THU 5/19
The organizers of Thursday’s Bike to Work Day are making it easier than ever to join in the annual alternative-to-driving event. In Oakland, there’s a pancake breakfast (7-9 a.m.) followed by valet bike parking, free bike tune-ups, a Pedal Power Carnival (11 a.m.-4 p.m.), and even a Heavy Pedal Cyclecide Bike Rodeo (noon-1 p.m.), all at City Hall. Every weekday, some 36,000 Bay Area residents use a bicycle to get to work — on Bike to Work Day, that figure is expected to grow to anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 participants. In addition to pancakes and rodeos, there are “Energizer Stations” at busy locations all over the East Bay, and those who can’t bike all the way to work are encouraged to bike to transit. Looking for a way to get in shape, help the environment, and save a few bucks on high-priced gas? Take the healthy commute this Thursday. For more info, visit 511.org or phone 511 and say “Bicycling.” – Kelly Vance
Bike to Work Day Credits: Al Cameron
SUN 5/22
Strike HQ
Grab Your Balls
Hey, gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered bowlers — get your game out of the gutter. Have fun, make new friends, and learn how to make that 7-10 split the hard way. Starting this Sunday evening (6:30) at Holiday Bowl in Hayward, the Summer 2005 Rainbow Rollers league meets to form four-person teams and get acquainted, with team bowling set to begin June 5. Summer league bowling every Sunday of the twelve-week season costs $13 per person per week. For more info, contact Brian Billings or Adriana Ojeda at Holiday Bowl, 29827 Mission Blvd., Hayward. 510-538-0300, bo******@*****il.com — Kelly Vance
SAT 5/21
Kids on Hogs?
“Finally — a motorcycle festival for families!” reads the ad tag line for Saturday’s Axis Community Health Motorcycle Festival. And if the presence of Snazzy the Clown, Oliver the Magician, Disney’s X-treme Team, and a balloon twister among the tricked-out choppers, soft tails, Sportsters, old school, rigid frame, and bagger bikes on display makes it family style, the all-day event (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Livermore’s Carnegie Building (2155 3rd St.) is indeed family to a fault. There’s a 3 p.m. “Best Of” award presentation in various categories for the bikes, plus motorcycle demos and contests, a raffle, live music, “family-friendly food” (let’s think about that one for a while), and (gulp) a beer and wine garden. Also the ubiquitous raffle — for a Hawaiian cruise. Tickets are $20 at the gate, or call 925-201-6010. — Kelly Vance
