My yellow 1996 Cannondale F700 in front of a Cannondale tent.

Bike to Work Day

“There were nearly 70 stations during Bike to Work Day,” I told my dad, “with almost all of them offering free breakfast!”

“Who provided the food,” my dad wondered. “And why?”

That was a good questions, considering all this free food was not exactly cheap for the givers. Take the station at New Belgium Brewery, for example. Not only was there several kinds of name brand cereal and different types of milk (whole, skim, almond, soy, etc.), there was quinoa with berries and fruit. Quinoa, from what I understand, has been skyrocketing in price in exporting countries such as Peru due to its newfound popularity among protein-craving, health-conscious westerners. The cereal and quinoa was offered with loaner bowls and utensils that were nevertheless made of ceramic and steel, respectively, eliminating waste but incurring costs in both energy and water to wash them in addition to volunteer time.

New Belgium Brewery was giving out free quinoa with fruit and nuts. I was impressed they were using ceramic bowls and stainless silverware.
New Belgium Brewery was giving out free quinoa with fruit and nuts. I was impressed they were using ceramic bowls and stainless silverware.

Regardless of the expense, there were lots of organizations and enterprises hosting Bike to Work Day stations. Many, perhaps, really did want to promote cycling to work for the myriad of health and environmental benefits. All of them were thrilled to use this as a marketing opportunity to get word out about their services and/or products.

Take, for example, the developers and real estate agents for the housing development being constructed in Old Town called Confluence that were handing out water bottles. What did these swanky new lofts have to do with biking to work? Well, I suppose for their future owners, they will be “Point A” of their point-a-to-point-b commute each day. Moreover, it got word out about the availability of homes for enthusiasts of downtown, urban living. Never mind that the least-expensive, 1-bedroom loft with 859 square feet of space is going for $500k and the sold-old penthouses went for about $1.2 million. Fort Collins is getting gentrified.

A good portion—and perhaps the most enthusiastic—of Bike to Work Day participants were not prospective housing buyers, but students from Colorado State University, the local institution of higher education. Take my friend Brooke, for example.

“Grad students never turn down free food,” she said after I observed her big haul of schwag and edible handouts that filled the deep basket on her Giant mountain bike.

Brooke got a big haul of free stuff on Bike to Work Day. Good thing she had a deep basket on her bike.
Brooke got a big haul of free stuff on Bike to Work Day. Good thing she had a deep basket on her bike.

She managed to acquire a bit more than I did somehow. Go figure. No wonder Oreo looks unimpressed with what I brought home. Oh well, at least I didn’t have to make or buy breakfast today.

The free items I got on Bike to Work Day that did not immediately make its way into my belly. (Furry kitty not included.)
The free items I got on Bike to Work Day that did not immediately make its way into my belly. (Furry kitty not included.)
There were lots of people and bikes at the New Belgium Brewery station.
There were lots of people and bikes at the New Belgium Brewery station.
A New Belgium Fat Tire cruiser bike was to be raffled off at Bike to Work Day.
A New Belgium Fat Tire cruiser bike was to be raffled off at Bike to Work Day.
Croissants outside of Little Bird Bakery, courtesy of Emporium.
Croissants outside of Little Bird Bakery, courtesy of Emporium.
My friend Olivia had helped brew many gallons of tea for Happy Lucky Teahouse's Bike to Work Day station.
My friend Olivia had helped brew many gallons of tea for Happy Lucky Teahouse's Bike to Work Day station.
Several businesses were represented in Old Town Square for Bike to Work Day, including casual apparel-maker Akinz.
Several businesses were represented in Old Town Square for Bike to Work Day, including casual apparel-maker Akinz.
I saw a couple people I knew, including Andy and Emma, from Cohere Coworking.
I saw a couple people I knew, including Andy and Emma, from Cohere Coworking.
The Waffle Lab was giving out free waffles. They were sweet and delicious.
The Waffle Lab was giving out free waffles. They were sweet and delicious.
Felix Wong with some guy dressed up as a flower-headed alien at the Cohere station.
Felix Wong with some guy dressed up as a flower-headed alien at the Cohere station.
There were several organizations represented at the CSU oval, including one providing free bicycle repairs.
There were several organizations represented at the CSU oval, including one providing free bicycle repairs.
My yellow 1996 Cannondale F700 in front of a Cannondale tent.
My yellow 1996 Cannondale F700 in front of a Cannondale tent.
Brad Bishop at the Fort Collins Running Club's Bike to Work Day station.
Brad Bishop at the Fort Collins Running Club's Bike to Work Day station.
At the Green Events Bike to Work Day station, drawings of bikes that kids (and some adults) had drawn were on display.
At the Green Events Bike to Work Day station, drawings of bikes that kids (and some adults) had drawn were on display.