Granville Homes -Tour de Fresno BikeForHope Charity Ride Benefits Young Cyclists in Armenia
Some 150 cyclists enjoyed the Granville Homes Tour de Fresno -- a 35-mile bicycle ride through Old Fresno -- on Saturday, September 19, 2009. Participants saw over 50 cultural and scenic sites up close, including Valley Lahvash Bakery, the McClatchy and Wishon homes on Huntington Blvd., William Saroyan's childhood neighborhood, the Water Tower, and the Meux Home.
They pedaled along the shaded lanes of Old Fig Garden and cycled to Sunnyside along Butler Ave. They returned to Fresno through Chinatown. At the rest stop in the Old Fig Garden Women's Club, the riders were treated with Valley-grown fresh fruit. At the end of the ride, artisanal ice cream and samples of local ethnic cuisine were served. With scores of raffle prizes distributed, almost everyone left a winner after the ride!The Granville Homes Tour de Fresno was organized by ATG Bike For Hope. Proceeds from the ride will support training 250 children at the Cycling Club in Armenia.
The Fresno Police Bike Unit escorted the group ride. Ten Fresno police officers joined the cyclists on their bikes all day long, providing them road security and safety along the way.
Cyclists brought their family and friends to Downtown Fresno to enjoy a leisurely ride at a relaxing speed of 10 to 12 miles per hour, and explore some of Fresno's historic buildings and cultural sites, parks, and unique neighborhoods. The full course was 35 miles, although cyclists could opt out after 15 or 20 miles. The charity event started at the Fulton Mall Clock Tower at 8 am and took the riders through many of the streets that are the heart and soul of Old Fresno.
The cyclists enjoyed the art displayed at the Fulton Mall and witnessed the wonderful multicultural fabric of the Fresno community at the Courthouse Park, including the David of Sassoun statue on the corner of "M" and Tulare Street. The riders pedaled through the Cultural Arts District on Van Ness, cycling between the Old Fresno Bee Building/Renovated Fresno Metropolitan Museum, Artes Americas, KVPT Channel 18 Public TV Station, and the African-American Museum.
Some of the other highlights included the completely renovated Historic Virginia Hotel on Kern Street, the new Federal Building, and the Fifth District Court of Appeals. The Old Santa Fe/Fresno Amtrak Train Station, the nearby Basque Hotel, the historic Warner's Theater, the Memorial Auditorium and the iconic Fresno Water Tower converted to Visitors Center, the Meux Home Museum, and the City Hall were some of the other sights on the itinerary. The Fresno Police escorted the cyclists along the same road where one of Fresno's most well-known sons, author William Saroyan, once peddled his bicycle on "M" street by the Convention Center and the theater that now bears his name. They road their bikes on Broadway Street, indicating where Saroyan was born, and passed the corner of Inyo and "L" streets, where at the age of ten Saroyan sold the Evening Herald newspaper, competing for customers with a young John Garabedian, whose Foundation now funds numerous cultural programs in Fresno.
The cyclists road their bikes by nearby local bakeries -- the Valley Lahvash Bakery operating since 1922 on the corner of Santa Clara and "M" streets, and the Hye Quality Bakery on "L" Street. Saroyan often visited there to taste centuries-old traditional flat bread that moved him to write "Valley Bakery, where the best bread in the World is baked…."
The tour traveled to the historic neighborhoods of Chinatown and by the Buddhist Temple prior to returning to Fulton Mall where a delicious lunch, artisanal ice cream, refreshments, fresh fruits, and prizes were awaiting them
Beyond downtown, the route took the cyclists through some of Fresno's most well-known neighborhoods, including Huntington Boulevard, passing by the historic McClatchy and Wilson Homes. The shaded lanes of Old Fig Garden, with a rest stop at the historic Fig Garden Women's Club, provided the riders with another pleasant experience.
Over 30 valley businesses and organizations sponsored the Tour de Fresno, with Granville Homes acting as the title sponsor. Other sponsors included the Fresno Police Department, City of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Downtown Association of Fresno, Convention and Visitors Bureau of Fresno, Men's Society of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, ATG Bike For Hope, Fresno County Bicycle Coalition, Fresno Cycling Club, Women On Wheels, Central Valley Cycling Coalition, Velo Pasadena, Champion Raisins -- National Raisin Company, Fowler Packing Company, Del Ray Packing, Western Pistachio Association, Blue Diamond Almonds, Fig Garden Packing Company, Uncle Harry's Bagel and Coffee, Hero's Restaurant, Kebab Xpress, De Alba Travel, Jalisco Jewelers, Los Panchos Restaurant, New Millennium Nail Services, Hacienda Grande Jewelers, Herb Bauer Sporting Goods, Rubber Soul, Steven's Bike Shops, Tri-Sport, and hundreds of ATG supporters around the country.
With the success of the 2009 ride, Tour de Fresno Charity Fun Bike Ride organizers are already planning for next year's event, which will be held on September 18, 2010. In the meantime, organizers invite readers to explore the links below.
View a map of the 15-mile bike route.
View a map of the 20-mile bike route.
View a map of the 10K bike route -- Downtown portion of the 20-mile ride.
Download a registration form.
Browse Photo Gallery
For information, call 559-224-1000.
