October 16, 20131 Comment on Track your cycling miles, help transportation planning
People riding bikes in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties can help regional transportation agencies make better decisions about your bike riding routes.
October 14, 20131 Comment on Santa Cruz Open Streets in four minutes
The city of Santa Cruz closed off a two mile stretch of West Cliff Drive between Lighthouse Field State Beach and Natural Bridges State Beach for the 2nd Annual Open Streets event on Sunday, October 13, 2013.
Several thousand people showed up to bike, skate, dance, walk, party, hula hoop, pole dance, play Jedi mind tricks and have fun in the street.
I have lots of video and photos to process, but for now here’s a four minute quick trip showing the final ten minutes that West Cliff was closed to traffic.
Update: This is weird: my original video got clipped to 30 seconds somehow :-(. I’ll upload to Vimeo in a second to see what happens.
Santa Cruz Open Streets was once again organized by local bike safety instructor Saskia Lucas. Participation seemed more diverse and spontaneous than last year’s inaugural Open Streets, when people were getting a feel for what a two mile long block party is supposed to feel like. Several homes along West Cliff became impromptou bandstands as local acts played and passerby listened and danced in the street.
A delegation from Santa Barbara participated in preparation for their own first ever open streets event. They’ve attended plenty of Ciclavia street parties in nearby Los Angeles, but wanted to check out the vibe in a smaller beach town like their own.
A great time was had by all.
Elsewhere:
October 10, 20132 Comments on San Jose Turkey Trot gets alternative with their transportation plans
Update: The Santa Cruz Metro Board of directors approved early morning Highway 17 buses from Santa Cruz to San Jose to provide transportation to the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot on November 28, 2013.
The 9th Annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot will attract upwards of 60,000 people to downtown San Jose in an event that benefits regional food banks. Event organizers added a fourth beneficiary this year – Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, and they hope to attract at least 1,000 runners from Santa Cruz County.
With demand for parking outstripping the 25,000 parking spots in the vicinity of downtown San Jose, Turkey Trot has always encouraged runners, volunteers and fans to find a way to the San Jose race start via something besides the automobile. (more…)
October 10, 20132 Comments on The best free bike to work day breakfast?
For those of you who live, bike or work in Santa Cruz County, Happy Autumn Bike to Work Day. I watched this group of Easton / Bell Sports / Giro employees biking up to their office in Scotts Valley from Santa Cruz this morning. They’re following me to the most awesome breakfast station in the county.
Those who participate in Bike to Work Day know that you’ll find a pastry or maybe sliced fruit along with a slug of cheap coffee at the typical Bike to Work Day breakfast station.
October 9, 2013Leave a Comment
The first time I was interviewed for a “bike to work” story a little over a decade ago, I gave my story – I’ve biked to work since the 1980s, through all weather, and my rides to work are overwhelmingly pleasant and without incident. He asked about any accidents. With 20 years of biking, I’ve had my share, and I naively shared the details.
The story that was published in the Longmont Times-Call a couple of days later was not what I expected. It portrayed me as a freakish athletic daredevil who battles constantly and valiantly against aggressive road raging maniacs. The story was not an accurate reflection of my normal commute.
October 7, 2013Leave a Comment
Watch mountain bike enduro racing this weekend, October 12-13, 2013, at Soquel Demo Forest.
Enduro combines the technical challenges of fast downhill racing with the cardiovascular requirements of cross country racing. This event organized by the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz includes racing on Saturday, pro-led demos and run rides on Sunday, and ground breaking for a new, four mile flow trail at Demo. Participation in Trail Work will get you shuttled rides in SDSF provided by Shuttle Smith. Marin, Norco, Santa Cruz, Specialized, Trek (Epicenter Cycling) will showcase their enduro-specific and all mountain bikes ideally suited for the trails at Demo.
More information –> Santa Cruz Super Enduro press release and (PDF) Event Guide.