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.
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Newsletter
November 2018
We hope you enjoy our second Newsletter!
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Member Services
by Bill Percival
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Join the Naples Velo Strava Club
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Naples Velo Strava Club
Last month we announced the club's intention to limit access to its page in Stava to club members only. That process is now underway and should be completed shortly.
If you have not already associated your Strava membership with the Naples Velo Strava Club, you can initiate the process 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. It also creates a convenient way to check in on other Naples Velo club members and see their riding activities from day to day, even if you do not directly follow them.
Part of the incentive for making access exclusive to Club members was in preparation for running regular monthly contests. Options under consideration include total miles ridden, KOM/QOM (for the month) for a designated segment in the Naples area, total elevation gain (just kidding. We don't want club members riding up and down bridges all day) and best photograph(s) for the month. This one, in particular, is interesting because we sometimes don't slow down long enough to fully take in the routes we so enjoy riding. It's a good thing to "stop and smell the roses" occasionally. Even better, sharing some of the better moments with members of the Club.
That said, identifying a convenient process to manage the contests has been a challenge. Strava reports all of its activity results on its club pages on a weekly (versus monthly) basis, and no option or feature is integrated into the site that can enable the Club to configure it differently.
We have contacted Strava to see what options might be available to us. Strava is encouraging but non-committal on their efforts to make their club sites more configurable. In the meantime, we will continue working on finding other means to run contests that will engage the interest and participation of the members. Please standby, and in the interim, if you have any suggestions on competitions or alternative means of running them, please don't hesitate to let the Club know.
Screen shot of Naples Velo Strava Club
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Tech Tips
by Greg Pelican
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Gravel bikes are not only versatile, they are one of the hottest growing segments in the bike industry. In this short video I explain a little history, show 4 great places to ride in South Florida, explain the difference between a cyclocross bike and gravel bike, and show a few popular bikes.
Enjoy!
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Supporting Youth Cycling
by Don Ruppercht
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Naples Velo joined with Naples Cyclery to provide bikes and helmets to the Naples BMX Track.
On October 24, 2018, members of the Board of Trustees of Naples Velo Bicycle Club joined the owners of Naples Cyclery in presenting 10 new BMX bikes and helmets to the Naples BMX Track. Sponsors of the bikes were: Sundi Faith, CPA; Capital Wealth Advisors; Priorty Business Solutions; Outdoor Lighting Perspectives; Lipman Family Farms; True View Dental; Kelly, Passidomo & Alba, Attorneys at Law; MediaBrains; LoanDepot; and, Germain Lexus of Naples.
Naples BMX Track is the only BMX track in Collier County, hosting riders ages 2 to 80. However, access to safe and proper riding equipment is an issue for many of the youngsters who wish to ride at the park. The new equipment ensures that every child (or parent) who wishes to enjoy the track has the right equipment available. As soon as the presentation was concluded, the bikes were on the track under the guidance and skill of the young cyclists.
During the presentation it was announced that the Naples BMX Track will be conducting a fund raiser in 2019.The track – which has held thousands of races and is 15 years old – is sorely in need of repairs.
The next step in support of youth cycling at Naples BMX is to help meet the fundraising goal of $25,000. 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.
Upon hearing the announcement of the campaign and its goals, the Naples Velo Board of Trustees, and Rick Lipman with Lipman Family Farms immediately committed their respective organizations to $2,500.00 donations each.
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 will manage 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.
For additional questions or information, you may contact:
Matt McCain
239-209-8891
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Social "The Hub"
by Leigh Masimore
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2018 & 2019 Naples Velo Social Events
November
Socializer/ Happy Hour at La Colmar, 80 Tamiami Trl N.
Friday, November 9th 5:30 PM
Drink and light food specials. Full menu also available. Come check out one of Naples best kept secrets!
Annual Members Meeting at South Street City Oven and Grill
Wednesday November 14
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5:30 PM
Hear the latest news on your cycling club. Future plans, rides, Strava update, social events and more. Provide your input on local needs and concerns with board members. A limited menu of pizza and appetizers will be provided by Naples Velo. A full bar, including wine and craft beers, are also available at South Street City Oven Grill, 1410 Pine Ridge Road (Corner of Pine Ridge and Goodlette-Frank).
All full dues paid members are invited to attend. One can become a full dues paid member at the registration table of the meeting.
December
Holiday Party at Naples Grande Beach Resort
Wednesday December 12
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6 – 10PM
The annual Holiday Party will be held at the newly redecorated Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, on Wednesday December 12
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. 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.
January 2019
Welcome Back Seasonal Riders and Friends
Friday January 18
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5:30-8 PM @ Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill
8990 Fontana Del Sol Way (off Vanderbilt Beach Road), Naples 34109
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Safety First by Don Rupprecht
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Be Predictable
Approximately 33,000 people die in car crashes in the US each year. Cyclists account for 2.2% of all traffic deaths. As a cyclist, there are many things you can do to reduce the risk of cycling. One very important behavioral trait to follow when riding a bike is
Be Predicable. Make it clear to motorists and fellow cyclists where you are going and what action you plan to take on your bike. This should be done through communications, primarily hand singles for the benefit of motorists and both hand singles and verbal instructions for your fellow cyclists. With your arms you should indicate right or left turns, slowing and stopping. Also, for the benefit of cyclists behind you point out debris and holes in the road. Remember, silence is not a virtue for a cyclist. Timely and verbally call out the actions you plan to take and hazards in the road.
