Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 10/20/2008 10:34 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 10/22/2008 10:16 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
:
Mr. Frog’s Wild Ride – A Ribbiting Ride~By the PineTree Pedaler, Brett Loring
Murphys, CA....Local cyclists and many from a few hours away had a scenic tour of Jumpin’ Frog country from the saddle Sunday on the second annual Mr. Frog’s Wild Ride, a benefit for Feeney Park in Murphys. Two riders from San Jose shared that they were making a long weekend of it with their spouses while staying in the Arnold area. Another from Stockton shared that he enjoyed camping out in Feeney Park in the comfort of his VW Vanagon. Several humble campsites ....
   
Click on Photo for Full Slide Show Courtesy of ThePineTreePedaler!
were noted throughout the park as the ride started. In all, there were fifty-five 100K riders and seventy-five 50K riders. John Yost, coordinator for the event, thanks all the volunteers, estimating that a $6-$7,000 figure would be the net amount for Feeney Park after all was said and done.
The ride was well-supported by volunteers from the community and from local organizations. SAG (Support And Gear) services were provided by Eric Olson of The Mountain Pedaler. He reported only one significant breakdown where he had to “stomp” on a frame to straighten out some components to send the rider on his way. At the second rest stop, on Jesus Maria Road, Leslie, sporting the 2008 Mr. Frog’s official t-shirt greeted riders with a warm and jovial welcome, offering bananas, orange slices, bagels and peanut butter, water, power drinks and dose of encouragement as cyclists headed for a slight climb prior to ascending the road toward Mokelumne Hill. She noted that I was the second rider to come through at that point and asked if I had seen the deer and wild turkeys. I told her no, nor had I seen any sheep in Sheep Ranch! However, I had witnessed free-range chickens in Sheep Ranch, and later heard that a motorist almost clipped a rider behind me. Others from local service organizations and emergency response crews monitored vehicle traffic and welcomed riders into rest stops and at the finish. Sponsorship opportunities ranged from $100 to $2,500.
Despite patchwork pavement in areas and horrendous hill-climbs just when you thought you were on the downhill side of things, the course was a showcase of many great attractions that Calaveras County has to offer. From mines to vines, and historic shacks and plaques to creeks and peaks, cyclists got a glimpse of Gold Rush history often missed when traveling by car. While potholes and fast descents on some of the back roads kept cyclists alert with fingers on the brake levers, the scenery and the mild weather combined made for a wonderful Mr. Frog’s Wild Ride. During the event riders took in vast views of the foothills as they looked to the west. The route also boasted its share of abandoned barns, historic homes, motionless windmills and rusty farm implements, not to mention livestock that milled around those icons of Calaveras County’s rich history. The first riders finished by about 1:00 while the remaining cyclists trickled in over the next few hours. At the end of the ride back at Feeney Park riders were treated to a delicious chicken-in-the-barrel meal, massages and live music by local band, Plan B featuring Jim Bailey, Vince Rojas and Keno Rojas.
There is some speculation that without the continuation in Calaveras County of the Sacramento Wheelmen’s signature ride, the Sierra Century, maybe Mr. Frog’s Wild ride will now become the premiere long-distance cycling event of the County. The Wheelmen pulled the Sierra Century from Calaveras County roads after just two annual Centuries due to declining registration numbers. For more information on Mr. Frog’s Wild Ride and Feeney Park, go to www.mrfrogswildride.org or www.feeneypark.org
|
