Annual Everglades Bike Ride

By Patricia Huff

Once again, bicycling enthusiasts will have an opportunity to experience the “real” Everglades during the annual Everglades Bike Ride, which will take place on Sunday, April 7th. This day is also being recognized as “National Everglades Day” to bring attention to this unique and fragile ecosystem. It is the birthday of Marjory Stoneman Douglas who wrote the book, The Everglades: River of Grass, which increased public awareness and support for the creation of our National Park.

This year the ride will include options for both road and off-road cyclists with a “smooth ride” of 62 miles (starting at 8 AM) or 16 miles (starting at 9 AM).

Opportunities to customize the distance of your ride are also available. The 27-mile “bumpy ride,” starting at 9 AM, will take cyclists down beautiful James Scenic Drive into The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.

A seafood lunch at McLeod Park is included in the registration fee. This event is sponsored by Naples Pathways Coalition and benefits the River of Grass Greenway project and the Friends of Fakahatchee. Organizers for the event are working out details for paddling, hiking, birding and other alternatives for non-cyclists (see website www.evergladesROGG.org). To register and for more information, visit website www.naplespathways.org and click on “Stay & Play Everglades Ride” on the left side of the home page, or call Patty Huff at 239- 695-2397.

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