| LOCAL NewsHoliday Bicycle Ride
Elves Needed! De corate your wheels and join the New Hope for Kids on Saturday morning, December 1st in the 60th Annual Winter Park “Ye Olde Hometown” Christmas Parade. Then, join us December 8th for the New Hope for Kids Annual Holiday Bicycle Ride. We need sixteen volunteers to act as marshalls for this evening ride and have only twelve commitments so far. Details here. Please call 407-412-5980 or email [email protected] to confirm your participation.
Bike Shopping
 You may be thinking about getting someone (or yourself) a new bike, or you may resolve to take up bicycling in the New Year. Walkscore blog has several interesting articles; the first, How to Feel Comfortable in a Bike Shop, is full of helpful hints designed to eliminate the intimidation factor if you are new to bicycling. Other articles may be of interest as well, including How Your Bicycle Will Make You Popular. Metro Orlando has some great bike shops and the staff are very helpful in guiding custormers in the selection of the appropriate bike for any rider.
Lock it Up!
Whether you have an old reliable bike or get a brand new one, you should consider a good lock (or two). Lock Strategy may help guide your lock choices. Just remember that a lock is only as good as the person who uses it!
Working it Off 
Are you feeling the full effects of the holiday cookies, pies and cakes? Have the glasses of wassail expanded your waistline? This site allows you to calculate how many calories you burned on your last ride. What a great way to work off those holiday treats! You may even convince friends to join you.
Bicycling’s 50 Golden Rules
It’s always good to review dos and don’ts, and what better time than just before the new year. Bicycling Magazine has a great list of tried and true training and riding methods.
OTHER News
Florida Bicycle Trails
VisitFlorida has a downloadable bicycle trail brochure for both on and off-road riding. It may be a good document to have on hand for your holiday visitors who are ready to try something other than our theme parks.
Short Days, Ride Safe
 Up North, the winter days are dark and dreary by 4pm. Here in Florida it’s not quite so bad, but if you are a bike commuter you are probably arriving home in the dark. This article has tips for keeping yourself visible and safe. There is also the challenge of standing out amongst all of the Christmas lights and decorations. And of course, it is Florida Law (Section 316.2065 F.S.) to use a white light in front, visible from 500 feet, and a red reflector and light on the rear, visible from 600 feet, from sunset to sunrise.
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 1 – Winter Park Parade
Details here. We’ll be riding with New Hope For Kids
December 7
See details below under Recurring Rides.
Register here.
Sponsored by the Florida Freewheelers, the Holiday Light Ride starts at Blue Jacket Park in Baldwin Park.
RESOURCESBicycle Parking Map
From our friends at Commute Orlando: Peter Martinez has created a collaborative Bike Parking map, designed to help Bicyclists plan their routes and park their bikes on secure racks, rather than a stop sign or a tree. Read more . . .
 Best Foot Forward is a community-wide coalition formed to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries in Metro Orlando.The five-year initiative is currently focused on Orange County and will expand into Seminole and Osceola counties as resources permit. Five cities, two towns, and Orange County have passed resolutions supporting the initiative. Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, police agencies in Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville, and police chiefs from throughout Orange County, have pledged their support to the initiative, launched by Bike/Walk Central Florida and the Florida Bicycle Association, with financial support from the Winter Park Health Foundation, MetroPlan Orlando, Orange County, City of Orlando, Florida Department of Transportation, Orlando Police Department, Orange Cycle, David’s World Cycle, and Track Shack.
When was the last time you saved a life? Your contributions of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, or more, can make a big difference. Checks should be made out to the Florida Bicycle Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and mailed to: Betsy Holl at: P.O. Box 916715, Longwood, FL 32791-6715. Please specify that you are donating to Best Foot Forward.
Community Calendar Link
http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/community-calendar/
RECURRING RIDES
First Fridays: Take it to the Streets bike ride to promote civility: 6 p.m. on the First Friday of each month (Upcoming Dates December 7, January 4).
UCF Bike Bus: Downtown Orlando to UCF, then UCF to Downtown Orlando. Follow bike bus in real time via GPS at http://commuteorlando.com/bikebus/
Ride With Steve: Beginner ride. Meet at Winter Garden Wheel Works in Downtown Winter Garden, 8 a.m., Saturdays. – Sponsored by Winter Garden Wheel Works .
Sunday Ride in the Hills: Ride 30-plus miles through the hills of Clermont and Mineola, Sundays mornings at 7am, beginning at David’s World Cycle. Call Ross at 407-654-7071 to confirm.
See our Community Calendar for other family rides: www.bikewalkcentralflorida.org
Unless specifically designated as a trail ride, our rides take place on public streets. Headlights and red rear flashers are required for night rides. Helmets are encouraged, and are required for children under 16.
We observe all traffic laws and traffic signals.
Our rides are typically 10 to 15 miles, roundtrip, and average 10 miles an hour, a comfortable pace for most adults and teens. May be too fast for younger children and adults with health issues.
These rides are social in nature.
For longer, more challenging group rides, subscribe to Hal Downing’s group ride newsletter by emailing [email protected]
If you have a social ride you would like us to help promote, please email me at the address below.
Brad
Brad Kuhn
Executive Director
[email protected]ikewalkcentralflorida.org
Bike/Walk Central Florida Would like to thank our sponsors:
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