Biking Around Our Future Neighborhood

“Joyous!” was how longtime cyclist and member Stu P. described the March 20 biking and social event.

Arlete Hodel of SABA led Washington Commoners on their 2nd bike event of the year, this time a city tour of West Sacramento. The large group included people from New Hampshire, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Cloverdale and Modesto, as well as the locals from Sacramento and Yolo counties. It also included 4 current explorers and one former explorer who decided to renew her Explorer status after the event. Two co-housing enthusiasts (future Explorers?) also joined the group at the Treehouse Cafe for food, drink and socializing after the ride.

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​The tour visited the closest of the Three Sisters' urban farms where peas, chard, lettuce and carrots were thriving and the weeds were non-existent! An additional highlight was bicycling on the Clarksburg Branch Line Trail.  When we returned to the Treehouse Cafe everyone was treated to more fruits of the Central Valley; member Becky shared her labor of love; Kumquat marmalade.

​Many of the newer members and explorers were meeting the long-term members in person for the first time, and even the long-timers did not recognize the faces they had been seeing on Zoom for the past year behind their masks! It was a fun event, nurturing on all levels this unique gathering of individuals that wants to know their neighbors and build community together.

Safety Check!

Final adjustments, ready to ride

​Arlete herds the cohousers at the corner of 4th&G

“Arlete, thank you so much for sharing your biking expertise and wisdom with our group! Even before we mounted our bikes, she performed a safety check. She brought 2 sweepers, always thinking of our safety. And she provided safety tips at the onset and along the way. She led us on a delightful tour, we had a great time, perfect weather and a truly perfect day!”  -Pam

Row of Greens in a meticulously groomed garden

Cohousers form a neat row with their bikes; in harmony with nature is a core value!

First stop on the tour was at the closest of the Three Sisters urban farms where peas, chard, lettuce, and carrots were thriving and the weeds were non-existent

Scott and Lisa in front of pea rows

“It was a great experience to learn about and ride the quiet and beautiful bike paths in West Sacramento. Knowing I can ride my bike to nature, recreation, and shopping made me feel hopeful about being less dependent on my car.”  -Lisa

I told you we should ask for directions!

“What a delightful afternoon. Socializing on such a beautiful day with my companionable future neighbors, Scott and Tom, makes me so grateful to be part of this community.” -Bill

It really is this rural in West Sacramento near the Clarksburg Trail

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"The Washington Commons bike event provided three firsts for me: first experience cycling in West Sacramento, first ride on an e-bike and first in-person group event with fellow Washington Commoners. I can imagine many more biked rides from Fourth and G and many more group events. Not so sure about the e-bike.” -Tom

Almost home with the Tower Bridge in Background, the day was as perfect as the photo

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“It felt so good to be riding a bike again. I’m looking forward to lots of bicycling adventures with my new Washington Commons friends.”
​-Anne G

Pam, Anne and Jae hydrate after the ride

We nourish ourselves on many levels at the Treehouse Café, next door to our site at 4th&G

"One of the many joys of bike riding is all the aromas.... jasmine, newly mown grass, food cooking, fabric softener from someone's dryer, then there's all the different sounds!” -Jae

“It was heartwarming to finally be able to see members of my new community in person, many for the first time. And at a cafe right next to our site! Let's do it again soon!” -Catherine

Becky’s Kumquat Tree

You can taste the labor of love, it was divine!

When we returned to the Treehouse Cafe everyone was treated to more fruits of the Central Valley; member Becky shared her labor of love, Kumquat marmalade.

“I enjoy making kumquat marmalade and am so pleased that I have appreciative folks to make it for.” -Becky