BTWD

8:30am: Me and Abby at the Claremont Energizer station, hosted by Hank and Franks Bike shop in Oakland.


I got up on Thursday very excited about Bike to Work day. It gives me a chance each year to meet other bikers and spread the word about how easy, fun, and eco it is to bicycle just about anywhere in the Bay Area.

My new job at A Verb for Keeping Warm is 3.5 miles away from where I live in Oakland. Typically Kristine and I carpool there in our shared Honda Civic (30 mpg) with Cleo the dachshund or Marcel the Angora bunny and of course a spinning wheel and/or a loom, and maybe some fiber on top.

I got up at 7am to prep for the day. I pulled out my bike, pumped the tires up, and loaded my messenger bag.
My helmet, gloves, and lights were attached and I was ready to ride!

The morning was already very sunny and warm so I left my jacket at home and rode up College Avenue and stopped at a station where I heard my name called. It was Abby (abmatic), she was there and very happy to see me. She had texted me to let me know she'd be there. I didn't get the text but fate brought us together anyway!

Hank and Franks handed out tote bags perfect for bike riding with coupons for local bike shops, a Scharffenberger Chocolate bar and Mini Cliff Bar that became by breakfast later on. Thanks Cliff bar you rock!

I then said goodbye to Abby and went down Alcatraz turned right on Hillagass and then though the neighborhood onto Ashby. I was at work very early and started working on the Fiber Club.

For lunch I rode my bike to Westside Cafe and loaded my baskets with lunch and rode back to the studio (this was very fun!)

After work the East Bay Bicycle Coalition was holding a party called Bike Away From Work Party in Oakland's Temescal District.
So at 5:30 I rode down San Pablo went up Powell Street and then went down 51st to Telegraph Avenue. Behind the Frazee paint store the rode was blocked off and bike parking was set up.