events | 511 Contra Costa

Contra Costa Earth Day Events 2024

Earth Day Events

All Month

  • Iron Horse Trail or Online: Go With the Flow – A biking (or walking) tour of Central San’s service area, following the flow of wastewater for 21 miles along the Iron Horse Regional Trail from San Ramon to Martinez. Explore all or part of the route in person or travel it virtually with the guided map tour. Self-guided tour. Location: Iron Horse Trail or online.

Friday, April 19

  • Walnut Creek: Plan(e)t Based Diet Workshop – Speaker April Capil will guide you through the nutritional benefits of a vegetable-rich diet, share easy and delicious ways to include more greens in your daily meals, and discuss the positive effects on physical health, mental clarity, and environmental sustainability. 4-5pm, Walnut Creek Library.

Saturday, April 20

  • Antioch: Keep Antioch Beautiful Cleanup – Join the City of Antioch and help beautify the community by volunteering to do trash cleanup at Waldie Plaza or plant flowers at the Antioch Water Park. After volunteering, head to the Antioch Community Center for a volunteer lunch. 9am-1pm, Antioch Water Park & Waldie Plaza.
  • Antioch: Upper Sand Creek Basin Cleanup – Join the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District (CCRCD) for a trash cleanup at Upper Sand Creek Basin to celebrate Earth Day. If you have any questions regarding this event, or would like to attend, please send Victoria Woolfolk an email at vwoolfolk@ccrcd.org. Click here to register. Cleanup 9am-noon, Upper Sand Creek Basin.
  • Crockett: Earth Day Cleanup in Crockett – Celebrate Crockett’s 5th Annual Earth Day with a waterfront cleanup from 10am to 1pm. Toss on your boots and gloves and help the CCRCD make a difference! Click here to register. Cleanup 10am-1pm, Crockett Waterfront.
  • East Bay Regional Parks: Visit the EBRPD Earth Day Programs & Activities Page to see a list of volunteer opportunities for April 20, including habitat restoration, dune restoration, and cleanup projects. Various times and locations.
  • El Cerrito: El Cerrito Earth Day Celebration – Residents can volunteer at work parties across the city, helping clean up and beautify the city starting at 9am. Work parties (various locations) 9am-noon.
  • El Sobrante: Earth Day Cleanup & Celebration – Join the El Sobrante/94803 Green Team and SPAWNERS at the El Sobrante Library for their annual cleanup and celebration. Sign in and join Green Teams to clean up streets or SPAWNERS to clean local creeks and do landscape gardening. A celebration will follow the cleanup, featuring food, children’s art activities, entertainment, speakers, and more. Cleanup 9:30am-12pm / Celebration 12-2pm. El Sobrante Library.
  • Martinez: John Muir’s Birthday / Earth Day Celebration – A wonderful fun-filled family day in the sun, at the grounds of the John Muir National Historic Site, which includes his 1880s Victorian home and an authentic 1849 Mexican Adobe, along with his orchards and vineyard. There will be youth activities, food and live music, and many displays relating to history, ecology, and nature. Free admission. 10am-4pm, John Muir Historic Site.
  • Pinole: Pinole Earth Walk – A three-mile paved loop walk beginning and ending in Fernandez Park. Snacks and refreshments will be provided at the finish line, and there will be kids’ activities and local environmental organizations to connect with. 9am-noon, Fernandez Park.
  • Pinole: Point Pinole Beach Cleanup – Join the East Bay Regional Park District to celebrate Earth Day at Point Pinole with a shoreline Cleanup. 9am-12pm, Giant Staging Area at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline.
  • Pittsburg: Pittsburg Civic Pride Day – Get involved and take pride in Pittsburg by joining a community litter removal effort! All ages welcome. Check in at Highlands Elementary with weather-proof clothes, sturdy shoes, and a can-do attitude. Water, litter grabbers, safety vests, collection bags, and clipboards will be provided. RSVP here. Check-in 8:45am, litter removal 9am-noon. Meet at Highlands Elementary School (4141 Harbor Street).
  • Invite your friends and RSVP by reserving free tickets at pittcivicpride.eventbrite.com
  • Richmond: Wildcat Canyon Regional Park Habitat Restoration – Join the East Bay Regional Park District to celebrate Earth Day with a morning of habitat restoration at Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. 9am-noon, Alvardo Staging Area at Wildcat Canyon Regional Park.
  • Richmond: Earth Day Celebration at the Greenway – The community is invited to discover innovative methods for leading sustainable lives through engaging activities like upcycling clothes, gardening, mural painting, park and garden beautification projects, games, inspiring speakers, bike-powered smoothies, and a variety of other interactive booths. 10am-1pm, Unity Park Community Plaza (1605 Ohio Ave).
  • Richmond: Earth Day Cleanup in North Richmond – Volunteer to help clean up Wildcat Creek. Volunteers should bring closed-toed shoes, a water bottle, and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. When you’re done volunteering, enjoy a celebration at Shields-Reid Park featuring lots of kid-friendly activities a silent auction. 9-11am: Meet at North Richmond Ballpark and volunteer, 10am-noon: Celebration at Shields-Reid Park.
  • Rodeo: Rodeo Earth Day Cleanup – Toss on your boots and gloves and help the CCRCD make a difference on Earth Day by being part of their cleanup of the Lower Rodeo Creek. Click here to register. Cleanup 10am-1pm, Lower Rodeo Creek.
  • Walnut Creek: Walnut Creek Earth Day. Enjoy live music, a kids’ zone, eco-circus entertainment, a trashy fashion show, and inspiring speakers at Walnut Creek’s Earth Day Celebration. Civic Park, 11am-4pm.
  • Walnut Creek: Broadway Plaza’s Earth Day Celebration – Take the pledge to use reusable bags each time you shop and receive a free reusable shopping bag, then you can visit the Pixie Pop-Ups Flower Truck to build your own beautiful bouquet. 11am-2pm, Event Plaza at Broadway Plaza.
  • Walnut Creek: Parkmead Neighborhood Earth Day Cleanup – Meet at the Tice Creek Elementary School parking lot from 9-11:30am. Groups will head out on pick-up routes that hit the highest litter areas, like Olympic, South Main, Tice Creek and Parkmead Schools. 9-11:30am, Tice Creek Elementary.
  • Walnut Creek: Unity of Walnut Creek – Tending Our Sacred Grounds – During the event, volunteers can enjoy an Earth Day ceremony, help clean up the grounds, and are welcome to bring a potluck item to share with others who care about the environment. 10am-1pm Cleanup projects. 1-2pm: Plant-based potluck. Unity Center of Walnut Creek, 1871 Geary Rd.

