San Francisco bike questions
May 15, 2013 11:40 AM Subscribe
I'll be travelling to San Francisco for a conference the last week of May and I'd like to rent a bicycle and bike around a bit. Any bike-related stuff going on then? This and other bike questions inside.
I'll be arriving early afternoon on Monday the 27th (assuming no filght delays) and flying back out late Thursday night. The conference is scheduled for Tuesday - Thursday so this leaves me most of Monday and the other evenings free. So, not a lot of free time but if there happen to be any sort of bike-related events or rides going on please let me know. I'll be staying near Union Square, but happy to travel anywhere in the city (or down to the Penninsula).
In terms of biking, I am someone who commutes about 15 miles/day year round in Maine, and I take longer rides on the weekends once the snow melts. I'm not a racer but generally have no problems riding with city traffic and getting around at a good enough pace.
I used to live (but not bike much) in San Francisco so I am familiar with the city generally and if nothing specific is going on I'll plan to ride around to some favorite places Monday and in the evenings.
Bike rental: searching brings up the two biggest bike rental places, which seem fine, but I'd happily give my money to a local bike shop instead if any do rentals.
Stores: I know many bike-related companies are based there, so are there any flagship or otherwise interesting stores or the like I should check out if I have the chance?
Any tips, warnings, etc. from local riders are greatly appreciated!
(Bonus Question: A pierogi restaurant called Stuffed was supposed to be opening in the Mission by "mid-April", but I haven't been able to find any news beyond that. Anyone know if it will be open by Memorial Day?)
I'll be arriving early afternoon on Monday the 27th (assuming no filght delays) and flying back out late Thursday night. The conference is scheduled for Tuesday - Thursday so this leaves me most of Monday and the other evenings free. So, not a lot of free time but if there happen to be any sort of bike-related events or rides going on please let me know. I'll be staying near Union Square, but happy to travel anywhere in the city (or down to the Penninsula).
In terms of biking, I am someone who commutes about 15 miles/day year round in Maine, and I take longer rides on the weekends once the snow melts. I'm not a racer but generally have no problems riding with city traffic and getting around at a good enough pace.
I used to live (but not bike much) in San Francisco so I am familiar with the city generally and if nothing specific is going on I'll plan to ride around to some favorite places Monday and in the evenings.
Bike rental: searching brings up the two biggest bike rental places, which seem fine, but I'd happily give my money to a local bike shop instead if any do rentals.
Stores: I know many bike-related companies are based there, so are there any flagship or otherwise interesting stores or the like I should check out if I have the chance?
Any tips, warnings, etc. from local riders are greatly appreciated!
(Bonus Question: A pierogi restaurant called Stuffed was supposed to be opening in the Mission by "mid-April", but I haven't been able to find any news beyond that. Anyone know if it will be open by Memorial Day?)
Bike rental: searching brings up the two biggest bike rental places, which seem fine, but I'd happily give my money to a local bike shop instead if any do rentals.
I've rented from a few places in the city, and can completely recommend these guys. It's just a couple of great guys that rent great bikes. They can probably help you plan routes and answer any questions too.
posted by piedmont at 1:14 PM on May 15, 2013
I've rented from a few places in the city, and can completely recommend these guys. It's just a couple of great guys that rent great bikes. They can probably help you plan routes and answer any questions too.
posted by piedmont at 1:14 PM on May 15, 2013
Stuffed updates from Eater SF. Sounds like still on the way. If I'm on that block soon I'll peer in the windows and see what's up.
Is your conference at the Mark Hopkins, by any chance?
posted by gingerbeer at 6:03 PM on May 15, 2013
Is your conference at the Mark Hopkins, by any chance?
posted by gingerbeer at 6:03 PM on May 15, 2013
Response by poster: The conference is at the Hilton (Fluent).
Thanks for the rental info, they look like an interesting business!
posted by mikepop at 10:32 AM on May 16, 2013
Thanks for the rental info, they look like an interesting business!
posted by mikepop at 10:32 AM on May 16, 2013
This is some info from a friend:
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Bike Shops:
Worth checking out is Huckleberry Bicycles on Market Street - they're doing something a bit different in terms of bike shops, and they've gotten a lot of kudos for it. See http://www.huckleberrybicycles.com/
I also like Box Dog Bikes in the Mission - http://www.boxdogbikes.com/
Rivendell Bicycle Works features their locally designed beautiful lugged steel frames, and a lot of other lovely gear. They are a BART ride away in Walnut Creek, but it's worth it because you can take the bikes out for a spin, and the folks who work there are friendly. They'll have a pop up in SF in early June, if you'll still be around, see the advert below. More info in general at rivbike.com
Of course, SF critical mass is still the last Friday of the month. Looks like you'll be gone. But, many other bikey events in SF are listed on the SF bike coalitions website here: http://www.sfbike.org/?chain
If you're heading to the East Bay, East Bay Bicycle Coalition's calendar is here: https://www.ebbc.org/calendar
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posted by eyesontheroad at 4:09 PM on May 16, 2013
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Bike Shops:
Worth checking out is Huckleberry Bicycles on Market Street - they're doing something a bit different in terms of bike shops, and they've gotten a lot of kudos for it. See http://www.huckleberrybicycles.com/
I also like Box Dog Bikes in the Mission - http://www.boxdogbikes.com/
Rivendell Bicycle Works features their locally designed beautiful lugged steel frames, and a lot of other lovely gear. They are a BART ride away in Walnut Creek, but it's worth it because you can take the bikes out for a spin, and the folks who work there are friendly. They'll have a pop up in SF in early June, if you'll still be around, see the advert below. More info in general at rivbike.com
Of course, SF critical mass is still the last Friday of the month. Looks like you'll be gone. But, many other bikey events in SF are listed on the SF bike coalitions website here: http://www.sfbike.org/?chain
If you're heading to the East Bay, East Bay Bicycle Coalition's calendar is here: https://www.ebbc.org/calendar
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posted by eyesontheroad at 4:09 PM on May 16, 2013
Latest update, too late for your visit -- Stuffed is now open.
posted by gingerbeer at 9:53 PM on August 31, 2013
posted by gingerbeer at 9:53 PM on August 31, 2013
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posted by substars at 12:21 PM on May 15, 2013