Fresno Cycling Club - July 2023

Rough Draft 

July 2023

 Greetings Fresno Cycling Club members

   Happy 4th of July to everyone. Let us celebrate our Country’s independence, and realize that it is MUCH more than a BBQ and a day off.

   The Tollhouse Century was a great alternative for the Climb to Kaiser, since C2K was snowed out this year. I would say it was a very successful event, although the attendance was low at 110 registrants. Having had to cancel the C2K a month before the event, there wasn’t much time to advertise. Fortunately, many of the C2K riders opted to do the Tollhouse.  True to form, our volunteers came through with an exceptional event for our riders. 

   Big thanks to Tyler Pearce, “The Vegan Cyclist,” who came out to support the Tollhouse Century and bring some of his racing buddies along. See video below.  Of course, you never know what the weather will be until just before the event.  This year was warmer than last year on the event day, so it resulted in some hot riders, which resulted in the use of a lot of water and ice. Ironically, it was the hottest day of the week, but still less than 100 degrees. Although out on the road, it was like 109, as one rider’s Garmin registered. One of the Velo Kings riders, E.J., took a GPRO video of the Tollhouse Century Ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuKFbVpdyRg   

   I just want to say that we have an awesome bicycling club made up of some great bicyclists who are passionate about bike riding. Although the year is half over, and we have put on 4 of our 6 bicycling events, there is still a lot of riding to get done. Due to the weather getting hotter most of our riding will be done in the cooler morning hours or at elevation where it tends to be a bit cooler. There is always the possibility of some trips to the coast to ride in some cooler weather.

   As always be safe when you ride, don't let your guard down by getting too relaxed or complacent as you ride. Riders also tend to talk while they ride which can lead to an accident because you’re not paying attention. Follow the rules of the road, they are designed to keep you safe. Always watch out for traffic around you and if you don't already, start wearing a review mirror. You have one on your car it makes good sense to have one while riding your bike.

  Keep the rubber-side down, see you on the road, on the gravel, in the dirt or on a trail.  The Prez - Dennis Ball

 The Bike Hut Classic 2023

 Speaking of getting out of the heat, we recently received the following from Mark Fletcher: 

   “This ride is near Half Moon Bay, and is a self-timed uphill self-race on about 8.3 miles with 2000 feet of climbing that can be done anytime between July 1 and 16th. If you intend to try to get on the leader's board listing, you need to do the event by Strava. However, I have always self-reported my time since I do not do the event as a competitive race (I race against myself).

   This will be my third year of doing this ride.  I grew up in the area, and this ride through the redwoods is one of the best rides in my opinion in California. The event will benefit a farm and organization (Abundant Grace Coastside Worker) that helps farm workers in the Half Moon Bay area, including those affected by the senseless killing of farmworkers earlier this year. Thank you. 

Mark Fletcher

BIKE HUT CLASSIC 2023 

 Please join us for the Bike Hut Classic this July and take part in our 4th annual bike ride fundraiser, climbing an epic stretch of Coastal Redwoods on Tunitas Creek Road in Half Moon Bay!  Proceeds benefit Abundant Grace Coastside Worker, longtime partner of Potrero Nuevo Farm where the Bike Hut is located.

   Abundant Grace hires the homeless to work on this beautiful organic farm, giving them purpose, community, and a way to earn money. Riders receive a custom T-shirt with original block print artwork by HBS Artworks (new design for 2023!) and a chance to win raffle prizes from Patagonia and more. Fastest times in each category, along with the bike club that raises the most funds, will be honored on a plaque inside the Bike Hut.  

   From our Advocacy Director:

Hi All,

   We have an opportunity for all of us to be advocates for the bike facilities we need to make riding in Fresno County safer and more fun. The Fresno Council of Governments is updating their Regional Active Transportation Plan (ATP) and is asking us to let them know our likes and dislikes about walking and biking across Fresno County, and our suggestions for making walking and biking better. 

   The Fresno County Regional ATP envisions a complete, safe, and comfortable network of trails, sidewalks, and bikeways that serves all residents of Fresno County.  The ATP focuses on increasing these active modes of transportation through transportation infrastructure and programs, such as safer crosswalks and new and enhanced bike lanes and routes. These activities have many benefits such as connecting families to schools, work, shopping, and bus stops, improving health, recreation and reducing air pollution.