Sunday, April 21

  • Emeryville: Shorebird Park Shoreline Cleanup – Come out to Shorebird Park on Sunday, any time from 9am-11:30am. Snacks and refreshments provided. As always, bring what you can (e.g. gloves, grabber, garden digging claw). Organizers will have limited supplies for those who show up without any of the above. Shorebird Park, 9-11:30am.
  • Lafayette: Lafayette Earth Day Festival – Learn how you can help our planet at a family-friendly festival featuring free bike tune-ups, a petting zoo, kids’ activities, educational exhibits, food vendors, and more. Lafayette Plaza Park, 11am-2pm.

Monday, April 22

  • Walnut Creek: Climate Walk – Hosted by Sustainable Walnut Creek, enjoy a captivating tour around the city’s cherished creek, where you’ll witness firsthand the fruitful outcomes of various initiatives aimed at revitalizing the native plant life and enhancing the local ecosystem. 9-11am, Civic Park Gazebo.

Saturday, April 27

  • Pleasant Hill: Grayson Creek Earth Day Cleanup – Grayson Creek is home to more than 100 bird species and also provides habitat for river otters, western pond turtles, and even beavers. Help protect this important community resource by removing trash from the creek banks. Hosted by the Watershed Project, the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, and volunteers from Friends of Pleasant Hill Creeks. Click here to register. Cleanup 9am-noon. Sign in at 250 Cleaveland Rd.

