Slow News - Scenic Routes Center for Bicycle Culture Hi Neighbors, Happy July! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

*Take 10, June 5th 2025 *

Slow News.

Hey Neighbors!

May I introduce to you the “Scenic Routes Center for Bicycle Culture.” Wait, what? Isn’t this Scenic Routes Community Bicycle Center? Well yes, it is, and it always will be, but it is also now the Center for Bicycle Culture. And in six months it might be something else. We like to keep our options open and hold our truths lightly over here. You never know what you’re going to get when you walk in the doors of 521 Balboa, but we will always give you our authenticity, attention, and time.

Our new little name means nothing except some additions to our sticker and merch collection, but it does beg the question, what is bicycle culture? What is the bicycle culture that we want to promote when people walk through the doors of our shop, when people look at our instagram, or read our newsletter? What we really want is for people to feel safe. Safe to ask their questions, safe to be new at something, safe from the casual violence of motor vehicles, and safe to participate in an activity that requires us to move our bodies in ways that sometimes feel uncomfortable. We want the culture of bicycles to be one that is radically opposed to the extractive, capitalist, often soul crushing world that we live in. Our bikes are our modes of transportation, our means of exercise, and beautiful pieces of art work, but they are also a symbol that says “Hey! I am daring to live outside the status quo.”

Being a part of the bicycle culture that Scenic Routes hopes to promote doesn’t even necessarily mean riding a bike all that often. As someone who is chronically ill, there are months that go by where the furthest my bike travels is from my house to the bike shop. Seven whole blocks. But what a thrilling way to commute to work, feel the wind in my hair, and move my body before sitting down to work on other people’s bikes for the day. The thrill isn’t about the speed or the distance or the difficulty, but the feeling of floating over the city streets and watching the buildings blur together as you turn corner after corner. Our bicycle culture is about allowing yourself the opportunity to connect to your physical body in a joyful way. Part of that joy is about reimagining what bikes can look like. If you’ve walked into the shop recently, you might have noticed bright pink and yellow frames with purple tires and blue cable housing and little star shaped beads adorning them. One new customer thought we exclusively had children’s bikes. But just because our bikes are shockingly cute, it doesn't mean they aren’t capable. They are well equipped to take you on all the rides your heart desires, even if those desires change day to day. If some days your heart’s desires are to ride up Mount Tam and watch the fog roll over the hills and other days your heart’s desires are to cruise to the farmer’s market and fill your basket with stone fruit and fresh baked bread, our bikes are the ones for you, and our bicycle culture is the one for you.

Our bicycle culture is about reimagining the bounds of what bikes can be used for, along with what they can look like. The newest addition to my gaggle of bikes is a front bucket Larry v. Harry Bullit, bought just to cart my giant puppy around. Molly Haden flies around the city on her cargo bike with people, plants, and pressure cargo every day of the week, and the countless cargo bike parents doing morning drop off via bike instead of car are sweet reminders that cities are navigable without the constraints of a motor vehicle. In fact, not only is the city navigable, but it is a source of immense joy when you aren’t stuck behind red lights in a metal box. Running your daily errands while pedaling your legs isn’t just a means of movement, it is a means of resistance. That is what our bicycle culture is about.

Our bicycle culture is about reimagining the bounds of what bikes can be used for, along with what they can look like. The newest addition to my gaggle of bikes is a front bucket Larry v. Harry Bullitt, bought just to cart my giant puppy around. Molly Haden flies around the city on her cargo bike with people, plants, and pressure cargo every day of the week, and the countless cargo bike parents doing morning drop off via bike instead of car are sweet reminders that cities are navigable without the constraints of a motor vehicle. In fact, not only is the city navigable, but it is a source of immense joy when you aren’t stuck behind red lights in a metal box. Running your daily errands while pedaling your legs isn’t just a means of movement, it is a means of resistance. That is what our bicycle culture is about.

There is a place for you within the world of bicycles. This magical tool is not reserved for athletes and children. It is for everyone, in every season of their lives.

This month at Scenic Routes. Things are happening. Community is happening:

Thursday, July 10th, 7:30pm - NIGHT MOVES COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE

Join us for a bop to the beach. We will meet at the shop, meander through Golden Gate Park, and post up Ocean Beach to (hopefully) watch the sun set and listen to the waves crash. I’m making homemade fudge (I just bought a candy thermometer and I’m really excited about it haha!) and we will be serving tea. Bring a mug, warm clothes, and bike lights if you have them. This is a beginner friendly, good times, slow rollin’ kind of ride. We’ll see you there!

Meet at 7:15, Roll at 7:30.

Thursday, July 17th, 7:00pm Rotating Mechanic’s Class - ALL ABOUT BRAKES!

Come learn all the ways in which your bike stops rollin’. Rim Brakes, Disc Brakes, Mechanical Brakes, Hydraulic Brakes, All about BRAKES! Learn how to tell when your pads need changing, how to use your barrel adjusters, and how to skid out like a 12 year old boy trying to impress his crush. Sign up here: Class Signup

Thursday, July 31st, 7:00pm - SCENIC ROUTES COMMUNITY NIGHT!

Join us at the shop to gab and giggle and have a sweet night of friendship and connection. Bring your bike questions, your life questions, and a generous spirit. Community Night was Scenic Routes’ first event, and will forever be my favorite. See you there!

Sunday, July 27th, 11:00am - DAY GROOVES QUEER COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE!

A ride for the girls, the gays, the theys, the queens, and the queers. Everyone crushed last month’s Twin Peaks ride, but let’s keep things a little more casual this month. We are going to bop around the dirt trails in the park, and post up at the Fly Wheel Coffee Kiosk for some giggling and gossiping to end the day.

Meet at 10:45, Roll at 11:00.

P.S. Starting in August, Scenic Routes will have a new monthly ride geared towards families! We will meet outside the Conservatory of Flowers on JFK, cruise around the car-free areas of the park, and end somewhere for a little picnic and a story time! The ride will be the first Sunday of every month at 9:00am. More details to come, but I’m really excited for this new addition to our calendar!

I hope you’re all finding pockets of sunshine in our foggy little neighborhood, and basking in the warmth of your community.

We’ll see you soon :)

Ayla Visit Our Site!

Scenic Routes Community Bicycle Center, 521 Balboa Street, San Francisco, United States

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