I’m so pleased to see all of the attention that bicycle month and next week’s being bike-to-work week are getting in Shasta County. There are organized rides, races, clinics, tours and more going on most of the month, all with the intent of encouraging people to ride and making riding safer.
I’ll highlight a few of the happenings. You’ll find more details at the Healthy Shasta website.
If you ride very much, you should know something about the mechanical end of bicycles. The free clinics in Redding touch on numerous aspects of bicycle maintenance and repair. The schedule looks like this:
• May 14: Maintenance and repairs, 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Living Hope, 1043 State Street.
• May 14: Emergency repairs, 6 p.m., Chain Gang bike shop, 1540 Division Street.
• May 18: Tire repairs, 12:30 to 1 p.m., ESP Outdoor, 3330 Railroad Avenue.
• May 19: Derailleur maintenance and repair, 12:30 to 1 p.m., ESP Outdoor.
• May 19: Flat repairs, 6 to 7 p.m., Sports LTD, 950 Hilltop Drive.
• May 21: Brake maintenance and repairs, 12:30 to 1 p.m., ESP Outdoors.
Like many cyclists, I’m looking forward to the opening of the new Dana to downtown bike path, which will connect parts of town separated by the river and the interstate. Caltrans will be leading tours of the new route on May 19. You need to make reservations by calling 225-3478.
If you’re a mountain biker, then you should know about the Blazing Saddles racing series, which begins May 13 at the BLM’s Swasey recreation area west of Redding. And for something a little different, the SWEAT running club and Redding Mountain Biking club host the 4th annual Whiskeytown Off-Road Duathlon on May 15. Run three miles, ride eight miles and then run three more miles. You may enter solo or on a two-person team.
Later this month, I’ll have a report on the City of Redding’s proposed bikeway action plan. In the meantime, lube that chain and jump on the saddle. It’s time to ride!
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• If you own or run a business, you know that expert guidance is very expensive – and that going without expert guidance may be even more costly. Thanks to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Shasta College and College of the Siskiyous, you’ll have the opportunity to get some of that advice for free. The SBDC has put together an “Ask the Experts” series, and the first session is scheduled for Thursday evening, May 13, when an employment and labor law attorney will answer your questions. In June, you’ll have the opportunity to quiz a QuickBooks consultant. Later in the year, a marketing expert, a human resources consultant, a certified public accountant and an insurance agent will be on hand. Learn more and register in advance at the SBDC website.
• The State of California is paying out about $1 million every two to three days in its “Cash for Appliances” program. The state is providing the rebates to people who buy energy efficient refrigerators, washing machines and room air conditioners. The deadline to apply is May 23, but if the $31.7 million is gone before then, you’ll be out of luck. Learn more at www.cash4appliances.org.
• The “Minds Matter” mental health fair is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, at the Shasta County Veteran’s Hall on Yuba Street, at the railroad tracks, in Redding. Local mental health providers will have information on how you may find resources for loved ones with mental illness, and they will offer advice on maintaining your own mental stability.
Paul Shigley is senior editor of California Planning & Development Report, a frequent contributor to Planning magazine and a fair-weather bike rider. He lives in Centerville. Paul Shigley may be reached at pauls.anewscafe@gmail.com.
