PHOTO OF SPRING CHALLENGE PROVIDED BY SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS

Here in South County the opportunities to enjoy and benefit from cycling are limited only by our community’ s collective imagination. Athletes crave the adrenaline rush of racing and trail blazing. Commuters pedal their way to school and to work. Families hop on their bikes for fitness and recreation. Local folks ride to raise funds for local causes. And the list goes on.

Thanks to some creative and collaborative folks in our midst, our region is becoming one of the most cycling-friendly-and-fun places in Northern California.

It goes without saying that we have the ideal weather and terrain for all kinds of riding. We also have the bragging rights of being home to Specialized Bicycle Components, one of the world’ s best-known and admired bicycle brands. Company founder Mike Sinyard came to Morgan Hill in the 1970s to build the ultimate bike for racing. Since that time, Specialized bicycles have carried riders to victory in the Tour de France, the Ironman Triathlon and other notable road and trail events.

Today, Specialized joins local government, business, education and community leaders and cycling enthusiasts who are working side-by-side to integrate cycling into the fabric of community life.

In the view of Lucy August-Perna, Advocacy Manager at Specialized,“ We all want the same thing, and that’ s to make our region the most active and healthy place it can be. The bike is a tool that can help to make it happen.”

For those who prefer a smooth ride on paved roads, Specialized has partnered with the City of Morgan Hill to create guided Lunch Rides. On the first Monday of each month, employees of Specialized share their cycling expertise by leading community rides on local roads. Based on their level of experience, riders can join a beginner, intermediate or advanced ride, and reap the rewards of a pedal-pumping, hearthealthy lunch break.

Ride leaders not only plan the routes but also offer tips on how bikes and cars can share the road safely. It’ s not unusual for dozens of riders to show up for the increasingly popular outings. Sure beats staring at a screen while eating lunch at your desk, right?

According to Jennie Tucker, a Community Services Supervisor with the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center( CCC),“ If someone is hesitant to try or doesn’ t have a friend to ride with, the lunchtime rides are a great way to go. It’ s a mix of working professionals, locals and retired folks. They get to know each other and spread the word, so we have new riders joining all the time.”

For those who yearn to conquer rugged park trails but haven’ t the foggiest notion of what a derailleur is, and don’ t know a dropout from an idler pulley, the staff at Concept Cyclery is a fount of information. Concept not only offers mountain bikes as part of its selection of road and trail bikes, but the Morgan Hill-based retailer also hosts themed rides three evenings a week. Thursdays are for trail riding.

Morgan Hill native Brian Crane is among a growing community of avid mountain bikers who enjoy the parks and open space lands of South Santa Clara Valley.

“ Harvey Bear, Henry Coe and Rancho Cañada del Oro are excellent places to ride,” Crane said.“ You only have to ride fifteen minutes outside of town and it’ s like you’ re in the wilderness. No people. No cell phone reception. Just you and the trail.”

G M H T O D A Y M A G A Z I N E MAY / JUNE 2015 gmhtoday. com

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