Recently, I was riding towards the back of the pace line when the lead rider made a sudden right-hand turn. There were no hand signals or verbal commands. I observed the immediate reaction of other cyclists hitting their brakes, quickly moving to the right or left to avoid contact with other rider. Several cyclists continued traveling straight because they did not have time to react. We were all fortunate that no one fell and there were no injuries. But this demonstrates the need to
Be Predictable. If you are leading a group part of a group or riding solo, you need to timely and frequently communicate with the motorists and cyclists around you.
It is also important to remember that at least one of the motorists and/or cyclists around you is going to do something stupid. So be alert and prepared to take evasive action and avoid a crash. Always have an escape route. More about that next month.
Have fun and be safe.
Don Rupprecht
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Each month we will feature one of our great sponsors... and this month is Naples Cyclery. Check out our new
Sponsor Pages Link
by clicking on our sponsor's logo at www.naplesvelo.com!
Naples Cyclery has been serving the Naples cycling community for more than 20 years having started doing business here back in 1997. A small 750 sq ft space with just a front door was where Mark Trudeau, originally from Boston, got started in the Pavilion shopping center in North Naples. Just two years later a young man named Peter Marsh walked in with his father expecting to get a new bike but walked away with his first job (likely a move by his father to get him out of the house and into the working world at a young age). Peter had met Mark just a few years earlier at the age of 10 when he got his first “good” bike down at Mark’s first store in Marco Island. Fast forward several years and Mark decided to push through the wall to the east into a space double the size of the original store while still keeping the original space as well. Later on Mark made a big decision to open a second store in Bonita Springs which did well for a number of years before deciding to close it while simultaneously opening the Naples location space even further. This time he pushed west into the very large space that was formally a bank. Now it was one shop, large enough to service most every kind of cyclist in the Southwest Florida region. Everything from sales, service, professional fitting and rentals all under one roof. When faced with an option to open another location the decision was easy. No. Why not open a cafe instead? In 2011 Fit & Fuel cafe was opened just two doors down from the shop with a Subway restaurant in-between. Fit & Fuel represents both a dedicated space to be professionally adjusted to your bicycle as well as a full service restaurant allowing you to fuel for your ride. Years of success there went on and earlier this summer 0f 2018, Fit & Fuel acquired the Subway space and opened a large roll down door to allow free flowing access between the bike shop and cafe. Now there are over 30 rotating beers on tap and in bottles or cans, locally roasted coffee and a full food menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It truly is an amazing destination for cyclists and non cyclists alike. Coffee, beer, great food and more importantly, great people make spending time here truly amazing. Every day, cyclists of all levels sit down in chairs out front after a hard ride and talk about what they’ve just accomplished. Often complimenting each other on their efforts. But soon after, other folks on bikes pull up in less revealing clothing on their cruiser bikes. They sit and enjoy hand crafted coffee drinks and beautiful salads while sitting down to relax and read a book or the newspaper. It really is a great thing to see people enjoying the simplicity of a nice bicycle ride, an amazing place to sit and eat and drink, and great company from like minded folks.
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Following the Wheel
by Brian Harrington
Group riding can intimidate the new cyclist. Even those who have spun for years feel uncertain when they get into a group. One of the most frequent concerns is following the wheel in front —how close is safe yet productive in terms of drafting benefits? You actually benefit even from a few bike lengths behind the rider before you. But the better riders stay within a foot or so which contributes to group cohesiveness.
First rule is do not look at the wheel in front of you. You will learn to trust your peripheral vision. Look two or three riders ahead of you. When you see them slow or soft pedal, you’ll be able to do the same before the rider in front of you slows.
Soft pedaling, which simply means taking pressure off the pedals but still turning them, is much better than coasting. It will help you maintain a steadier pace than coasting. Practice to see how long you can ride in a group without coasting, much less applying the brakes. Try never to touch your brakes, but if you do, feather them lightly and continue pedaling.
Use your body to help maintain a steady pace. If you need to slow a bit, sit up. If you need to speed up, lower you’re your body to reduce wind friction. To get out of the slipstream of the bike in front of you, briefly move farther to the side. You’ll be surprised how much this can affect your speed.
Do not follow directly behind the wheel in front of you. Get off to the side maybe six inches. That way, if the rider in front of you slows dramatically, you’ll be less likely to hit his back wheel. Remember, it’s always the rider to the rear who goes down when wheels touch. The rider in front may not even notice they’ve been touched.
Bryan Harrington is a longtime cyclist/triathlete, former member of the Board of Directors for USA Triathlon, and a practicing attorney representing cyclists and triathletes when injured throughout the State of Florida.
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