Checking Out Chico

Road trips for cycling events are welcome opportunities to explore new areas. Given the popularity of the Chico Wildflower, I was surprised that the city was so far off the beaten track.

There was a two-day festival at the fairgrounds, with the opportunity to test-ride a variety of cycling contraptions.

And there were adventure-types launching spins and flips. [This one didn't land it.]

Thanks to a lucky meeting with a Bay Area friend on Saturday, we learned that there was a cycling-inspired exhibit at the Museum of Northern California Art—and we had just enough time to seek it out.

Most of the artists were local, like Stevi Mittman. “Silver Streaker” was eye-catching (though not rideable).

Karen Mason's whimsical prints, like “Family Out for the Day,” made me smile.

But the show-stopper for me was Katelyn Fitzgerald's “The History of the Bicycle,” a black-and-white piece composed entirely of the written word. Study it closely and you'd find a description of the history of the bicycle, the Tour de France, the lyrics to Queen's “Bicycle Race” (and more).

We settled on the Sierra Nevada taproom for dinner, along with a contingent of young people in formal attire (prom night).

Sunday (post ride), we stretched our legs on a stroll through the lower section of Bidwell Park. A couple of frenetic butterflies caught our eyes (Black Swallowtails, I believe).

We saw a few cyclists cooling off in the swimming area of Big Chico Creek (if only we'd known ...), and watched a couple of teens clinging and swinging with a log teetering on the edge of a low waterfall. Plenty of flow, especially given the warm weather (we were lucky that it was cooler on ride-day than Saturday, when we arrived).

We wrapped up with a visit to the Chico State campus. I was mindful not to photo-bomb any of the soon-to-be-graduates (and their families) posing for photos. One friendly group invited me to be in their picture when they realized I was politely staying out of the frame! (I declined.)

I was surprised to find so many brick buildings throughout town—an uncommon sight in California (land of earthquakes). Evidentky Trinity Hall has been standing for 90 years, so perhaps this region is less susceptible to shaking than much of the state.

We didn't manage to explore the downtown area. Maybe next time?