NOPA Cyclists Ride & Party: NOPA VELO Re-Cap & SF Bike Party This Friday Night

22nd & Guerrero Pavement-to-Parks stop

Photo: Michael Helquist

Photo: Dale Danley

Ron Stanford of Step3 Studio on parklet construction at Fulton & Masonic

Photo: Dale Danley

Eighteen cyclists -- and two dogs -- spun around town with stops at parks and parklets on Memorial Day Monday for the latest NOPA VELO bike ride. Regulars were happy to greet eight first-timers including four who made this ride their first outing on San Francisco streets. The two-hour ride started at the new parklet outside Cafe Abir at Divisadero and Fulton and stopped by new parks at Showplace Triangle and 22nd & Guerrero and one more parklet at 22nd & Bartlett. Lunch at Nopalito restaurant brought everyone back to home base.

For previous NOPA VELO rides, check here.

Image: San Francisco Bike Party

From a hyper-local bike group to an all city encompassing party on wheels:

San Francisco Bike Party Pride (In The Name Of Love) Ride

Friday, June 3

Gather: 7:30 PM, Rollout: 8 PM

Meetup: Panhandle (near Ashbury and Oak)

Route: here

June is almost here, San Francisco! What kind of ride would we be if we didn’t show our PRIDE!? Come on out and be with the Party as we show you all of the great things this proud City has to offer- architecture, people, history, hills, amazing views, the fabulous Castro, and who knows what else? It is SF, after all, we can only predict so much.

How We Ride:

Stay in the right lane

Stop at red lights

Leave No Trace

Ride predictably and in control
Roll past conflict

Ride Prepared

When in doubt, “Bike Party!!”

Your First Ride With Us?

We try to maintain a leisurely cruising speed. Routes are designed for a wide range of riders to keep pace. Though, with hundreds of riders on different types of bikes, some will find hills more challenging, or have flats and mechanical troubles. Before the ride, make sure your bicycle is in good working order. You should be comfortable riding San Francisco streets which may have traffic, train tracks, occasional steep hills, and other hazards. Bring friends and make new ones riding at your speed. Within your friends be prepared with a flat kit or to fix basic mechanical troubles. If you see someone in need, it’s good bike etiquette to help. That’s also a great way to make new friends in the biking community. Which is what the Bike Party is all about!

Stay in the Loop:
WEB: http://www.sfbikeparty.org/

EMAIL LIST: http://groups.google.com/group/bike-party-sf/boxsubscribe

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Francisco-Bike-Party/118246874907825

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/SFBikeP

It's Not A NOPA VELO Ride Without The Poster

Image: Rick Helf www.helf.com

There wouldn't be a NOPA VELO ride without another outstanding image created by Rick Helf. His collection of ride posters will soon be ready for public viewing in NOPA.

Memorial Day Monday, NOPA folks and friends. Everyone welcome.

NOPA VELO's Pavement-to-Parks and Parklets Ride

The pavement before at Guerrero and 28th Photos: SF Pavement to Parks

The park after

Showplace Triangle today

The North Panhandle’s only neighborhood-based bike ride is about to spin out again on Monday, May 30, Memorial Day. NOPA VELO is all about urban parks for this easy-to-moderate, nine mile ride. (See route here).

Riders will check out new green projects in the city, including the pavement-to-parks sites at Guerrero Park and Showplace Triangle as well as two parklets, starting with NOPA’s latest on Fulton at Divisadero. Route organizer and Panhandle Park Stewards leader Dale Danley reports he’s especially eager to see the how the plants are faring at Guerrero Park. “I see how much the shrubs and succulents in front of the Mojo Bike Café parklet have thrived in a year,” he said. “Now I want to see how much the plants have grown at the other sites.”

As NOPA VELO riders view the new urbanized landscaping, they’ll learn about the process of bringing more green to our city. How did the city get past the “good-studies-sitting-on-the-shelf” routine and actually start implementing innovative uses for our public space? A recent Streetsblog interview with Andres Power, Project Manager for SF Planning, gives an excellent behind-the-scenes report on how city government managed to kick-start the process. One observation by Power:

Change is always hard. Beyond the actual projects that the Pavement to Parks program has installed, I think in my mind the most beneficial change is really pushing the city family to be okay with experimentation.

