Cycling: Club cycling season around the corner

It has been a cold winter, but it seems short so far.

I can't say how much I enjoy the weather where we live.

It is always a refreshing delight to have some 50-60 degree days in January and February.

I can say we had some nice riding days but we have had some great miracle powder days too.  When the snow is flying, I like to get in some aerobic work hiking up a mountain for a powder ski down.  When the weather is warmer a nice spin feels like a hint of spring and keeps the spirits up.

This most recent weekend, my sister and I skied powder on Saturday and the first junior ride (with another senior) of the year went off with a ride in glorious 50 degree weather up to Virginia City leaving from Bicycle Habitat.

When my sister and I were driving up Kingsbury to ski, we were reminded that Kingsbury was her first climb of any significant size.  She thought she could never do something like that, but with the right gearing and the right encouragement she made it up to the top and couldn't believe it.

That is one of my favorite parts of cycling: encouraging riders to do things they thought they could never do and helping them technically, physically and mentally get to the top.  So as we look to get more riding in as the weather warms so do the club activities ramp up and we see other riders on the road.  I again ask myself when I see others out there, why aren't they part of the Alta Alpina Cycling Club?

I often say to myself that if someone is on a bike, has a bike rack on the car, they should be part of the club.

Anyone who likes to ride bikes somewhat avidly should be part of a club that works to put on events and promote bike safety, bike routes and other bike advocacy agendas.  So if you know others that are on the fence about joining a club and especially our club if you live in our area you should encourage them to become part of an entity that is bigger than just riding a bike.  

We just finished the board meeting and 2010 looks to be exciting.  The Challenge on June 12 is gaining momentum and looks to be going off smoother and better attended this year.  It will be an event to remember as we grow in rider numbers and accommodation to meet the rider's needs in only a way that fellow riders can serve.

 The Pinenut Cracker on May 22 looks to be growing as part of the Nevada State Championship series and will have Nevada's first short track event on the same day.

 Tentatively it looks like the Gardnerville 100 will be May 30 over Memorial Day weekend.  I usually dread long rides, but I am super jazzed to get out for it this year.

 With the Tour of California going off in Nevada City on the 16th, the month of May could be our biggest month of the year, if not, a great month to get the legs going for the summer.