On a recent bright and beautiful Saturday morning, several folks got together to visit the Richmond Shoreline for a bike tour of California’s Rosie the Riveter Memorial and other historic sights hosted by Outdoor Afro Sela Steiger. This was the first of several planned events this year designed to connect people all over the country to our local National Parks.

Invited by two wonderful National Park Rangers, Raphael and Reggie, we learned so much about the historic Richmond area and engaged in compelling conversation about the rich, complex historic diversity surrounding this part of …

In honor of Black History Month, the Adventure Cycling Association will announce the Underground Rail Road route this week! And Outdoor Afro is excited to share the news of this inspired 518-mile alternate Detroit route.
Photos Courtesy of Adventure Cycling Association
The 2,000 miles Underground Railroad Bicycle Route (UGRR) was established in 2007, beginning in Mobile, AL and ending at Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. Adventure Cycling has since been committed to developing alternative routs and spurs in order to involve more people and communities in this historic ride.

This newest Detroit Alternate invites …

In collaboration with the East Bay Regional Parks, Urban Tilth, and Richmond Spokes, Outdoor Afro helped to produce today’s “Greenway to Greenway” community bike ride.
 

 
The ride was suited for all ages, and designed for riders to explore the benefits of local “green” transportation corridors that also connect us with nature.

Our group assembled at the train station, where our bikes were checked by cycle wizard Brian Drayton, founder of Richmond Spokes. After a brief intro and safety talk, we cruised 14 miles along the Ohlone and Richmond Greenways.
We stopped along the …

Getting outdoors does not have to require a lot of time or money, but they are the biggest reported barriers among Outdoor Afros. With these fun, and mostly free options below, you can get your outdoor fix on, without sacrificing an entire weekend or your piggy bank.
1. Hike – Check out the options near you via local city parks, rec/nature centers, and National Parks. Do pack a snack and plenty of water to take with you!

2. Stargaze – In some parts of the country, the evenings are the best time …

I met Jenna Burton last month at a bike ride in the San Francisco Bay Area that was just too much fun — the Red, Bike, and Green ride she and her friends organize each month.  The ride meandered through urban terrain as diverse as the people who live in it, and I can’t recall laughing so much on a bike ride! Here is my interview with Jenna, who shares some of what she loves about cycling and the outdoors:
What is an early memory of riding your bike?
My dad taught …

In keeping with the theme of cycling, I was just “tagged” on Facebook by fellow cyclist and ED of Richmond Spokes, Brian Drayton in the following photos:

The photos are of Marshall “Major” Taylor, which were a pleasant surprise, as I had no idea that he even existed!
More about this man’s life can be found here and here. But basically, he was a turn of the century record breaker in cycling who also broke through the lines of discrimination.
But the most poignant reason to share these images, is that they are yet …

I just love what this young man is creating by combining bicycles, and culturally relevant innovation! I’ll let his video speak for itself:

Scrapertown from California is a place. on Vimeo.

Outdoor Afro Bike Ride a Wild Success!
While I am still recovering from the planning and fun of the bike ride on Sunday, I could not let another day go by without sharing and thanking everyone involved with the event to make it a success in every possible way!

The Scoop:
A total of twenty-three bikers of a wide range of ages and abilities wheeled though the underrepresented parts of Richmond, California. East Bay Regional Parks Naturalist Bethany Facendini was an amazing resource, providing loaner bikes for those who did not have one, …

PRESS RELEASE
For those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, join us for an innagural Outdoor Afro Bike Ride, designed for people who have not been on a bike in years!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Richmond BART (with plenty of FREE parking)
10:00 AM for bike inspection
11:00 AM depart
Registration Required: 1-888-EB-PARKS (1-888-327-2757, option 2,3)
This easy flat ride is FREE and co-sponsored by the East Bay Regional Parks and led by the Richmond Spokes crew. We will begin at the Richmond BART and pedal through communities of color along the watershed to …

By Dudley Edmondson
Continued from Part 1
Now you need something for the head and hands. I usually wear a synthetic stocking cap. The word synthetic pops up a lot because it is the fabric most commonly used in designing “performance clothing” that is clothing specifically desinged to be used in a number of outdoor activities from climbing to cycling, running etc.

After a Run in 25 Below Zero Winds!

I think I own more performance wear than I do any thing else. A good fleece hat and they come in many weights …