Contra Costa Earth Day Events 2022

Earth Day Events

Wednesday, April 20

  • Richmond: Drive Electric Event and E-Shuttle Launch – Join the City of Richmond for an outdoor event celebrating Earth Day and driving electric. The event will feature the official launch of Richmond MOVES, the city’s first electric on-demand shuttle service. The celebration will also offer attendees opportunities to learn about financing and rebate options for electric vehicles and electric bikes. Get information about the city’s various electric mobility programs, and meet electric vehicle owners and check out their vehicles. Richmond Civic Center, 450 Civic Center Plaza, 11:30am-1pm.

Friday, April 22

Saturday, April 23

  • East Bay Regional Parks: In-Person Volunteer Projects – Since 1970 people have been celebrating the environmental movement by participating in volunteer events on and around Earth Day. Volunteer events in parks on April 23 include ones in Richmond and Oakley. Locations: Big Break, Point Pinole, Wildcat Canyon.
  • Orinda: Miramonte HS Campus Cleanup – Take part in a campus-wide cleanup and beautification day. Volunteers are needed to work shifts of two or four hours between 9am and 1pm. Both gardening and clean-up projects will be tackled. Miramonte HS, 750 Moraga Way, 9am-1pm.
  • Richmond: Earth Day at Greenway Gardens – Celebrate with activities for the entire family, including mural painting, planting a flower garden, beautifying the playground, and watershed swale planting and weeding. Unity Park Community Plaza, 16th St & Ohio Ave, 10am-2pm.
  • Richmond: Verde Elementary SR2S Paint Day – Volunteers will paint sidewalks from Verde School to Shields-Reid Center with stencils. Tools will be provided. Free food for volunteers. 2000 Giaramita St, 3-5pm.
  • Richmond: Wildcat Creek Cleanup – Show your love for the earth by helping to restore Wildcat Creek. Join friends and neighbors in removing trash and debris that harms wildlife and learn about plans to restore habitat for rainbow trout. Tools and gloves will be supplied. Lucky A’s North Richmond Baseball Field, 1925 Fred Jackson Way, 9am-11am.
  • Walnut Creek: Earth Day at the Ruth Bancroft Garden – Celebrate Earth Day at the Garden on April 23. Water conservation and sustainability have always been a part of the Garden’s mission, and they want to spend Earth Day with the community. This is a free event that is open to the public, so feel free to bring your friends, family, and pets. Ruth Bancroft Garden, 1552 Bancroft Rd, 10am-1pm.
  • Walnut Creek: Broadway Plaza’s Earth Day Celebration & Denim Drive – Join Broadway Plaza for an Earth Day Fair focused on raising awareness about the importance of protecting our planet. The Assistance League of Diablo Valley (ALDV) will be hosting a denim drive at the event. Bring your gently used denim and receive a reusable tote bag, while supplies last. Event Plaza, 1275 Broadway Plaza, 11am-2pm.

Saturday, April 30

  • Lafayette: Lafayette Earth Day Celebration – Learn how you can be a hero for our planet at a family-friendly festival featuring kids activities, educational exhibits, a petting zoo, an electric vehicle show, food vendors, and more. Golden Gate Way by the Lafayette Library, 11am-2pm.

 

 

Upcoming Bay Area and California Cycling Events in 2012

Update: We have an updated bike events section with current events for 2013 and beyond. View 2013 Bike Events
Have you been waiting for the warmer weather to bring out your bike? Or do you want to start riding, but not sure how, or where?
We’ve listed both regular and one-time upcoming bicycling events around the Bay Area for 2012 for all biker types. Bike at the San Francisco Zoo, play Bicycle Bingo, bike to the Danville Farmer’s Market, bike through Wine Country and more. Check out our extensive list below, and if we forgot something please leave a comment with the event name, link, and dates(s) and we’ll check it out.
Happy cycling!
Halloween Critical Mass in San Francisco
Photo credit: Steve Rhodes
REOCCURRING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
Delta Pedalers Bicycle Club | Every Sunday morning and Monday evening

  • Every SUNDAY MORNING (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.

