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  • 21 Jul 2023 7:34 PM | Gaspar Forteza (Administrator)

    Everglades Bicycle Club

    Heat Protocol

    EBC,

    As you are all doubtlessly aware, South Florida is not impervious to the record-setting heat wave affecting our planet.  In fact, the last several weeks has seen the highest heat index ever recorded.  https://www.axios.com/2023/07/18/heat-wave-temperatures-us-europe-asia

    This means that cycling in the later hours of the morning has become downright dangerous for many cyclists, especially those that are uniquely susceptible and otherwise unprepared.  It is not uncommon for cyclists on the road at 11am in the morning to experience heat indexes of 120F or more.  Tomorrow, July 22, 2023, the heat index may reach as high as 109F.  We have not seen this before in Miami, at least not such consistent extreme heat lasting weeks on end.  With a changing world, we must also take special precautions to try to protect our members.

    Starting immediately and until further notice, EBC will implement a Heat Protocol for our Saturday Training Rides to ensure the safety of our riders.  The protocol is subject to amendment and input from our members. 

    Heat Protocol Rides:

    1.  Starting July 29, 2023, Training rides will commence at 7:00am, not 7:30am.  We will revert back to 7:30am later this year, as the heat wanes and days get shorter.

    2.  Training rides' routes will be modified to not exceed 35 miles.  The calendar will be revised soon with new routes.  We will still vary ride routes each week. 

    3.   Training rides will be supported by a SAG vehicle.  The drivers will be EBC volunteers, who will assist on their own accord.  Please speak with Gaspar or Sue if you can assist, and would be willing to be on the SAG vehicle rotation.  The SAG vehicle will trail a safe distance behind the 17-19mph group, and be equipped with bike repair tools, cold drinks, and air conditioning. The SAG vehicle will pick up struggling riders and bring them to the turnaround point or to the ride-start at the end of the ride.

    Heat Protocol Rules

    In addition to the Rules found in the EBC Ride Guide, the Heat Protocol adds the following:

    1.  Drink Riders are required to bring at least two water bottles filled with adequate hydration.  No exceptions.  If you do not have two bottles, ask Gaspar or Sue.  Riders with only one water bottle may be turned away at the ride start.  You should be drinking fluids at least once every ten minutes, even if you are not thirsty.  With extreme heat and physical exercise, your body will become dehydrated much faster than your brain will receive any thirst signal from your body.  You could be feeling fine, and then pass out, resulting in tragedy.   Drink and eat, even when not thirsty.  If you do not know how to drink while pedaling, wear a camelbak or similar hydration bladder until you learn.  Practice!  Again, ask Gaspar or Sue, we'd be happy to help.

    2.  Communicate: Riders should communicate with each other to make sure they are riding safe and not suffering from overheating.  If you are "not feeling it," at the moment, don't be afraid to jump in the SAG car and take a breather in the air conditioning, grab a cold drink.  If your buddy next to you is riding a little squirrely, speak out!  We have to take care of each other.

    3.  Sunscreen.  While this does not do a great deal to protect you from the heat, it is crucial to wear sunscreen to protect you from the increased UV that is assaulting your body for 3 consistent hours.  Wearing sunscreen is not mandatory for Training rides, but greatly encouraged.

    A great guide was also prepared by our own Sue Kawalerski, which you should all read here.

    This Heat Protocol will be employed when average temperatures for the day will be 92F or more.  This generally means a heat index of 100F.  When EBC is functioning under Heat Protocol, this will be announced on our website at https://evergladesbc.com.

    Look forward to riding with you all!

    - Gaspar
  • 16 Apr 2023 7:30 PM | Gaspar Forteza (Administrator)

    EBC Members,

    We are implementing new changes requested by the overwhelming majority of you.  We are implementing changes to communication, and most importantly, to rides, rides, rides!!  You spoke and we listened! 

    • Starting May 6, 2023 EBC Saturday Training rides will alternate routes and distances each week on a four route rotation.  More details here: https://evergladesbc.com/News/13169932  The Website Calendar has been updated with the routes corresponding to each week, and each Training Ride event has information relating to the same.  Please download the Ride with GPS routes into your bike computers, as we will be using these routes! 
    • The Website has been updated, and will continue to be updated regularly.  We will publish on the top of the Main Page any ride cancellations or important immediate information.  So if you ware wondering which route we are doing, whether a ride is being cancelled due to weather, whether there is a special ride coming up, etc.....Check the Website!  All the information will be there on the Main Page and the Calendar.
    • We are also implementing a texting feature to update EBC members on important and time-sensitive changes.  If you have not yet opted in and would like to participate, please reply to admin@evergladesbc.com to opt in with your cell number.

    More exciting announcements just around the corner, so stay tuned!  If you have not ridden your bike with EBC lately, you're missing out!  Renew your membership and join us for some great adventures on the bike! 

    - Everglades Bicycle Club -

    When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.

    -Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring. It is better to ride a bike.

    -Archbishop Desmond Tutu
  • 16 Apr 2023 5:20 PM | Gaspar Forteza (Administrator)

    You spoke and we listened!!

    Starting May 6, 2023, EBC Saturday Training Rides will start alternating between four (4) routes each week:

    Click the route name above to be directed to the Calendar for more information, including Ride With GPS routes. Unless it is your first time riding with EBC, you must be an EBC Member to participate.

    The Cauley Square and Homestead Bayfront Park Routes all pass by Black Point Marina, so if there are any Members that want to peel off to do a shorter route, they have that option.  However, Black Point is NOT an official stop for the Cauley Square/Bayfront Park Routes.

    The top of the Home Page of this website will be updated regularly with ride updates, information a cancellations.

© Everglades Bicycle Club

If you need to reach us for any reason, please email us at:
Admin@EvergladesBC.com

Address:

EBC
P. O. Box 430283
South Miami, Florida  33243

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