Fresno Cycling Club - January 2026
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Happy New Year 2026!
As we welcome 2026, it’s impossible not to look back with pride at everything our club accomplished in 2025. It was a year defined by dedication, teamwork, and the unmistakable spirit of the Fresno Cycling Club.
We kicked off the season with the Everyone Loves Raymond Gravel Ride, now in its 7th edition and officially our most popular event of the year, drawing an incredible 204 riders. The momentum continued with the 35th Annual Kirch Flat Century & Rides, where 100 cyclists took on one of our most beloved spring traditions.
Summer brought the legendary Climb to Kaiser and Tollhouse Century in its 46th edition, challenging 156 riders with some of the toughest and most rewarding miles in California. Not long after, endurance athletes tackled the 20th Annual Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century, attracting 140 determined participants who pushed their limits and inspired us all. We hosted the last leg of the 2025 Triple Crown Stage race and commemorated the 20th year of the BLPDC.
We wrapped up the year with the empowering Tour de Femme, where 50 riders came together to celebrate women’s cycling and build community on and off the bike.
Each of these events succeeded because of you — our riders, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters. Your energy fuels this club. Your passion shapes our culture. And your commitment ensures that FCC continues to grow, evolve, and welcome new cyclists into the fold.
New Board Members
We’re thrilled to welcome new energy and ideas to our leadership team. Please join me in congratulating our newly elected Vice President Ryan Stromer, Ride Coordinator Glenn Medina, and Membership Director Anna Lloyd. Their enthusiasm and fresh perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen the Fresno Cycling Club.
Together, they bring a renewed commitment to making our club more vibrant, inclusive, and fun for all members. Stay tuned for exciting initiatives and events in the coming months!
Looking Ahead
I think we can all admit that our club hasn’t been the same since going through the Covid19 issue. To keep riding our members either started riding alone or in small groups where we could feel safe riding with friends who communicated regularly, and we knew their Covid status. When the Covid crisis was over it seems like most everyone has been content to ride alone or still in small groups. For 2026 we are hoping to rectify this situation by putting on more Club oriented group rides both for road and gravel.
I have been pondering over the past few years why our membership has gone from a high of over 1,200 just after Covid to a now 500 +/- active membership. I have come to realize there are several factors responsible. Here is a list of probable causes that I have come up with:
- Many road riders have been frightened off by the increase of vehicle vs bicycle road accidents due to more distracted drivers on the roadways.
- Many of our former members have moved away.
- Some of our members have stopped being active when they started having children.
- Some members have switched to mountain biking or gravel to avoid traffic.
- There are those who don’t feel the need to be a member because the Club isn’t meeting their riding needs.
- I’m sure there are plenty of other reasons for not paying their dues: too expensive (not really), they forget to pay or whatever.
Regardless of the reason why folks quit the Club, we will strive to provide the best program we can to satisfy as many of our members as possible, and with the additions to our leadership team I am confident that will happen.
Cheers,
Dennis Ball
The Prez |
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Message from Ride Coordinator Glenn Medina
Hi, everyone! I’ll be the FCC Ride Coordinator in 2026. My duties will be to get club rides placed on the FCC Ride Calendar and to recruit ride leaders for the club rides. As you know when you visit the Ride Calendar on the FCC website, there are recurring weekday rides and a Sunday ride. But unlike in the years before covid, there aren’t many Saturday club rides on the calendar. I hope to change that in 2026. I especially hope to see some fun and challenging C level Saturday rides in the nearby hills. I’m thinking 50 miles or more with 2000 feet of climbing or more. I hope to see a mix of such rides. For example, Sky Harbor, Lodge Loop, Wildcat-Burrough Valley Loop, Pine Flat Loop, Wonder Valley, Powerhouse Loop, Tollhouse Grade, O’Neals Market, Backside of Millerton and many other routes. It would also be great to see some gravel rides on the calendar. We have many good gravel route options near Fresno. In the summer, gravel options open up to higher elevations, like Sequoia, Central Camp, Sugar Pine and Shaver Lake.
