On Friday, March 4, the California State University, Monterey Bay recreation department held a group mountain bike ride. Students who registered for the event on MyRaft had the option to bring their bike and helmet or rent one for free from the Otter Cycle Center, located in the old student center building across from the Otter Student Union.
The ride was led by Otter Cycle Center specialists Carlos Espinosa and Violet Delgado, who took the group to Fort Ord National Monument, located 1.5 miles from campus. Fort Ord contains over 82 miles of different trails, making for various options for rides tailored to the group’s ability.
The rides are called “no-drop rides,” meaning no rider will ever be left behind in any case, which I experienced firsthand when I slipped off my bike going downhill on some sand and the cycle leaders stopped the group.
The Otter Cycle Center holds events like this weekly, typically on Fridays. The next ride is on March 11 at noon. To register, visit MyRaft before spots fill up. For students who can’t make it for the group ride, the Otter Cycle Center also offers free daily bike and helmet rentals to students Monday through Friday.