Rough Draft

JULY 2026

June Birthday Ride

Prez Sez – July 2026 

Greetings members of this great bicycling club we call the Fresno Cycling Club still going strong in our 64th year. Here we are halfway through 2026, and we have had an outstanding year of bicycling thus far.

This year has definitely been interesting weather wise, summer heat in March, milder temps in June. What is July going to give us? If it's like normal it will be full of triple digit heat. The main about riding in the heat is to make sure you stay hydrated. Keep your calorie intake up and take a rest stop more often than you do when it's cooler.  

The Tour de Lakes is on Saturday July 25; Ride Director Sarah Mata is asking for volunteers to help with the rest stops and SAG. 

If you plan on doing the Climb the Coast ride on Aug 1 & 2, register early, as we are limiting the numbers to 30 for each Club, so we won't have to get permits for Highway 1, which are required for big group rides. 

With the passing of our Rough Draft editor David Wright, we are in need of someone to fill the vacant position. Computer experience is a necessity. This is a Board position which entitles you to free membership as long as you serve, plus one free event of your choice each year. Plus a free dinner once a month at the Board meeting.

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, on the gravel or on the dirt. Ride with purpose, ride with pride, and enjoy every mile. Ride SAFE and Ride Legal!

That’s all for now,

The Prez

Dennis Ball

July Birthday Ride

This months birthday ride not only celebrates our members born during the month of July, but we also celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of our great country America commonly known as the United States. 

https://fresnocycling.com/event-6738624

CLIMB to KAISER RECAP

The 47th edition of the Climb to Kaiser, just wrapped up with a phenomenal group of riders challenging both the Kaiser and the Tollhouse rides. There were many new faces this year challenging the rides for the first time. They were treated to some perfect weather for this event knowing how hot it can be normally. The weather may have played a part as there were 24 C2K riders who came in under 11 hours with the top 4 riders under 9 hours. The first rider, Brandon McGee came in at 8:44 hours. Local rider Nick Baird came in second just behind Brandon. The Tollhouse Century was completed in 5:37 hours for 1st place by our very own local MTB racer Michelle McGee (no relation to Brandon). This year of the 124 riders that registered for C2K, 93 riders finished, 17 riders didn't start, 8 opted for the Tollhouse 100, and 6 DNF'd. The Tollhouse Century had 32 finishers, 7 did not starts, and 5 DNF's. 

Although the Climb to Kaiser & Tollhouse ride is not a big attendance ride the logistics involved in putting on a ride of this nature are imence. Without the support of our great volunteers this ride could not be possible. Our volunteers are some of the best around as evidenced by the numerous positive comments from riders. A big thank you goes out to all our volunteers who made this year's event possible.

Mark your calendar now for the 50th anniversary of Climb to Kaiser next year on June 26th, 2027. Although it won't be the 50th event, due to the two years we were forced to not have the event, 1st Covid19 and then late snow one year, it is the 50th year since it started. 

Remembering David John Wright

David John Wright, beloved husband, father, son, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, in Fresno, California, at the age of 57. He was born on June 19, 1968, to John and Judy Wright, in Riverside, California. David’s life was a testament to faith, family, and community.

David graduated from Clovis High School and pursued further education at California State University, Fresno. He built a meaningful career as an insurance agent, owning his own business called Wright Financial, while also contributing to his family’s legacy at Wright & Wright Attorneys at Law, Inc.

On June 1, 1996, David married the love of his life, Lou Ann McCoy. Together they built a family grounded in love and faith, welcoming their daughter, Micayla, in 1998, and their son, Dawson, in 2001. David was a devoted husband and father who took great pride in his family, provided for them, and cherished every moment spent with them.

A man of deep and abiding faith, David was a committed Christian and a member of Clovis Hills Church. He faithfully served his church community in many ways, including preparing meals for the worship band, playing percussion during services, assisting in children’s ministry, and warmly welcoming others while directing parking. His life reflected his strong belief in God and his desire to serve others with humility and joy.

David found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. He loved baking and was known for his cookies, pies, cakes, and freshly made bread. He was also passionate about cycling and fitness, participating in triathlons and cycling events. Whether on a bike ride or in the kitchen, David brought energy, dedication, and joy to all he did.

