Rough Draft

September 2026

The August birthday ride from Oak Flats to Buck Rock. 

Prez Sez – September 2026 

Greetings members of this great bicycling club we call the Fresno Cycling Club still going strong in our 64th year. Here we are a little past halfway through 2026, and we have had an outstanding year of bicycling thus far. There is still a lot more to come. Just keep riding. 

Over 30 cyclists from the Southern Sierra Cyclists and Fresno Cycling Club enjoyed California's Central Coast with it's dramatic ocean views, rolling hills, and a bit of climbing in the 2026 edition of Climb the Coast. Both days had amazing cool coastal weather with mild ocean breezes. The supported rides featured challenging terrain along with friendly volunteers, SAG, and plenty of good food at the aid stations.  Day one ride ended with old and new cycling friends sharing beverages and food at Central Coast Brewing.  Day two ride started in Cambria and was full of stunning coastal stretches featuring wide shoulders in many areas, sea lions, the lighthouse, dramatic cliffs at Ragged Point, and ocean panoramas along the way.  Hopefully we will have more of you join us at the coast next August!

Thank you for your continued support, your enthusiasm, and your dedication to safe cycling. I look forward to seeing many of you out on the road, on the gravel or on the dirt. Ride with purpose, ride with pride, and enjoy every mile. Ride SAFE and Ride Legal!

That’s all for now,

The Prez

Dennis Ball

VACANT BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITIONS

  1. Rough Draft - newsletter creator
  2. Sponsorship coordinator
  3. Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century coordinator
  4. Climb to Kaiser coordinator 
  5. Event Volunteer Coordinator

21st Annual Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century & Century

This year's event will be on Saturday October 10, 2026. Check-in is on Friday from 4 - 8 pm and on Saturday morning it opens at 3:30 am at the Homewood Suites on Gettysburg east of Clovis Ave.

https://fresnocycling.com/event-6709005

September 19th Birthday Ride

https://fresnocycling.com/event-6823836

Retiring Bicyclist

I'm posting this with a heavy heart.

As much as I love the mountains and everything that comes with riding in them...this is taking up too much of my time.

I am struggling to keep up with the everyday basics of cleaning and cooking and maintaining my home, so something has to give. I have decided to get rid of my gear.

Below is a list of what's available. Serious inquiries only, and please don't insult me with low offers. It’s all branded, top gear

Thanks for reading and understanding...

1. Vacuum cleaner

2. Dustpan and brush

3. Mop and bucket

4. Lawn Mower

5. Oven

6. Laundry detergent

7. Cooking utensils

8. Broom


BASS LAKE POWERHOUSE CENTURY & DOUBLE CENTURY

On Saturday Oct 10, 2026, the Fresno Cycling Club is excited to host the 21st Annual Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century (BLPDC). New this year we are introducing the Bass Lake Century for century riders. The Century will follow the first hundred mile loop around Bass Lake. 

Our club is renowned for organizing exceptional cycling events for endurance enthusiasts. We welcome endurance cyclists from around the globe to experience the breathtaking beauty of California's Western Sierra Nevada Mountain range and the Central Valley foothills. This demanding course features 10,615 feet of elevation gain over 203 miles. The Century ride will be 109 miles with 7,091 feet of elevation gain. Participants will enjoy comprehensive SAG support and well-stocked aid stations at regular intervals. Additionally, a delicious meal will be provided after the ride.

https://fresnocycling.com/event-6709005

CENTRAL VALLEY - FCC BICYCLING HISTORICAL MUSEUM by Mark Perkins

I have a very special project in mind, which will require a few people with some special talents & or skills.  I would like to create a special committee which would have a goal of creating a place where the cycling history of the Fresno area, and of the Central San Joaquin Valley, can be preserved, and shared with everyone.

Some of you know me, but I'm sure that many of you don't.  I am the Fresno Cycling Club's longest continuous member - I joined in 1973, but I began riding on club rides in '72.  (Incidentally, FATE brought me to Fresno in January of 1972 - another story.)  I am also a Lifetime Member, and the club's originally appointed Club Historian - you may call me the Ex-Historian if you like.  I was appointed Historian (sometime in the late-80's or early-90's) by Past-President Bill Bruce because he found out that I had saved almost all of my club newsletters (at the time) in 3, 3" thick 3-ring binders (Now 4, 3" thick and 1, 1" thick binders).  But what Bill didn't know about was all of the other stuff that goes with the 53-year membership of a guy who doesn't throw anything related to his cycling history away.  And once I had that title, people began giving me even more club memorabilia, including even a bicycle which once belonged to one of the club's first-year members - in pristine original condition.  And that bike came with its original owner's helmet, shoes, membership card, and more of his personal possessions.  I now own several bicycles which were originally owned by FCC members.

On my own, if I could afford to do it, I believe that I can fill a fairly large space with the cycling memorabilia that I have accumulated over the years.  I also have a few very important cycling events in mind which were or are connected to Fresno history, and even a few famous people whom you probably didn't know cycled in the Fresno area, like Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey.  Plus, the breaking of the Transcontinental Cycling Record in 1961 by a young man whom I believe was a Fresno State student, Jerry Hornig, and his support crew of Vic Black and his brother in a Ford station wagon.  An event which led to the formation of the Fresno Cycling Club in February of 1962.  There are also many other cycling stories, some which I know, and others still to be gleaned from the Public Library's microfilm files.  And of course we could not leave William Saroyan out.  And did you know that there was once a bicycle club called The Sun-Maid Wheelmen Bicycle Club, of Fresno?

