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SLOBC Wildflower Century bike ride returns April 27 

–The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club has held its annual Wildflower and Lighthouse Century bike rides since 1971. What began as special rides for club members has grown into large public events. Proceeds from the Wildflower and Lighthouse Century rides fund club operations and a donations program of over $50,000 annually that benefits Bike SLO County and other bicycling organizations and events throughout the county and the communities and groups that support our rides.

The 2019 SLOBC Wildflower Century bike ride is scheduled for April 27th, 2019 in the Creston/Shandon/Parkhill/Pozo area. About 800 bicycle riders will be on local roads starting at 7 a.m. and finishing by 5 p.m., when the course closes. These are mostly experienced riders who we expect to ride safely, observe traffic laws, share the road, and respect local residents.

Participants will begin in Creston and ride East on Hwy. 41 to Shandon and then South on Shell Creek to Hwy. 58. All riders then turn on La Panza and return to Creston. Most riders will then ride South out of Creston on O’Donovan and turn right on Hwy. 58. At the intersection of Huer Huero some riders will continue on Hwy. 58 to Hwy. 229 and return to the finish at Creston. A second group will ride up Huer Huero, turn right onto Parkhill and return to the finish at Creston via Hwy. 229. The final group will ride up Huer Huero, turn left onto Parkhill, continue on Pozo Road and return to the finish at Creston via Hwy. 229.

The area roads being used are shown in the attached files that include the route slips showing when rest stops will open and close. These times give a good sense of when riders will be on the various roads.

The course with mostly right turns will be clearly marked. There will be course marshals at left turns and additional traffic control present as riders turn from La Panza onto Highway 41 and then on to Highway 229.

The SLOBC will have ten SAG vehicles on the roads to help riders with mechanical problems and transportation if needed. In addition, there will be three CHP units patrolling the routes.

There will be six rest stops distributed along the course staffed by volunteers to provide riders with abundant food and drink. Rest stops will have portable toilets, bike racks and waste receptacles and many will have bike mechanics who have volunteered their time and expertise.

The SLOBC works with local communities to make the ride safe for all participants and to minimize any adverse impact. As part of this effort, the club communicates with the Shandon Advisory Council, Creston Advisory Board and Santa Margarita Area Advisory Council.

We ask your help in communicating information about the ride to your neighbors. Further ride information can be found at: slobc.org/wildflower/index.html.

Local organizations use the occasion to raise funds. Creston Women’s Club serves a spaghetti dinner that is open to riders and the public Friday night before the ride and the Creston Elementary School provides coffee and hot chocolate Saturday morning to fund their Science Camp.

There are several organizations that raise funds by providing services for the Wildflower Century. The Creston Volunteer Firefighters Association serves BBQ dinners on the day of the ride to support their community through scholarships and grants. The Creston Classic Rodeo Association and Creston 4H provide and direct parking on the day of the event.

In addition, the SLOBC makes donations to the Creston Elementary School, and Shandon High School Scholarship Fund.

Will Benedict, Wildflower Century Chair, asks for motorists’ patience during the ride. Every effort is made to ensure rider safety and courtesy for local drivers.

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.