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Naples, FL – This year’s Iron Joe Turkey Ride was the biggest in 14 years with over 350 participants. The weather was perfect, the routes were well-marked, the food was delicious, the beer was ice cold, the band was top notch, the staff and volunteers ran the event seamlessly, and the guest speakers made everyone laugh and cry. Participants rode either 62 , 40, or 20 miles, and adults and children alike enjoyed the  5-mile Family Fun Ride and scavenger hunt.
 
Naples Pathways Coalition, non-profit event host, was pleased to have special guest Bill Conner at the ride. In 2017, he went on a 2,600-mile Ride for Life to honor his daughter and encourage people to sign up to become organ donors. Mark Barber, another special guest, had joined Bill on the last 66 miles of his ride to Fort Lauderdale, just a year after receiving a heart transplant. Mark drove over from the east coast to join Bill at the Iron Joe Turkey Ride and gave a heart-warming introduction before he addressed the large crowd. (video link below). Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency was on-site at the ride to answer questions about organ donation and helped numerous people sign up to become organ donors after hearing from Bill Conner and Mark Barber.
 
Naples Pathways Coalition is grateful to title sponsor, Florida Community Bank; presenting sponsors Fit & Fuel Café and Food & Thought Organic Café; silver sponsor, the Kelleher Firm; and beer sponsor Momentum Brewhouse. Bike shops Naples Cyclery and Cycle followed the cyclists by vehicle to fix flat tires and provide other assistance. Many thanks also go out to numerous volunteers who helped make this another world-class experience for our participants.
 
Facebook link to Mark Barber and Bill Conner speak to the 350+ participants after the ride: https://www.facebook.com/mark.barber1/videos/10217382554457431/UzpfSTExNTkxOTE3Mjk6MTAyMTcyMDAxNjQ5MzM3Mzk/
 
YouTube link to view Bill Conner meet the recipient of his daughter’s heart, Loumonth Jack, Jr.:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POar-gS8izk
 
About Naples Pathways Coalition: Naples Pathways Coalition, Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization established in 2005. Its mission is to create safe, bikeable and walkable communities in Collier County. It is funded through membership, private donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events and grants.
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Naples Pathways Coalition
300 Fifth Ave. South
Suite 101, #464
Naples, FL 34102
Call or text: 239.777.7718
[email protected]
www.NaplesPathways.org
 

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