There are many other ideas going around in my head as well.  If we create this, others will come and donate more.  They already have been, but we must create a place where these bits of history can be properly preserved for many future generations to enjoy.  I have personally witnessed this through my connections with the Marin Museum of Bicycling/Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in Fairfax, CA, and the U. S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in Davis, CA. - how they have both grown since their beginnings.  I am now 76, and I don't want these things to get into the hands of people who don't have a clue what they're all about when I pass away, and my immediate family members don't have much of a clue about any of this.

California State Parks is seeking community input in a new survey that will help shape the future of three new state parks coming to the Central Valley: Feather River Park in Yuba County, San Joaquin River Parkway in Fresno and Madera counties, and Dust Bowl Camp in Kern County. 

You can take the State Parks Forward visioning survey online. It will remain open until Sept. 4, 2026. Share your thoughts and ideas about:

  • What would make these park properties most valuable to you.
  • Preferred recreational activities or programs at the future state park.
  • Your vision for the future of these parks.

The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete and can be focused on a specific park or all three. There will also be opportunities to provide feedback in person at community events announced later this summer. Whether online or in person, your feedback will help inform future engagement and planning. Following this engagement process, State Parks will submit a visioning report to Governor Newsom outlining key recommendations and next steps.

Learn more about the three new state parks, take the survey and sign up to receive the latest updates from the State Parks Forward website.

Mark Perkins – Author of the Fresno Uphill Climb to Kaiser

Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the legendary Climb to Kaiser which will be on Saturday June 26th, 2027. Suzanne Schwarzwaelder Lock, the woman who created this great event and past historian Mark Perkins will hopefully be able to attend this momentous occasion. Mark Perkins and Suzanne both rode the original ride as a training ride for another event. It was such a great challenging ride that they decided to make it an official event of the Fresno Cycling Club.

Although it will be the 50th anniversary of the event, 2027 will only be the 48th edition. In 2020 we were unable to hold the event due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and in 2023 we didn't have the Climb to Kaiser, only the Tollhouse Century and Metric Century due to the huge snow pack that made it impossible to clear the Kaiser pass until the first part of July. 

Mark's book tells the story of the first 38 years of the C2K. If you finished the ride during that time then your name is in the book. It is filled with lots of information about the challenges of the ride over the years. You can purchase the book directly from Mark as described below.

The price through me is more than $25.00 less than if you buy one online. I have set it at only $55.95 plus my local sales tax which brings it up to exactly $60.00. That's just 3 $20 bills. An easy number to remember. One friend bought one online right after it was published, and it cost him $86.33, which is why I set the price if you purchase a copy through myself or Suzanne at $55.95 plus tax.

I hope to see you there.

Mark

PS Mark Perkins was the creator of the Tandem Penny Farthing Bicycles logo used for the Rough Draft which he also thought of the name.

LOOKING FOR FCC RIDES??

The following is a list of FCC ride groups and locations to find FCC Rides.

Facebook

FB Messenger

Fresno Mountain Riders - contact Steve Grusis 

EMAIL

FCC Website

Rides and Events listings

  • https://roll.ooo/welcome

Contact Ride Coordinator Glenn Medina to post your ride on the Calendar.

Club Ride Calendar Events for September

   For the Latest Information on the daily, weekly, and event rides for Fresno Cycling Club, please be sure to check out the Ride Calendar!! 

  • Sunday Gravel Explorers – Sundays at 8:30 am. Meet at The Bike Shop  Sycamore Island gravel adventures for beginning & intermediate riders looking to expand their skills. Check the Ride Calendar for details.
  • September Birthday Ride – Saturday Sept 19thth : Celebrate our Sept birthdays with a special ride. Join us for a fun and festive gathering on the road! Register here:  https://fresnocycling.com/event-6823836
FCC Ride Calendar

Our Mission and Commitment

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Fresno Cycling Club remains committed to promoting safe and legal bicycling for recreation and transportation throughout the Central Valley. Each mile we ride—whether alone, with a small group, or in a large event—helps shape a culture of responsible cycling. We are ambassadors for the sport, and our actions on the road reflect the values we share as a community. That is why we focus on riding legal and riding safe. As a 501(c) (3) we can cheerfully accept deductible donations to the support of our mission.

FCC BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, September 2, 2026  

6:30 PM

Me N Eds Victory Grill

4010 N Cedar Ave

Members are welcome to attend

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Your Membership Renewal Date:

{Member_Upcoming_Renewal_Date}

Thank You to Our Great Volunteers     

     Our events thrive because of the people who give their time, energy, and heart. Whether you led a ride, staffed a rest stop, drove SAG, or helped with logistics, you made 2025 a standout year. Thank you for everything you do.

To help recruit our needed volunteers for our 2026 events the following link allows you to sign up to volunteer.

https://fresnocycling.com/event-6583982

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