And don't forget, for an even greener city: You can help green another corner of NOPA by stopping by Chile Pies, 601 Baker at Fulton, on Wednesday, May 25, 5:30 to 7:30 pm for a community party and fundraiser. Get a free pie slice, beer, wine, sodas, New Mexican hot chocolate and more with each admission. More info here.

NOPA VELO ‘s Pavement-to-Parks and Parklets Ride
Monday, May 30, Memorial Day
9:30 am - Meet at Cafe Abir, 1300 Fulton @ Divisadero
10:00 am - Ride begins
All level riders welcome. Kids on own bikes OK if with guardian.
Pets too if on bike or leash.
Info: Lenore at 415-300-6744, lmcjunker@gmail.com

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

Check out our previous rides here.

Rick Helf: Bicyclist, Artist, NOPA Fan

Art that keeps his mind "firmly planted on the rightside"

Rick Helf

Image: Rick Helf www.helf.com

Rick Helf started bicycling in San Francisco in 1977 -- a time when train tracks crossed and lined so many city streets. He still looks out for them, although they've been gone for years. He lived on the corner of Laguna and Pacific and always ended his rides with one of the steepest hills in the city.

Although he now lives in Marin, Helf still bikes into and around San Francisco. Last year, he combined his love of bicycling with his passion for design and illustration by creating the distinctive images that announced the monthly NOPA VELO bike rides. His NOPA VELO premiere featured one-time radical Patty Hearst heavily armed with a bike frame. Riders now anticipate the new images that get them spinning each ride. Rick also created the design for Cyprian's, the new performance venue in NOPA at Turk and Lyon.

Helf's work appears throughout San Francisco and reflects his remarkably diverse talent. He mentioned a few of the locations for his designs and illustrations.

"I worked on the Keyhole house at Bay and Columbus with Flying Colors back in 1979. My painting is still up on Kearny street at the steps. I have done permanent historic exhibits at the US Customs House in SF, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the International terminal at SFO. I've completed historic books on the Ninth Circuit Court Building, and the California Supreme Court Building."

On a grander scale, Helf just completed a 6000 square foot mural on the side of a transport ship.

The North Panhandle seems to have found a fan in Helf. His most recent undertaking is an exhibit of new work at Mini Bar on Divisadero. He considers these pieces a return to fine art and a way to stretch his creativity and "keep my mind firmly planted on the rightside." They reflect his interest in "the progress and the beauty in the aging process, in the case of these works, leaves." Helf's art at the exhibit has been called contemporary Momento Mori (Remember You Are Mortal). But he said he prefers to live by Momento Vivre (Remember To Live).

To see previous NOPA VELO posters, check here.

Image: Rick Helf www.helf.com

World's Fairs and Celebrated Author All in One NOPA VELO Ride

Palace of Fine Arts

Gail Sheehy (2nd from right) joins NOPA VELO ride

Ready for the World's Fairs

After last Saturday’s wet and chill, Sunday’s brisk and sunny morning was a treat for the sixteen riders gathered for NOPA VELO’s first bike ride of the year. With a Lions-to-Maidens World’s Fair tour in mind, cyclists met up at Central Coffee, Tea and Spice, a prime neighborhood spot to meet, greet, and power-up.

Then with a flourish of pink, the day’s Celebrity Rider appeared. Noted and influential author, journalist, and lecturer Gail Sheehy rolled up with her good friend and regular NOPA VELO rider, Steve Hershoff. (Check Sheehy's interview talking about her latest book, Passages in Caregiving). Gracious and poised, Ms. Sheehy said she happened to be in the city and the morning’s ride seemed “so San Francisco.” Besides, she added, “I haven’t been on a bike since last summer.” She lives mostly in New York, and we know about the weather back East.

