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 the Bay Area.

We began the tour noticing some memorial plaques and informational engravings at the meet-up point. Then we hopped on our bikes and visited the Ford Assembly Building; a former Model-A factory which now houses Title Nine Clothing, Mountain Hardware, and SunPower‘s R&D unit, among other new businesses. From this vantage we could also see Shipyard No. 3, the last remaining shipyard from the WWII manufacturing boom of the 1940s.

Back on our bikes, we cruised to the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, an interesting architectural sculpture meant to resemble the hull of a ship. Guided by our expert leaders, the group was encouraged to consider the voices of the “Rosies”; women who worked in these shipyards,  representing many of the first African American settlers in the region who fled the Jim Crow South in search of better opportunities.

We talked about the ways in which the increase of civilian labor associated with WWII opened doors for marginalized groups (women, Blacks, and Asian American workers); many of these individuals were accepted into jobs previously denied to them, although often with a cost.

With an emphasis on discovery and critical thought, as well as enjoying the beautiful Richmond Shoreline, the Rosie the Riveter tour proved an enlightening way to spend a Saturday. Check out their website for more information.

Photo Credit: Irene Nexica

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 cyclists to enjoy historic landmarks between Oberlin, OH and Owen Sound, including Oberlin College (among the first institutions of higher learning in the United States to accept African-American students in 1835) and the remains of Starkweather Homestead, the site where Underground Railroad conductor George McCoy farmed and raised his family. The route also passes through Motor City where cyclists can stop and check out the Motown Museum, housed in Berry Gordy Jr.’s two-family flat at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit!

Adventure Cycling is a non-profit geared toward encouraging and supporting cycle-based travel and engagement with America’s historical landscapes. Please check out more historical information and details about the Detroit Alternate , as well as Adventure Cycling’s other historic trails at adventurecycling.org

Also, from February 22-28, Jim Sayer, executive director at Adventure Cycling will be appearing at regional events in Detroit, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, to promote the new route. You can find more information about those events here.

Happy Black History Month and happy cycling!

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 way to learn from naturalist Bethany Facendini of the EBRP the many different plant and animal species that thrive along the corridor.

Effortlessly, we rode through the cities of Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito then arrived in Richmond, where we were welcomed by the staff of Urban Tilth, who provided a delicious chicken kabob barbeque and refreshments.

Doria Robinson, the passionate Executive Director of Urban Tilth, gave us a tour of butterfly and vegetable gardens created and tended by her local staff who are transforming their neighborhood, with great pride, one seed at a time.

Thank you Doria Robinson, Brian Drayton, and Bethany Facedini for coming together to create yet another powerful experience connecting community with nature.

Read more about the Richmond Greenway and view more pictures!

What “greenways” exist in your community?

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 to be outside. Grab a loved one, and take a slow stroll near where you live, or drive to more remote areas for a better view with less city light competition.

3. Backyard Cook-Out – Grilling meats and veggies outdoors always feels like a treat, and is much less fuss and clean-up than kitchen cooking. Bonus points for eating outside on a blanket and inviting the neighbors over to share!

4. Ride a Bike or Skate – Time to pull out that bike or pair of skates you’ve had in storage for the last five years! Spray a bit of WD-40 to loosen up the rusty bits, and away you can go! Don’t forget water and a helmet!

5. Bird Watch – Contact your local Audubon Society for a list of birds local to your area. They may even have a pair of binoculars you can borrow too! Challenge your companions to find their “best” bird or count how many of the same species you find.

What other activities can you think of that are free and easy to do in the outdoors?

What is an early memory of riding your bike?

My dad taught me how to ride a bike.  When I was a kid I was never allowed to go very far on my bike unless I was with my dad.  He and I would ride everywhere.  In hindsight, I realize how unusual that was for black folks in my hometown to hop on a bike and just ride all afternoon.

Describe your favorite bike.

I’m still learning about bikes but I really love the one that I have now.  It’s a Bianchi Eros.  It’s light weight and it is the perfect size for me.  I experienced a lot on my bike – the most memorable being the AIDS ride from San Francisco to L.A.  My bike was so good to me, I didn’t catch a single flat!

How did the RBG ride come together? It’s intentions?