Bicycle Bingo | Every Thursday
Actual Cafe in Oakland (6334 San Pablo Ave.) hosts a weekly game of Bicycle Bingo with proceeds going to various local charities. What is Bicycle Bingo? Think bingo but with someone riding a stationary bicycle, rather than operating a hand crank, spinning the cage with the bingo balls.
Diablo Hills Group Road Ride | Every Saturday
Meet at 9:30 at Mike’s Bikes Walnut Creek location (1615 North California Blvd) for a two hour social ride. Route varies depending on group but include Mt Diablo, Canyon/Pinhurst or flat and rolling roads into Dublin and back and speeds are between 14mph and 17mph.
Sunday Berkeley Road Ride | Every Sunday (rain cancels)
Starting at 10am at the Mike’s Bikes in Berkeley (2161 University Ave), this ride is intended to be enjoyed, so it’s an easy-going pace and no rider is left behind. An excellent ride to consider for beginning road cyclists. The route takes cyclists into the Berkeley hills, bringing water bottle is recommended.
East Bay Bike Party | Second Friday of every month
Welcoming all ages and abilities, this is as much a monthly ride as it is a celebration, meandering throughout the East Bay on bike. The rides change in route and theme each month, but it is easy to stay updated with this information.
Critical Mass | Every month, varies by city
Hosted each month in cities throughout the world, there are a handful of Critical Mass rides in the Bay. Bay Area Critical Mass rides include  San FranciscoBerkeley, and San Jose.
Bike at the San Francisco Zoo | February to October in 2012
The San Francisco Zoo has BikeAbouts scheduled on a monthly basis February through October and on special occasions like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, where riders finish the bike ride with a continental breakfast. Fee: Per peddler – $18 for SFZS Members; $23 Non-Members. For more information, call (415) 753-8135 or email education@sfzoo.org.

Sunday Streets | At least once a month from March to October in 2012
Not bicycle specific, but this event closes down miles of streets throughout neighborhoods in San Francisco to cars and temporarily turns over the streets to non motorized traffic. Fun for the whole family and those looking to get back on two wheels.
Mountain Bike
Photo credit: Carlos Smith

