Ok, I’m desperate. Naples is hell if you’re a cyclist. I rented a bike for the week, but it’s not getting much use. If anyone else is spending this week in Cycling-Hell, feel free to shoot me an email and maybe we can meet up for a ride (brad@triathletemag.com). If you can show me some good routes, I’ll buy you a doughnut or beer at the end of the ride.
Thanks!
BC
Naples Cyclery has a bunch of rides.
http://naplescyclery.com/index.cfm
Trek store at Coconut Point has a ride pretty much every day.
http://trekbikesflorida.com/page.cfm?pageID=67
Clint’s also has some rides, but I don’t have their webpage…
Jan
I arrive on the 26th. Good hammer sessions starting at Clints bike shop at 7AM most mornings. I will email you details.
I rode with the trek store last February while visiting my parents. They are a fantastic and friendly group to ride with and they have some great routes.
They ride past the airport and have a hillsprint -a multilevel parking garage-too. I highly suggest that you ride with them.
I also rented a bike from them (another 1200) and they just provided great service all the way around. If anyone from that store
reads this, thank you for being kind to an out of season, out of shape, newb.
Clints Bicycle shop 7am every morning. A pretty strong group. They know the best routes and have “coffee” after the ride. They welcome visitors.
They had over 25 people on Monday morning. They even rode this morning (25th). I don’t know what you consider a “great ride”, but it can’t be “hell” as a number of fast triathletes (including Joe Bonness) ride with that group.
Support Crew
Just shipped my bike to Clints and I am right behind. No better shop for service and knowledge. Lowdermilk Park at 8am Sunday is another option if that still happens. Get an hour in first then hook up with some good riding up front in a pack of 20-30, then breakfast at First Watch after. Looking forward.
Support Crew: I’m driving to Marco Island tomorrow with my family and checked with Island Bikes and they say they have no rentals available while I’m in town through 2 Jan. Any idea where I could find rentals for my wife and I??? Thx. buddy blanke from Niceville FL
Most of the shopes only have beach cruisers. Try Naples Cyclery on US 41 in Naples. Sorry, don’t have the phone number.
We have an offroad tri on Sunday at noon, very close to Marco. We have some mountian bikes to lend for the race, or just come out and watch. Send me a pm if you are interested.
Sue Bonness
Sue - Thx for the note though I’m not quite sure what a pm is! We’ll be staying at the Hilton on Marco Island and I’m bringing my helmet, gloves, shoes and speedplay pedals. I’m six feet even but ride a 56 cm road bike and not sure what size MTB. Would this off-road tri require a wetsuit?
My email is buddyblanke@gmail.com and blackberry/cell phone is 850-582-1112. Alternate work email (one I receive on blackberry is harry.blanke@eglin.af.mil ). Thx for your kind and quick answer! buddy
Trek store at Coconut Point does have rentals. Check with them.
Off-road tri in Southwest Florida…sounds brutal (cough, cough). Do you have any more info…I’d love to go up there and do it…any more bikes available?
Brad
(brad@triathletemag.com)
You would be surprised, be careful what you say until you see the course. Joe can be pretty mean with those obtacles and it is a rock quarry so there are climbs. Not mountain climbs of course.
The good bike is reserved, but if he doesn’t claim it by 11:30 am it is open. There are a few cheap beater bikes that work available also. Someone else may have an extra. I will pm you the details. Hope you are not afraid of alligators. 
You would be surprised, be careful what you say until you see the course. Joe can be pretty mean with those obtacles and it is a rock quarry so there are climbs. Not mountain climbs of course.