You know what the ninth month means, right? Well, it used to mean that the new school year was just beginning; these days, however, September means that most students already have two to three weeks under their belts. YOUR job is to stay extra alert as you drive past your local schools. Give those walkers and riders lots of extra space.
September also brings many wonderful opportunities for all South Valley cyclists, but I’m gonna focus on my three favorites: blocked-off boulevards, boisterous buccaneers and bicycle benevolence!
On Sept. 8, Viva CalleSJ returns to San Jose. A number of major streets will be totally closed to motor vehicles, allowing riders of anything non-motorized to take over! From 10am-3pm, the streets are yours! (Map: vivacallesj.org)
On Sept. 19, don your swashbuckling cycle swag and hit the roads and trails! Of course, it’s our favorite parodic holiday of the year: Talk Like a Pirate Day! Just don’t let your sashes and swords get swallowed by your spokes!
The very next day, switch from silly to serious, and take advantage of Recycle Your Cycle Day to change the lives of those less fortunate. Many of us have bicycles in our garages, sheds and backyards that are just collecting dust. Be a hero this fall and donate that bike to someone who can really use it. Go to the city website in Morgan Hill or Gilroy, search for Second Chance Week, and learn how easy it is to do.
Save the Dates
Anytime: Gilroy/Morgan Hill Bike Match, bit.ly/BikeMatch
Sept. 8: Viva CalleSJ–San Jose, vivacallesj.org
Sept. 14: Ride to End Homelessness, Menlo Park, lifemoves.org
Sept. 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day, talklikeapirate.com
Sept. 20: Recycle Your Cycle Day, South Valley, morganhill.ca.gov
Sept. 21: Tour de Fox, Geyserville, tourdefox.orgCurt “Cycle Guy” Hentschke is a cyclist, seeker, song farmer, and scribe. Send your cycle celebrations and cerebration to he*********@gm***.com.
