A great day riding - 40 Miles Coral Gables- Grove - Key Biscayne & Brickell

It was a great ride. 40 miles, about the middle from my 24 to 52 mile Saturday ride. Today was a  bit windy, but we took on the beast- the William M. Powell Bridge on the Rickenbacker Causeway (I have video that I may upload). This is a frequent route of the Everglades Bicycle Club. This area is also home to the Rickenbacker Trail.

A bit windy today, but a great ride from Ponce Middle school to Key Biscayne and Brickell and back.

The William M. Powell Bridge is Miami's most challenging climb. 

#GetFitPBay #RideEBC

Bike lanes - important infrastructure - improving mobility in Palmetto Bay for short trips and for fitness

Its important to keep up with infrastructure needs.  Bike use is increasing - more than just for the 'spandex' sportster crowd, ever increasing traffic and healthier living is making bikes a more attractive method for getting around Palmetto Bay - known as a major player in #TheBikeDistrict.  How can anyone miss the numbers of people - of all ages - who are biking for Palmetto Bay - and yes, commuting to work, to school (though much more is needed) as well as to and from our parks.

Granted, Palmetto Bay is not NYC, but this is still a important read. We can ignore trends, but isn't that how Miami-Dade County found itself in the transit crisis we all are suffering under? Bike lanes are far from hard to do, especially when you add them as you update our streets. Palmetto Bay has committed to "Safe Streets" *

Important real news read: More New Yorkers Opting for Life in the Bike Lane, Biking has become part of New York’s commuting culture as the city expands bike routes and Citi Bikes become ubiquitous. There are more than 450,000 daily bike trips.

Are we providing bike lanes, or are we updating our revising our roads to provide for additional room that equally benefit drivers for motor vehicles? Safety and mobility for all.

*I suggest that this current council take a look at policy set to date by prior administrations, specifically Resolution 2017-67,  (sponsored by Mayor Eugene Flinn) wherein the Village Council unanimously adopted  Miami-Dade County’s “Complete Streets Guidelines” and directed that these guidelines should be incorporated into the planning, design, approval, and implementation processes for any construction, reconstruction, retrofit, maintenance, alteration, or repair of streets, bridges, or other portions of the transportation network, including pavement resurfacing, restriping, and signalization operations if the safety and convenience of all types of users (i.e., pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transit riders, including children, youth, families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities) can be improved within the scope of the work.

Have you registered yet? TENTH ANNUAL “REASON TO RUN” 5K TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH - Sat., Nov 4

Happy Anniversary. 10 years for this 5K run - benefiting Pediatric Cancer research. Do you really need any additional reasons to participate/donate in this run?

The tenth annual “Reason to Run” 5K run/walk and family event benefiting CancerFree KIDS Pediatric Cancer Research Alliance will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at the Deering Estate, 16701 S.W. 72 Avenue, at 8 a.m. Preregistration is encouraged and can be accessed at www.reasontorun.org. On-site registration and check-in will begin at 7 a.m.

In addition to a beautiful, tree-lined course, the annual 5K run/walk features a post-race party on the Deering Estate with stunning views of Biscayne Bay. Participants will enjoy giveaways, music, food, drinks, bounce-houses and other entertainment in the family area. All participants will be automatically entered to win one of many raffle prizes including a Miami Seaquarium dolphin swim for four, a golf foursome at the Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club, admission to other attractions, and a host of other prizes. Those wishing to enter, but not walk or run, can make a donation or purchase a raffle ticket for $5.

To date, CancerFree KIDS has funded 97 innovative research projects, investing $700,000 in 2016 alone. Dr. Julio Barredo of the UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has received grants totaling $80,000, and Dr. Regina Graham, Director of the University of Miami Brain Tumor Initiative, received a $30,000 grant.

