Keep on Cycling

Grey Oaks is a proud advocate of healthy, active lifestyles. The Grey Oaks Cycling group is a perfect embodiment of what that looks like.

For most, Sundays entail snoozing the alarm clock and long, idle days with sports on the TV. For the Grey Oaks Cycling Group though, Sundays mean fresh air and beautiful blue skies whilst riding alongside friends in beautiful Naples, Florida.

For the past decade, Craig Manchen and the Grey Oaks Cycling group has met almost every Sunday and Tuesday to ride together. The group always starts their Sunday morning ride at the Estuary Clubhouse at 9:00 am, but the path they take varies week to week. Tuesday afternoon rides start at the Pool Café parking lot - ride 4 loops around Grey Oaks and stop at the Pool Café after the ride to rehydrate with an ice-cold beer. Sunday rides typically head south through Port Royal, or north to La Playa. They make sure to always keep safety their main priority (they even sport matching neon yellow Grey Oaks Cycling Group jerseys).

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Pictured form left to right: Ron Gruner, Jeff Diermeier, Hilda Champion, Lori Sherril, Steve Dantus, Craig Manchen and Donna Manchen.

The best part is, there is no pressure, so anyone can join in when it works best for them! The group also looks forward to their yearly ‘end of season’ ride from Sanibel to Captiva with a stop at the Key Lime Bistro in Captiva. Mark Balasa Michael Bernsen Teri Burke Hilda Champion Jim Champion Steve Dantus Susan Dantus Jeff Diermeier Laurie Diggs Emily Dunn Gary Dunn Rick Fernandes Lori Fernandes Marty Flaska Norbert Frischkorn Nancy Gruner Ron Gruner Nancy Harbert Mitch Januszewski Ken Levitt Susan Levitt Craig Manchen Donna Manchen Teri Nies Jim Nolte Eijk Van Otterloo Kathy Polk Robin Richtarich Pat Rodilosso Karyn Sardar Zaheer Sardar Lori Sherrill Sandy Stark Gail Steckler Gene Thomas Larry Yogel

WHO ARE OUR AVID CYCLISTS?

“On Sundays we typically ride 15- 20 miles and stop somewhere for brunch. It’s not competitive at all though, it’s very social and we all just enjoy each other’s company while we ride!” Craig Manchen has been with the cycling group since the very beginning. Ten years ago, it started out as a tiny group of people, but by word of mouth

it has grown exponentially. Today, there are about 40 Cyclists that are in the Grey Oaks group. “Cycling is something that I’ve always done. I’ve been cycling for over 30 years now and still manage to ride between 8000 to 10,000 miles per year. I used to race and was very competitive – winning 4 Florida State Championships and several national event podium finishes. I now ride to enjoy cycling and I like encouraging people to try cycling. It’s really a wonderful way to get exercise and to socialize.”

Map of a Typical Grey Oaks Cycling Group Sunday Ride.

A TYPICAL SUNDAY GREY OAKS RIDE:

• Meet at the Estuary Clubhouse • Exit the Estuary at the Golden

Gate exit • Cross Golden Gate and take the sidewalk to the Gordon

River Greenway Trail • Take Central Avenue to Gulf

Shore Blvd S • Left on 18th Ave S • Right on Gordon Dr • Left on Galleon Dr to the end • Back on Galleon Dr • Right on Gordon Dr • Right on 13th Ave S • Stop for brunch at Jane's • 13th Ave West to Gulf Shore

Blvd N • Right on Central Ave to the

Gordon River Greenway • Right on Golden Gate side walk to the Estuary Entrance

Craig and the Grey Oaks Cycling group would love to have anyone join in on the fun! If you are interested in joining, contact Craig at: cmanchen@gmail.com.