitting the four cyclists. Some of the rear wheels of the bikes looked like they had exploded. They were in pieces detached from the bikes. The motor vehicle’s windshield was smashed from one or more impacts. When she drove her car to a stop, the motorist did not pull over to the side of the road. She turned around and stopped, facing the wrong direction, in the lane in which she struck the bicyclists. 
 
A second crash occurred in Davie in west Broward County on State Road 84, which is adjacent to I-75, Alligator Alley. The crash occurred the Sunday morning after Thanksgiving. A 33-year-old woman motorist struck a group of bicyclists from behind, killing two cyclists and injuring four others.
 
The purpose here is not to place blame on the motorists. It is to discuss how cyclists can ride their bicycles as safely as possible. This crash implicates several safety issues. 
 
One is that the crashes occurred on roads with at least a 45 mile per hour speed limit. As we are all aware, riding with faster vehicles is more dangerous than riding with vehicles going more slowly. In addition, the Florida Department of Transportation recommends against putting bicycle signs on roads with speed limits in excess of 30 mph. This means fewer warnings to motorists of bicyclists. The Broward crash occurred on a road with no bike lane. So the bicyclists were sharing a road with high speed motor vehicles. 
 
These crashes occurred with the bicycles and the motor vehicles traveling east in the morning. The sun was facing them, meaning the sun may have obscured the riders from the motorists. The Broward motorist said the bright sun hindered her ability to see the cyclists.         
 
The Venice crash also occurred as the riders were attempting a left turn. To do so, riders may turn from the right side of the left turn lane. By being in the right side of the turning lane, the riders can turn into the bike lane after the turn. Motorists going faster than the cyclist can pass them without crossing paths. In this case, the riders never made it to the turn lane, with tragic results. 
 
These crashes occurred at the beginning of the winter season. They are a warning to all bicyclists to take care for your safety.
 
To read more about bicycle safety, go to www.zelmanandhanlon.com/blog/    
   

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