The “Reason to Run” 5K run/walk is the brainchild of avid marathoners and training partners Linda Martinez and Lisette Zamora. Both women have participated in and coached a number of fundraising events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“Finding cures for pediatric cancers took on a special meaning for my family ten years ago when my now 15-year-old nephew was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 5 years old,” said Martinez, event organizer. “The fact remains that cancer is the number one disease killer of children but receives only four percent of the National Cancer Institute’s budget, and the treatments currently available often negatively impact the quality of life for those who survive. Events like this will help fund life-saving research while raising awareness that there is still much work to be done.”

Sponsors for “Reason to Run” 5K run/walk include: Palmetto Ford, HiTEX Marketing, Florida Blue and Dolphin Mall. Several local schools and businesses have initiated fundraising campaigns, and several teams have formed in honor or in memory of a pediatric cancer patient.

CancerFree KIDS’ mission is to fund life-saving research of childhood cancers. CFK supports research by raising funds in a myriad of ways and by actively advocating for additional funding of pediatric cancer research on a national level. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization was founded on the belief that research can lead to a cure, not only for children, but for everyone. For additional information, visit www.cancerfreekids.org.

For more information on the race event or to register or donate, please visit www.reasontorun.org or call (305) 807-7079.

# # #

Prior post relating to this outstanding event: November 1, 2016, A busy weekend - Saturday, November 5 - Two competing 5Ks and a Pine Rockland clean up- CANCERFREE KIDS REASON TO RUN 5K

Just for fun - Family Photos from vacation. Fire Tower Challenge

Enjoying nature.  Probably hiked/nature walked 18 miles in just the two days. 


This includes a 5.26 mile nature walk Sunday morning. It was another nice cool walk. 

Our daughters still love to find, pick and enjoy the wild blackberries, obviously avoiding the wild mushrooms.

I am walking the walk.  Look at all the young Pines.  I believe these are spruce.  It is quite nice to see that the pines range from seedlings to grand old pine trees.  

You can hear the birds, but they are camouflaged far too well among the trees. 

The Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge: 29 mountaintop towers with spectacular views

We hiked the Spruce Mountain Trail to see that Fire Tower.  Hiking to Fire Towers is "a thing"  - there is a "Fire Tower Challenge - which is currently a very popular activity up here. 

Check out New York upstate dot com - Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge: 29 mountaintop towers with spectacular views (CLICK HERE) - 

I apologize in advance - this does not appear to be something we can add to the "Mayor's Challenge" portion of #GetFitPalmettoBay. 

More Pines:

May is National Bike Month. Register and participate in the 2017 National Bike Challenge

Its that time of year again! You have this weekend to get your bikes ready and join me in the 2017 National Bike Challenge. 

CLICK HERE to view the intro materials where you can decide if you want to sign up and participate.  I encourage you to do so.  It is all at your own pace, at your own level or type of riding.

I ask Palmetto Bay to get involved in the National Bike Challenge. Click the link to sign up.  The event runs from May 1, 2017, through September 30, 2017.
 
Our Village of Palmetto Bay is one of many municipalities partnered with Bike 305

Palmetto Bay is has an outstanding biking community with an abundance of biking trails.  Our South Florida location offers some of the most beautiful biking views.  I want to encourage even more local residents to take advantage of the benefits of cycling. Getting on a bike promotes good health and you can avoid traffic congestion on trips where you take the bike rather than the car. CLICK HERE to view the Miami-Dade County online resource for biking trails.   

 

 

 

 

 

Update - 2017 Bike To Work Day - Friday, March 3, 2017

Updated info regarding the 2017 Bike to Work Day - Join Us:

Try bike commuting for ONE day! Ride your bike and meet residents, along with Village Council at Village Hall for a guided bike ride to celebrate Bike305's Bike to Work Day and as part of Palmetto Bay's "Get Fit” initiative.

 

DETAILS:  Riders will depart from Village Hall's parking lot at 6:45am and head out to Dadeland South Metrorail Station. Upon arrival to Dadeland South Metrorail Station, you'll learn how to take your bike on Metrorail and then head to the Coconut Grove Metrorail Station (US1 & SW 27th Avenue) where all the Bike305 festivities will take place at 7:15am.

