Joining in on a bike trek; Marin, Yosemite, San Juan Islands, other choices

Sunset, April, 1989

Ever pass cyclists on a back-roads drive and wish you, too, were seeing the scenic countryside at a more relaxed pace? Or perhaps you've eyed that bike gathering dust in your garage and thought of going on a long-distance cycling tour. Anyone who can ride a bike and is in reasonably good shape can sign up for one of dozens of bike treks offered throughout California (and beyond) by the American Lung Association of California and its regional affiliates.

A major attraction of the ALA treks is that a van carries most of your camping and personal gear, so you're not weighed down by heavy panniers. A support vehicle also follows riders along their route each day to dispense water and snacks.

Before each trip, day rides are scheduled to help would-be riders get up to speed for the overnight tours. Most treks offered in spring and fall involve three days of riding; longer treks (up to nine days) are offered in summer. Distances covered each day average 40 to 50 miles.

The only cost to riders is a registration fee, usually $20 to $30. However, before the trek, riders are required to gather pledges of $250 to $300 for three-day treks (more for longer ones) to support the ALA's clean air and health programs. (Riders have the option of paying all or part of this themselves as a tax-deductible contribution.) Information meetings held before the trips will answer any questions you might have about fund-raising procedures or the trek itself.

Since most nights are spent at campgrounds, you'll need a tent and sleeping bag. Breakfast and dinner in camp are provided; you can pick up lunches at cafes or stores en route.

Some sample bike treks

Trips begin this month and continue through October. Here are brief descriptions of some representative ones:

April 28, 29, and 30: Gold Coast Bike Trek. Explore the back-country roads of Ventura County.

May 6 and 7. Golden Gate Bike Trek. Pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge and through the Coast Range in Marin and Sonoma counties. En route, visit Mount Tamalpais State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore.

May 19, 20, and 21: Valley Lode Bike Trek. Begin in Yosemite Valley, and coast through the Sierra foothills to the Central Valley.

June 30 through July 9: Truckee to Ashland Bike Trek. Take a train to Truckee, and ride past Mount Lassen and Mount Shasta to Ashland, Oregon. Return by train.

August 11 through 27. San Juan Islands Bike Trek. Tour Washington's San Juan Islands by bike and 13 ferries on a long but leisurely trek.

For more information, registration forms, or a complete calendar of tours, write or call Bike California, 735 H St., Suite E, Davis 95616; (916) 758-8778.