Cycling siestas grow in popularity

About two dozen cyclists assembled in the parking lot of the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center at mid-day Feb. 2. They were split into three ability-level groups and, after a few brief instructions from the ride leaders, pedaled out onto the roadways.
The monthly lunch-time ride—coordinated by employees from Specialized Bicycle Components, Concept Cyclery and the City of Morgan Hill—has steadily grown in numbers since its inaugural run in Oct. 2014.
“I like the idea of getting different people together from different backgrounds and just encouraging people to get out and ride,” said Lisa Aragon, a local resident since 1983 and an executive assistant at Morgan Hill-based Anritsu.
Along with these organized rides, Morgan Hill is finding new ways to support its burgeoning cycling community with initiatives such as the downtown “complete streets” lane reduction project, which will use one of the current auto lanes each way solely for bikers.
Specialized, one of the foremost leaders in the cycling industry, is promoting the pedal as well, sponsoring Bicycling magazine’s second annual Spring Classic in May, an event that last year brought riders from all over northern California and helped promote the 420,000-circulation publication.
Aragon, a San Jose State alumna, described herself as a casual rider who tries to get out on her cycle as much as her busy schedule allows. She hasn’t missed a group ride yet and has even encouraged two co-workers and another friend to join her.
“This is getting me out more than I have in a long time,” said Aragon, who rode out with the casual group Feb. 2 that headed north up Depot Street and east on Main Avenue en route to the Coyote Creek Trail and Bike Path for about a 7-mile loop.
In contrast, avid cyclist John Stover, 72, of Morgan Hill, a self-employed businessman, rides on average more than 60 miles per week and likes the lunchtime group ride designed for more experienced riders.
“I usually ride alone just because there’s less to be careful about,” said Stover, who enjoys the challenge of the 10-15 mile loop completed by the faster groups that regularly head out to the scenic west side of town on Llagas Road and Oak Glen Avenue. “I thought it would be nice to get out with other cyclists in the community from all walks of life.”
Riders such as Aragon and Stover—and all skill levels in between—are precisely who lunchtime ride organizer Lucy August-Perna, the Advocacy Manager at Specialized, hoped to attract with these monthly routes.
“We’ve had lunchtime rides here (at Specialized) forever,” said August-Perna, who devised these citywide rides with Community Services Supervisor Jennie Tucker to bring out all types of community members. “This is an opportunity for us to get to know the community, too.”
August-Perna said the goals of the monthly ride program—led by experienced riders—is to engage residents, encourage them to come out and ride, and do it all within the time constraints of their particular lunch breaks.
“They can ride as long as they can and then go back to work,” said August-Perna, who led out the more experienced group of cyclists Feb. 2 to the rural roads on the west side. “Look at this place, it’s just stunning. The roads are perfect for riding.”
Anyone interested in heading out for the next ride—scheduled for 12:15 p.m. March 2 at the CCC (17000 Monterey Road)—can register through the “City of Morgan Hill – Engage” Facebook page by clicking on Let’s Ride! Lunch Time Bike Ride!, or they can simply show up and sign the waiver form.
“It’s for anyone who wants to ride,” said Tucker, who sets up a pop-up tent in the CCC parking lot offering participants water bottles and snack bars before they pedal off. “The nice thing is it’s been new people coming out every month. We try to get some city employees out there riding as well. We just keep spreading the word.”
When 54-year-old San Martin resident Denise Tuminaro caught word of the monthly rides, the avid cyclist decided to not only participate but also help lead a group out on the roadways as a representative for Concept Cyclery.
“I ride almost every day, weather permitting and work permitting,” said the owner of Sew Original in San Martin who logs between 140-200 miles on her bike each week. “I’ve been riding all my life, but I just got back into it once my kids left the house.”
Before each group cycled off Feb. 2, a group leader from Specialized explained to them that as cyclists they must obey all the rules of the road just like motorists; ride in a single file through the busier areas and no more than two abreast in the more open terrain; and warn others in the group of debris on the road or any potholes.
“They’re very knowledgeable and helpful at giving advice (to the less experienced riders),” Tuminaro added. “It’s just a great camaraderie among riders. It’s a nice group. I’m quite impressed with it.”
Riders are also apprised of the new state law, which went into effect Sept. 16, 2014, calling for motorists to give at least 3 feet of space when passing a bicyclist on the roadways.
“For the most part, Morgan Hill has been doing it,” said August-Perna of local motorists abiding by the new law. “Both parties (cyclists and motorists) need to be informed….We are all stewards of the road.”
Along with the monthly lunchtime rides, the city is continuously working to make Morgan Hill a more bike-friendly community. The lane reduction pilot test, which runs through July, will convert the right lane on each side of Monterey Road to a buffered bicycle lane from Main to Dunne avenues, leaving only the left lane reserved for vehicles. Proponents think the downtown would benefit as a friendlier, safer area for visitors, diners and shoppers if vehicle traffic is slowed down and the streets are safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Specialized, which was founded in 1974 by Mike Sinyard and is headquartered on Concord Circle in Morgan Hill, is one again the starting and finishing lines for the Bicycling Spring Classic, in partnership with Bicycling magazine. The event organizers have been working directly with the City of Morgan Hill and the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance to create a safe and community-friendly environment that attracts riders and families from across the country, according to the Feb. 3 press release. Last year, approximately 700 riders participated in the 90-mile, 60-mile or 25-mile rides through Morgan Hill. For more information on the event, visit bicyclingspringclassic.com.
What: Let’s Ride! Lunch Time Bike Ride!
Where: Community & Cultural Center
When: First Monday of every month at 12:15 p.m.
Who: Led by experienced cyclists from Specialized and Concept Cyclery, cyclists of all abilities are welcome to join one of three free group rides during their lunch break.
More information: Email the organizers at

lu***************@sp*********.com











or

je***********@mo********.gov











.