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March Birthday C Ride
Prez Sez – APRIL 2026
Greetings fellow cycling club members and cycling community. It's exciting to see our club bicycling event season get off to a great start with the success of our first event of the year, Everyone Loves Raymond. Ride Director extraordinaire Henry Pretzer, his sidekick Diana Dean and his multitude of awesome volunteers put together the best ELR yet for its 8th iteration. Special thanks go out to the Raymond Community and their Association that allows us to utilize their Footman Park as the event venue. It is perfect for the start/finish of the event, with it's designated picnic area with tables, plenty of parking, and it allows for camping on site for a limited number of riders. This makes for a fun and eventful experience. We had riders come from as far away as Texas, one a former club member who contacted me after the ride and gave a very nice complement to the club, saying "that of all the events he has been to, and he has done many, the FCC is one of the best at organizing and putting on quality events". Others came from Oregon as well as from all over California. The weather was warmer than usual for this time of year, but it was still nice. It did result in the consumption of a lot of ice, water and sodas, so much so that the lunch stop ran out of all three items with a few more riders to come through. Luckily one of the riders Chis Van Leuven showed up just as they ran out of water, he happens to live in Mariposa, he said my neighbor lives close by you can get water from her. The water jugs were taken to her house and filled up providing water for the remaining riders. As I was still at the rest stop one rider came rolling in saying I'll give $50 for a soda. To his chagrin there were none left. Fortunately the next rest stop at White Rock still had sodas, he was so relieved as well as the rest of us. Thankfully the warm weather lately hadn't turned all the beautiful grass brown, so the scenery was still a gorgeous green. The ELR has developed quite a following as many of the riders continue to ride it every year, I heard several first timers say they loved it and will be back. One of the things that people comment on most besides the great routes and beautiful scenery, is the helpful friendly volunteers that help them whether at the rest stops, SAG, or the course monitors that help them stay on course. Thanks to all the riders who attended for without your participation there would be no event and of course for all our wonderful volunteers most of whom are fellow bicyclists.
Was this a taste of early Summer in the Central Valley?
Well that was a record setting hot March, I hate to think about what our summer is going to be like. Let's hope it's getting the hot out of the way early, and we will have a nice mild summer, ya good luck with that. Well at least we can get out early and do our riding before it gets to hot. We are supposed to have three months of spring before the summer heat aren't we. All I have to say is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and enjoy the rides. They will be plentiful. Club Activity and Community Spirit
Our monthly birthday rides continue to be a big hit with big groups showing up. Hope to see you out at the April Birthday ride on Saturday, April 11th. https://fresnocycling.com/event-661734 Our birthday rides and other group rides help create our cycling community spirit, sharing rides together creates camaraderie. Great examples of this are the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ride group, the ROG's (Retired Old Guys) and the Killer Bees. Some groups are more private and just ride with their friends they have come to know and appreciate. It is helpful when you ride with people that you know their riding styles, how they act in a pace line, how they point out hazards and of course their average speed. Riding with others that ride similar to you helps you to ride safe and it makes riding more fun. Our Mission and Commitment
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Fresno Cycling Club remains committed to promoting safe and legal bicycling for recreation and transportation throughout the Central Valley. Each mile we ride—whether alone, with a small group, or in a large event—helps shape a culture of responsible cycling. We are ambassadors for the sport, and our actions on the road reflect the values we share as a community. That is why we focus on riding legal and riding safe.
Looking Forward
Thank you for your continued support, your enthusiasm, and your dedication to safe cycling. I look forward to seeing many of you out on the road as we begin another promising season together.
Ride with purpose, ride with pride, and enjoy every mile. Ride SAFE and Ride Legal!
The Prez — Dennis President |
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2026 Everyone Loves Raymond Ride
The 2026 Everyone Loves Raymond Gravel event was held on March 28, 2026.
This year was our 8th ELR, and it was definitely one of the best. The weather was warm, but dry, and the dirt was in great shape.
Our final stats are not yet in, but attendance was incredible and 2026 was our first time selling out at 250 riders.
Post-ride at Footman Park was a fun atmosphere, with riders enjoying tacos etc. from our new caterer Jalisco of Madera. Cold beverages were also a welcome reward after a warm day of gravel riding fun.
If you didn’t make it this time be sure to put ELR on your list of “must rides”.
Finally, my sincere gratitude to our FCC President Dennis Ball, hall of fame committee member Diana Dean, and communications and SAG organizer Rob Mavis of CARP (Clovis Amateur Radio Pioneers). This is not to mention our literally dozens of dedicated volunteers who take care of our riders like they are royalty. From equipment distribution to parking lot duties to rest stop set up and service to course monitoring to radio comms to SAG support to clean up to equipment turn in, plus countless other thankless duties big and small, our ELR team is second to none.
Too many riders to count complimented our event and promised to return. That means a great deal to hear. Seeing the smiles at the post ride celebration and hearing the laughter and stories being shared is the greatest reward.
