Mon 3 May 2010
May is finally here! In just two weeks Big Bear Lake hosts America’s greatest bicycle race, the Amgen Tour of California. As an avid cyclist it’s exciting to have such a huge event come to my home town. Its fun for me to see the way the community has embraced not only the race, but cycling in general.
On Saturday the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Big Bear Valley Trails Foundation hosted its first of three community bike rides. More than 40 riders ranging in ages from 7 to 75 showed up to cruise the neighborhoods of Big Bear Lake.
The ride was free to participate, and everyone got a free Ride Big Bear t-shirt. Heck, even Mayor Liz Harris made it out to the ride on a borrowed bike, thanks to Derek at Bear Valley Bikes. Mayor Harris enjoyed herself so much, she asked me how much the bike cost before we returned from our short, but fun loop around Eagle Point!
Special thanks to Phil Hamilton and Angela Meyers for hosting such a fun morning cruise and “spreading the love” of cycling in Big Bear Lake. If you ride any kind of bicycle come join us for one or both of the next two community rides on the 8th and the 15th. If you would like more information, or to view photos of last Saturday’s ride log onto www.bigbeartrails.com.
Spreading the love one pedal at a time, rev
May 4th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Big Bear is like the Shangri-La of L.A. — any excuse to come up to paradise and I’m there. Tell everyone you know to drag their bikes up there for an awesome ide around the lake — and while they’re at it, to buy my book!!! I’m the author of “Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100,” and in between rides this Saturday, May 8, i’m giving a couple of quick talks on how to stay bike-fit when you’re 40, 50, 60, 70 even 100 years old. Yeah, that’s right 100 — because 50 years from now, when I’m in triple digits, I can’t think of anything better than iding my bike around Big Bear Lake!
And guess what, if you’re reading this, you’re coming with me! See you this Saturday.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Hey - those are my girls! Go Toni, Go Angela! Yeah, some great momentum in Big Bear these days. I was surprised at the turn out at the community ride — shows you the depth support for the Amgen TOC and cycling in general in town. Look forward to catching up with you too, Roy, this weekend!
May 4th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
This is great to have the community of Big Bear finding the sport of cycling. Cycling is contagious and the new riders finding a love for the sport inspires the older rider to ride again and help the new cyclists. I can not say enough great things about cycling and a active life style. It has given me eveything I have by doing something I love. Hope it can do the same for you.
Derek Hermon
Owner Bear Valley Bike/ Pro cyclists / lover of the sport.
USA Cycling trustee
May 4th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Lookin’ good, Angela and Toni! Bike “season” is certainly here, after a long and precipitous winter. Some people we know (Rev)never considered it NOT bike season, and biked in the snow back and forth from work at Mountain Fitness Center ! I am ready to ride and looking forward to the next Conquer the Bear challenge… the mountain bike event. Heading out with Tina Follett in the morning for a first class butt kicking. Let’s go Dirty Girls!
May 5th, 2010 at 6:04 am
Wow, what a great time we had. Terrific turn out and great energy all around. The weather is great so there no excuse not to come out and join in the fun.
The ride around the lake sounds great! I’m in.
Come one, come all. Let’s get out and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us!
May 5th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
What a great day the community ride was! Friends and family of all ages came together, people were talking and joking throughout the ride. I dont think I saw one frown! I hope we double our attendance on May 8th, and 15th! Big props to the Talbot family who came out, and loved the ride so much, they rode again on Sunday!
May 5th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Great to see the excitement up there at 7000+ now that spring has sprung… and so nice to see friends joining up & supporting each other too! Dirty girls hmmm… sounds familiar. Go girls! Miss it up there, but been riding nearly every day since being down the mtn., even made it up with a new flatland friend to share a ride around the lake the other day…fun!!! beautiful!!