Central California Off-Road Cyclists

Well hello again cycling peeps of the valley.

May is going to be a busy month for all things bike. Of course we start off with National Bike month. This is the time to get the bike ready for the trails, pavement, or both. We have plenty of great local bike shops to help get you tuned and ready. Whether you’re in Madera and go see Bill at Madera Bike Shop or in town and can visit Ben at Rubber Soul, John at Steven’s, or the crews at Sunnyside Bike shop, Tri-Sport, or the other great shops that support local cycling. And then there is Bike to Work Day! Many local riders will join the movement and take part in this annual event. And finally, I hope you read the article in the Fresno Bee explaining how Fresno is becoming more bike friendly. This is true, but please always use caution because there are still aggressive drivers that can get a bit too close to us. Share the roads and be safe!
Also, there is an opportunity for CCORC members and friends to get involved in a search and rescue type of riding in the local mountains. This is in the working stages so not many details are available yet. I’ll post more when I have information about it.

There will also be a new addition to the Project 321 family!! We wish them our best and are very happy for them. I think Jake has already built a Lefty Tricycle.

There is also the downhill series that is on going so check that out if you can. JP and many others have done a lot of work to try and create another fun local event. Show them support and head out there if you can.

Well that’s all for this month. And welcome back Marvin. We know Fresno doesn’t have that Red Light appeal that Amsterdam has, but glad you made it home safe.

Until Soon….Mark

If I hurry, I'll make the CCORC meeting!

April, not just for fools!
Well what a crazy spring we are having in the central valley. We ended March with a crazy Big Sandy Race. There was snow, hail, and even sun. Roads were closed and riders were boarderline crazy and tough! Men and women enjoyed one of the most memoriable races in years. Everyone seemed to have a great time. Tioga-Sequoia helped sponsor this race and Chris DuBurg seemed to give everyone the good time they were looking for. It wasn’t a CCORC event, but there were still plenty of CCORC members out there supporting local races and enjoying local brew. I know I did!!!

April started with Keysville and from what I hear, it was a great time. Plenty of racing and some chaos called Ozzfest were guaranteed to make everyone enjoy the weekend. And when Ozzy is on the bull horn asking people, “who wants to see me naked,” you know the fun is over the top!

The crazy part is the weather is still torn between the blossoms of spring and the chill of winter. There have been weeks that you need shorts and sandles as well as pants and hoodies. They all will work on a bike so make sure you dress accordingly and enjoy what is offered by mother nature.

Also, everyone needs to get ready for the countries favorite otter. Sea Otter baby! If you haven’t gone, then you just don’t know. Trust us, you should know….

I am finally taking in my bike to get an overhaul and then I will try and ride as often as I can. By the size of my waistline, it’s just a bit overdue. But I will have bitchin’ before and after pics. Oh yes I will.

So enjoy your bike, support local bike shops, really enjoy local brews, and without a doubt, make sure you enjoy the best local mtb club ever. CCORC.ORG is your place for all things bike.

Don’t forget our monthly meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month. Check for postings regardling location.

So live life to the fullest, not Whitney Houston style, but within reason, and get out there and lead or join a ride. You’ll be glad you did.

Until Soon……Mark

Even frogs love CCORC!

Well month three of 2012 is here. And after much delay, so is this article. It’s hard to believe that the year is already moving along so fast. What’s even more unreal is the lack of snow that has fallen in the hills. While that is not good news for the snow lovers, it will make for an amazing spring of riding. The snow levels are not very promising right now and that means the trails will be ready to go soon. Make sure you keep your eyes on the CCORC.org page and the CCORC facebook page for ride details and updates.

One thing that is also coming up this month is the Big Sandy Race. The race will take riders along the SJRT and over the bridge that a number of CCORC members worked hard on to make a reality. It really is a great addition that came from hours of hard work and commitment from many members. Thanks again to all of those members for your work.

Make sure you also attend this months meeting. There should be some trail maintenance updates and other things, like beer drinking, to make it worth your time. Also it’s time for membership renewal and updates to changes in address, numbers, and other things to ensure the delivery of the best mtb source of info ever! If you don’t think so, then ask Marvin. He will tell you the same thing.

Well enjoy this early spring weather and be safe and enjoy the rides.

Until Soon…Mark

Got Cx? Miss Cx? Ready to get your Cx on? Find the idea of riding your Cx in a Gravel Grinder intriguing, but don’t want to get in over your head?
Then join Bagger Himes & CCORC for an Introductory Cx Gravel Grinder ride. Leaving out of Friant and riding to the community of Hildreth and topping out at Spring Valley School!

