Claremont Bike to Work Pit Stop...

From 6:00 to a bit after 9:00 this morning, the city of Claremont, Metro, Foothill Transit, and the Claremont Senior Bike Group sponsored and hosted a pit stop down at the depot, for bicycle commuters. The event gave riders an opportunity to either fuel up before their commutes, refuel following their ride into town. Not only was there fruit and doughnut holes, water and Clif Bar products, provided by the above sponsors, but my favorite Village stop-in place, the Last Drop Cafe, generously supplied coffee and cookies as well. Metro and Foothill had a manned table with information about their services. Jax Bicycle Shop, located right across the street, had a tent set up with work stand and tools, and were doing a little tune-up wrenching on some of the bikes that rolled in. The city had a table covered with various bicycle related information. Some of the people, from the city, responsible for bringing the Amgen Tour of California to Claremont were in attendance - crunch time for them has arrived; at one point a truck, loaded high with barricades arrived, and off they went to some point along Saturday's route. 

the city proudly displayed their Bicycle Friendly Community banner

checking out one of the arriving bikes

some of the people in attendance

As to the commuters, there was a regular stream of them coming and going but, I must confess to being a bit disappointed in the turn-out, the gaps between the coming and goings was telling. I don't know if commuters were generally unaware of the event, or they did not have time, but I frequently saw riders pass by without stopping, or riding along on a more distant street, unaware of the pit stop. So it was not a case of bike commuters not being out and about, they were, but for whatever reason they simply did not stop by today. The coolest part of the morning, I suppose, was the hospitality of the hosts. They graciously welcomed any and all; people passing by on walkers and wheelchairs, riders departing from Foothill buses, and people simply walking past on their way to work, no one was ignored, and I think that spirit of goodwill will be remembered by cyclists and non-cyclists alike. For that, the Bicycle Pit Stop was a clear success.

Claremont Bike to Work Pit Stop...

Well, once again, there you go. As soon as I ask the question, I get an answer. In-depth reporting? Not at all. Completely coincidental? Absolutely. 


Claremont's Bike to Work Pit Stop will take place on May 19, between 6:00 am and 9:30 am in front of the depot. Co-sponsored by Metro, Foothill Transit, the City of Claremont, and the Claremont Senior Bike Group, the event will include morning refreshments, maps and information, and bicycle tune-ups. It was very cool to be able to meet other bike commuters, share stories, and talk of infrastructure at last years event. Leave the house just a little earlier than normal and stop by.

an early hour shot, at last years Pit Stop

Bike to Work Day in Claremont...

Went a little out of my way on the ol' ride in to work this morning in order to stop by Claremont's historic depot where the Bike to Work Day pit stop was located. Organized and funded by the City and Metro; the Claremont Senior Bicycle Group (very active club, I see them riding around all the time) were actively hosting, greeting everyone who pulled up. Morning commuters could partake of the usual breakfast treats, coffee, or pick up some packages of Gu and Mojo Bars. Metro was there, and at their tent you could pick up the Metro county bike map, or handy pocket guide. Little patch kits were also available.

I ended up hanging out for about a half hour, much longer than I had planned. Some familiar faces rolled in, or were already there, but I also met some new folks. Usual talk about bikes, routes, commuting, infrastructure plans, etc. Glad I made the morning detour. Eventually all good things must end, and I could hear work calling me from the office, and I had to say goodbye. As I rode away I glanced along the side streets and noticed more people riding in to take my place. I expect the rest of the morning continued along those same lines, with riders coming and going, grabbing a quick coffee or bite to eat, chatting a bit, and then continuing their own commutes.