NOPA VELO Climbed Every Mountain for a Perfect Sunday Morning Spin

41 NOPA VELO cyclists before they took to the hills of NOPA

The prospect of pedaling up a few San Francisco hills encouraged even more neighbors and friends to join the 3rd monthly NOPA VELO outing. Forty-one cyclists gathered Sunday morning for a perfect day of bicycling in the city. Manaf, the owner of Apollo Coffee, helped the biggest turnout yet get buzzed with coffee, tea and sweets. Among the cyclists were two dogs (one travelling proudly in a bike basket; the other with a steady gait the full ride), four young pedalers, and ... guest appearances by Maria von Trapp and the Storm Trooper who stepped out of the perenially playing Sound of Music.

Intrepid musicologist and cyclist John Rogers displayed perfect timing with everyone's SOM favorites (but he understandably declined to play "The Lonely Goatherd"). For the tougher climbs up Page and Parnassus Streets, "Climb Every Mountain" lifted everyone's spirits while the choice of John Coltrane's version of SOM was pure inspiration. Riders took on Alamo Square, Buena Vista, Panassus Heights, the de Young Tower, and even the steep Lone Mountain, with only a few huffs and puffs along the way. Treats at the Divisadero Farmers' Market were in springtime abundance when NOPA VELO returned to the flatlands.

Any NOPA residents identify the North Panhandle block that inspired NOPA VELO's March ride poster by designer Rick Helf? It's an imagined block with a bit of Broderick, Fulton, and Golden Gate Avenue all together.

What NOPA-lore will inspire April's ride? Clue: "TR." Last Sunday of the month;
Next up: April 25th with a kick-off breakfast and coffee at Mojo Bicycle Cafe and the
new Divisadero parklet.

Join the NOPA VELO Google Group for the latest ride and bicycling NOPA info here.

Ride with NOPA VELO, SUNDAY March 28th

Haven't taken a NOPA VELO ride yet? You missed out on Patty/Tania Hearst and the Duel-t0-Death Re-enactment that gave Broderick Street it's name. But, hey, how about joining Julie/Maria and the rest of us riding the "peaks of NOPA"? We might be stretching the "Climb Every Mountain" aspect but we do include (as an option for hardy spinners) Lone Mountain just to the west of NOPA.

We meet-up at at 9:30 am at Apollo Coffee at Divisadero and Turk. Get powered up with some fine coffee or drinks and morning carbs. Manaf, the exceedingly friendly owner of Apollo, is looking forward to our group stopping by. Kick-off at 10 a.m. We'll make the ride safe and smooth and mostly easy; a few moderate climbs included.

After Alamo Square Park, the Buena Vista foothills, Parnassus Heights for the best view, and a walk or bike climb up Lone Mountain, we'll roll down to the hugely popular Divisadero Farmer's Market where all sorts of treats wait for us. Say hello to Dmitrius, market manager, and to Seni and Ryan, the great guys at SF-Grill for sandwiches you have to try. (They've also reserved three tables and seating for us). Or try Juicy-Lucy right across from the grill for a good cool-down smoothie. Pastries, fruits, nuts, Mojo coffee on the spot.

Take a stroll down the block a bit and see if you can snag a table at the new, hot parklet in front of Mojo Bicycle Cafe...or at least see what all the buzz is about.

For more information: Lenore @ 415-300-6744; lmcjunker@gmail.com

Join NOPA-VELO Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/nopa-velo

Heavy rain cancels ride. All level riders welcome.

Kids on their own bike OK if with adult guardian.

Challenge to NOPA neighbors: can you name that block of houses in the poster above?

NOPA VELO 3: "The Hills Are Alive with the Views of NOPA"

Image: Rick Helf (does it again!)

NOPA VELO takes on a lighter note for its third monthly ride the last Sunday of March. After the bank-robbing Patty/Tania Hearst and duel-losing U.S. Senator David Broderick themes of its first two rides, NOPA VELO nudges neighbors and friends to let their "hearts be blessed with the views of NO...PA." You do remember the Sound of Music lyrics certainly? After all the sing-a-longs at the Castro Theater, you must remember this: "Climb Every Mountain, Search High and Low, Follow Every By way, Every Path You Know."

NOPA VELO spun every mountain, rode high and low, pursued every zigzag, and Google-biked the route we'll take. Don't let the "peaks of NOPA" scare you off. Only a few moderate climbs are included in this 7 mile, 90 minute ride. Experience the views like never before: Alamo Square Park, the Buena Vista foothills, the Parnassus Panorama, and a real true Lone Mountain.

Spinning the heights with such good company deserves "all the pedals you can give, this one day of your life, for as long as you live." Lederhosen, dirndls, and uniforms encouraged. Expect musical surprises. All level riders welcome. Kids on own bike OK if with guardian. Heavy rain cancels. Contact Lenore for more info: lmcjunker@gmail.com

Sunday, March 28th

9:30 a.m. Meet 'n' Mingle at Apollo Coffee, 1064 Divisadero @ Turk

10:00 a.m. Spin off for the ride

11:30 a.m. (or a bit later) Drinks and lunch at Divisadero Farmer's Market @ Grove