2012 Bay Area Biking and Cycling Events
Fremont Freewheelers | April 2012
The Freemont Freewheelers Bicycle Club has a variety of cycling events throughout April 2012. Check this PDF schedule for details.
Delta Pedalers Danville Farmer’s Market Ride | April 7, 2012
Join Randy for a ride from Heather Farms down the Canal and Iron Horse Trails for a stop at the Danville Farmer’s Market and back for lunch near Heather Farms.
Sea Otter Classic | April 19-22, 2012
A four day event with an expo, races for professional and amateur cyclists, festivities for all ages and more! The Sea Otter Classic is held at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area (1025 Monterey Salinas Hwy 68, Salinas).
Cycle for Sight | April 21, 2012
Choose from three scenic courses between 15 and 50 miles that meander through the hills and vineyards of Napa. The ride starts and finishes at Justin Siena High School, 4026 Maher Street – Napa, CA 94558, where you can enjoy wine tasting, beer tasting and local cuisine at the Cycle for Sight Wine and Music Festival will take place. Proceeds will go to two local organizations, Enchanted Hills Camp For The Blind & Visually Impaired and The California Veterans “Pathway Home Project.”
40th Annual Primavera Century | April 22, 2012
100 mile, 100k, 70k and 25 mile routes through beautiful scenery including the Calaveras Reservoir, Palomares Canyon, Coyote Hills Regional Park, and the Altamont Pass Wind Farm. Enjoy homemade goodies at every stop and a hot meal and massage at the end.
Delta Pedalers Fuddruckers Ride | April 28, 2012
Join Randy for a scenic loop of the Iron Horse, Contra Costa Canal, and Ygnacio Trails, with lunch at Fuddruckers following the ride.
Bike To Work Day | May 10, 2012
This is perhaps the bicycling event of the year, and best of all? It’s free. Bike to work, and stop by an energizer station along the way for goodies and moral support. This is an especially great day to try biking to work if you’ve never done so before.
Levee Bike Tour | May 12, 2012
Want to “learn about the Salt Pond Restoration Project and see Silicon Valley from a new angle”? This free ride allows one to ride a relatively flat, though unpaved, route surrounded by nature. The ride is recommended for ages 14 and up.
Ride For A Reason | May 12, 2012
A century ride from Oakland to Sacramento, with a cause– to bring more funding to Public Schools. The event ends with participating in the Rally For Education at the steps of the State Capitol (1416 10th St., Sacramento). Shorter distances of 65 and 45 miles can be picked up in Suisun train station and Vacaville, respectively.
Amgen Tour of California | May 13-20, 2012
Stages one through three will travel through the Bay Area: stage one starts in Santa Rosa; stage two from San Francisco to Santa Cruz County; stage three from San Jose to Livermore.
America By Bicycle Cross Country Challenge | June 1-July 24, 2012
Ever wanted to explore the United States, cost to coast, by bicycle? This is your chance to fulfill that goal. In this event cyclists will cover an average of 75 miles a day and enjoy 5 days of non-cycling along the way. While the event will take 52 days, for those unable to commit to so many days, the ride is also offered in six sections.
Night & Day Challenge | June 2-3, 2012
A foot, bike, or duathlon race allowing participants to explore San Francisco like never before, visiting sixty point-valued checkpoints placed throughout the city consisting of landmarks, parks, and even some obscure places in any order for 3, 7, or 16 hours. Participants receive maps upon registration where they choose their own route.
Sequoia Century Bicycle Ride | June 3, 2012
The Western Wheels Bicycle Club presents the Sequoia Century, the club’s big annual event, with rides ranging from 20 miles to 200km in Palo Alto.
Alt. | June 16, 2012
Alt. is more than a bike ride. It’s not just bikers tackling Mt. Hamilton, Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo in one day, using public transportation between the peaks. It’s a unique opportunity to get out, get moving, and get involved.
Best Of The Bay | June 16, 2012
Best of the Bay is said to offer “the finest cycling roads through the East Bay hills strung together into one epic ride” with ride distances ranging from 83 to 125 miles, depending on how great of a challenge one is looking to take on. Starting lines vary by route.
Delta Pedalers Camping Trip | June 21-24, 2012
The annual Delta Pedalers camping trip is scheduled for June 21, 22, 23, leaving on the 24th. The camp site is at Sandy Beach County Park along the Sacramento River, just outside Rio Vista.
Giro Bello Classic | July 7, 2012
This event allows cyclists to choose from three routes – a century, metric century, or fun route – as they cycle through Sonoma County, offering beautiful sights and proceeds going towards the Rotary’s Polio Plus eradication program and local charitable projects.
Healdsburg Harvest Century Ride  | July 21, 2012
Try out what is considered among the “greatest rides on Earth”,  a pleasant–though moderately–challenging tour through the Sonoma Wine Country. Distances start at 23 miles and go upward to 60 miles. Ticket price includes scenic rest stops, gorgeous scenery and an after-party lunch.
California Coast Classic | September 9-16, 2012
A frequently contemplated bicycle trip is one from “The Bay to LA”, if you are one of many who think about taking on this challenge the California Coast Classic lets you pedal from San Francisco to Los Angeles on this eight day, 525-mile ride (two day, 150 mile ride from Buellton to Los Angeles also an option). The event is held to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.
Multiple Sclerosis Waves to Run Ride | September 22-23, 2012
The National MS Society holds this two day ride in which cyclists travel from UCSF Mission Bay Campus in San Francisco to Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park. There are various routes offered, and a post-ride celebration takes place at the finish line.
Napa TrekSeptember 29, 2012
A charity ride to raise money to develop treatments and a cure for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Levi’s GranFondo | September 29, 2012
A Santa Rosa charity ride to benefit various charities throughout Sonoma County, including at-risk youth organization and LIVESTRONG. This is the fourth year of the event and there are three routes for rides can choose from.
Golden Wheel Awards | TBA
Giving credit to community supporters and city officials who make streets safer for cycling in San Francisco, this event is presented by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.


For even more Bay Area biking events, check out http://www.bikecal.com/.

511 Contra Costa salutes Brown and Caldwell for their Better Way to Work Week

Brown and Caldwell in Walnut Creek kicked off Bike to Work Day 2011 with their own Better Way to Work Week.  511 Contra Costa attended the Commuting Information Fair during the week leading up to Bike to Work Day.  The fair was intended to give employees on the fence about commute alternatives a push in the right direction.