Again, my gratitude to all of those who participated, be they riders or helpers. I feel honored to be associated with you all. You are what makes ELR a top quality event. Henry ELR Director |
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Help Fresno Cycling Club support NAMI Fresno
By FCC Member Al Graves
Over the past several years, I’ve become increasingly aware of two important things:
1. Most of us are affected—one way or another—by mental illness within our families or close circles of friends; and
2. No local nonprofit provides more meaningful, accessible, and free support services for those individuals and families than NAMI Fresno.
For that reason, I’d like to share a simple and impactful way for members and friends of the Fresno Cycling Club to support NAMI Fresno—while also bringing positive recognition to our Club.
An anonymous donor—a respected cyclist and strong supporter of NAMI Fresno—has generously agreed to match dollar-for-dollar the first 100 contributions of $10 made in the name of the Fresno Cycling Club for the 22nd Annual NAMIWalks Fresno, taking place on May 16th at Woodward Park.
You’re welcome to walk, invite a friend to walk, or simply show your support with a donation—every contribution makes a difference. Several of us will also be there on walk day, representing the Club at a clearly marked table.
Your support helps fulfill NAMI’s mission of improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy.
If you would like to support this cause, AND bring recognition to our Club, please click here: FRESNO CYCLING CLUB and have your $10/person contribution matched by a fellow cyclist and proud member of FCC.
To learn more about NAMI Fresno and the resources available to those affected by mental health conditions, please visit: NAMI FRESNO
If you have any questions or for more information, feel free to call Al Graves at (559) 284-0787—any time before his 8:00 p.m. bedtime!
Thank you for your support and for helping make a difference in our community.
Support the Fresno Cycling Club's Initiative for NAMI Fresno
By Al Graves
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Mark Perkins – Author of the Fresno Uphill Climb to Kaiser
This is a 3-month early heads-up.
I am planning to be at this Year's Climb to Kaiser on Friday, June 19th for the sign-in, from sometime around 3 PM until they close the doors around 8 PM, and on the afternoon of Saturday, June 20th, the day of this personal endurance challenge, with at least 10 to 15 copies of my book. Hopefully with Suzanne Schwarzwaelder Lock, the woman who created this great event, to help me autograph and sell them.
We sold 11 copies at last year's event, and one to the Tollhouse Store owner on the Sunday after. And we autographed all of them. So, that should be enough. If anyone thinks that isn't enough please let me know. I will also bring an order book just in case we run out. If I should have to mail one out to anyone, I send them via USPS Media Mail, which is only $7.43 the last time I checked. Remember, this is a 700-page book and it weighs over 4 pounds.
The price through us is more than $25.00 less than if you buy one online. I have set it at only $55.95 plus my local sales tax which brings it up to exactly $60.00. That's just 3 $20 bills. An easy number to remember. One friend bought one online right after it was published, and it cost him $86.33, which is why I set the price if you purchase a copy through myself or Suzanne at $55.95 plus tax.
Incidentally, I currently have 3 copies here at my home, and Suzanne already autographed them. I will also autograph them personally to the buyer when the time comes.
I hope to see you there. Mark PS Mark Perkins was the creator of the Tandem Penny Farthing Bicycles logo used for the Rough Draft which he also thought of the name. |
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PRIVATE YOSEMITE FOOTHILL ADVENTURES Chris Van Leuven who helped save the day at the ELR lunch stop runs the Private Yosemite Foothill Adventures. Check out his website where he provides all kinds of E-bike touring adventures. https://www.yosemiteebiking.com/ |
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LOOKING FOR FCC RIDES??
The following is a list of FCC ride groups and locations to find FCC Rides.
Facebook
EMAIL
FCC Website
Contact Ride Coordinator Glenn Medina to post your ride on the Calendar.
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Club Ride Calendar Events for February
For the Latest Information on the daily, weekly, and event rides for Fresno Cycling Club, please be sure to check out the Ride Calendar!!
- Spring Training Series – Saturdays: Weekly progressive-distance rides designed to build early-season fitness. Watch the Ride Calendar.
- Sunday Gravel Explorers – Sundays at 11:00 am. Meet at The Bike Shop Sycamore Island gravel adventures for beginning & intermediate riders looking to expand their skills. Check the Ride Calendar for details.
- April Birthday Ride – April : Celebrate our April birthdays with a special ride. Join us for a fun and festive gathering on the road! Register here:
https://fresnocycling.com/event-661734
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UPCOMING FCC AND OTHER LOCAL EVENT
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FCC BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
6:30 PM
Me N Eds Victory Grill
4010 N Cedar Ave Members are welcome to attend |
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Your Membership Renewal Date:
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Thank You to Our Great Volunteers
Our events thrive because of the people who give their time, energy, and heart. Whether you led a ride, staffed a rest stop, drove SAG, or helped with logistics, you made 2025 a standout year. Thank you for everything you do. To help recruit our needed volunteers for our 2026 events the following link allows you to sign up to volunteer. https://fresnocycling.com/event-6583982 |
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FCC - P.O. Box 27571, Fresno, CA 93729-7571 www.fresnocycling.com |
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