Tree Geeks Spin Their Wheels: NOPA VELO's Tall Trees Ride

Image by Rick Helf, www.helf.com

What next for NOPA VELO? After the Patty Hearst, a Duel to the Death, Maria von Trapp, Dead Presidents, and Pink with Pride rides, what else might inspire a Sunday morning spin for the North Panhandle's favorite bicycling group? How about the Towering Trees of NOPA (and beyond)? Bikes and Trees. What better match and how green is that?

The Panhandle and the Presidio are heaven for tree geeks. They are home to several of the same tree species, and they both have trees planted a hundred years ago. But the tall trees planted in the Presidio by the U.S. Army - and more recently by the National Park Service - have lived a different life from their relatives in the Panhandle. So what's your favorite type - the Army Brats or the offspring of William Hammond Hall, first superintendent of Golden Gate Park?

Riders get started at Central Coffee, Tea and Spice, the neighborhood's nearly historic must-have-caffeine stop. Then the band will buzz down the block to the Panhandle, roll along the path -- allowing room for the strollers -- and stop at the Sue Bierman Memorial Grove near Shrader Street for the first tree talk. Then bikers take off for the Presidio, pass through the Arguello Gate and stop at Spire, the Andy Goldsworthy art installation. The tour continues along the Presidio's ridge line and visits a new overlook before leaving at 15th Avenue and returning to the Panhandle for a picnic lunch.

Andy Goldsworthy's Spire

NOPA VELO Tall Trees Ride

Sunday, July 25
Meet: 9:30 at Central Coffee, Tea & Spice (Central & Hayes)
Start: 10 am sharp
(If you're running late, join the group in the Panhandle near Shrader)
End: about 12:00 pm with a picnic lunch in the Panhandle (bring bike-friendly treats)

Mild to moderate 7 mile ride through the Panhandle and along the Presidio Rim
All level riders welcome; kids on own bike OK if with guardian
Pets OK too if on leash or on bike
Tree hugger attire encouraged
More info: Lenore @415-300-6744, lmcjunker@gmail.com

Join the NOPA VELO Google Group here

Panhandle: The Neighborhood Park Needs Some Help

Panhandle draws neighbors from north and south of the park

Panhandle Park Stewards earlier this year

Dale Danley (far left), Guillermo, park gardener, )second from left)

Over the long July 4th holiday weekend the Panhandle Park became a neighborhood magnet for picnickers, sun-seekers, and people walking, biking, and watching. Several large groups of fifty or more sprawled on the grass appreciating one of NOPA's greatest assets. Dale Danley, leader of the local Panhandle Park Stewards, has noticed a continuing increase in Panhandle users. "Our neighborhood park is thriving this summer, more popular than we have seen in years," he recently wrote to the other volunteers.

Danley also noted that basic maintenance and improvements become even more important with the surge in visitors. BIKE NOPA reader Nick observes, as many others have, that the Panhandle multi-use path on the north side gets very crowded and more difficult to negotiate for people walking or on bikes or pushing strollers. One thing he'd like to see is a fresh coat of yellow reflective paint -- or thermoplast -- for the divider. He also suggests new directional arrows on either side of the lane. "They might be helpful to prevent the problems of peds and bikes acting like salmon." Although the Recreation and Parks Department (RPD) faces huge cuts in its operating budget, Nick wrote that the pedestrian path on the south side of the Panhandle was recently painted.

The Municipal Transportation Agency has been installing bike racks and larger bike corrals in neighborhoods around the city. Now RPD needs to take its turn and add more bike parking. Commenter Nick suggests bike racks at the relatively new restroom located in the western half of the Panhandle would be especially welcome.

Nowhere to park and lock a bike near Panhandle's restroom

This upcoming Saturday the Panhandle Park Stewards will host another workday to help the park's gardening staff keep the paths, flower beds, and open areas in good shape. Stewards leader Danley welcomes neighbors and all park enthusiasts to help provide TLC to the park beginning at 9am. Meet at the bulletin board near the playground. Tools and gloves are provided, but he suggests volunteers might want to bring their own gloves and wear sturdy shoes.

One more Panhandle news note: the Neighborhood Park Council (NPC) will recognize Danley and other local park leaders next week in a celebration at Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley.

Women Who Bike: Rose Johnson

Rose Johnson: another day of biking

Women Who BIKE!: Rose (2nd from left)

Photos by Rose

Women Who Bike is a collaborative effort by BIKE NOPA and Bikes And The City that features San Francisco women and their bicycles. Each Monday and Wednesday check both blogs for the experiences, stories, and ideas that women who bike the city want to share with you.

What's your style of biking?

Efficient. Depending on my mood, how late I am, and my energy level, I choose routes that accommodate my needs. On a sunny day there is nothing I love more than a cruise down the Wiggle. When I am tired, I avoid the hills and enjoy the granny gear. On a sunny Saturday morning the Sausalito hill is nothing. But most of the time, I bike standing up.

How often do you bike and what for?

I ride my bike everyday, almost everywhere I go. I bike because I can and because I believe in alternative forms of transportation, a low-cost life style, and participation. My bicycle is not only my main form of sustainable travel, but it is also my load wagon. I like to see how much stuff I can fit on the back. By using busted tubes creatively, I am able to carry all of my supplies for my small bike-powered business, Apothocurious, my camping gear for bike tours, and for my bike-less friends.

What can San Francisco do to encourage more women, including teens and younger, to bike?

I think with proper education to EVERYONE (cyclists, car drivers, and youth) we can share the road safely and enjoyably. When we prove that "it can be done," we empower everyone in being able to live a low-cost, low-impact, and low-stress life style.

I think when someone is able to experience bicycling around the city in a safe, fun, and supported environment, within a few rides they are hip to the ease, the possibility, and the new-found freedom that comes with bicycles.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I lead an all-girl bike club at Hoover Middle School. The group is not a place without boys, but a place where females can express their uniquely feminine experiences without judgment of misunderstanding. They can ride slow, walk up hills, or ask questions that might otherwise have have overlooked or unheard in a bike club comprised mostly of boys. The group is unique in the way that the pace is more calm, the leadership is fluid, and, when I look back to check on the riders behind me, every rider is doing exactly what she should should be: riding safely.

What's one of your best times bicycling?

I live on my bicycle, and most of my friends do too! So much is shared, experienced, and grown when we travel together. For the past three years I have trained for the AIDS Life Cycle ride. I have only ridden once, but the training is what is special to me. Year One, my friend Nicole convinced me to jump on for an 80 mile trip to Occidental. This was when I was first getting into long distance cycling, and the feeling of accomplishment I got at the end of that trip was enough to know it was true love. Year Two I decided to do the ride, and I convinced my two besties to join me. It was the greatest thing to spend a Saturday riding 80 miles, catching up, preparing and appreciating each other. This two more besties have decided to do the ride. Watching them preparing, helping fundraise, and riding the Headlands has been full of so much beautiful quality time.

I surprise people when I bike when ...

I'm in my yellow vest with ten kids in tow.

My message to women who want to try biking:

We can do it!

Rose lives in NOPA and, as she says, "I heart the Panhandle...so hard."

*****

For more great stories, take a look at these previous Women Who Bike posts:

And stop by Bikes And The City every Monday and Wednesday for Meli's Women Who Bike. (Treat yourself and visit her site every day!)

If you or someone you know might like to join this series, please ask them to contact me at Michael7820@gmail.com