Well the results are in, and we’d like to thank everyone who participated. Heck, even if you didn’t partake in the challenge we’d still like to thank everyone who took part in the ride – especially those of you who welcomed our warm cheers as you crested the top of the first Geyser’s peak. We hope our jubilation made your ride just that much more special because we really do enjoy being up there supporting you all.

Without further adieu, here are the full results for the Geysers KOM/QOM challenge brought to you by Red Peloton. Congratulations to everyone who participated!

>> KOM/QOM Results

And before we bid our farewells for now, we’d thought we’d share a few shots from our adventures a top the Geysers. See you all next year!

The clock and the days are slowly ticking away and the one question still to be answered is: Are you in?

The Tour de Fuzz is fast approaching and just like last year, Red Peloton will be running the Geysers KOM/QOM Challenge. You’re not into crazy lung busting, leg burning climbing challenges? No problem! That challenge is optional, but what isn’t an option is missing out on the cycling event of the year which supports the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Service of Sonoma County AND the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Foundation.

Just remember, the clock is ticking and we’d hate for you to miss out on the fun.

>> Register for the Tour de Fuzz
>> Discover the routes
>> Learn about the KOM/QOM Challenge
>> Get to know who this event supports

Probably unbeknownst to most of you, part of Red Peloton’s community involvement efforts include supporting junior racers. Often time it comes in the form of mentoring them during the TNTs or at other events, but this year one of our biggest efforts is something a bit different.

For several years now the Red Peloton ladies have had the honor of racing against…well with, but against…Aliya Traficante. When we first met her, Aliya was racing with Tibco and I think we all agreed that she was the cutest thing ever in the peloton. Now at the racing age of 16 and racing with the Chico Corsa Cycling Club, Aliya is embarking on one of her biggest cycling journeys to date: The Tour de la relève internationale de Rimouskiis.

The Tour, which is in Rimouski, Quebec (yes in Canada), is a six-stage cycling race specifically for juniors. Given the rapport we have always had with Aliya – her enthusiasm and energy is nothing but infectious – we knew supporting her on this journey was the least we could do. As much as she may be on a different team when we compete, we have enjoyed seeing Aliya grow as a cyclist and a young woman. And now as she heads to Canada we cannot wait to see how this adventure unfolds for her.

Aliya and her family started their trek to Canada today. We not only wish them safe travels, the Red Peloton ladies and team as a whole wish Aliya nothing but the best during the stage race. Go get ‘em, Aliya!

>> Learn more about the Tour de la relève internationale de Rimouskiis

>> Follow Aliya’s cycling adventures by reading her blog

On June 18th a unique adventure happened. In a tradition that is uniquely them, Boudin brought part of their “mother dough” to their new Santa Rosa location with the final portion of it being completed by bike. Red Peloton’s Chris Brown took advantage of the opportunity to participate in this unique event.

You can read about the history and story behind the Mother Dough in the Press Democrat’s article, but below is Chris’ own recount of his journey.

Photo courtesy of BETH SCHLANKER/ The Press Democrat

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Report by Chris Brown

Waking up earlier than usual on a cold morning to ride a bike is nothing new to a cyclist. This particular Tuesday was special. An email had circulated a few weeks earlier about an interesting opportunity for a $20 gift card. As the day came closer, another email clarified that not only would there be a $20 gift card to Boudin SF for the first 100 cyclists to show, but for the first 20, a jersey would be given. Who doesn’t like free stuff right? Around 7 a.m., I show up to the empty lot of the Rincon Valley Library. A few riders begin to trickle in not long after my arrival. By 9 o’clock, we have about 50 riders who are ready to bring the “Mother Dough” to the new Montgomery Village Boudin. The “Mother Dough”, carried by master baker Fernando Padilla, has been around since 1849 when it was first cultured.

At 9:30, we are ready to depart. Rolling down Calistoga Road, we realize that our master baker has a dangerously low back tire. Luckily one of our companions lives close by and is willing to ride home for a pump. We get back on the road soon after to get the dough to its final destination. Many familiar faces, including John Cushman and Odessa Gunn, ride as well. With about 50 people, many who look new to the rules of the road, myself and a few others decide it is wise to stay toward the back of the pack, and run a sweep to keep people in the bike lane. It’s always fun seeing new faces, especially those who rarely ride a bike, enjoying a beautiful day.