Soon enough riders spun their way back in time to the site of the 1894 California Midwinter Exposition in Golden Gate Park. The Music Concourse got its start when Michael H. de Young, publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle, persuaded the city to sponsor a world’s fair on the undeveloped park land. An astute and calculating fellow, de Young managed to lure many of the exhibitors from Chicago’s celebrated “White City” World's Fair the year before to transport their exhibits to San Francisco. Seventeen countries and most of the states showed off their wares, and more than 1.3 million people attended during the six-month run of the fair.

NOPA VELO riders checked out the exposition’s remnants including the two sphinxes in front of today’s de Young Museum, the Japanese Village (now the Japanese Tea Garden), and the Cider Press statue.

After a spin around the concourse, riders zipped 21 years forward to the Palace of Fine Arts and the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. Fair enthusiasts have their favorites, but the PPIE, as it became known, was truly San Francisco’s most extravagant and wildly successful presentation to the world. The Tower of Jewels alone, a 43-story building glittering with more than 100,000 colored-glass ornaments, suggests the flamboyance of the fair. The Palace of Fine Arts, designed by Bernard Maybeck and the prized remnant of the celebration, beckoned riders for self-guided tours before heading back to NOPA for lunch at Ziryab restaurant, a jewel in itself on Divisadero.

Next NOPA VELO ride set for April. To get the news first join the NOPA VELO Google Group.

World's Fair NOPA VELO Ride this Sunday Morning

Maidens, lions, sphinxes, and a cider press -- just a few of the sites NOPA VELO riders will see on the first spin of the year during its Lions to Maidens World's Fair Tour Sunday morning. After days of snow on city streets -- or, well, maybe not -- the sun will come out for this special ride through the neighborhood and into two of San Francisco's favorite scenic spots.

Everyone welcome for this NOPA-based biking group. Join us for a brisk morning spin.

Check out our previous rides here.

NOPA VELO Lions to Maidens World's Fair Ride

Sunday, February 27

9:30 am - Meet at Central Coffee, Tea & Spice, corner Central & Hayes

10:00 am - Ride begins

All level riders welcome. Kids on own bikes OK if with guardian.

Pets too if on bike or leash.

Info: Lenore at 415-300-6744, lmcjunker@gmail.com

Join NOPA-VELO Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/nopa-velo

Updates and pics @ BIKE NOPA: ibikenopa.blogspot.com

NOPA VELO'S Lions to Maidens World's Fair Ride Sunday February 27

Image: Rick Helf www.helf.com

Celebrate two of San Francisco's great World's Fairs in one awesome bike ride as NOPA VELO launches its second year of distinctive, thematic spins through the neighborhood and beyond this Sunday morning. Join the NOPA VELO cyclists at one of our favorite cafes for the much-needed power-up and then kick off seeking the lions and sphinxes of Golden Gate Park.

On August 24, 1893 San Franciscans gathered to cheer the first shovel-full of earth turned for the start of construction of the California Mid-Winter International Exposition. Michael de Young, publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle, hoped to attract new settlers by extolling the midwinter climate of California, the land of sunshine. (Ummm, ok). Today's Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park featured four exotic exhibition halls with the style and design of the Middle and Far East. More than 72,000 people flocked to the park for opening day ceremonies on January 27, 1894. NOPA VELO riders will stop by the few reminders of the city's first world's fair: the bronze lion and pair of sphinxes near the de Young Museum, the Wine Press statue, the bronze Roman Gladiator, and the Japanese Tea Garden.

Spinning out of Golden Gate Park riders will head cross-town to the site of the even grander Panama Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) of 1915. When fair organizers proposed returning to Golden Gate Park once again, local folks objected in their very San Francisco way. The city had barely recovered from the 1906 Earthquake and Fire with refugee camps situated all over the park, and advocates wanted to protect the city's prize park. Instead, the promoters filled in the mudflats of what was known then as the Harbor View District -- and today is the Marina District -- to construct an architectural fantasia with a 43-story Tower of Jewels in the center. One of the most beloved structures was the Palace of Fine Arts designed by Bernard H. Maybeck. NOPA VELO riders will visit the newly renovated Palace 95 years and seven days after the official PPIE opening.