511 Contra Costa provided information about public transportation, biking/walking trail maps, the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, and our very own Clean Air bags.  Brown and Caldwell’s conference room turned into a Bike to Work Day prep shop as coworkers volunteered their time tuning up bikes, making adjustments, and sharing tips on bicycle safety with their fellow colleagues.

511CC even provided $20 incentives to those who pledged to take a commute alternative during Brown and Caldwell’s Better Way to Work Week or beyond.  One lucky winner received a BTWD bag filled with goodies and munchies!


Thanks for the invitation Brown and Caldwell–we had fun! And congrats to all that participated during Better Way to Work Week.  We hope you continue your green transportation ways!
To schedule your own worksite event to inform employees of alternative commute options and programs, sign up here.

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.
 

Upcoming cycling events in the Bay Area and California for biking enthusiasts

Get those calves in shape! Now that the weather’s been shaping up nicely, there’s no excuse not to get out that two-wheeler of yours and hit some of the fantastic trails in Contra Costa County.
If you feel like traveling further, we’ve got resources for East Bay and Bay Area bike maps, too.
For ideas on longer, more scenic routes to try, read the San Francisco Chronicle article: Long rides for lengthening days.

For those of you looking to compete (or just go watch bikers), we’ve listed some upcoming cycling events. If we missed one you think we should know about, leave a comment and we’ll add it to the list.
Continue reading “Upcoming cycling events in the Bay Area and California for biking enthusiasts”

Bicycle Commuter Assistance Program

Update: This program is no longer available. Please see our Program of the Week for a current program.
Are you a novice or recreational cyclist?
Always wanted to ride your bicycle to work?
511 Contra Costa can help, beginning with training and resources. We’re putting on a free two-day “Traffic Skills 101” class created by the League of American Bicyclists. We will provide you with a helmet or lock or bicycle tune up if you need one.
Get rewarded for riding your bicycle to work. Receive 0.49 cents per mile you ride your bicycle to work up to $100.00/month for three months.
Get compensated for taking transit for part of your commute. We’ll compensate you up to $100.00/month in transit passes for three months.
Continue reading “Bicycle Commuter Assistance Program”

East Bay Bike Coalition Free Bike Safety Classes Starting Soon!

node_177_user_51_newspaper_ad_300Free bike safety classes from the East Bay Bicycle Coalition are coming to an East Bay city near you soon!  The 3.5 hour Traffic Safety 101 Classroom Workshops are for ages 14 and up and are scheduled through mid November in locations all over the East Bay.  No bike required.  The EBBC has also scheduled two 6 hour long Traffic Safety 101 Road Classes in October and November.
The full schedule of these and all EBBC events is available on the EBBC website.
You can also read more in the Contra Costa Times.

Visit 511 Contra Costa at Tracks to Trails July 11th

trackstrails
Join the 511 Contra Costa crew at Tracks to Trails 2009. We’ll be stationed at the Whole Foods Energy Station in Walnut Creek. Tracks to Trails is an event promoting the Iron Horse Regional Trail and its easy accessibility via BART.
Where: 6 Different Energy Stations along the Iron Horse Regional trail.
When: Saturday, July 11. 10am – 2pm.
Energy Stations along the trail:

  • Dublin/Pleasanton BART (at entrance to Iron Horse Trail).
    Sponsored by BART
  • San Ramon at Bolllinger Canyon Road.
    Sponsored by Whole Foods
  • Danville (Prospect Ave. at the San Ramon Valley Museum).
    Sponsored by East Bay Regional Park District Volunteer Trail Patrol and Kaiser Permanente
    FREE bike bells while supplies last.
  • Alamo (Danville Blvd. behind Alamo Bicycles).
  • Walnut Creek (Newell Ave. at Whole Foods Market).
    Sponsored by Whole Foods
  • Pleasant Hill BART (in the greenbelt across from the BART station).
    Sponsored by BART

For more information on Tracks to Trails check out the East Bay Regional Park District website.

trackstrailsmap