RBG started with me reaching out to a bunch of friends and saying, “Hey, let’s start a bike group!”  The whole thing started by word of mouth.  We would just invite people that we knew had bikes and would be down for something like this, told folks to bring friends, and hoped for a good turn out.  Needless to say, we got off to a slow start.  I think it’s because none of us were exactly sure what we wanted this thing to look like – we just wanted to see black people on bikes.  We saw bike riding as a unique approach to bringing people together and actively responding to the issues around health, environment and economic status within the black community.  Now we see RBG as a way to build community and promote health.

Describe the type of people who ride with RGB?

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 another reminder that African American engagement with outdoor activities is not at all new.

What is your family history involving bike riding?

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, and gave talks during our breaks with demonstrations to educate the group about the local watershed.

Urban Tilth’s Doria Robinson was also on hand to share information about native plants and other fascinating lore about Richmond’s expansive shoreline.

The ride was mainly a flat 12 miles that meandered along the Wildcat Creek line, through neighborhoods, and ended at the San Francisco Bay with sweeping views of Mount Tamalpias in the distance. This ride went further than many in the group had ever travelled by bicycle. Even more compelling is that several participants were either new bike riders or had not been on a bike in decades. More experienced riders, including two from the East Bay Bicycle Coalition seemed glad to slow their pace and support the newer riders.

Richmond Spokes, a community bicycle coalition and job training organization, was on hand adjusting many of the bikes that had not seen the light of day in years. Executive Director Brian Drayton assisted on the route, and coached less experienced bikers to make small changes in posture and pedaling to help them get more enjoyment out of the bicycling experience.

As we rode through neighborhoods, residents were more than a little curious to see so many people of color riding through on bicycles. But there were frequent cheers and other gestures of support. Participant Delane Sims said, “A black bike ride has more impact on our inner city neighborhoods than we might imagine. It made my heart smile to hear all the love and support via car horns and cheers from our brothers and sisters!”

Comments like Delane’s were echoed by other participants, and a reminder that the most powerful way to get more people involved with outdoor spaces is through role-modeling culturally relevant examples.

Thanks again to all who participated to create such a wonderful, life-changing experience. I assure you Outdoor Afro and its partners will do it again – and in a city near you!

So, what would it take for you to bike in your local urban area?

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 the San Francisco Bay. This is a terrific opportunity for people of color to be visible in both urban and natural spaces to inspire others to get out and enjoy the simple pleasure of riding a bike, while learning about the watershed.

Click for Press Release!

MAP:

Helmets Required. Also bring water, sunscreen, sack lunch, and sunglasses.

For day of event questions, phone: Rue Mapp 510-913-6100

See you then!

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.

I think I own more performance wear than I do any thing else. A good fleece hat and they come in many weights can really help you regulate body heat. A good hat will be soaking wet at the tip top on the outside, leaving your head bone dry, that is the beauty of performance wear. The head, as you probably know, is like a chimney. Massive amounts of heat can easily be lost if it is left uncovered, so get a good fleece hat. Now you need gloves or mittens. My preference is mittens. Fingers together in a dark warm place are much warmer than gloves with fingers separated by fabric with cold spaces in between.

Footwear depends on what you plan to do outside. Don’t wear snow boots and go for a run. You will be sore and sorry you ever left the house! Blisters will do you in even before you get started. If you are going running, wear running shoes and wool socks. If you are going to hike, wear a boot that will give you full range of motion, that is not too heavy and won’t sweat your feet out causing more blisters. With skiing,  you  simply have to wear ski boots.

Now move your body! The trick here is slow and steady, slow and steady. When the temps are in the single digits or below zero you want to move just enough to get a work out in and just enough to heat the pockets of air between your skin and the clothing you have on. You will be amazed at how much heat you can produce running down a trail covered with snow in 20 below zero wind chills. Here in Northern Minnesota I will get in 20 to 25 miles of running a week on snowmobile trails through the woods in the dead of winter. I also cross-country ski most winters and find it a blast even when it is zero degrees out. I also bike all winter over snow packed country roads if conditions are not too bad. The same principals apply in all cases, dress in layers.

So if you’ve never tried exercising outdoors in the winter, treat yourself to a whole new world of fun. If you follow these tips you just might enjoy winter again, just like when you were a little kid.

Dudley Edmondson is the author of Black and Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places, and is available for speaking engagements.