   Below is the link to the interactive map where you can make your comments regarding new or improved biking facilities.  I have entered a number of locations that have a lot of biking traffic.  Click on the bicycle icon to see my comments and to add your own.  Even though there’s already a comment please be sure to add yours as well. The more comments the better.  Be sure and add any locations I missed to the map. 

   If you have any problems figuring out how to use the map please contact me at (559) 304-6390 and I’ll walk you through it.  Comments must made by July 31, 2023.
https://fehrandpeers.mysocialpinpoint.com/fresno-cog-atp/map#/

Thank you for supporting safer cycling! - Tina Sumner, Advocacy Director

Upcoming Events

Padyakan Ride

Be sure to sign up for the Padyakan ride coming up in September as it will also be the Club's Annual members’ picnic ride. https://fresnocycling.com/event-5124093

Tour de Lakes

The Tour de Lakes will be at the end of this month on July 29th. It will be scaled down a bit from recent years, to focus on allowing more members to ride instead of working on it. There will still be a rest stop at McKinley Grove and water/snacks stop at Courtwright, but there won't be anything at Wishon Dam (we want to support the Wishon store by allowing riders to get snacks or sodas from them).  Also, there also won't be a lunch stop, so as to allow riders to support the local eateries in Dinkey Creek or Shaver. There will still be a registration, so we know how many riders to expect.

Other Events

During the summer months it gets extremely hot in the Central Valley, so there are few bicycling events during July and August. Some popular summer events which many of our members plan to attend, are:

• the Death Ride out of Markleeville this month, and
• the Cool Breeze rides in Ventura in August.
• In September there is the Lighthouse ride put on by the San Luis Obispo Club.
• There are also some rides in Northern California that you may find interesting to do.

FCC BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023   

6:30 PM

Me N Eds Victory Grill

4010 N Cedar Ave

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Your Membership Renewal Date:

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TIME TRIAL SERIES

  Time Trial Season continues this month.  The next date is Tuesday July 18, 2023, and the Webscorer link to register: 

Webscorer LInk for FCC

  If you love “time trialing,” or even if you have never done it before, you will be excited to learn that FCC Member William Haines has volunteered to take the leadership role in coordinating this years' Time Trial series. William had been involved in riding the time trials for several years and offered to take over the lead. He has some innovative ideas he wants to implement to make the monthly events more attractive to riders.

  Time trialing is a terrific way to gauge your conditioning.  It is typically a 10-mile course (5 mile out and back), starting at Belmont Avenue and Academy, done as fast as you can. It is a race against the clock. The series schedule will appear in the Ride Calendar and announced on our Facebook pages.  

Southern Sierra Cyclists

SWAP MEET

LOOKING FOR FCC RIDES??

The following is a list of FCC ride groups and locations to find FCC Rides.

Groups in Facebook Messenger

• FCC Mountain Men and Women/Velominati – C/D rides, foothill & mountain routes 50 – 80+ mile rides
• FCC Spinoffs Cycling - C rides, 30 - 60-mile rides
• FCC Gang Rides – C/D rides, 20 – 60-mile rides

Facebook

• FCC Killer Bees – B/B+ rides, 20 – 60-mile rides https://www.facebook.com/groups/829503553728726
• FCC All-Roads Riders and Friends - B/C rides, 10 – 60 miles, gravel, and pavement https://www.facebook.com/groups/1613253885374386
• FACT-Fresno https://www.facebook.com/groups/105915603079018

EMAIL

• ROG’s – Retired Old Guys – C rides, 20 – 60 miles Contact: tcbraner@comcast.net

FCC Website

• FCC Ride Calendar: https://fresnocycling.com/Ride-Calendar
• Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday Riders – Herndon/Armstrong
• ROG’s – Retired Old Guys
• Tuesday Taco Rides – 6 pm at Enzo’s Willow - Shepherd
• “A” Train rides – Monday’s 6 pm from Enzo’s Willow-Shepherd

Club Ride Calendar

 For the Latest Information on the daily, weekly, and event rides for Fresno Cycling Club, please be sure to check out the Ride Calendar!! 

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FCC - P.O. Box 27571, Fresno, CA 93729-7571 

www.fresnocycling.com