Safe Cycling During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Peak "Season" is here. Seasonal residents are back, group rides have expanded, and many of the riders who may only be here for a week or so each year will be joining our rides over the next four months. They look forward to it, as do we for the opportunity it offers to ride with them and catch up on their lives.
Unfortunately, we continue to have to take COVID risks into consideration, maybe more so at this time in response to the increase in seasonal population, compounded by the fact that the entire country is generally experiencing record numbers of new cases.
With all of this in mind we have updated our Covid-19 guidelines:
or, without one, 10 days following your arrival. We appreciate that this is a "big ask" for riders who
are only in Naples for a short while.
Thank you.
Peak "Season" is here. Seasonal residents are back, group rides have expanded, and many of the riders who may only be here for a week or so each year will be joining our rides over the next four months. They look forward to it, as do we for the opportunity it offers to ride with them and catch up on their lives.
Unfortunately, we continue to have to take COVID risks into consideration, maybe more so at this time in response to the increase in seasonal population, compounded by the fact that the entire country is generally experiencing record numbers of new cases.
With all of this in mind we have updated our Covid-19 guidelines:
- Please diligently observe six-foot distancing rules at all times when not in motion.
- If you anticipate needing to cough or sneeze while riding with a group, please pull off the paceline if you can safely do so, otherwise, do your best to limit dispersion with your hand provided that does not adversely affect your bike control.
- If you have been in “close contact” with a person with Covid, do not participate in group rides and/or join for coffee for a minimum of 7 days (with a negative test) or 10 days if you have not been formally tested.
- If you have participated in group ride events and are diagnosed with Covid please:
- Notify Naples Velo at asknaplesvelo@gmail.com. If you would like to remain anonymous, we will respect that, but we do want to be able to contact other riders who may have been on your rides so that they can make informed decisions to proactively protect family and friends.
- Do not participate in group rides for a minimum of 10 days following the onset of first symptoms and thereafter, receive a negative test result.
or, without one, 10 days following your arrival. We appreciate that this is a "big ask" for riders who
are only in Naples for a short while.
Thank you.
Hello Everyone,
It is hard to believe that it has already been a month since we lost our dear friend, Jean Heuschen. As a past NPC board member, and a leader within Naples Velo, he was passionate about cycling and cycling safety. He led by example, and was not shy to point out when he saw fellow cyclists make moves that were unsafe.
Jean had logged well over 62,000 miles on the bike in the past ten years, across the United States and the world; including (I believe) at least 60 trips up the legendary Mt. Ventoux. His love of cycling has lead his family to ask that donations in his memory be made to Naples Pathways Coalition and/or Naples Velo. We have set up a special account for the donations we have already received to put toward a new safety campaign that is in the works.
NPC, Naples Velo, Blue Zones Project SWFL, and many local bicycle/pedestrian education and advocacy organizations are combining forces and resources to create a community-wide education campaign that will be shared across the county. The concept of the campaign is to educate all road and pathway users whether driver, cyclist or pedestrian, how to move safely and correctly along shared corridors. The campaign will teach not only the rules of the road, but also proper etiquette in communicating predictable movement to ensure safe streets for all.
To make a donation in Jean's memory, just click here. You may also mail a check to Naples Velo at 5633 Naples Boulevard, Naples FL 34109 and note Jean in the memo field. Please make checks payable to Naples Cycling Alliance.
It is hard to believe that it has already been a month since we lost our dear friend, Jean Heuschen. As a past NPC board member, and a leader within Naples Velo, he was passionate about cycling and cycling safety. He led by example, and was not shy to point out when he saw fellow cyclists make moves that were unsafe.
Jean had logged well over 62,000 miles on the bike in the past ten years, across the United States and the world; including (I believe) at least 60 trips up the legendary Mt. Ventoux. His love of cycling has lead his family to ask that donations in his memory be made to Naples Pathways Coalition and/or Naples Velo. We have set up a special account for the donations we have already received to put toward a new safety campaign that is in the works.
NPC, Naples Velo, Blue Zones Project SWFL, and many local bicycle/pedestrian education and advocacy organizations are combining forces and resources to create a community-wide education campaign that will be shared across the county. The concept of the campaign is to educate all road and pathway users whether driver, cyclist or pedestrian, how to move safely and correctly along shared corridors. The campaign will teach not only the rules of the road, but also proper etiquette in communicating predictable movement to ensure safe streets for all.
To make a donation in Jean's memory, just click here. You may also mail a check to Naples Velo at 5633 Naples Boulevard, Naples FL 34109 and note Jean in the memo field. Please make checks payable to Naples Cycling Alliance.
Join the Naples Velo Strava
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.
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.
Supporting Youth Cycling
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.
DONATE TO SUPPORT YOUTH CYCLING
For additional questions or information, you may contact:
Matt McCain
239-209-8891
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.
DONATE TO SUPPORT YOUTH CYCLING
For additional questions or information, you may contact:
Matt McCain
239-209-8891