commuter | 511 Contra Costa - Part 2

2011 Cycling Events

Celebrate the new year by getting out on your bike and taking a ride! Here’s our list of cycling events for 2011 (to be updated as we find out new events), so mark your calendars and get going!
Saturday, June 18:

This year is the 2nd annual Transit & Trails Triple Threat. Using only public transportation and their bicycles, riders will ride to the summits of the three major peaks in the Bay Area: Mount Hamilton, Mount Diablo, and Mount Tamalpais.
October 1:

Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge GranFondo, Santa Rosa, CA. 7,500 riders, three different routes. Although the Gran Route (100 miles) is full, you can still sign up for the Medio Route (65 miles) or Piccolo Route (32 miles). For registration information, volunteering opportunities and more, visit www.levisgranfondo.com.
September 17:
Bike MS Waves to Wine Ride takes you on an unforgettable, two-day journey through San Francisco, Marin, and Sonoma Counties. Riders raise money to support MS research, programs and services dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by MS.


Activities Throughout the Year
East Contra Costa County
Regular Ride Schedules (click to download) with the Delta Pedalers.

  • Every SUNDAY MORNING (8am and 9am) – Starbucks at Balfour Rd. and Fairview Ave. in Brentwood.
  • Every MONDAY EVENING (7pm) – Starbucks at Sand Creek Rd. and Hwy 4 Bypass in Brentwood
  • Every WEDNESDAY EVENING (6pm) – Starbucks at 4045 Lone Tree Way (Lone Tree & Bluerock) in Antioch

San Francisco
Bike About at the San Francisco Zoo.

  • Every month (February – October) the San Francisco Zoo offers this awesome family activity! Bring your bikes to the Zoo for a 1.5 hour, docent-led cycling tour. Registration includes parking and Zoo admission.

Know any other activities that we’ve missed? Let us know! We’d love to add them to our list!
Past Events:
ride on race seriesJanuary 9 and 16:
Ride on Race Series, Redding and Red Bluff. The cyclocross series that began in October has three races remaining. Each event offers races of 60-, 45- and 30-minutes on 1- to 2-mile loop courses. Expect muddy conditions, obstacles and at least one short hike-a-bike section per loop.

January 14:

East Bay Bike Party. A monthly social ride for East Bay bikers! Currently, the next ride scheduled is for Jan 14 in Hayward, ‘Hillbilly Wedding.’ Check the blog a couple days in advance to find out more details about where to meet up, what the route is, and what to expect!
January 22, 10am to 11am:

1,000 New Cyclists: Healthy Habits – Nutrition & Everyday Cycling
Healthy Habits – Nutrition & Everyday Cycling, Sat. Jan. 22nd, 10-11am – Sign up!?Have a New Year’s resolution to eat well & get into shape this year? This workshop is for you. Advice, inspiration, and a community of others with the same goal.

Sat Jan 22, 10am to 6pm:
The Park Tool School, offered year-round at the REI Concord store, will teach you the skills you’ll need to keep your bike running well. In this day-long class, you’ll learn how to adjust brakes, headsets, hubs, and drive trains, as well as how to true wheels. You must bring your own bike. Fee: $130 REI members, $150 nonmembers.
February 13:
Rice Valley Tandem Rally (The Love Ride), Gridley. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your numero uno with this low-key, enjoyable outdoors event. You may pedal a single-seat or two-seater for this relatively low-key century bike ride in the Sacramento Valley, which has 34-mile and 40-mile options.
April 2:
Cinderella Classic in Pleasanton. Choose from a 65 mile (100 km) Classic Cinderella course, or take the Cinderella Challenge and go an extra 23 miles, climbing 2,000 feet. Note: registration is now closed. Requests to be on the 2012 mailing list will be accepted after July 5, 2011.
April 14-17:
The Sea Otter Classic in Monterey is now the largest cycling festival in North America and is universally regarded as the cycling world’s premiere festival. Online registration closes April 10, 2011 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
April 16:
Cycle for Sight in Napa Valley. Proceeds will go to the Enchanted Hills Camp For The Blind & Visually Impaired and The California Veterans “Pathway Home Project.” Same day registration will be available Saturday morning from 7-10 am.
April 17:
3rd Annual Diablo Century Bike Ride. Choose from 100-mile, 100K, and 25-mile routes. Registration begins Jan 15, Early Bird Registration through March 25. Contra Costa JCC, Walnut Creek.
May 7:
Pittsburg Twilight Criterium (alternatively, PittCrit). Kids win cowbells, adults can win up to $5000 in cash. What’s not to love? The 1-km course, located in Pittsburg’s waterfront downtown setting, starts and finished on Railroad Ave while running clockwise on 8th, Marina Blvd, E. 3rd St, Railroad. E St. The Expo will occupy the Plaza 6th & 8th on Railroad, while the Pro Athlete Village area is located on the waterfront on Marina Blvd & E. 3rd.
May 12:
Bike to Work Day. Get ready for the 17th Annual Bike to Work Day on May 12, 2011. Join over a hundred thousand other Bay Area Bicycle riders in making Bike To Work Day a continued success.

May 15-22:
AMGEN Tour of California. This year, Livermore is proud to host the Stage 4 Start of the Amgen Tour of California on Wednesday May 18, 2011. Other cities include: Modesto, Sacramento, San Jose, Thousand Oaks, Lake Tahoe, Mt. Baldy, Santa Clarita, Claremont, Solvang, Seaside, Paso Robles, and Auburn.
 

Gifts to Splurge On

Though our previous posts have mostly been about affordable gifts to give your commuter friends and family, this list is for indulging yourself. From a city-slick bicycle to the latest 2-way convertible tablet, these gifts will be sure to bring a smile to your face as well as prepare you for a stylish new year (not to mention impress your cubicle mates).

Coated Canvas Backpack

  • $129.95
  • Heavy-duty cotton canvas with a water resistant coating.
  • Fits up to a 17″ laptop
  • Faux-fur lined notebook compartment
  • Padded back panels
  • Modern, minimalist design

(Photo Credit: incase)

Linus Roadster Classic

  • $409
  • Beautiful, sleek and simple.

(Photo Credit: Linus Bikes)

Marshall Major Headphones

  • $99
  • For the stylish commuter who wants to look good while rockin’ out to The Black Keys on the bus to work.
  • The headband is made out of the same vinyl used in Marshall amplifiers.

(Photo Credit: Marshall Major Headphones)

Amazon Kindle

  • $189 (3G + wireless) or $139 (wireless)
  • Because sometimes you just don’t want to haul giant heavy Russian novels around on the bus.
  • 7.5″ x 4.8″ x 0.335″
  • Battery Life: 1 month

(Photo Credit: Amazon.com)

Dell Inspiraron Duo

  • $550
  • The iPad is great, but nothing beats an actual keyboard for the commuter who wants to get real work done while sitting on the bus or the train.
  • Switch from touch to type with just a flip.
  • View horizontally or vertically.

(Photo Credit: Dell)

Ari Marcopoulos Camera Bag

  • $199.95
  • 18.9″ x 11″ x 6.7″
  • Compatibiliy: iPad, SLR, DSLR
  • Heavy-duty canvas with water-repellent coating
  • Interior pockets for documents and other bits and pieces

(Photo Credit: incase)

DODOcase iPad and Kindle Cases

  • $60
  • Handmade in San Francisco
  • Looks like a Moleskin notepad, but for your iPad!
  • It’s pretty.

(Photo Credit: DODOcase)