 

All participating cyclist will receive a FREE Bike305 performance cycling t-shirt, FREE one-way easy ticket on metrorail (*limited quantities and must provide valid email address), FREE air & bike checks by Mack Cycle & Fitness and other goodies (while supplies last). Light refreshments and breakfast foods will be served at the Coconut Grove Metrorail Station.

 

For more information on Bike305's Bike to Work Day, visit www.bike305.com. Bike305 is a collaborative effort forged by the County Mayor in partnership with several municipal Mayors and Parks Departments to unite and support the connectivity of people and places through the county's bike trails. Throughout Miami-Dade County, Mayors are promoting the opportunity to achieve physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle by cycling to parks, attractions, shops, and events located on or near bike trails.

For more information on all upcoming Bike 305 events, please visit Bike305.com

Photos below were taken at the 2016 Bike to Work Day

 

 

 

Save the Date - Bike To Work Day - Friday, March 3, 2017

WHAT: Bike to Work Day update - join your Palmetto Bay friends and neighbors.
WHEN: Friday, March 3, 2017

DETAILS:  Participants will depart from the Village Hall Parking Lot at 6:45am to head towards the Dadeland South Metro Rail Station. Upon arrival to the station you will learn how to take your bike on the Metrotail and then head to the Cococut Grove Metrorail Station (US1 and SW 27 Avenue) where all of the Bike 305 festivities will take place at 7:15am.

All participating cyclists will receive a FREE Bike 305 Cycling T-Shirt, a FREE One-Way Easy Ticket on the Metrorail, FREE air and bike checks and other goodies (while supplies last). Light refreshments and breakfast foods will be served at the Coconut Grove Metrorail Station.

For more information on all Bike 305 events, please visit Bike305.com.

(CLICK HERE) to go to and complete the Palmetto Bay participation form.  Please make sure you complete all sections of this form. Thank you.

Village of Palmetto Bay
9705 East Hibiscus Street,
Palmetto Bay, FL 33157
(305) 259-1234

Try a new way to commute to work during these cooler months. #GetFitPalmettoBay Join us.

Mayor's fitness challenge gets off to a running start - there is still time to participate.

Palmetto Bay had to compete with the Dolphins playoff game - but we still had good attendance at our event - many more came out in time for the 5K run, which was after the  Dolphins game (or at least after the outcome was determined) - significant information given out and many registered for the Mayor's Fitness Challenge. 

Thank you to so many, including, but not limited to: Frankie Ruiz, the Old Cutler Run Club, the Pineapple Pacers, Baptist Health South Florida, Race Day Professionals and many others for the 5K (a free event - a timed race).

There is still time to register  for the Get Fit Palmetto Bay Kickoff and participate in the Mayor's Fitness Challenge.  The Mayor's Fitness Challenge is a great way to address the Holiday weight gain.

The Mayor's Fitness Challenge is a 7-week program that requires participants to register by January 14th and follow their progress for the 7-week period.  Program participants will receive an initial health screening administered by Baptist Health, which includes weigh-in and body composition measurements.  Participants will also receive a "goodie bag", a Health Passport to track measurements, two passes to Surf & Turf Zumba-Kayak Workout and discounts and freebies from program partners.

 

Please see the Mayor's Fitness Challenge Rules for more information.

 

CLICK HERE to view additional photos posted my Eugene Flinn, Mayor - Facebook Page

(above - Natures Postings was a sponsor/participant in this family event)

Photos immediately above: With County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava

and reps of Giardino Gourmet Salads, Palmetto Bay

(Photos from registration and with Cathy Parbst-Accurso, In Balance Physical Therapy,

at the Palmetto Bay Get Fit Kick off)

 Immediately above right - Saylin Paez, Events & Programs Coordinator completing the 5K run

 

CLICK HERE to view the Old Cutler Run Club photos posted to Facebook.

 (Note - photo credit for 6 photos immediately above from Old Cutler Run Club)

 

Come on out - join us - have fun and improve your fitness here in the Village of Parks!