At last, after a relaxed ride, we have arrived at the finish, where we were welcomed with warm coffee, baked goods, and free loaves of bread. The ladies and gentleman working at the new restaurant and preparing for its debut on July 11 welcomed us with open arms. A speech was given about the “Mother Dough” and a ceremonial kiss was given to the dough from master baker Padilla. A beautiful day finished off with great food, a gift card, and a free jersey. No better way to end a ride.

Report by Shannon Mitchell

On June 15, Red Peloton sponsored the volunteer trail work day that the Sonoma County Trails Council hosts each month in Annadel State Park. Our Red Peloton-and-family crew of 8 joined the Trails Council and other volunteers to tackle a mud pit that forms each winter on Marsh Trail between the lower Ridge Trail junction and Buick Meadow. We continued the work started in May to build a rock causeway for better drainage in that mud prone area. Most members helped with “rock harvesting” which involved foraging off-trail to find rocks and hauling them back to the trail in buckets, all while trying to avoid the poison oak. Others dug trenches and did the jigsaw-puzzle work with the collected rocks to create the causeway. This was day 2 of a 3-day project – it will be finished on the July 20th work day. Check it out the next time you’re up on Marsh Trail! Thanks to everyone who came out to help.

The Amgen Tour of California has come and gone, a forgotten memory to most. But not to this team. Thanks to our Sponsor NorCal Bike Sport, the team had a special opportunity to be part of a VIP ride put on by Specialized. How often do you get to do a group roll out for an escorted ride and then return down the finishing chute in an all out sprint in front of spectators starting to amass for the pros to come in? Really, not often and we’re pretty giddy and thankful that we had such an opportunity.

So thanks again to NorCal Bike Sport, especially Jen Toland who organized everything, and to Keith Flood of Keith C Flood Photography for capturing the moment.

Our friends at The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa are hard at work dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s for this year’s edition of the Giro Bello. We hope you will join us in supporting their efforts towards Polio eradication.

You can read the Giro Bello’s latest newsletter to learn more about what will await you at this year’s event, and we look forward to seeing you out there on July 6th!

>> Register for the Giro Bello
>> Donate to the cause supported by the Giro Bello
>> Sign-up for the Giro Bello Newsletter so you always have the latest and greatest information
>> Lean more about The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa

Do you mountain bike, trail run or hike in Annadel State Park?

Are you free the morning of June 15th?

If you answered yes to the above, here is an opportunity of a life time!!! OK, maybe not a lifetime, but certainly for June 2013.

Red Peloton will be sponsoring the Sonoma Trails Council’s “3rd Saturday Annadel Work Day” on Saturday, June 15th. If you enjoy the trails, please join us for a morning of trail work to give back to the park. No previous experience required.

Please contact us with whether you are
A) definitely in or
B) a strong maybe

We would just like to give the trails council an idea of how many to expect. This is open to friends and family as well. Really…when it comes to volunteering like this, the more the merrier!

We hope to see you out on the trails on June 15th.

Red Peloton is thrilled to be a part of this year’s edition of the Giro Bello – an event that is fast becoming a staple in the Sonoma County cycling scene. Besides offering riders three amazing routes that weave their way through our beloved Sonoma County wine country, this year’s event actually benefits the Rotary’s Polio Plus eradication program and local charitable projects.

Still not sure what the Rotary Club or the Giro Bello are all about? Read below to learn more and then come join us for the fun!

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Many folks ask, what is Rotary? We’ve all seen the blue and gold gear logo on the “Welcome” sign to thousands of towns. Or maybe you notice a “Rotary Meets here” announcement in a hotel or restaurant in your travels. But for many, Rotary and what it does is a mystery. So, allow us to demystify!

Rotary is the largest non-political, non-religious charity on the planet counting over 1.2 million members around the world! Even though the size and scope of Rotary is massive, it is truly a local organization.

