 Bicycling the Metric Century in Northern California’s Calaveras County
If you’re contemplating the 70-mile Metric Century on Northern California’s popular spring bicycle event, Ride & Walk 4 Art, here are some things you should know about riding the route in Calaveras County. First of all, your number one priority should be to finish your bicycle ride in time to enjoy lunch. We’re planning a California barbecue with chicken-in-a-barrel, beans, salad and refreshments. We stop serving at 3 p.m. The average bicyclist speed is about 10 miles per hour. We’re in the California Foothills, and the Metric Century features some stiff hill climbs. An early start is best; we recommend starting by 7:30 a.m. It might be a bit cold but, if all goes as hoped, weather wise, you will warm up, especially climbing Paloma and Stoney Creek Roads. The Three Lakes and Six Hill Climbs are 70 miles of rolling California Foothills. There are two steep out-and-back hill climbs, one on Paloma Road and the other on Stoney Creek Roads. Paloma Road will take you about an hour to cycle, and Stoney Creek will take between 75 and 90 minutes. The rest of the ride is flat or rolling with a few short hill climbs. You can fuel up at two rest stops before riding back to Valley Springs and LUNCH! Hopefully, you won’t run into any trouble. But just in case, Ride & Walk 4 Art is monitored by an experienced road safety team, several support vehicles, radio communications on the entire route, and two Ride Ambassadors who will be riding the route. Bicycling in Northern California has never been safer!
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 Ride & Walk 4 Art in Calaveras County has a stellar safety record for Northern California bicycle events. How could we miss with ambassadors like Joni Bauer, the former ride director of the Pedaling Paths to Independence ride and Mark Schwartz, co-founder of California Alps Cycling and board member of the Mother Lode Bicycle Coalition (MLBC) . They’ll be on the road during the bicycle ride to support cyclists with encouragement, radio communications, and keeping an eye on your safety! We welcome Joni and Mark. Thank you so much for making bicycling fun and for supporting the Calaveras County Arts in Education program! The Seventh Annual Ride & Walk 4 Art on March 19, 2023 offers a variety of fun for everyone in West Calaveras County. This popular event, organized by the Calaveras County Arts Council and managed by the Mother Lode Bicycle Coalition, has three bicycle ride choices--30, 45, and 70 miles--or a 4.5 mile walk along New Hogan Lake. It finishes with a home-cooked lunch at the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District in Valley Springs. A fundraiser for the Arts Council’s Arts Education fund, Ride & Walk 4 Art has grown from a neighborhood event in its first years in San Andreas to a cross-country road ride. It starts and ends at the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District in Valley Springs. Ride director Rob Williams said the move to the Valley Springs site has been a great choice. “There is parking for over 200 cars. There are indoor bathrooms. And it starts and ends the ride at a safe neighborhood location.” Bicycling Routes The cycling routes are designed to offer cyclists a choice for their fitness level.Out-and-back rides branch from a central route; riders can add the mileage that is just right for their fitness level. Williams cautioned that riders should honestly assess their abilities. Some of the hill climbs are intense. For those who are less sure about pedaling up a hill, Pedego Electric Bikes Elk Grove are offering a 25% discount to participants who want to experience the ride on a pedal-assist bike. Contact Lisa or Dave at 916/829-2813 to rent an e-bike. Safe and secure One of the benefits of joining an organized ride is the safety that comes from a well-run ride. The event relies on volunteers to keep the wheels spinning. “The volunteers that manage the event have been together for 5 years,” Williams said. “The radio operators, the rest stop crew and the support crew all work together to make sure it’s a safe, fun ride.” “We’re really proud of our safety record, and of making sure cyclists feel comfortable on the road.” He emphasized that road safety control will be available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the event, and the American Legion Ambulance service will be on site. If you get stuck with a flat tire, or you just run out of air, volunteers with the Calaveras Amateur Radio Association are stationed at key points along the ride to call a sag wagon. Three local bike shops will provide mechanical assistance along the route: Mountain Pedaler Bicycles from Angels Camp, Bear Valley Bicycles from Arnold, and Jackson Bike and Board. All rest stops will be fully stocked. “I’d like to thank Moke Hill Nuts & Candies for leading off with a donation,” Williams said. He gave a nod to the volunteers who will be stationed at the rest stops. “They’ll take every health precaution to keep riders safe.” Take a walk If cycling isn’t your jam, you can enjoy a sedate walk along the Cameron Trail starting at the New Hogan Lake Over Look near the Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters. Hike as much of the 4.5-mile trail as you wish, then head over at noon to the veterans hall for lunch. Eat some lunch As she has for the last 6 years, Cynthia Pryzbyla will lead her team of volunteers as they serve a chicken-in-a-barrel lunch with “all the fixins” in the comfort of the veterans hall. Their volunteer service goes beyond this event. “The cooking crew has been together since the Cajun Fete,” Williams said, “so they’ve been together for close to 30 years. They are really experienced and do a great job with the chicken-in-a-barrel.” This year local vendor Cowabunga Ice Cream truck will be on hand to sell ice cream treats, Powerade frozen pops, and pickle pops. They pledged to donate a portion of their proceeds to the Arts in Education fund. Past participants say that this event is one of the nicest local bike-and-walk events, with plenty of volunteers and a friendly non-competitive community atmosphere. And the proceeds go to a worthy cause. Ride & Walk 4 Art Supports Arts in Education Ride & Walk 4 Art supports the Calaveras County Arts Council’s mission to support arts education in Calaveras public schools. Every year the fundraising event Ride & Walk 4 Art raises between $4000 and $6000 for the Arts in Education program. “The Calaveras Arts Council is committed to supporting the arts of every medium in our local schools,” said Executive Director Kathy Mazzaferro. “We are delighted to sponsor such programs as the Fine Arts Day in Jenny Lind, performances by "B Street" theater in San Andreas, as well as lessons with visiting artists in the classrooms.” But most importantly, this fundraiser provides resources for schools to help students make sense of their lives as they learn critical real-world skills like creative thinking, resilience, problem solving, and project management. “There are any number of studies that prove that the arts help students in everything from math to science, language and social skills,” Mazzaferro said. “And it's fun!” Just by having fun riding a bike, participants give the gift of art to Calaveras County students. That’s a pretty good time for all. To Register:https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=83918733 Contact information: Register at www.rideandwalk4art.com For more information: Rob Williams. mlbcrob@gmail.com 209/273-8009 Kathy Mazzaferro. goldrusharts18@gmail.com. 209/754-1774
 Photo by Susan Conner Ride & Walk 4 Art Bicycle & WalkMarch 19, 2023Cyclists and walkers will enjoy the rolling green hills and rural roads of West Calaveras County during the Calaveras County Arts Council’s Seventh Annual Ride & Walk 4 Art on March 19, 2023. With three bicycle ride choices—30, 45, and 70 miles—or a 4.5 mile walk along the shores of New Hogan Lake—there’s something for everybody. This year, organizer Rob Williams, chair of the Motherlode Bicycle Coalition, the organization that helps manage and coordinate the event, has freshened the popular fundraiser that supports the arts in Calaveras County schools. The biggest change is a new starting venue. The new site, the Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial Park in Valley Springs, offers many benefits. “It’s just a better site,” Williams said. “There is parking for over 200 cars. There are indoor bathrooms. And it starts and ends the ride at a safe neighborhood location. No one is crossing any highways to start the ride.” “I also like supporting the veterans center. It has really nice amenities and it’s a brand new facility.” Another change has been the addition of a Metric Plus Century Ride, 70 miles of hill climbs, downhill coasting, and heart-thumping views. “On a clear day you can see across the Central Valley, and into the High Sierra,” Williams said.  Photo by Susan Conner “But you don’t have to cycle all 70 miles,” he said. Designed to offer cyclists a choice for their fitness level, the Century revolves around the central 45-mile route, with two out-and-back rides along the way; take all four branch rides to make 70 miles, or add the mileage that is just right for you. Williams cautioned that riders should honestly assess their abilities. Some of the hill climbs are intense. If you get stuck on the ride with a flat tire, or you just run out of air yourself, volunteers with the Calaveras Amateur Radio Association are stationed at key points along the ride to call up a sag wagon. Two local bike shops will provide mechanical assistance along the route: Mountain Pedaler Bicycles from Angels Camp and Bear Valley Bicycles from Arnold. “We’re really proud of our safety record, and of making sure cyclists feel comfortable on the road,” Williams said, emphasizing that road safety control will be available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the event, and the American Legion Ambulance service will be on site. Williams was pleased to announce that after the last two years of Covid-precautions, all rest stops will be fully stocked, and barbecue will be served at the end of the ride. “I’d like to thank Moke Hill Nuts & Candies for leading off with a donation,” he said. He gave a nod to the volunteers who will be stationed at the rest stops. “They’ll take every health precaution to keep riders safe.”  Photo by Susan Conner If cycling isn’t your jam, you can enjoy a sedate walk along the Cameron Trail starting at the New Hogan Lake Over Look near the Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters. Hike as much of the 4.5-mile trail as you wish, then head over at noon to the veterans hall for lunch.
One of the most loved and welcome parts of the event is the chicken-in-a-barrel barbecue at the end of the ride. This year, Cynthia Przybyla will organize and cook the dinner with the help of volunteers Luis and Patty Luna. Thanks to a donation of Calaveras Barrel Blend Spice from the Spice Tin in Murphys, the chicken will be extra tasty. Past participants say that this event is the best local bike and walk event, with plenty of volunteers, a friendly non-competitive community atmosphere, and the proceeds go to a worthy cause. Ride & Walk 4 Art Supports Arts in Education Ride & Walk 4 Art supports the Calaveras County Arts Council’s mission to support arts education in Calaveras public schools. Every year the fundraising event Ride & Walk 4 Art raises between $4000 and $6000. Ride & Walk 4 Art helps pay for many things: art supplies for classes, visiting artists, school theater projects, art days at elementary schools. But most importantly, this fundraiser provides the resources for schools to help students make sense of their lives as they learn critical real-world skills like creative thinking, resilience, problem solving, and project management. Studies show that children with access to the arts fare better in school and in life. Just by having fun riding a bike, participants give the gift of art to Calaveras County students. That’s a pretty good time for all. Contact information: Register at www.rideandwalk4art.com For more information: Rob Williams mlbcrob@gmail.com 209/273-8009 Or Kathy Mazzaferro goldrusharts18@gmail.com 209/754-1774 |
Ride & Walk 4 Art March 20, 2022Join us for a fabulous ride with a down home vibe. Hill climbs, safety, barbecue and more! Archives
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For information about Ride & Walk4Art, contact Rob Williams, event organizer, at mlbcrob @ gmail.com
Our mission is to support, nourish, and awaken the arts in our community.
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The Calaveras County Arts Council is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation. Founded in 1981, our purpose is to coordinate excellence in the presenting and promotion of the visual and performing arts of all cultures for artists, residents and visitors. Our staff is comprised of an executive director, a consultant grant writer, and a part-time assistant under the direction of an 11-member volunteer Board of Directors. FIN 94-2779793
This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov
This activity is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov
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