CYCLING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

“Cycling in Southwest Florida”. Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? A figure of speech that contains contradictory terms. Like “jumbo shrimp” or “Great Depression”. Google it and you’ll find lists of paved cycling paths or places to go off-road cycling. Nothing you’d expect for a cycling destination. It’s dead flat here and, were it not for gravity and old age, wind would pose the only challenge.

We’re sometimes asked by people here and back home in Canada: “Why Fort Myers?” We first spent time here in 2016, looking for a place to get away from notorious Prince Edward Island winters. Having secured accommodations for a trial month, I checked to see if there was any cycling activity in the area. I soon found my way to the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (CRBC) website and noted that their ride calendar appeared to have something for both Elva and me.


In 2016, Elva was still a novice road rider while I’d ridden a paceline for years with several friends, calling ourselves the Over The Hill Gang. It was important to me that she find a group she could be comfortable riding with, at a pace she could sustain, and in a “no drop” ride. We were welcomed into the group from the first day here and we haven’t looked back.

Each group has a ride leader, an experienced cyclist who tries to keep the group together, maintain a steady pace and, most importantly, make sure everyone finishes the ride safe and sound. Being a ride leader is a big responsibility and it can be a rather thankless job on difficult days. Elva and I admire those who take on these roles and make riding more enjoyable for all of us.


This year, we’re spending three months in Southwest Florida. We’ve grown to appreciate Fort Myers more each year and it’s become our second home. Yes, it has its drawbacks — traffic, more crime than we’re used to, the unfavourable exchange rate, scarcity of rental options — but these are far outweighed by the positives. We’ve made new friends here and enjoy the company of those we ride with three and four times a week. Elva and I spend time at the beach and, each year, we find new things to do by exploring the area. We attended our first spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park. We spent time in the city of Immokalee, taking in the cattle drive and jamboree at Roberts Ranch, and free music concerts and a car show at the Seminole Casino.


We absolutely love downtown Fort Myers. Older buildings have been lovingly restored, much like they have in Charlottetown. There’s something going on every weekend: bike show, art show, car show, food festival, music festival, etc. Once or twice a week, we while away an early evening sitting outside Starbucks, enjoying a hot beverage and people-watching.


Back to cycling. The thing that impresses me most about CRBC riders is their zest for life. I’ve said this before: “Florida is not a place where people go to get old but a place they go to stay young!” I’m reminded of this when I ride with Pete, soon to be 84 and a very strong and capable rider. He came to Canada from Italy in 1956 and joined a cycling club in Windsor, Ontario. He raced there as a young man before moving to the US, and he now lives in Florida. I can only dream of being as fit as he is in my mid-eighties. My motto: “It’s easy to get old. It’s staying young that’s hard!”

Some I ride with have overcome major health issues: one is on his third artificial hip; several have battled cancer; one is recovering from major reconstructive surgery on his foot; others have heart conditions. Many of us carry scars from cycling accidents. I’m riding a new bike this year. Why? Because I was struck by a ¾-ton 4x4 in a roundabout last August. I wasn’t hurt badly and, because it was his fault, the other driver’s insurance company paid to replace my bike.


Some people think we’re crazy to ride on the road, especially in a closely-spaced group. My answer is simple: “If you aren’t comfortable, don’t do it!” You’re a danger to yourself and to others. Given the volume of traffic, we’ve generally found Florida drivers to be quite considerate of cyclists. We get the occasional “Get off the road!” but no more often than back home.


Three years ago, on her 65^th birthday, Elva felt inspired to write of her Florida experience in these words. If anything, she feels them even more strongly today:

Et me voici!

Here I am

With my team, the Caloosa Riders

Maintaining their 18-mile speed

It’s stimulating and rewarding

I’m in a paceline

I’m focusing

It’s challenging

On the road

The group signals are helping

“Slowing; Stopping

Clear; Rolling

Walker up; Bikers up

Car back; Passing

Car right; Stopping

Car left; Slowing

Take the lane; Rolling”

Now I’m second in line

Right behind Keith’s back wheel

Keeping the pace, I’m watching,

For the signal will be coming

Here I am

To the front I go

It’s my turn to take a pull

My turn to yell out the signals

Will I be turning?

I gave my very best

To my right, five riders pass

“Good work! Great job! Good pull!

Thank you! Look at you go!”

At the end of the paceline now, I smile

Satisfied

2017 is off to a great start

On the designated bike lanes

Near Fort Myers

I’m more confident and I’m stronger

Here I am

Enjoying every ride

Et me voici

De nouveau sur mon vélo

Ce matin, Jean-Paul reste en avant

Moi à l’abris du vent

J’ai beaucoup appris ici

Et c’est plaisant

En ce 4 février étant avantagée

Je réussis 73 km à la vitesse désirée

Mais quelle belle façon de souligner

Qu’aujourd’hui je suis officiellement une aînée

Que je suis choyée!

Here a few shots of our favourite southern riders.

Sunday morning church group at Panera in Estero

With Vito Gallo, a guy from Toronto I've been riding with for five years.

Images from the Royal Palm Challenge on March 8. Elva rode 60 km with her group and I did 100 km. Thanks to all the volunteers!