Page 21 - Life In Naples March 2022 Flipbook
P. 21

You Can’t Buy
                               Kinda
                            “
                                       ”
 Happiness,     Custom Venetian Mirror by Barbini,
               made for Venice Glass Week "1 of 1"
 But You Can Buy


 A Bike,


 And That’s Pretty Close









 by Susan Sonnenschein,
 Naples Pathways Coalition, Board of Directors

 iking, even though the word has been   In Collier County it’s legal to bike on the sidewalk, but you must
 co-opted by motorcyclists, with visions of   yield to pedestrians.  One of my favorite loops incorporates riding
 Bgnarly leather and big boots,  it still means   through Freedom Park, then east and back west on the sidewalk
 riding a bicycle to me! Cycling, on the other   on Golden Gate Parkway to the north entrance of Gordon River
 hand, which has a more serious, spandex image,   Greenway to the Naples Airport.  Sometimes it’s fun to stop and
 is the current term used by younger generations.   watch the planes take off.  There are always some old timers hanging
 Whatever you care to call it, biking is joy. Plain   out to tell you about the details of some of the planes.  Return route
 and simple.  Since the beginning of the pandemic   is via Baker Park, followed by coffee on Central Avenue at Narrative
 many adults have been reintroduced to the joy of biking because   Coffee. I’m a fan of biking with a goal, whether it be coffee or
 it’s a safe, outdoor activity. Bikes are in such high demand these   a library trip or a quick stop at the Saturday morning Farmers
 days; it’s challenging to buy a new bike. Safety from COVID-19   Market. Whichever the route, just getting outdoors in beautiful
 is not the real reason biking has continued to be such a popular   Naples is happiness that money can’t buy.
 activity. It’s because of the joy, the feel-good endorphins, the   The addition of a safe, paved multi-use pathway, Paradise Coast
 exercise, the Vitamin D, the sunshine, the scenery, the simplicity of   Trail, will be a game changer!  Yes, I’m a cheerleader for great bike
 having no plan other than moving our bodies in the fresh air.   trails that connect our residents to the outdoors. It may be awhile
 Biking certainly isn’t a new activity, but it’s wonderful to see   before I’ll be biking on the Paradise Coast Trail. In the meantime,
 so many people rediscovering how much   I’ll continue to enjoy the beauty of biking, wherever it takes me.
 they enjoy biking - and there are an   I invite you to learn more about Naples Pathways Coalition by
 abundance of different styles of biking.   visiting our website: www.NaplesPathways.org. And please join us
 Depending upon where you live in Collier  for a fun upcoming event:
 County your bike and type of biking may   March 13, 2022 – 16  Annual Naples Bike Brunch at
 th
 be very different from mine. Some have those big, sturdy, town   Lowdermilk Park. A fundraiser bike ride with 62, 40, 20, and 5
 bikes, often with cute dogs sitting demurely in a basket. There are   or 10 mile routes to choose from and a great after party with a
 many types of road bikes with differing degrees of skinny tires;   delicious food, beer, raffles, and more at the finish.    www.CasanovaShowroom.com
 then there are bikes with wider, knobbier tires that can get through  https://bit.ly/BIKEBRUNCH22
 the terrain in places like Fakahatchee Strand. There are even
 three-wheeled bikes that are perfect for people whose balance is   For more information about these events, to volunteer, or learn about
 not great. Personally, I have a Class 1 pedal-assist E-Bike, which   sponsorship opportunities, please email:
 allowed me to bike shortly after having Achilles tendon surgery.   Michelle@NaplesPathways.org or call 239.777.7718.
 My safe bike routes are carefully planned so as to avoid busy roads   BAYFRONT PLACE   VENETIAN VILLAGE
 and use safe crosswalks.
                   239-262-0283                                                            239-571-1610
                   470 BAYFRONT PLACE                                4370 GULF SHORE BLVD N., STE. 706





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