If you haven't stopped by either World's Fair site lately, this ride will be a treat, especially to see the makeover at the Palace. Join NOPA VELO for a fine ride through the city with one long climb and one sweeping descent (but all very manageable) followed by lunch at NOPA's own Ziryab Grill on Divisadero at about noon.

NOPA VELO Lions to Maidens World's Fair Ride

Sunday, February 27

9:30 am - Meet at Central Coffee, Tea & Spice, corner Central & Hayes

10:00 am - Ride begins

All level riders welcome. Kids on own bikes OK if with guardian.

Pets too if on bike or leash.

Info: Lenore at 415-300-6744, lmcjunker@gmail.com

Join NOPA-VELO Google Group:

http://groups.google.com/group/nopa-velo

Updates and pics @ BIKE NOPA: ibikenopa.blogspot.com

Special thanks to Robert Ehler Blaisdell's fine evocation of these expositions in San Francisciana Photographs of Three World Fairs. (Marilyn Blaisdell, Publisher, 1994, San Franicsco).

Next NOPA VELO Ride Sunday Feb. 27: Think World's Fairs, Maidens and Lions

NOPA VELO riders ready to roll

NOPA VELO, the North Panhandle's own neighborhood biking group, will spin off on its first ride of 2011 on Sunday February 27th. For newcomers to NOPA VELO: we started last year with monthly rides for neighbors and friends from all over. We meet mid-morning on the last Sunday of every other month at a local cafe to power-up and then head out for a special theme ride, pursuing an eclectic mix of tall tales, histories, and haunts -- we call it "NOPA lore." And sometimes we do it in costume.

Last year saw riders re-enact the deadly duel between a U.S. Senator and a Supreme Court Judge at Lake Merced with a nod to our NOPA street named for Senator Broderick. We stopped by the NOPA building where Patty Hearst was held captive, toured the tall trees of the Panhandle and Presidio, and scarily spotted the ghostly maiden of Stowe Lake for our Halloween Ride. Cyclists can expect even more surprises this year as we tour the city's World's Fairs, honor this year's California Woman Suffrage centennial, and much more.

NOPA VELO welcome all level riders, and most outings are easy to moderate. Kids on their own bikes are encouraged if with a guardian. Pets on leash or on partner's bike join us all the time. Only heavy rain deters us.

NOPA VELO encourages all riders with a romance-seeking bent, to check out the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's fave party Love on Wheels Feb. 9th (sfbike.org/love) . If all works out well for you and someone new, join us for our Feb. 27th ride. (And if not, maybe someone special with NOPA VELO is waiting to meet you). Thanks for the nod to BIKE NOPA this morning, Michael Tanner of SF Chronicle.

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

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

Check here for pics and stories of previous NOPA VELO rides.

Please do visit BIKE NOPA regularly for ride announcements and more about biking and livability in San Francisco.

Cyclists Report Seeing the Ghost of Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park

Forlorn ghost known to haunt Stow Lake searching for lost child

NOPA VELO bikers catch glimpse of ghost across the lake Sunday morning

For more than 100 years visitors to Golden Gate Park have spotted a ghostly apparition hovering around Stow Lake. Sunday morning a group of cyclists observed the woman-in-white during a ride through the park. Rick Helf, one of the organizers of the NOPA VELO cycling troupe, said they decided to circle Stow Lake off JFK Drive at about 10:30 in the morning when the sighting occurred.

Once we were half-way around the lake, someone shouted, 'There's the ghost, across the water near the pagoda.' We all stopped and sure enough a woman in a white flowing gown was pushing through the reeds like she was looking for something. We all heard a distinctive, eerie wailing as if someone was in deep distress or mourning. We knew the lake was supposed to be haunted, but we had no idea we'd actually see the ghost!

Helf said his group called out to the eerie woman who kept wailing and gesturing. They also saw tourists with small children approach the pagoda only to make a quick retreat once they saw the distraught ethereal presence. One child ran up the hillside for safety. After another ten minutes the ghost disappeared into the shadows.

