Retiree Karen Painter’s remarkable achievements might even make the couch potatoes among us sit up and take notice. That’s her goal: to inspire others to get moving.

By Dr. Eric Freedman Suzanne’s mother, Jane, is 84 and was recently placed in a care home because of progressive dementia. She was referred to
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By Steve Elliott Don’t let the Ironman triathlon distance scare you. Sprint or super-sprint triathlons are within the reach of almost everyone, and trying a
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By Krista Howell ‘Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.’ – Hippocrates Many people start exercising to lose weight. But it’s not
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The desire to improve the strength and look of our abdominal area isn’t new. Yoga, the first organized exercises for what we call the core area, dates
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By Dr. Todd Stolp At first glance, “preventive health care” appears to refer to things that prevent us from getting health care, like when the
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On a normal work day I see between 100 to 150 students and patients. One day I took a quick survey, asking “Why do you
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Laura Persson’s petite stature contrasts dramatically with her colossal determination – or giant stubborn streak, as she puts it. The 5-foot-2 Tuolumne woman is again
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With the approach of a world-class race in May, the secret is out: The Mother Lode is a cyclists’ paradise. Another revelation: How many older riders are turning to cycling for fitness and fun. It’s a story of rediscovery, passion, and for some, obsession.

There are hundreds of great road- and mountain bike rides in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, from easy to extremely challenging. Below are five local favorites: two mountain bike trails and three road routes that range from 10 to 39 miles and can be done in an afternoon. For non-riders, the three road routes listed here – Algerine Loop, Clavey Climb, and Angels-Murphys Loop- make for scenic drives. Just watch out for those cyclists.