Cycling Claremont: the Claremont Senior Bicycle Group...

First off, don't pay too much attention to the name, Claremont Senior Bicycle Group (CSBG), is kind of a misnomer. Put the idea of codgers wobbling along from your mind, in the first ten months of 2011, the groups' members have logged more than 70,000 miles. Besides that, they are technically not all seniors, ranging in age from 40 to 90. I have known of the CSBG for a number of years now, they are highly active. Honestly speaking, when I am riding the streets of Claremont, it is a rare day that I do not spot riders, sporting the club's familiar jersey, out and about. CSBG volunteers have also been instrumental in ensuring the success of various cycling-related functions which have taken place within the city - educational efforts such as Safe Routes to School, Bike to Work Day, Claremont Day of Champions, the Moving Planet Ride. Their volunteer efforts with the new monthly Cycle Claremont community rides will no doubt be welcome and necessary as well.  

The CSBG hosts regularly occurring rides on Mondays through Thursdays, and on Saturday, organized for riders of differing abilities. Check their webpage for the ride schedule and descriptions. Beside these daily rides, there are also special occasion rides, such as a New Year's Day ride to view the Rose Parade, and local events like this year's L'etape du California, and the yearly Tour de Foothills. All these different rides mean that there may be one for just about anyone; if you are a newer rider this may be a good way to learn some local ride routes in the company of experienced riders.

Bike to Work Day in Claremont...

Went a little out of my way on the ol' ride in to work this morning in order to stop by Claremont's historic depot where the Bike to Work Day pit stop was located. Organized and funded by the City and Metro; the Claremont Senior Bicycle Group (very active club, I see them riding around all the time) were actively hosting, greeting everyone who pulled up. Morning commuters could partake of the usual breakfast treats, coffee, or pick up some packages of Gu and Mojo Bars. Metro was there, and at their tent you could pick up the Metro county bike map, or handy pocket guide. Little patch kits were also available.

I ended up hanging out for about a half hour, much longer than I had planned. Some familiar faces rolled in, or were already there, but I also met some new folks. Usual talk about bikes, routes, commuting, infrastructure plans, etc. Glad I made the morning detour. Eventually all good things must end, and I could hear work calling me from the office, and I had to say goodbye. As I rode away I glanced along the side streets and noticed more people riding in to take my place. I expect the rest of the morning continued along those same lines, with riders coming and going, grabbing a quick coffee or bite to eat, chatting a bit, and then continuing their own commutes.