Woodland in the summer. It’s hot, sometimes a bit sticky, and for a lot of us even the thought of getting on a bike and braving the heat is a daunting proposition. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Early mornings are a lovely time to ride, and with the sun coming up before 6:00 a.m. for the majority of July, cycling while it’s cool is easy.

Making sure your bike is ready to go is essential. The Bike Garage at 1^st and Hays streets offers free bike inspections, and can show you how to fit your helmet, check your brakes, oil your chain, and make sure you have your tires properly inflated so your ride goes smoothly. They also have free maps of the Woodland Bike Loop in case you want to plan your route.

Hydration is important. Be sure to take water with you or know where you can stop along your route to rehydrate. If you’re cycling with friends having a rehydration stop can add a nice social aspect to your ride.

Knowing the signs that indicate heat related illness is crucial for summer riding. These include heat cramps (usually in the abdomen or legs); heat exhaustion (headache, excessive sweating, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and cold, pale, clammy skin); and heat stroke, which can look like heat exhaustion but can also include high body temperature, hot, dry, or damp skin that’s red, fast pulse rate, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Heat stroke can require medical attention in serious cases.

If you’re up to braving the heat and cycling later in the day, plan a cooling center as a destination. The City of Woodland has two cooling centers and one public pool.

Cooling centers:

Woodland Public Library, 250 First Street

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday: Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Emergency Shelter Cafeteria, 1901 East Beamer Street

Saturday – Monday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Public Pool:

Charles Brooks Community Swim Center, 155 N. West Street

Monday – Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(Closed 7/20, 7/21, and 7/27)

The pool is free and open to the public, except July 20, 21, and 27. Fridays feature an inflatable obstacle course. Pool hours are subject to change, and you can call the summer Pool Office line if you have questions at (530) 661-2020.

With a little bit of planning, cycling can be a great addition to your summer workout regimen.

The Bike Campaign, along with its counterpart, The Bike Garage, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 to help educate people about bicycling and encourage more people to ride their bikes. We work closely with city governments, county health departments, school districts, and community service groups.