You have two opportunities during Earth Week this week to join San Jose Bike Train for a morning ride from downtown San Jose, California to destinations north while enjoying the trees on the Guadalupe River Trail: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, and another ride on Friday, April 22, 2016.

Both rides depart 8:15 A.M. from Bel Bacio Cafe located right on the trail just south of Julian Street. Show up early on Friday and I might have free treats for you, depending on the status of a small grant I’m working on. The weather should be great on Wednesday. The forecast for Friday as of this writing looks damp, but we ride rain or shine.

While San Jose Bike Train remains a way to gently introduce people to the simplicity and joy of a short bike commute, over the past two years it has also become a social gathering and celebration of all things cycling.

The start location is designed for easy access from housing and transit centers near downtown San Jose. If you need to drive part way from elsewhere, free, all day parking is available nearby, but please RSVP so we know to meet you there. If you need bike directions to the start location, plug this destination address into Google Maps, or try the Silicon Valley Virtual Route Scouts service. Turnaround for Virtual Route Scouts is currently several days, so you need to enter your request as soon as possible.