Wheelmen to Embark on Tour de Force of Local Cycling

The Orange County Wheelmen, the county’s biggest cycling club, return Saturday with the county’s biggest group bike event.

Tour of the Canyons is back for its eighth year, with an expanded array of options. There will be a half-metric century (32 miles) on a bike trail, a full metric (64 miles), double metric (128 miles) and even a double century (200 miles).

The canyons in question are strung out along Santiago Canyon Road in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains--Silverado, Modjeska and Trabuco.

Riders who feel in top shape can choose a route that includes the Modjeska Grade, one of the toughest climbs in the area (and, according to ride organizers, one that takes in “the highest house in Orange County”).

Tour of the Canyons starts at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim between 6:30 and 8 a.m. There will be roving support vehicles along all routes for anyone experiencing mechanical (or physical) breakdowns. There will also be food and rest stops and an end-of-ride lunch and beverage. The courses close at 4 p.m. except for the double century, which closes at 10 p.m. (All riders in this event must meet California Vehicle Code requirements for riding in the dark.)

The rides are not races, although the better riders certainly will be moving at a fast clip. The double century was designed to avoid traffic lights and stop signs as much as possible and is part of the California Triple Crown series (ride any three double centuries in the series and you get a jersey patch commemorating your achievement).

Orange County Wheelmen offers a variety of weekly rides and large group events all through the year. The next big event is the Ride Around the Bear, a grueling 100-mile ride on June 11 that will climb from Redlands to Onyx Summit--8,443 feet--and back down again. It’s not for beginners.

Also on Saturday, the Southern California Hillsea returns to Central Park West in Huntington Beach. One of the more unusual races in Southern California, this footrace features a staggered start by age and sex (10-year-old Megan McGowan was the narrow 1993 winner).

Most of the 7.57-mile course is on grass and dirt trails within the park and stays off the streets. The race begins at 8 a.m. with registration starting at 6:30 a.m. Entry is $18 (including T-shirt). Information: (714) 841-5417.

What: Tour of the Canyons.

When: Saturday, May 7. Registration between 6:30 and 8 a.m.

Where: Yorba Regional Park, Anaheim.

Whereabouts: From the Riverside (91) Freeway, exit north on Imperial Highway. Turn right onto La Palma Avenue and proceed half a mile to the park entrance, on the right, near the baseball field.

Wherewithal: $30 for the 32- and 64-mile rides, $40 for 128 miles, $50 for 200 miles.

Where to call: (714) 956-2453.

* RECREATION LISTINGS, Page 25.