The NOPA VELO cyclists spun out for Ocean Beach and munched on Twix bars in the sunshine to calm their nerves. Even Lenore McDonald was spooked, although she has a reputation among the group for disguising herself as a scary Patty Hearst and a chilling Maria von Trapp. The other cyclists -- including a new rider named simply Wolverine -- returned to the North Panhandle but purposefully avoided the lake. John Rogers, a cyclist who played Halloween tunes on his customized Rock the Bike ride, said no one wanted to re-visit The Ghost of Stow Lake. "It's distressing enough to play Thriller one more time."

Autumn Weather, Scary Ride, Horrortrack On The Way: NOPA VELO Spins and Spooks on Halloween Sunday

You Don't Know Who Might Appear..... Flickr Photo: Steve Rhodes

Dead Man's Bones: My Body's A Zombie for You

When's the last time you biked to the accompaniment of Wayfaring Stranger, My Body's A Zombie for You, Way Down Hadestown, and People Who Died -- in your spook garb, scaring the early risers, and circling Stow Lake for the forlorn resident ghost? OK, but have you ever done it on a Halloween morning with friends and neighbors?

First-timers for a ghoul spin: mornings can be scary, especially on Halloween. It's better if you travel with your own kind. Join NOPA VELO, the North Panhandle's only bike rec ride for neighbors and friends.

NOPA VELO Monster Mash Halloween Ride
Sunday, October 31
Meet: 9:30 at Mojo Bicycle Cafe, 639 Divisadero, between Hayes & Grove
Start: 10 am sharp
(If you're running late, join the group in the Panhandle or call Lenore for location)
End: about noon with drinks and lunch at Duboce Park Cafe, corner of Duboce & Sanchez

Easy to moderate 8 mile ride
All level riders welcome; kids on own bike OK if with guardian
Spooky pets too if on leash or in bike basket
You Will Want to be in Costume! It's Halloween!
More info: Lenore @415-300-6744, lmcjunker@gmail.com

For previous rides and to appreciate again the previous posters, check the NOPA VELO Series.

NOPA VELO Bikes the Park Just Like in the 1890s

Cycling in Golden Gate Park in the 1890s

NOPA VELO on the way to the park from the North Panhandle

Crossing Masonic with the right-of-way, in the crosswalk, and riding across legally

Bridge-and-tunnel stop in the Park

Dawn D'Onofrio checks Golden Gate Park history notes

In the 1890s Americans took to bicycling in a very big way -- and often on very big wheels. San Franciscans were part of the new spinning craze, and Golden Gate Park became a favorite destination.* No doubt a good many fashionable residents of the Western Addition pulled their bikes out garages and alleys along Fell and Fulton, Grove and Golden Gate and headed for the Panhandle. Just like this Sunday when the North Panhandle's only bike group for neighbors and friends, met at Matching Half Cafe, rolled down Baker street, and started the Secret Paths of Golden Gate Park ride.

Our troupe of about 20 included first-timers, young Ben and his dad Peter, a just-married-last-weekend couple, and Smoky the dog. A great day in the park with stops at Alvord Lake, one very old bridge and tunnel, the velodrome (Polo Field), Beach Chalet, and all those secret paths in between. Thanks to Dawn D'Onofrio for planning the route, Lenore McDonald for helping test-run the ride, and Rick Helf for the great ride poster.

* For more history of bicycling in the late 19th century and cycling's popularity in San Francisco, check this article by Chris Carlsson in Streetsblog.

For stories on the seven previous NOPA VELO rides, check here.

NOPA VELO Reveals Secrets of Golden Gate Park -- Sunday, September 26

Image by Rick Helf rickhelf.com

NOPA VELO powers up to greet San Francisco's sunny summer weather for our September ride. Where better to ride than a lengthy spin through Golden Gate Park, discovering the little-known and seldom-used paths and back roads? Dawn D'Onofrio and Lenore McDonald trekked throughout the park to find the out-of-the-way places -- the oldest bridge, one of the city's hills right in the park, observatory ruins nearby, and the park's only velodrome. Lakes, waterfalls, and tree ferns -- the city's best treasure almost in our back yards.

