The sixth annual Coral Gables Bike Day drew a crowd of thousands on Feb. 28. The event attracted people who are fervent about staying fit and having fun doing it.
Bike Day leaders like Carol Gerardo, Cindy Rodriguez and George Gomez were in place that day. They had been working through the year to ensure the event took place without a glitch. Gerardo shared that the committee that organized the event had met monthly through the year and then more often as the date approached. They coordinated input from 17 different sponsors including City of Coral Gables, Baptist Health South Florida, University of Miami, Fraternal Order of Police and others to make sure that it ran smoothly for those in attendance.
“I enjoy the time with my family and other avid cyclists,” said bicycling enthusiast Lila Mestas.
Bike Day had other facets to it. There was a stage where DJ Zilla spun a masterful blend of dance music that had children and adults dancing. At one point, children took to the stage and began to dance.
There were bike tours that began on Biltmore Way with parties of cyclists leaving the gathering together. A scavenger hunt also took place.
The street was closed off to accommodate the cyclists and food vendors lined one side of Merrick Park.
Inside the park there was a area where people were dancing and along the sides there were booths arranged to provide more information about how to stay healthy enough to participate in cycling and how to stay safe while doing it.
The Bike 305 Movement was on hand to describe their program.
“The movement exists to link municipalities by establishing connections through cycling,” Sue Kawalerski said.
The Bike 305 Movement informs people about safe trails, easy routes for commuting and other services. For more information, visit bike305.com
Irontribe of Coral Gables was there to describe how its gym can help people get in shape to cycle. Ben Ruetenik and Cris Bates were present to speak about their mission of helping clients by “transforming both their bodies and their lives in the fastest way possible.”
Representatives from Baptist Health Primary Care also had a booth.
“We are providing primary care to our clients. They can be seen by a doctor right in the center,” said Elizabeth Bacallao, the clinic’s supervisor.
She also said that there is a dietitian present at the Primary Care Center who can be seen by appointment.
Representing those who protect the community by policing it were Maria Garcia and her husband, Edward. They handed out mugs, information and an abundance of smiles.
