It's Bike to Work Day in Sonoma Valley

Getting up early make final arrangements for Bike to Work Day? Check the brake pads, make sure the chain is oiled, the seat is at the right height.

Don't worry, you won’t be alone. Bike to Work Day is one of the county’s favorite working holidays, with support from Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition alike.

Plus there many "Energizer stations" in Sonoma County - use the map at bikesonoma.org to locate one near you.

There are a couple of them here in Sonoma, both open from 6 to 9 a.m for the morning bike commuter. One is at the Sonoma Bike Path trailhead on Hwy 12 at Lomita Ave., across from Maxwell Farms Regional Park. It's hosted by the City of Sonoma, Whole Foods Sonoma and Wine Country Cyclery.

The other refreshment station is at MacArthur Place hosted by MacArthur Place Inn & Spa and Sonoma Valley Cyclery. Try them both, let us know who has the better coffee.

If you're lucky enogh to be pedalling back home in the direction of downtown, come over to the "Bike Home Happy Hour" at the Epicurean Connection. From 3 to 5 p.m., enjoy complimentary selections by award-winning bicycling cheesemaker Sheana Davis, plus Apple Sauced, a Gravenstein Apple Cider, with live music and more.

Afterward, at 5:15, meet at Sonoma Valley Cyclery for a casual bike tour (some might call it parade) of downtown Sonoma. The group ride loops around the historic Sonoma Plaza with a 5:45 p.m. arrival at MacArthur Place.

From then till 7:30, it's the Bike Home Celebration on the MacArthur Place veranda garden, with the swingin' jazz stylings of the Jason Bodlovich Group. Complementary hand and neck massages from the Garden Spa, donated appetizers from MacArthur Place, donated beverages from New Belgium Brewing, The Other Guys and Don and Sons Winery.

Raffle prizes include an overnight stay at MacArthur Place Inn and Spa, dinner at Saddles Steakhouse, bicycle tune-up and cool bike products from Sonoma Valley Cyclery (SVC). If you sign up today to become a SCBC member, you will receive a $25 gift certificate immediately for Saddles Steakhouse.

If you live in Santa Rosa, the after-party is at the Trek Store (512 Mendocino Ave.) from 5—6:30 p.m., brought to you by Trek, the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, and the Climate Protection Campaign. 

It starts around 5:00 pm at Trek's parking lot on the corner of Mendocino and  7th.  Win a bike in a benefit raffle, quaff a Lagunitas or Anchor beer, enjoy a meal from one of several food trucks, and be in our big group photo shoot at about 6:00, bring your bike! The  Hubbub Club brass band will play, there'll be a kids’ craft table and free bike parking too. More info on their Facebook.

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