• Meeting Place: Friant, Park and Ride (across from the Shell Station)
• Date: Saturday, March 24th
• Departure Time: 8:30am
• Details: 30mi approximately, a few steep climbs but short climbs, dirt and paved roads
• Post Ride: Pizza & Beer following the ride at the Friant Pizza Parlor?
• Questions? Contact Bagger Himes at daniel_himes@hotmail.com or on Facebook

Show some love for the bike!

It's all in the recovery!

February Again

Hello again, no not the line from Lionel Ritchie’s hit single, although it wasn’t bad, I mean hello again from the President’s Desk. AKA the computer desk in my room.

In case you had your head in the sand, CCORC just had a wonderful After Christmas-Christmas Party. It was a lot of fun. Always a good time to see so many cycling faces in a nice social setting. There was pleanty to drink thanks to Tioga-Sequoia and we did have some food. And wine, and more wine, and other things to drink, but there was enough food to keep things going. Thanks to the Licorice Pimpz for bringing the funk, and also DJ Speedo for bringing the tunes. And NOT bringing his speedo! Although we hear it’s fabulous. Thank you all for helping CCORC celebrate the friendships that are built on the trails. We were all happy to see you.

Now that the weather is, or was, getting cold there are a few upcoming rides that you should join. Rob is leading the Moonshine Ride on February 17th. It’s sure to be a fun, take a sip, keep walking or I’ll cut ya’ kind of ride. If you don’t get the last part then you obviously missed the last meeting. It was funny though, trust me.

Next is the, I don’t want to be like Bart and have everyone say I don’t have a bike ride at Hensley Lake. I will be the first to admit that I need to get back on the trail so I am leading this Hensley ride. I will be leading a slow pace, due to the fact that I only have a slow pace, and I’m sure others will break off in another group that wants to pick up the speed. All are welcome so come out and enjoy the Buck Ridge trail. Meet at the trail head at 9:30.

Also you can check your local calendar for various cycling events in the near future. I know the Foothill Classic and Big Sandy are coming up. As well as Keysville where you’re sure to see G-Lock in action. Not that kind of action JM, but maybe? It is a long weekend.

Anyway, enjoy this winter spring weather we are having, nice oxymoron there, and hit the trails while you can. I know I need to. Remember CCORC.org and the CCORC facebook page are the places to go to find rides, info, and cool President articles. At least I think so.

Join CCORC and become part of the group that helps maintain local riding trails and puts on great parties. We even have a guy who makes his own booze! Oh Snap!

Until Soon…..Mark

Well the year is in full swing and it’s hard to believe that another year is gone. CCORC and their friends opened the year with the annual Buck Naked Ride. Pictures posted showed a great turnout for a fun day of riding. With cross season in the books and the weather still being nice, you can still hit up some trails in the hills because they are not yet covered in snow. Take advantage while you can. I know Bagger Himes has been doing just that and if you joined him then you had a great view of many trails and paths that don’t get used thath often by the normal rider. Others also enjoyed 007 recently and said you can still get high up the hill because there was no snow.

Another great thing this month will be the annual CCORC Christmas Party. Jeanette and I will again host this great event and with The Licorice Pimpz, and DJ Speedo, aka J Moneyshot Marquez, it promises to be one for the ages. An announcement will soon go out with more info.

With the weather being nice it’s the perfect time to enjoy your bike because we all know the rain is on its way soon.

With that, hope you all enjoyed a safe holiday season and we’ll see you on the trail.

Until Soon….Mark

Monday, Jan 2nd. Meeting at Starbucks, Fowler & Herndon, 9am. Attempting to do a loop ride starting on the Fresno county side in the Italian Bar area, riding up canyon on the famous Million Dollar Road to Power House No. 8. Then returning on the Madera county side down the old French Camp trail back to Italian Bar. Will be riding Cx bikes, but Mtb’s welcome. For more info call Bagger Himes @ 443-9284

Well this is just a quick note to say thanks for another great year on the trails.

A lot of good things were accomplished this year and we would like to thank all of those who helped in one way or another. It’s because of your commitment to riding that makes so many of these things stay local and stay fun.

We are having our annual CCORC Christmas party on January 21st. This will allow more time for people to focus on family during the holiday and also will give others a chance to attend the holiday party. We will post up more info on the site right after the New Year so look for updates soon.

Also we have our annual Buck Naked ride to start out the new year with a fun group ride out at Hensley Lake. Again, more info will be posted about this soon.

I hope this year has brought many positives for you and your loved ones, and has given you more to smile about than worry about. The one great thing is that the friends we all share really do so much more for us than just give us someone to ride with. It gives us all friends to share our lives with. And for that, I want to thank all of you!

We couldn’t have done it without your help!

Cheers and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Until Soon…..Mark

Don’t forget our club meeting tonight at Sequoia in the tower. 7pm

Was there going to be a meeting tomorrow? Please respond