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. 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, free massages and award winning free ice cream 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.
Friday or Saturday ,pick up your registration packet (which includes beer sampling tickets for local establishments). If you are not taking one of the Saturday bike tours, You can register for "Friday ONLY" the City Manager's Tour, get a T-shirt, and enjoy the following events.
- Friday 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.
- Friday City Manager's Tour After Ride Socail Hour at Laishley Park pavilions
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.
Saturday riders can join the Friday night events at no charge but participants will be LIMITED to 100 Saturday riders.
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 an electronic format. 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. We must have original signatures, so bring the signed form with you.
Those registering by February 25th 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 registration fee goes up on February 26th and again March 7th.
PLEASE NOTE: if you register on line read the small print! If you hit "Verify Credit Card" when checking out, you may have inadvertently signed up for an Active Endurance membership. You have 30 days from the time you register to cancel this membership and receive a refund.
Check the website for the latest schedule http://pedalandplayinparadise.com/