After a good pumping ride, we're stopping at Rancho Grande on Divisadero for drinks and lunch. It's a busy weekend coming up. Be sure to add NOPA VELO to the mix.

NOPA VELO Secret Paths of Golden Gate Park

Sunday, September 26

9:30 am Meet at Matching Half Cafe, 1700 McAllister @ Baker

10:00 am Start ride (lagging behind a bit? catch up with us in the Panhandle)

Lunch at Rancho Grande Restaurant, 855 Divisadero

Anyone can ride this one: easy to moderate, mostly in the park, 2 hours ride time

First-timers encouraged, friendly group here

Kids always welcome if with a guardian and wearing a helmet

Pets too if on bike or on leash

Info: Lenore, 415- 300-6744 , lmcjunker@gmail.com

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

For previous NOPA VELO rides, stories and pics, check here.

Ross Rides Russian with NOPA VELO: Pastries and Onion Domes Follow

Starting out at Peets in NOPA

Supervisor Ross with Dale talking Panhandle Park Plans

Best-dressed Bryan

"2,000 years of church history in a nutshell" from Father Juvenal

The Holy Virgin Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi joined NOPA VELO's To Russia With Love, for Pastries Ride Sunday morning and somehow managed to resist the sweets and savories at Cinderella Bakery. Few followed his example, and instead sampled rum rolls, apricot-filled butter cookies, strawberry cream danish, batrushkas, fried potato and spinach piroshkis and more. Twenty-five cyclists in the Richmond, in the sun, with amazement.

At Our Lady of Kazan Russian Orthodox Church on California Street, Father Juvenal welcomed the riders and offered a quick review of church history. How old is the church? "Thirty-three," he replied. As in 33 AD. That particular place of worship, not quite so old. The visitors were allowed to take a look inside at the conclusion of Sunday Services. "We always stand, there's no sitting," the pastor added. "Every Sunday it's SRO here." Next stop: the Holy Virgin Cathedral for the Diocese of Western America on Geary with its gold onion domes and ornate interior.

Puffed with pastries and incense, a good spin up Clement to the VA Medical Center and viewpoint at the rear of the campus afforded much-needed fresh air and a carb release. After a quick stop at Fort Miley for a glimpse of the fog-shrouded Marin Headlands, riders rolled down the Great Highway, hooked up with JFK Drive and returned to NOPA through the park and panhandle. Everyone opted for lunch at Green Chile Kitchen -- not exactly Russian, but NOPA VELO is an eclectic bunch.

Next ride: Sunday, September 26, The Hidden Paths and Trails of Golden Gate Park

For all NOPA VELO news, join the 120 members of our Google Group

NOPA VELO to Ride the Richmond in Passionate Pursuit of Pastries Sunday

Lots of pedaling after this stop at Cinderella Russian Bakery

Yes, espresso please, quickly

You don't want to miss this bike ride! Pastries, repeatedly, with much pedaling in between. Take the Russian bakery and NOPA pastry history tour with the North Panhandle's only recreation bike group for neighbors and friends. This Sunday carb-stoking and carb-burning all in one great spin.

NOPA VELO To Russia With Love, of Pastries Ride
Sunday, August 29
Meet: 9:30 am at Peet's Coffee
Start: 10:00 am sharp
(If you're running late, join the group on Grove Street or through the Panhandle and GGPark; we're turning north on 6th Av exit)
End: About 12 noon
Lunch options: Green Chile Kitchen, 1801 McAllister @ Baker or Chile Pies & Ice Cream, 601 Baker @ Fulton
Flour-and-sugar dusted confectionary attire encouraged
More info: Lenore 415.300.6744, lmcjunker@gmail.com

Join the NOPA VELO Google group here.

