By VINCE REMBULAT

Staff reporter of the

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

RIPON – George’s Bike Shop could be considered the cycling hub of Ripon.

Cyclists of all skill levels often gather in front of the business located at 201 S. Stockton Ave. to take part in one of the organized rides.

All rides are considered social events, come free of charge, and begin at 6 p.m.

“I do it because it’s not only fun, but it keeps me in shape and helps me to eat right,” said David Soltero, who has been riding his custom Specialized road bike for the past two years.

He heard about the group rides in Ripon via a friend.

Soltero, who is also a member of the Stanislaus Bike Club, logs in 121- to 130- miles per week on his bike. On Thursday’s ride, he traveled from his Modesto home to Ripon, thus, adding 12 miles to the already 35-mile loop to Riverbank.

George Ingerson, who took over the bike shop about a year ago, began the organized rides during the spring.

He’s done several of the recent road bike rides.

“I do it to train for mountain bike riding – that’s my baby,” said Ingerson, who has tackled mountainous terrains from throughout the western U.S. along with North Carolina and Virginia.

Thursdays are often his big group rides. About 20 to 30 riders do the loop from Ripon to Riverbank.

Three groups usually make up this ride, with the pacing speed as followed:

• Group “A” – 21 to 27 mph.

• Group “B” – 18 to 20 mph.

• Group “C” – 14 to 17 mph.

As with each ride, there are at least two regrouping stops along the way.

Ingerson has intermediate and beginning riders on Wednesdays, taking on the bike routes and paths around town.

On Tuesdays, he has a social / family ride made up of mostly Beach Cruisers.

“We’ll ride from here to the Jack Tone bike route, to the golf course and back. We’ll then stop at Baskin Robbins for $1 scoop night,” Ingerson said.

Hammer Fest is also held on this evening. This ride is usually made up of advanced cyclists, who travel at a torrid pace for over 30 miles.

Chances are that Giro Betoschana is somewhere out in front, according to Soltero.

“He’s a speed demon,” he said.

Betoschana, who belongs to both SBC and the Fun Sports Bike team in Modesto, has been known to maintain a blistering 34-mph pace. In the late 1980s to early 1990s, he used to race.

“I stopped for a while because of college,” said Betoschana.

When he finally returned to the sport, he found that technology had changed.

Cycling has gained in popularity over the years, especially with Facebook and other online social networks getting the word out on organized rides.

Participants include folks of all ages and levels. Men and women who are professionals or retired have found a passion in riding.

“I never thought I would do something like this,” said Curtis Smith, who has been cycling for nearly five years.

The same goes for Soltero, who is a restaurant manager at Carino’s Italian Grill in Antioch.

Ingerson, meanwhile, has applauded the efforts of city officials to incorporate more bike lanes throughout the city streets.

“For a city this size, they’ve done quite a bit over the years to make Ripon bike-friendly,” he said.

Information on the organized rides can be obtained by contacting George’s Bike Shop at (209) 599-6900.