Time to inflate your tires, polish your helmet, and squeeze into that old riding spandex!  May is Bike Month in San Luis Obispo, and whether your are a seasoned pro or a beginning biker, there are plenty of fun activities planned for you and your trusty set of wheels. Here are some highlights of the over 60 free events scheduled county-wide during the upcoming weeks:

Commuter Bike Competition- How many friends and coworkers can you motivate to cycle for their commute?  Compete with other local businesses in the same size bracket to see how many miles you can ride to and from the workplace!  Register your company today by visiting the San Luis Obispo Regional Rideshare website.

Kidical Mass- Take the children out on a spin around town with the just-for-kids version of the Thursday, May 3 Bike Happening at 5:30pm.  Costumes are encouraged for this year’s theme of “Rainbows”.  Meet at Mitchell Park and follow the leaders through downtown San Luis Obispo!

Bike to Bites- On Wednesday May 9, head over to Atascadero’s Galaxy Theater for pizza, root beer and a movie!  The ride starts at the Community Center for a quick safety lecture at 3:30pm.

Bike-In Movie-  Leave the car at home for the San Luis Obispo Bike-In Movie on Thursday, May 11 at the Mission Plaza.  A showing of Napoleon Dynamite begins at 7:30 pm under the stars.  Bring snacks, blankets, and a friend!

Bikefest- Arroyo Grande will be holding the Iras Memorial Bikefest on Saturday, May 12 starting with a Bike Parade at the Rotary Bandstand on Nelson St. at 12:30pm.  From there, the party pedals to Branch Street Deli with food, beer from New Belgium Brewing Company, and music from blues and jazz band, Moonpie.

Montana de Oro Group Ride- Take in the scenery on Saturday, May 12 for the Montana de Oro Group Ride.  Meet at the Ranger Station at 1pm to wheel up Hazard Peak Trail.

Tweed Ride- Don’t be surprised to see many a dapper lady and gentleman on Sunday, May 13.  They will be gussied up to take part in the SLO Tweed Ride, beginning at the Triangle Park near the Railroad Station at 1.  Play croquet, listen to music, and munch on crumpets.  Visit the Tweed Ride’s official site for more details and outfit recommendations.

Women’s Bike Workshops- On Monday, May 14, beginning at 6pm, join your sister cyclers for bike workshops and tutorials.  Sign up through the SLO Bicycle Coalition for a free spot and details on time and location.  Sorry, no boys allowed!

World Bike Relief Poker Run- Play a game of chance through downtown San Luis Obispo for a good cause.  Benefiting World Bicycle Relief, a non-profit that provides bicycles to third world nations, participants take off from Central Coast Brewing on Saturday, May 19th at 10am to begin their walk or ride in search of playing cards at local businesses.  Donations are $5 a hand, and there will be prizes, food, and beer on tap.  Stick around for a raffle after the Run!

Cote de Tolosa Velo Challenge III- Tolosa Winery and the SLO Bicycle Coalition host a beautiful 52-mile ride on Sunday, May 20.  The event is free, and leaves the Winery in Edna Valley promptly at 7am.  Lunch is provided for those taking part in the event.  With over 5,000 feet of climbing, this journey is for serious cyclers only.  Register at Tolosa’s events page.

Bike Workshops- Become bike savvy through a day of workshops held at the SLO Bicycle Coalitions Headquarters in downtown San Luis Obispo on Monday, May 21.  The first of a series of lessons begin at 6pm and will go over basic rules of the road, dispel common myths, and provide tips on ow to ease your commute around town.  Stick around for their 7pm session where you will learn basic bike maintenance and repair skills.  Reserve a spot through the SLO Bicycle Coalition website.

Dad’s Big Wheel Race- Bring the best plastic toy ride you can find, haul it to the top of the Jennifer Street Bridge in San Luis Obispo, and race with your fellow costumed crazies.  Padding comes highly recommended for this lighthearted competition on Saturday, May 26 at 3:30 pm.  Dad will award prizes for Hottest Hot Wheel and Coolest Costume.  Move to Gus’s for social hour and bruise-nursing afterward.