NOPA VELO Rides Russian: Stoked with Pastries August 29

Image: Rick Helf www.helf.com

NOPA VELO pedals for pastries Sunday, August 29th with stops at two stunning Russian Orthodox churches along the way. Start out with a hot Peet's brew at Falletti Plaza, then ride through the neighborhood to the Richmond with its Russian community, churches, stores and your soon-to-be-favorite sweet confections. The route includes carb-burning stretches to keep appetites primed. Riders return through the Panhandle for a difficult decision: get lunch at NOPA's super-popular Green Chile Kitchen or go for more delectables at Chile Pies & Ice Cream.

NOPA VELO rides always feature a Nopa-lore connection. Here's a local note on an early bakery in the Western Addition on Grove Street in the heart of today's North Panhandle. In 1889 San Franciscans enjoyed more than 320 bakeries in the city; today there are half as many privately-owned operations. Stoller Bakery at 314 Divisadero was one of the neighborhood's popular sweet spots. John Zoller first worked at Engleberg Bakery on Kearny street for twelve years and at an O'Farrell street outlet for another five years. In 1892 he and his brother Karl opened their own bakery on Divisadero and continued with it for four years. During this time, John and his wife, Catherine, purchased property on Grove Street between Baker and Lyon. By April 15th their two-story home at 1548-1550 Grove was completed.

By 1899 John Stoller grew restless with the bakery business. He decided to try his hand at retail liquor sales instead. He established his new store a half-block from his home on the northeast corner of Baker and Grove. This venture was apparently unsuccessful, and John returned to his original trade as a baker and confectioner until 1907 when records of his business and residency come to an end. As the NOPA VELO troupe heads west with visions of perfect puffs, iders will give a nod to the Stoller brothers on Grove Street.

NOPA neighbors and friends are most welcome to join the North Panhandle's only family- and pet-friendly bike group.

NOPA VELO To Russia With Love, of Pastries Ride

Sunday, August 29

Meet: 9 am at Peet's Coffee

Start: 10:00 am sharp

(If you're running late, join the group on Grove Street)

End: About 12 noon

Lunch options: Green Chile Kitchen, 1801 McAllister @ Baker or Chile Pies & Ice Cream, 601 Baker @ Fulton

Flour-and-sugar dusted confectionary attire encouraged

More info: Lenore 415.300.6744, lmcjunker@gmail.com

Join the NOPA VELO Google group here.

Note: A history of the Stoller Bakery and 1548-1550 Grove first appeared in a longer version in the North Panhandle News, the NOPNA newsletter. Check other "house histories" in the neighborhood at www.nopna.org .

Take a look at previous rides and amazing posters by Rick Helf in the NOPA VELO series here.

NOPA VELO Spins Green: Tall Trees Ride Sunday July 25th, View Route Map

NOPA VELO is all green Sunday, July 25th with a tall trees bike tour and a picnic in the park. If you missed the ride in June, be sure to add this green spin to your weekend. Find out what the bike buzz is all about for NOPA's only bike group for neighbors and friends. Organizers are adding an art + tree spire stop in the Presidio and a view from a new panoramic overlook.

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

NOPA VELO Rides Pride Parade

Individual signs for each bike in the LGBTQ Pride Ride

Meet up at Oasis Cafe

NOPA VELO, the North Panhandle's biking group, took to Market Street today for the sun-drenched "Forty and Fabulous" LGBTQ Pride Parade marking the 40th year for the city's biggest parade. They joined the 70 plus member contingent of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) and spun their wheels right behind the kick-off group, Dykes on Bikes.

NOPA VELO and SFBC members first met in a NOPA garage on Saturday morning for a bike decorating party to prep the customized SFBC placards for each bike, along with handlebar streamers for all.

Sunday morning the SFBC floats rolled through NOPA, met NOPA VELO cyclists at the Oasis Cafe on McAllister and Divisadero and altogether headed for Market Street.

Thanks to all who helped with the event, especially SFBC volunteer Scott Madden,volunteer decorators, cookie makers, riders, and to SFBC for great promotion and logistics support and for welcoming NOPA VELO in a great San Francisco event.