Those of us in the cycling community knew David as a fellow bicyclist. He became a member of the Fresno Cycling Club on 08/09/2021. He immediately gravitated to our Killer Bee Group where he made fast friends of many in the group. Over the following years David participated in many bicycling activities and events both as a rider and as a volunteer. His love for the Club and its members became more evident when he joined the Board of Directors and took over the roll as the Editor of the Club’s monthly newsletter the Rough Draft. David was great to have at the meetings and made a good unofficial Sergeant of Arms, keeping everyone on task and getting the meetings done on time. David made a great ride leader preferring to start his rides from the n/w corner of Willow and International under the Solar paneled parking lot. David is missed by all of us who knew him. He will be remembered for his kind and caring heart, his selfless nature, and his wonderful sense of humor. David had a gift for making others laugh and lifting spirits, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

We are having a David Wright memorial ride on Saturday July 18th, 7 am. 

Come celebrate the life of David on one of his favorite routes to the Roadhouse. Meet at Clovis North parking lot (north west corner of International and Willow) at 6:45 AM, roll out at 7:00 AM. Wear your Killer Bee Psychedelic Jersey. B level pace. This ride is open to all FCC members.

CLIMB TO KAISER 2026: A 20‑Year Reckoning

By Darick Silsby

Revenge is best served cold — and mine had been chilling for twenty years.

The 2026 Climb to Kaiser was my second attempt at conquering one of the toughest one‑day rides in America. My first attempt, back in 2006, ended with those three letters that haunt a cyclist’s soul: DNF. I carried that failure with me for two decades. It sat heavy, like unfinished business. And eventually, life pulled me away from cycling altogether. By 2011, my bikes were hanging in the garage, quietly waiting for the day I’d remember who I was.

That day arrived in 2024.

A severe asthma attack landed me in the hospital — the kind of wake‑up call you don’t ignore. I realized it was time to reclaim my health, and the path back was already hanging on the wall. I dusted off the bikes, pumped up the tires, and started riding again.

First came the weekly Southern Sierra Cycling rides. Then I added the Fresno Cycling Club’s Killer Bees to the mix. The formula worked: I was losing weight, gaining speed, and feeling alive again. Over a year and a half, I dropped 39 pounds through riding alone. Then my doctor put me on Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes, and I shed another 44 pounds. That’s 83 pounds total — fighting weight.

By 2025, I knew it was time to tackle a century again. I set a goal of riding 50 miles a week, and I stuck to it religiously. Late that year, I completed the Sacramento Century. In April 2026, I finished the SSC Century. And that’s when the idea hit me like a lightning bolt:

It was time to settle the score with Climb to Kaiser.

Was it even possible for a guy my age? I actually looked up prior finishers to make sure old dudes could still get it done — and they could. (Did they use e‑bikes? I’ll never know. Let me have this.)

But I had something most riders didn’t: Twenty years of pure, unfiltered angst. That’s a lot of fuel.

I began training on April 4th, focusing on elevation and long hours in the saddle. Between April 4th and June 6th, I logged over 39,000 feet of climbing. My final training ride was an attempt to reach Silver City — and I made it. I felt ready.

Or so I thought.

Let me be clear: however hard you think Climb To Kaiser is… double it. Tollhouse, Big Creek, and Kaiser Pass come at you like a three‑punch combination with no breath between. You climb, and climb, and climb, until your legs stop negotiating and start filing complaints.

But then — the music, the flags, the summit. I reached Kaiser Pass. I thought, “Okay, it gets easier from here.”

Bull. The ride back slaps you with another 4,000 feet of climbing, like a bully waiting behind the schoolyard fence.

There’s only one way to deal with a bully: Look them in the face and don’t back down.

And right then, echoing through the pines, Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” blasted from a speaker at the summit. You can’t script moments like that.

I didn’t quit. I wouldn’t quit. God hates a quitter.

Seventeen and a half hours after I rolled out of the Clovis Rodeo Grounds, I rolled back in — exhausted, emotional, and finally redeemed.

A finisher of the 2026 Climb to Kaiser. Twenty years later, the score was settled.

Sweet, cold revenge — served just right.

Health Spotlight: Why Daily Cycling Makes a Big Difference

Daily riding isn’t just a routine — it’s one of the most effective ways to strengthen your body, sharpen your mind, and support long‑term health. Whether you’re training for a big climb or simply enjoying the ride, here’s what happens when you make cycling part of your everyday life.

❤️ Cardiovascular & Physical Benefits

Cycling strengthens the heart and lungs, improving oxygen delivery and boosting endurance. Over time, riders often see lower resting heart rates and better overall aerobic capacity. It also builds muscular endurance in the lower body — quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and adductors — without adding bulky mass. Because cycling is low‑impact, it’s gentle on the joints and ideal for long‑term fitness. Depending on intensity, riders burn 300–700 calories per hour, supporting healthy weight management and improved body composition.

