Cranking and thanking

Expressing gratitude for those who share love of cycling

CONTINUING TRADITION The passion for cycling must continue to be passed on to the younger generation. Photo: Rebecca Spencer White

Out of left field: “Coyote Creek Cycling Classic is cancelled.” Like many of you, I received that email two days before the actual event. Nothing left to do but wait until next October.

Meantime, we still have plenty of late season cycling opportunities. Palo Alto’s Cycle of Hope and Acampo’s Giro D’Vino both offer beautiful fall rides on the first Saturday of the month. WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca continues to offer their monthly Twilight Cycling series on Nov. 20. Who doesn’t want to ride bicycles around the iconic Monterey raceway, a venue usually reserved for speeding automobiles?

Oh, and don’t forget to take the family out for a Thanksgiving spin … and don’t forget your lights and jackets. The days continue to get shorter and crisper.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, longtime readers know how I always recommend that we all count our blessings this time of year. Bicycle-ly speaking, I want to publicly express my gratitude to everyone involved in passing their love of cycling onto future generations, from grandparents who take their grandchildren on levee rides to folks who give up their precious weekends to ferry kids to BMX events throughout the state. From adults who model and support cycling to work and school to the advocates who are working tirelessly on cycle-centered projects like the proposed 536-acre mountain bike park adjacent to Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. Thank you all for keeping the wheels rolling!

Save the Dates

• Nov. 3: Cycle of Hope, Palo Alto, habitatebsv.org

• Nov. 3: Giro D’Vino, Acampo, deltavelo.com

• Nov. 20: Twilight Cycling, Weathertech Raceway, Laguna Seca

• Dec. 7-8: Coyote Valley Cross, coyotevalleycross.com

• Dec. 22: Critical Christmas Bicycle Ride, Monterey, info on Facebook

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