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| Cycling Through |
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| Written by Marc Aceves | Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 18 June 2008 | |
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Cyclists enjoy countryside in Canyon Classic Century ride  Pedal to the metal: A trio of cyclists pedals up Del Puerto Canyon Road on Saturday during the annual Canyon Classic Century event, hosted by Modesto North Rotary Club. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator “It’s good for Daddy to go fast!” Ryan exclaimed while propped up on a metal fence for the start of the 19th annual Canyon Classic Century ride. This year’s event began in Patterson on Saturday. The ride is a Modesto North Rotary Club charity event, with all proceeds benefiting the Parent Resource Center (a child abuse prevention program) and the Boys and Girl Scouts of Stanislaus County. “The turnout was a bit higher than in previous years,” event organizer Louis Levin said. Levin estimated that more than 400 people took part in the event that featured four separate rides: a 25-mile recreational trip through the valley floor and north to Grayson; a moderately strenuous 64-mile journey, traveling up to Del Puerto Canyon and descending through Diablo Grande Golf Course; a challenging 102-mile trek through four counties, beginning with a Corral Hollow climb and eventually returning to Patterson; and a grueling 89-mile climb up Mount Hamilton to the historic Lick Observatory. A bright, seasonably warm day, with temperatures reaching the lower 90s, brought out cyclists of all ages and abilities. Experienced cyclists enjoyed the hilly countryside, about which one rider commented, “It was an excellent and challenging route — light traffic, beautiful scenery. Well done!” The most frequently heard comment was simply, “The ride was great.” With rest areas staffed by volunteers providing cool water, Gatorade, fruit and homemade cookies, riders could enjoy themselves without worry.  Down time: Merced’s Wayne Roberts (center) helps cycling partner Phil Zellmer of Turlock repair a flat tire as other cyclists zoom by along Del Puerto Canyon Road west of Patterson on Saturday. Roberts and Zellmer were on their way back from Frank Raines Regional Park en route to Diablo Grande along the Metric Century ride. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator “We are having a blast,” she said. “It’s fantastic, because it’s a family event. It’s designed for fitness. It’s not a race — it’s a ride for everybody to have fun and everybody to feel at the top of their game.” The riders’ faces lit up and seemingly found new vigor as the cheering squad at the bottom of the last climb gave them an extra boost to the top. Sandra Evans, a cyclist herself, said the goal of the event is to make the Canyon Classic Century ride something people want to make a part of their lives every year. “We have a lot of riders tell us it’s the best-supported ride they have ever been in, and, of course, what you see at the rest stops is the tip of the iceberg,” Evans said. “We do want them to feel great about the experience, and we want them to come back.” Cyclists and their families were treated to a post-ride meal. “You can drive here in the morning, have a fun ride, start and finish in the early part of the day, have some good food and a hot shower, and then you go home,” cyclist Henry Cohen said. “It’s quite a nice day, I guess.” To reach Marc Aceves at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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