Mental & Cognitive Benefits

Daily riding helps reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol and releasing endorphins — nature’s mood boosters. Outdoor rides add the benefit of natural light exposure, which helps regulate sleep cycles and improve rest quality. Studies show that regular cycling, including bike commuting, enhances cognitive function and emotional wellness, especially for older adults.

Disease Prevention

Consistent cycling improves insulin sensitivity, reduces visceral fat, and lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Even moderate daily rides can reduce cardiometabolic risk factors and support long‑term metabolic health.

Practical Tips for Everyday Riders

You don’t need high‑intensity training to benefit — steady, low to moderate rides are enough to make meaningful improvements. Listen to your body: if you’re feeling sore or fatigued, shorten the ride or ease the pace. A proper bike fit, reliable safety gear, and awareness of local cycling laws help prevent injuries and keep rides enjoyable. Mixing short weekday spins with longer weekend outings keeps motivation high and prevents burnout.

Bottom Line

Daily cycling transforms both body and mind. It boosts cardiovascular efficiency, tones muscles, supports weight management, improves mental health, and reduces disease risk — all while being gentle on the joints. Even short, consistent rides can make a big difference, making cycling one of the most sustainable habits for lifelong health.


Escape the heat!  Join Southern Sierra Cyclists and Fresno Cycling Club members for this fun event designed exclusively for SSC and FCC members.  This year Velo Kings members will also join us.  Our annual Climb the Coast event is planned for the weekend of Aug 1-2, 2026. Two days of supported rides are planned, so book your room reservations early and enjoy a weekend of coastal riding, food, fun and camaraderie.  There is a lot to do in the area, and it is always better to share the experience with your friends.

The Saturday ride (August 1) starts at 10AM from Meadow Park (2251 Meadow St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401).  Saturday's ride starts at Meadow Park, heads out Los Osos Valley Rd to Prefumo Canyon Rd, up and over a short dirt section to a descent down See Canyon Rd, then along bike trails to Avila (rest stop).  From the rest stop, we continue to Grover Beach before heading back to SLO (35 miles total) or you can turn back from Avila directly to SLO (27 miles total).  Both options are challenging and fun due to the steep-but-short Prefumo Canyon Climb.

36-miler:  https://www.strava.com/routes/3506539716056909550

27-miler:  https://www.strava.com/routes/3506543321269900074

The Sunday ride (August 2) starts at 10AM from Shamel Park ( 5455 Windsor Blvd, Cambria, CA 93428).  Sunday's ride starts in Shamel Park heading north to Ragged Point on Highway 1.  This medium-hilly route heads up past San Simeon, where you might see the zebra herd, Elephant Seal Vista Point, the Lighthouse, and the rugged scenic coast. For those wishing a shorter ride you can turn around at Elephant Seal Vista Point. Water and snacks will be available at Ragged Point. 

44 miler -https://www.strava.com/routes/3365784571406612038

24 miler -https://www.strava.com/routes/3365786063815828464

Last year was the first year of Climb the Coast being a two-club event, and the cross-club camaraderie was enjoyed by all. The routes offer beautiful scenery, SAG support and rest stops.  This year, on Saturday, we are planning a post-ride no-host get together at Central Coast Brewing, 6 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, just around the corner from the start and end spot at Meadow Park.

Register early.  Book your accommodations ASAP.  

https://fresnocycling.com/event-6740667

You can register for just one day for $25, or both days for $40. Volunteer to SAG or run a rest stop on Saturday and ride Sunday for free!

Tour de Lakes Ride

The Annual Tour de Lakes ride is Saturday July 25th. Register with this link.

https://fresnocycling.com/event-6722144

VACANT BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITIONS

  1. Rough Draft - newsletter creator
  2. Sponsorship coordinator
  3. Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century coordinator
  4. Climb to Kaiser coordinator 
  5. Event Volunteer Coordinator

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.

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.

Club Ride Calendar Events for July

   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 8:30 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.
  • July Birthday Ride –  July 4th : Celebrate our June birthdays with a special ride. Join us for a fun and festive gathering on the road! Register here:  https://fresnocycling.com/event-6738624
FCC Ride Calendar

UPCOMING FCC AND OTHER LOCAL EVENT

FCC BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, July 1, 2026  

6:30 PM

Me N Eds Victory Grill

4010 N Cedar Ave

Members are welcome to attend

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

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.

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