Pedal to Paella- Gather at Santa Margarita Park on Sunday, May 27 at 2pm for the fourth annual Pedal to Paella.  Tour the alleyways to wind up at the Educated Gardener Nursery for paella, friends, and music.  Bring your own drinks, dishes, and flatware.  Ingredient donations appreciated.

Bicycle Advocacy Mini-Summit- Learn to make communities more bike friendly through advocacy and awareness on Wednesday, May 30 at 6pm.  Held in the SLO Library Community Room, you can reserve a seat at the discussion through the SLO County Bicycle Coalition.

Bike Month Blowout- Party with your fellow road warriors at the Creeky Tiki in San Luis Obispo on Thursday, June 7 at 6:30pm.  Commuter Bike Competition will be presented, brand new bicycles raffled off, and plenty of food, music, and drinks to fuel your ride for the months ahead!

Your mom is strong, versatile, flexible, and multi-talented.  She clothed, fed, and supported you right from your very first days.  Give her a gift that is as nurturing and multifaceted as herself.  Surprise her with something bamboo this Mother’s Day!

Soft- Mom has always shown a great amount of compassion and sensitivity.  Clothe her in silky bamboo with a stylish shawl, luxurious pajama set, or elegant dress.

Strong- Like the sturdy bamboo plant, mom has demonstrated toughness and perseverance.  Remember your teenage years?  Present her with one of our attractive and durable bamboo serving bowls or cutting boards.

Nourishing-  Let her pamper her body and replenish her spirit with our selection of body products and candles!  We feature pure beeswax candles from Big Dipper Wax Works as well as  organic, natural skin body butters by Nourish.

Wise- With an inspirational scroll or stone bearing an insightful quote, you will demonstrate to mom that you have taken her words of wisdom to heart!  A truly thoughtful gift! Choose a saying from the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Buddha, Albert Einstein, Rumi, and many, many more!

Flexible- Mom has had to bend over backwards for you.  Let her know you appreciate her flexibility with a soft, stretchy pair of bamboo yoga pants.

Whether it is breakfast in a bed outfitted with our bamboo sheets, or a childhood photo of you in a bamboo picture frame, you are sure to find a meaningful and memorable Mother’s Day gift here at Bambu Batu!

Before Paul Stamets, I hardly gave mushrooms a thought beyond salad and stir fry, and a mild interest in what popped up from my lawn after a good rain.  After watching his captivating TED Talk, “6 Ways Mushrooms Can Save the World”, I gained a new and profound respect for these amazing organisms.

Imagine, a fungus that clean up an oil spill AND become dinner?  Fungi also can be harnessed to cure diseases, control household pests without the need for toxic chemicals, decompose a variety of substances, and filter polluted water.  Since 1980, Stamets has spread the message of mushrooms through his small buisness, Fungi Perfecti.  Certified organic, Fungi Perfecti promotes the use of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms to improve the health of the planet and her inhabitants.  Through the site, you can order one of Stamets’s fascinating books, buy kits to grow your own mushrooms, collect recipes, or read up on your favorite species.

A dedicated mycologist for over 30 years, Stamets is as fascinating as the subject he studies.  Throughout his career, he has discovered four new species of fungus, created numerous techniques for the cultivation of mushrooms, written six books, filed over 22 patents for fungus-related products, and conducted a plethora of ecological studies.  He has been the recipient of many accolades including the Bioneers Award and the National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s Green-O-Vator Award.  Most recently, Stamets has been given a government grant by the EPA to study the effects of mycofiltration on E. coli-contaminated storm water. Also deeply involved with the conservation of Pacific Northwest’s old growth forests, where many of the world’s most important fungi are found, Stamets is truly a remarkable individual.

Go and explore a compelling part of the natural world with Paul Stamets as your guide!