Cycling & running events in Chico, 2026

Chico Training Notes

Running: Bidwell Park is the local running anchor, with Lower Bidwell giving you flat pavement, dirt, low traffic, and a pretty wooded run. Chico Running Club has been around since 1975, and the club hosts group runs every Saturday morning. Locals use Lower Trail, 5 Mile, Yahi Trail, North Rim Trail, and South Rim Trail when they want easy miles, hill repeats, or rougher footing. The Bidwell Park loop is 96 km with 613 m of gain. T. Half Marathon & Quarter Marathon, Almond Bowl 5K & 10K, and Run Like a Hero: 4th of July 5k keep the calendar honest.

Cycling: Chico rides start easy in town, then get real once the road points east or south toward the foothills. Chico Velo Cycling Club, Chico Cycling Team, and Chico Tri Club give locals plenty of wheels to follow for Z2, race prep, or long base miles. The rides start at 0 mi on Vallombrosa Ave. The rides cover 4 mi from Cohasset Rd to Cohasset Stage Rd. Honey Run Road Loop stays the classic climb, with a narrow, twisting road and sections that kick harder higher up. Wildflower Century, Wildflower Ride & Festival, Butte County Gravel Grind, and Bidwell BUMP are the anchor events.

Season: April, May, September, and October are the cleanest training months, with good temps for long runs, gran fondo miles, and trail days. Summer highs hit around 95°F. Locals run early, ride early, and keep intervals short when the heat stacks up. Winter lows drop to around 9°F. Trails can be muddy after winter rains, while Upper Park can feel rough and uneven in darker conditions.