If you know what's good for you then you arrived to work a little sweater than usual this morning after pedaling yourself to the office on your tried but true bicycle. Now it's time for your reward!
Thursday marks the Bay Area's 20th Anniversary of Bike to Work Day. Whether you're new to the whole urban cycling thing, or you own a pair of sleek bike shorts, here are the best way to congratulate yourself on a job well done.
What better incentive do you need to bike to work than a huge party at the end of the day? Meet at Ninth and Washington Streets in Old Oakland for a beer garden by New Belgium, Climate Ride training souped up with MonkeyLights, music by DJ OLGA T and Good Time Charlies, street games like German-style Ping Pong, foosball, and air hockey, tasty eats by Tina Tamale, El TacoBike, and Bicycle Bánh Mì, a prize Wheel by Jamba Juice, and Bicycle Bingo hosted by Alec Berger and Mimi Torres.
Free Goodies
As part of the Bike to Work Day festivities, there will be hundreds of "energizer" stations throughout the Bay Area where you can stop, rest, and grab some snacks. Plus, you'll get an entire bag of free goodies (trail maps, eats, water) in a tote bag that you can then reuse and show off your eco-friendly ways. See the map of East Bay stations here.
Beer
There's a reason Tough Mudder finishers get an ice-cold beer at the finish line, nothing is more rewarding that a chilled brew after a grueling race. Toss back a couple of the Bay Area's best beers at SessionFest on May 17 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. in Jack London Square. Over 30 craft breweries will be touting their carefully crafted, full flavor, and hyper-refreshing session beers, perfect for enjoying on a warm summer day. There will be a bike valet and live music all day, plus all proceeds benefit Bike East Bay.
Keep on Rollin'
Bike East Bay is hosting more than 90 bicycle-oriented events this month; so don't put your helmet back in storage just yet. Meet new friends and stay in shape with 31-days of commuter convoys, bike workshops, social rides, and cycling-themed events. Peruse all the events here.
Elly Blue Bike Ride and Book Read
Meet the author of Everyday Bicycling – aka everything you need to know about getting around on two wheels – on Saturday, May 10 at the Oakland Library. Then ride with Elly Blue up the beautiful Bay Trail to the 81st Avenue library branch, where she will give a talk at noon. You can buy a copy of Everyday Bicycling and Elly’s other books about biking and get her autograph. A light lunch will be provided, you're gonna need it.
