Thursday, July 15, 2010

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

No comments:

Post a Comment