Every Club is run locally and autonomously from Rotary International. Our Santa Rosa Rotary Club began serving Santa Rosa in 1921. For years, it was the largest Rotary Club north of San Francisco. Over time, we’ve spun off or helped start numerous other Clubs around the county of Sonoma.

Today, we count over 120 members. People you know; folks who are part of the leadership fabric of the city of Santa Rosa. Business owners, non-profit executives, professionals and retired, civic-minded folks make up your average Rotary Club. We have 30 year olds, we have 90 year olds, and every age in between. We have men and women. We have Americans and foreign-born individuals, too. We are one of the most active, giving group of folks in this town. We just don’t toot our own horn very well!

Our Club spends 100% of the funds raised in events like the Giro Bello on a number of local and international projects. Last year, we helped raise funds for a baseball club in Uganda! We also helped their village obtain clean water and medical supplies. We gave to YWCA Women’s Shelter, SAY, Kid’s Scoop Foundation, Sonoma County Vet Connect, National Alliance for Mental Health, Anova Center, Roseland University Prep, The Humane Society, The Living Room and so many more! We sponsored 15 college scholarships last year. And yes, Rotary continues to lead the crusade to eliminate polio worldwide. We’re almost there!

So, thank you for considering riding in the Giro Bello. Our Members truly appreciate the support of Red Peloton! As you can tell, your registration money will be well spent. By taking part in this incredible ride, you’ll not only be enjoying a wonderful day, but helping to better the world while you’re at it!

1…2…3…testing…

I am sure many of you are wondering if this mic…errr…website is still “on” so to speak. Well indeed it is. We apologize for the radio silence – not quite sure where the end of last year and the start of this year went – but we are dusting off the cobwebs and getting back to business. Over the next few days we will be playing catching up and getting you all up to speed on all things Red Peloton. In the meantime we leave you with this…

Although hinted towards, we never full acknowledge the awesome results that the team earned on the road and dirt last year. We want to take one more proper moment to thank everyone for their efforts and to provide you with the full race results for 2012.

Red Peloton 2012 Race Results

So with somewhat delayed but still immense gratitude for what everyone did, we now focus on continuing to move ever forward and enjoying what 2013 has to offer!

The details are finalized to the point where we have dotted all our i’s and crossed all our t’s. So with that said….

Red Peloton & friends are proud to present the 4th Annual Holiday Toy & Food Ride!

When – Sunday, December 16th at 3:00 pm
Where – Starting at NorCal Bike Sport
What – Come join us for our annual Holiday charity event. Perfect for the whole family!

We ask that each of you, drop off you donation of either unwrapped toys and/or non perishable food items at NorCal Bike Sport or Echelon Cycle and Multisport between now and Dec 16th. After that the fun really begins as we would love for you to ride over and join us with your backpacks, panniers, trailers, and jersey pockets ready to pack and ride to deliver it all. We will then ride over to Redwood Gospel Mission to drop off the food and then Fire Station 1 in downtown Santa Rosa to drop off the toys to benefit their Toys for Kids program.And we mean it when we say that friends and family are welcome!

Please remember that we need donations AND riders to deliver them in order for this to be another successful event! So we ask that you please spread the word and help us get food and toys donated to either NorCal Bike Sport or Echelon Cycle and Multisport by December 16th. And if for any reason you cannot join us but still want to donate, please do not hesitate to drop us a line!

We look forward to seeing you and your families very soon!

As has become Red Peloton’s annual tradition this time of year, the team will be spearheading another Holiday Food and Toy Drive. So…

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 16th as the day we will deliver all the goods by bike! Yes you read that right…by BIKE. These particular Holiday helpers like to travel by two wheels instead of sleighs or reindeer.

The final details are still being hammered out, but you can still start stocking up on canned goods and toys in preparation. We look forward to seeing you there!

>> Have the kiddos that day? No problem! This is a family friendly affair and we’d love to have them join us!

>> Can’t make it on Dec 16th but still want to participate? Drop us a line and we’ll work something out with you.