If you haven't pulled your bike out of storage and got that tune up yet now is definitely the time.  The weather is turning and we're starting to see lots of great riding days.  It's National Bike Month! 

Dorchester events during bike week

Start off Bike Week on Saturday May 14th by exploring some of the jewels of the Emerald Necklace by bike from 10:30 – 12:30. Meet at the Franklin Park Club House for a relaxed ride on both roads and paths.  After the ride head over to the Bike and Kite festival in Franklin Park from 12 - 4 p.m. sponsored by the Franklin Park Coalition, Boston Bikes and Boston Centers for Youth and Families.  There will be free bike rentals, rides in the park and other activities including kite flying.  Dot Bikers will be helping to lead the rides.  

Start the work week off right by riding your bike to the Ashmont Cycles/Dot Bike commuter breakfast on Monday May 16th at Ashmont Cycles 551 Talbot Ave..  Stop by on your bike anytime between 7:30 and 8:30 and grab a drink and some eats to energize you for your ride to work.

Need to learn how to fix a flat, change a tube and what to have with you on your bike to make it so?  Join Jack the owner of Ashmont Cycle at his shop for a free fix-a-flat workshop on Tuesday May 17th  at 6:15 p.m.  Give him a call at 617-282-6552 with questions or to let him know you're coming.

Now that you know how to fix-a-flat there is no excuse not to join the Ashmont Cycle shop ride on Wednesday May 18th at 6:00 p.m. All riders are welcome and we'll plan to break into different groups based on riders speeds and abilities.  For this bike week shop ride we'll have an option to do a mostly flat ride partially on bike paths or hammer away in the Blue Hills for short or long loops depending on how you're feeling.

Thursday morning May 19^th from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. is a second Dot Bike Commuter Breakfast in Edward Everett Square at the Pear weather permitting

Friday May 20th is the first Boston Bike Friday of the season with a festival/breakfast on City Hall Plaza at the finish.  Join the Dorchester convoy as we ride up Dot Ave. to City Hall Plaza.  We start at 7:00 a.m. in Peabody Square on the plaza in front of Ashmont Cycles or you can meet up with us at Fields corner (intersection of Adams St. and Dot Ave. at 7:10.  Help make Dorchester the largest convoy.  You can register for this free event online here.

And to close out Bike week join Dot Bike, Boston Cyclists Union and Boston Natural Areas Network for a Dorchester Coast Trail exploration ride on Saturday May 21st at 2:00 p.m.  We'll look at the options for connecting the Neponset Greenway to the Harbor Walk - i.e. closing the gap based on the report produced by Tufts University IEP graduate students for the DCR.  Meet at Pope John Paul II park at the parking area near the play ground.

Check our Events listings for upcoming rides and events in the neighborhood and nearby.  For more city and state wide rides check out the calendars of MassBike and Boston Cyclists Union.

As we get more specifics on our Dot Bike events and rides I'll continue to update this post so check back.