Event Description

Pedal and Play in Paradise is a unique two-day event in beautiful Punta Gorda, Florida--a small waterfront city with a big heart and very friendly to bicycles and visitors.  Not only do we have free parking throughout the city, we have free loaner bicycles and if you're taking one of our shorter tours, you can borrow one for Pedal and Play. 

We have five bicycle tours in all.  Friday is the leisurely and informativve City Manager's Tour plus a slow roll to our Tiki Party.  On Saturday, we have an easy 10-mile Mystery Ride, a 15-mile route and more challenging 30- and 62-mile routes.

We'll have food, free beer, entertainment, yoga, massages, award winning ice cream, and games in addition to great bike tours.  Our motto is: We have something for everyone and we work for smiles.  Come and see why.

Event details and schedule

Our two-day event will begin and end at Laishley Park Pavilions on picturesque Charlotte Harbor, 100 Nesbit Street in historic Punta Gorda, Florida.  There are several parking venues throughout Punta Gorda, but we request that you not park all day in the Laishley Marina/Crabhouse parking lot as this will preclude customer access to these businesses.

After you pick up your registration packet (which includes beer sampling tickets for local establishments), enjoy our special evening kick-off events.  Friday events are free when you register for any of the Saturday bike tours.  If you are not taking one of the Saturday bike tours, you can still register for Friday ONLY, get a T-shirt, and enjoy the following events. 

• City Manager's Tour.  The City Manager will lead an informative tour of Punta Gorda on which you'll discover the latest behind-the-scenes information about what’s going on in Punta Gorda.  This is a leisurely bike ride with many stops.  
• Sunset Tiki Party with free appetizers, games, and sunset yoga.

We have four rides to choose from on Saturday.  All Saturday rides feature breakfast, ride support, snacks and drinks, lunch, bathroom facilities, and phone numbers in case of an emergency.  Rest stops will be open until noon.  Return to Laishley Park for FREE massages, entertainment, ice cream, and a delicious lunch (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) plus FREE BEER.  All is included with your ride registration.  

The 15- mile route will wind through Punta Gorda neighborhoods and along the Peace River.  The 30 and 62-mile routes include ten miles along Webb Lake in the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area.  The 10-mile Mystery Ride will visit several stops around the city.

Final route maps and other details will be e-mailed to registrants before the event.  Maps and cue sheets will be sent in PDF format and also in two types of GPS files. On event day, paper maps and cue sheets will be provided.

Remember:  Helmets are required and this is a rain or shine event.  An insurance waiver must also be signed.  The form will be e-mailed to you or you can complete it on-site.  It is also available for download from our website, pedalandplayinparadise.com.  We must have original signatures, so bring the signed form with you. 

Those registering by March 12th will receive a free cotton Pedal and Play T-shirt in their chosen size and gender.  A supply of free cotton T-shirts may be on hand for those registering later or at the event, but availability, gender, and sizes are not guaranteed.  

For just $22, you can upgrade from a free cotton T-shirt to a cool moisture wicking fabric T-shirt. Be sure to register by March 12th as we will not have extra tech-wick shirts available after that date. 

Register early--the two-day registration fee goes up on March 13th and again March 24th.

PLEASE NOTE:  if you register on line read the small print!  If you hit "verify credit card" when checking out, you may be inadvertently signing up for an Active Endurance membership.  You have 30 days from the time you register to cancel this membership and receive a refund.  

Here is the schedule.