Thanks to our pesky production schedule, it’s a tad too late to tell you that another day full of bicycle fun and a free bike safety class were held on Monday. But we hope you went, enjoyed free bagels from The Works Bakery Café for riding your bike to work and got some great bike safety tips.
Luckily, there’s still time to spread the word about the rest of this week’s events, including numerous organized rides on Thursday and Friday from nearby towns to Concord (pictured right).
For additional information on events during Green Commute Week or specific details about the rides, visit path-nh.org/GreenCommuteWeek.html.
Here are some of the highlights we thought you should know about:
Tuesday: Public Transportation Day
Stop by the State House plaza from 7 to 9 a.m. to learn about public transportation services provided by Concord Area Transit and Concord Coach Lines. The folks from Goodale’s Bike Shop will also be hanging out to demonstrate how to fix flat tires and check your bike for other sorts of safety issues.
Come on an empty stomach – there will be free food provided by Stonyfield Farm, Café Indigo and In a Pinch Café.
Be sure to check out live music by local indie rock artist Chris Peters.
To encourage the use of public transit, the Concord trolley system invites passengers to hop on for free during regularly scheduled times (available at: mainstreetconcord.com/pdf/1009catlowresfinal6.pdf).
The Concord Area Transit bus system is getting in on the fun by offering a free single, full-fare ride in exchange for a canned good.
Wednesday: Walk to Work Day
A free burrito just for walking?! Dreams DO come true!
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Eagle Square, Boloco will be giving away free mini-burritos to anyone who uses a green mode of transportation to or around downtown. What’s next? A complimentary taco just for breathing? (We’ll keep our fingers crossed.) Plus, there will be live bluegrass music by the Tilton-based band Bow Junction, and S&W Sports will be on hand to show people how to fix their flat tires.
Many state agencies are organizing walking rallies to encourage employees to trek to work on foot. Visit path-nh.org to see what businesses are participating and where to meet up or add your group to the list.
Thursday: Carpooling Day
Grab a buddy or three and drive on down to Eagle Square from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Carpoolers will be treated to free lunch provided by Hermanos Cocina Mexicana and Stonyfield Farms.
After getting your grub, chat with representatives from the state’s carpool matching program, NH Rideshare, to find out how to keep the green commute torch alive after this week. &W Sports will once again be on hand to help flats.
Friday: Bike/walk to Work Day
We know you’ve already been treated to free burritos and gotten a plethora of green-commute tips, but Friday is the event you’ve been waiting for.
City Engineer Jeff Warner will lead Gov. John Lynch and various state commissioners from Hopkinton to the State House in the ultimate bike ride.
At 7:40 a.m. the governor will deliver the official Commute Green 2010 proclamation. Last year, Lynch got all spiffy and wore a tie-dye T-shirt for his ride. Who knows what he’ll wear this year?! You don’t want to miss it.
From 7 to 9 a.m., stroll or ride on over to the State House plaza. S&W Sports will be over there doing their tire-fixin’ thing.
Weekend: Bike Swap
The festivities will wrap up with a bike swap at S&W Sports, 296 S. Main St.
Don’t have a bike or seeking one with a vintage vibe? Looking to get rid of that hunk of junk that has been sitting in your basement for the last 10 years? If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, you’re in luck!
Donations are being accepted through Friday. Drop your bikes off at S&W Sports during business hours, mention the swap and the fine folks there will know what to do. They’ll even take old bike parts off of your hands and put them to good use.
On Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to noon) peruse the selection and possibly take a bike home to call your own.
All profits from the event will be donated to the Central New Hampshire Bicycle Coalition and will help build bike lanes, bike storage facilities and rail trails in the greater Concord area.
For S&W’s store hours,visit them on the web at swsports.net or call 228-1441.
