Nathan Winchell, another long-time trail riding enthusiast, agreed: “Henry
Coe Park offers miles and miles of trails and a degree of ‘epicness’ that is great for
experienced riders.”
Winchell is a strong advocate for community cycling who rides the local roads to
his job as a 6th grade teacher at El Toro Elementary School. To his way of thinking,
“Our region’s ability to provide resources and safe routes for people to ride downtown
and for kids to ride to school will allow us to create a more vibrant community.”
Off to the Races
Every April, the Almaden Cycle Touring Club hosts the Tierra Bella Bicycle Tour in
the South County. Now in its 38th year, the Tierra Bella offers riders a choice of 30,
60, 100 or 120 miles of flat or hilly routes that take them past Uvas, Chesbro and
Calero Reservoirs, up to Henry Coe Park, and out to Gilroy Hot Springs.
Every May, Bicycling Magazine teams up with Specialized for the annual Bicycling
Spring Classic event in Morgan Hill. Riders choose from courses of 25, 60, or 90
miles, with the shortest route geared for new riders and families, the 60-mile loop
for a fast-paced group ride, and the 90-mile fondo for advanced riders, with prizes
awarded to top finishers. A post-ride party typically offers everything from food and
beverages to free massages and a bike expo.
“The annual Spring Classic is a fantastic community event,” August-Perna said. “It
includes non-profit organizations like the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, which puts on
a bike rodeo that teaches kids how to ride safely on the roads.”
May is also the month for the Almaden Super Lions Club’s annual I Care Classic
Century Bicycle Tour in Morgan Hill. This year’s event included an after-tour
gathering held at Paramit. The I Care Classic donates 100 percent of event proceeds
to providing free eyeglasses to people in need.
Cycling & Community
The South County continues to extend cycling events and resources to the entire
community. This is due, in large part, to the grass roots effort of Bike Morgan Hill,
which started with the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance and gained support from
the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, the City of Morgan Hill and local school
teachers as well as Specialized and Concept Cyclery.
As community advocate John McKay described it, “Bike Morgan Hill focuses on
ways that the City and community can work together to promote cycling through
resources and activities designed for all types of riders and riding interests.”
McKay explained that Bike Morgan Hill efforts are aligned with the City of
Morgan Hill’s Complete Streets program with its current traffic calming, which
includes designated bike lanes in the downtown district along a section of Monterey
Road. It’s a move he and other supporters hope will encourage local families to bike to
the downtown district.
McKay said a noteworthy example of this effort is the planned opening of a “Bike
Hub” this year, expected to be located at 3rd and Monterey Streets in a building
rented by the Morgan Hill Downtown Association. The Bike Hub will welcome riders
to park and spend time downtown, providing secure bicycle racks, bike route maps,
downtown merchant information and discount coupons, and even emergency or
minor bike repair classes.
Concept Cyclery has aligned its retail bicycle sales and service business with
community engagement by hosting several weekly rides. Along with the Thursday
mountain trail rides, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are designated as advanced and
beginner road rides, respectively.
Concept Cyclery co-owner Jennifer Hollibaugh is a triathlete and a powerful
advocate for women’s cycling. She and her staff host monthly rides and social time
for women riders.
12
G M H T O D A Y M A G A Z I N E
MAY / JUNE 2015
Our region is
becoming one of
the most cycling-
friendly-and-fun
places in Northern
California.
gmhtoday.com