This past weekend marked the 3rd year of the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay – Ride Like a Girl program. Karen Lynaugh, Director of the Women’s Program, has done a phenomenal job this past 3 years organizing and planning fun ride routes, leading rides, and working with the beginner group on basic skills and trail etiquette. She is one of the main reasons there is a thriving community of women riders in the bay area. Although the BTCEB is based in the East Bay, the community of female riders has expanded to include regulars that hail from San Francisco and Marin as well. I salute her and am grateful for everything she has done for the mountain biking community. Having spent some time away where I was met with a much colder reception, what she has created here is something truly special.
Karen selected Annadel State Park as the destination for the celebration ride. Located in Santa Rosa, Annadel offers a mixture of fun, fast and flowy single track with areas of rocky, technical terrain that keeps you on your toes. The single track is rated intermediate and is one of my top five favorite places to ride in the North Bay.
What we didn’t expect that day was a massive heat wave. At one point, my thermometer read 95 degrees. Thank goodness for Lake Ilsanjo! (a man-made lake in Annadel State Park for fishing and swimming) We ended up cutting our ride 7 miles short and went for a dip to cool off instead. What a fun ride and day!
For more information on the Ride Like a Girl program, click here.
