Checking in and riding out

Register now for spring rides

UPCOMING RIDE Curt Hentschke has ridden the Almond Blossom Century, which returns Feb. 15 in Ripon. Photo: Curt Hentschke

It’s February! Have you planned a Valentine’s bicycle ride with your sweetheart yet? Come on, get busy! Pedal to your favorite restaurant; you’ll burn off the calories from the meal.

Speaking of calories, thanks for all of the feedback concerning last month’s column. Sounds like I’m not the only one attempting to shed some unwanted tonnage in 2020. Let me know how you’ve progressed so far ([email protected]). What about me? Thanks for asking; I dropped two pounds in January!

Now, you might be scoffing, “Only two pounds?” Here are two things to remember, however. First, slow, reasonable weight loss is much healthier than crash dieting. Avoid any program that promises huge weight loss in a short period of time. Second, remember that life happens. I was blessed to have the opportunity to travel for two weeks in January. I was not going to try to maintain a diet at the expense of sampling some amazing Cajun, Creole and Southern cuisine. 

So, segueing smoothly to the subject of cycling, have you registered for any spring rides? Ripon’s Almond Blossom Century Ride and Linden’s Pedaling Paths to Independence will be here before you know it. Also, keep poking into your local bike shops (or exploring their websites) to explore group ride options in your area. Remember, it’s much more fun to cycle with a group, and there will always be groups within your ability range.

Save the Dates

Feb. 15: Almond Blossom Century, Ripon, musicfirstusa.info 

Feb. 22: Pedaling Paths to Independence, Linden, communitycenterfortheblind.org

March 7: King’s River Blossom Ride, Reedley, blossombikeride.com

March 14: Solvang Century, bikescor.com

March 14: El Granada 200k/San Gregorio 125k, santacruzrandonneurs.org

April 16-19: Sea Otter Classic, Monterey, seaotterclassic.com

April 25: Tierra Bella, Gilroy, tierrabella.org

Curt “Cycle Guy” Hentschke has pedaled more than 60,000 miles of South Valley and San Benito County trails. Send your cycle celebrations to [email protected]. Check for last minute changes before attending.

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