The Santa Cruz County Cycling Club has added a new ride on Sundays to encourage new riders. The D ride is intended for those who have some bike skills but lack the stamina needed for the more strenuous A, B, and C club rides.
These rides take place in South County as well as Mid County and North County.
Riding in the redwoods • Courtesy of Cindy Pierce
“One of our starting locations is Aptos Village next to Penny Ice Creamery, in the plaza,” said Kathleen Ferraro, a member. “We also have rides meeting at the Capitola Community Center on Jade Street as well as a few spots in Watsonville. Our website gives the start for each ride. We do our best to move it around so all our riders don’t always have to travel far.”
Rides are typically between 10-15 miles and 1,000’ or less of elevation gain. Average pace is generally 8-10 mph on the flats. There will be regroup and food/beverage stops.
The D group is no-drop. This is a ride where no one gets left behind should a rider not be able to hold the pace or if they have a mechanical or flat tire. These are great rides to start with as they are more conducive to learning how to safely ride in a group.
However, all riders must always plan to be self-sufficient.
You do not need to be a club member to join a ride.
A recent club ride • Photo Credit: Kathleen Ferraro
With the arrival of spring, and sunny weather, the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club offers various rides for cyclists that start around the county and include ride distances of 25 – 50 miles with elevation gain.
The Santa Cruz County Cycling Club encourage healthy lifestyles through education, friendship, teamwork and fun.
Ride coordinators Paula Bradley, Ron Wolf and Mike Hale, and rides director Toby Ferguson, who has entered all the rides in the Ride With GPS app online at www.santacruzcycling.org, were chosen the Members of the Year for 2023.
The organization raises money via the Santa Cruz Mountains Challenge, which was very successful last year, but no one has stepped forward to direct it this year, according to the new club president Maura Noel.
The club membership fee has been raised to $40 a year, and a new member ride is planned for Sunday, April 28, at Pinto Lake Park with a cookout. For details, email Alex Gilbert at a12gilbert@gmail.com.
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To learn more and how you can join a ride or become a member visit https://scccc.clubexpress.com