Barbara's California Dream Ride

As a 70 year old grandmother, I am excited to ride 290 miles, over six days, and support the CALIFORNIA  BICYCLE COALITION EDUCATION FUND

The CBC raises money to offer grants which  support teaching Bike Ed classes to children and adults.  Students learn how to ride a bicycle safely and predictably.  

CBC Education Fund also supports grants for training members of communities how to get Bikeway Networks built where they live.  What is a Bikeway Network?   Glad you asked.  

It is a safe and connected web of  bike paths, streets, and  bike lanes to allow  all cyclists, from ages 8-80 to  connect with the places they want to ride in their community:  stores, schools, work, or medical centers. 

Traveling safely by bike translates to increasing business opportunities, higher property values, and raising the level of people's health.    

Please join me in making a donation to CBC today. Click GREEN BUTTON: DONATE

Or by Check: 

                                                         My Story

I have been a serious cyclist for 29 years. My original goal was to ride my bike coast to coast across the US.  I started out by cycling to and from work 7 miles each way, where I was a teacher.  When I arrived at school on a bicycle I felt like a Rock Star.  My  students ran up and yelled, "Mrs. Torres, I saw you on your bicycle!" Cycling home in  triple digit temps I gained respect from our college age teaching assistants who shouted, "Don't mess with Mrs. Torres, she's biking in this HEAT!"  

 I began riding with our local San Fernando Valley Bicycle Club.  I gained confidence riding in all conditions: in traffic  streets as well as winding mountain roads through our coastal canyons,  in both wet and dry conditions.  

When I heard there were bicycle education classes I looked everywhere to enroll.  None were available in my community.  I discovere there were people called, LICENSED CYCLING INSTRUCTORS. I traveled several hundred miles from my home in Los Angeles to get certified to teach BIKE ED  in my community.  

I learned to ride defensively. I learned to communicate to drivers what I was going to do. We were  taught Cyclists' Rights of the Road.   With tips on basic bicycle maintenance, I can do a quick check and know my bike is reliable for the ride I have planned. 

 At the top of Stunt Road in the Santa Monica Mountains

These skills have taken me on long day rides.   The first time I had a punctured tube on my own, I sat down and cried. No cell phones in the early 90s. When I realized the flat was on the front wheel, I thought, I can do this.  That first repair took me at least a half hour. I was ecstatic as I finished my ride singing.  

My husband and I have enjoyed self supported tours up and down our Pacific Coast as well as self contained tours in New Zealand, Spain and France. 

 We have experienced a problematic flat or two.  Every situation was an opportunity to learn that The Universe is a friendly place when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable.  

When my tire blew out on the Big Sur Coast we couldn't repair it and the closest bike shop was 65 miles away.  While my husband and I fretted over possibilities, a van with a roof rack full of bikes stopped.  They loaded me in with my bike, and drove to the group rest stop.  One of the riders offered me a brand new tire.  "Don't worry about payment, just pay it forward. "  And we have.  

I finally did ride my bike self supported across the US with two other women.  We rode from Anacortes, WA to Bar Harbor, ME in 78 days.  One of my partners needed a lift to a bike shop.   A lovely woman generously and enthusiastically stopped her car to give Pam a lift which was  miles out of her way.  

Self contained touring along the Hudson River

My favorite riding terrain 

I am proud as our grandchildren become cyclists.  Our 4 year old just learned to balance on two wheels.  Our 6 year old amazed us when she  jumped on her bigger bike and started pedaling, determined to keep up with her friends.    Our oldest granddaughter has rediscovered the joys of cycling with the onset of Covid.eas  Our oldest grandson rode his first overnight tour when he was 8.  He struggled up some hills, but was ecstatic when he yelled, "That was the best downhill of my life, LET'S DO IT AGAIN." 

Our 8 year old grandson with Aunt Hilary and Grandma

The ability to travel safely by bicycle translates to increased business opportunities, higher property values, and a healthier environment.

Please join me in making a donation to CBC Education Fund Today.  

This will make you feel good today and will continue making a better world for the future.  Look for the BIG GREEN BUTTON which says DONATE. 

Thank you.  I am so looking forward to seeing you on the road. 

To donate by check: