by Vanessa McCracken
Discount offer from Sunnyside Bicylces at the end of this post!
Vanessa is one of the owners of Sunnyside Bicycles in Fresno and Reedley. From time to time she will be doing a column for us with bicycle tips and the latest news from Sunnyside Bicycles. There is also a coupon at the end of this post for Sunnyside Bicycles, exclusive to KRL. You can learn more about Sunnyside Bicycles in an article right here in KRL.
Nothing celebrates living and cycling in the Central Valley like the Reedley Lions Club Blossom Bike Ride. A local tradition, the 27th Annual Blossom Bike Ride is coming up on March 5, and is a must-do ride for anyone living in the Valley. The event is a great kickoff to spring and is the perfect way to take in the gorgeousness of all of the blossoms around us. With a Family Fun Ride in addition to 20-mile, 40-mile, and 60-mile ride options, there is truly a distance for riders of all abilities and experience levels!
If you’ve never done an organized ride like this before, the Blossom Bike Ride is a fantastic first-time event. The Reedley Lions Club does an exceptional job of putting on the ride. There will be stops along the way where you can rest, grab a bite to eat, and refill your water bottle. There will be route markers to help you navigate. There will also be rider support vehicles on all of the routes to help with any emergency or mechanical issues. And the best part, of course, is that they feed you lunch after you’re done! Who doesn’t love free food?
Another awesome thing about the Blossom Bike Ride is that it really is an organized ride for any level. You don’t have to have a certain type of bike or wear spandex shorts in order to join the fun. In addition to the shorter Family Fun Ride, the 20-mile ride is a terrific option for beginners. If your bike has been hanging in the garage for a few years, be sure to air up the tires (the recommended pressure will be printed on the sidewall of the tire), and give it a little check-over before the event. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, bring it by our shop and we’ll be happy to air up your tires and check it over for free. Also, if it’s been a while since you’ve ridden your bike and you need a little refresher on how the gears and everything else works, any of us at Sunnyside Bicycles will always be happy to show you for free!
A few things you’ll want to have for the day of the ride (in addition to your bike, of course) are: a helmet, a water bottle and water bottle cage, a spare tube, tire levers, and an inflator of some sort. Even though there will be water at the rest stops, it’s nice to have a bottle on your bike in case you need it. (Bonus: a squirt from a water bottle to the face is an excellent dog deterrent.) Similarly, even if you have no idea how to change a flat, it’s always good practice to carry a flat repair kit so that someone who does know how can help you. And a helmet is mandatory on all organized rides to protect your noggin. 
If getting out and enjoying the beauty of the Blossom Trail up close and personal is not enough of a reason to come out and do the Blossom Bike Ride, consider doing it because it’s a big fundraiser for the Reedley Lions Club, an organization that has served the community for nearly 100 years. The Family Fun Ride is only $10, and the other rides are only $45 if you register today; prices go up $10 the day of the event. There is something special about being out on your bike with a big group of people, and even more so when you are surrounded by the beautiful blossoms that make our part of the world so special! I sincerely hope to see you out there!
*Mention this article to receive 20% off any in-stock helmet or flat repair kit before March 31, 2016!
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