Bike Week in Modesto
By Chris Murphy
Amgen What? It is always fun when a big sporting event comes through town and don’t worry, it will be back here again someday. The Alpe D’Huez is not in the Tour de France every year. But here in Modesto we have plenty of cycling fun in May each year. There are rides for fun, rides for a cause and rides to win! Modesto is perfect for outdoor activities whether on your bike or on foot. May has something for everyone and the weather is nice so you have no excuse than to get out there and get fit and have fun.
For those of you that hadn’t noticed, Modesto is really flat. That makes it easy to ride to work. If you work downtown or anywhere, a ride to work is nice and easy. If you haven’t ridden your bike to work, the perfect time to give it a try is on Bike to Work Day.
Here are some really fun things to do on your bike in May.
Bike To Work Day – Friday May 10 – 6:30 to 8:30 pm Ride your bike to work and meet up in 10th St Place. You can even ride along with Mayor Marsh. There will be prizes and T-shirts for commuters and other goodies and snacks. www.modestogov.com/bikes
Ride for MOM – May 11 – Fun ride for a great cause. Event start is at Johansen Stadium. There are 10, 30, 72 and Century courses available. Register online at www.rideformom.com You can check in Fri afternoon May 10 until 7. Day of event arrive by 6:30.
Harvest Moon Criterium – May 18 – First races at 8:15 You will see fast paced race action as racers speed around a figure 8 course in downtown Modesto. This will be exciting and there are all categories from 4/5 to Pro. Start/finish is at 13th and I. Registration: http://www.bikereg.com/Net/18831
Modesto Road Race – May 19 – Start Finish line is at Kiernan and Hall Road East of Salida. This will be a circuit race offering a multi pass view of a road race, which is rare. Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/18837
Family Cycling Festival – May 18 10 – 3 pm While you are downtown enjoying the Harvest Moon Criterium walk down I St to the Courthouse Lawn and learn about bike safety, and watch exciting stunt teams. Get prizes, register your bike, ride an obstacle course and check out safety tips and a helmet giveaway.
Regular rides- There are many club rides in town. The Stanislaus County Bike Club has many organized ride for all abilities both on and off road. www.stancobike.org for many more details. There is a racing team out of Fun Sport Bikes in McHenry Village that you can check out too.
Every day- Take your bike everywhere when you get a chance. We have newly striped bike lanes and some really great trails. If you have not ridden the Mensinger, Hetchy Hetchy trails or the Virginia Corridor, the try it today. Small errands, Farmers market, or the coffee or yogurt shop are the perfect places to ride. Get healthy and have fun and make Modesto USA a cycling city.
Photo Captions; 1.You can race at the Harvest Moon Modesto Criterium alongside the pros 2.This retro shot from the 2nd Modesto Criterium back in 1984, presented by ModestoVelo. Nice vintage bikes. Chris Murphy center. 3. Our bike trails are beautiful on a Saturday morning 4.Ride for fun and smiles like Nanette Hawxhurst