I plan to lead at least one Saturday ride per month. Being a ride leader is not difficult. Pick a route and start time and location. When the group meets, remind them of the route and decide where to regroup if the group gets separated. I have led many club rides and I find it very enjoyable. It’s a great way to meet other cyclists who ride your pace and enjoy the same routes as you. If you have questions about being a ride leader or want to submit a ride to place on the ride calendar, email me at abrides@fresnocycling.com for A or B level rides and cdrides@fresnocycling.com for C or D level rides. The FCC website has a very good page that describes four ride levels to give potential ride leaders a good idea of what to expect in each level, as follows: https://fresnocycling.com/Ride-Levels. There’s also a brief description of ride levels at the bottom of the FCC Ride Calendar.
If you want to lead a club ride and have it placed on the FCC Ride Calendar, email the details to me at the previously listed email address. Information needed will be date of the ride, start time and location, a description of the route including distance and elevation gain, ride leader’s name and phone number, the ride level (A, B, C or D) and if it will be a social pace (regroup) or training pace (no obligation to wait). A nice option to include in the ride announcement is a link to the Ride with GPS route. Club members have free access to Ride with GPS and the FCC website has a library of many local routes. Consider helping me make 2026 a year with many good ride options on the FCC Ride Calendar! |
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FCC ANNUAL MONTEREY 17 MILE DRIVE RIDE - Saturday, Jan 17th
Date: January 17, 2026. Meet at Jewell Park, 578 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove at 9:30, ride at 10 am.
17 mile drive. Lunch at From Scratch in Carmel. 34 miles. No drop. B ride level. No cost. Register for 17 Mile Drive Ride.
This is our 9th year coordinating this ride. We have been rained out a couple of times, but every year otherwise has had amazing weather! Everyone rides along the 17 Mile Drive route to lunch. We split up into several groups depending on speed of the riders. This works well so we do not inundate the restaurant and all show up at once!
On the way back after lunch we offer two routes. Back the way we came or the “high route”, which adds a little bit of climbing. This is an enjoyable ride that Jim and I love leading.
Because we start at 10 a.m., the ride can be a day trip for those who do not want to stay over. We hope to see you there!
Jim and Janet Lucido
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Tech & Safety Corner
- Tire inspection tips: Before every ride, thoroughly check your tires for any cuts, embedded debris like glass or thorns, and signs of worn tread. Proper tire pressure is crucial—underinflated tires increase the risk of flats, while overinflated tires can reduce traction. Rotate tires regularly to ensure even wear and extend their lifespan.
- Brake performance checks: Regularly inspect brake pads for glazing, uneven wear, or contamination from oil or dirt. Make sure cables and hydraulic lines move smoothly without friction or leaks. Test your brakes before every ride to ensure responsive stopping power, especially in wet conditions.
- Chain maintenance basics: Keep your chain clean and well-lubricated to extend drivetrain life and improve shifting performance. Use a degreaser to remove grime, then apply lubricant sparingly to avoid attracting dirt. Regularly check for chain stretch and replace it before it causes excessive wear on gears.
- Cold-weather riding gear: Dress in layers to regulate body temperature effectively. Use moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and windproof outer layers. Protect extremities with insulated gloves, thermal socks, and a warm hat or headband under your helmet. Don’t forget to cover your ears and consider face protection for very cold rides.
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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
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Club Ride Calendar Events for January
For the Latest Information on the daily, weekly, and event rides for Fresno Cycling Club, please be sure to check out the Ride Calendar!!
- New Year’s Day Social Ride (Changed to Jan 2 due to rain) – Jan 2 A relaxed 20-mile spin, or more, to welcome 2026 with friends. https://www.fresnocycling.com/event-6465871
- Winter Training Series – Saturdays: Weekly progressive-distance rides designed to build early-season fitness. Watch the Ride Calendar.
- Sunday Gravel Explorers – Jan 11 & 25: Sycamore Island gravel adventures for beginning & intermediate riders looking to expand their skills. Check the Ride Calendar for details.
- January Birthday Ride – Jan 10: Celebrate our January birthdays with a special ride. Join us for a fun and festive gathering on the road! Look for event notification in your email and details on the Rider Calendar.
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UPCOMING FCC AND OTHER LOCAL EVENTS
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FCC BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, Jan 7th, 2025
6:30 PM
Me N Eds Victory Grill
4010 N Cedar Ave |
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Your Membership Renewal Date:
{Member_Upcoming_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. |
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FCC - P.O. Box 27571, Fresno, CA 93729-7571 www.fresnocycling.com |
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