Our Board Member Geoff Sylvester reached out recently, with a thoughtful idea of honoring Bart Borland, a foundational figure for the cycling group that Geoff is a part of.
The group planned a bike ride and fundraiser for Bike East Bay in celebration of Bart’s 85th birthday, as a way to express gratitude for Bart’s legacy as an early and long supporter of biking in the East Bay.
We’re honored they selected us as recipient of this gift, and are grateful for the ways Bart cultivated a love for biking in his community over so many decades. The group’s donation will support our work to create safer, and more connected streets and a future where all people on bikes can ride with confidence. We are proud to represent cyclists’ voice here in the East Bay, and are committed to continue working towards many of the issues that the ride group told us they care about, including bridge access, safe cycling infrastructure and government attentiveness to pothole repair.
Below is a piece that Geoff wrote, recapping the ride and expressing his appreciation for Bart’s mentorship.
Bart Borland had a hand in starting many of today’s organized East Bay road-bike rides. The rides have evolved and now are on different days or go by a different name but this 85-year-old was part of the original glue that held lots of riders together.
There was the Mt Diablo climbing group that attracted many and a short-lived but entertaining “how slow can you go” ride. Currently the Bart’s Friday ride along the Bay Trail follows an unremarkable route but its enduring existence, and low-key vibe with a few simple strict rules is a signature Bart ride. All are welcome, just be at the start on time and ride come rain or shine. Same route every time, no need to RSVP, no shame in being slow or fast, or in wearing ragged attire or styl’in with the latest bike, but know we start fast and keep it up if you can. If you miss the strict start time, the group has left. If you get dropped, find your way home and come out next time.
Bart commuted to work in the 80s from Oakland to San Leandro and then to Mountain View. His boss told him at the time to stop as “we don’t bike to work- it just isn’t appropriate”. The request rolled off Bart’s back like the wet fog he rode through. No reason to stop. He did have reason to quit his early 70s Haight-Ashbury incense shop where he created his own fragrances using his chemistry background, as over the years demand dwindled and he needed an income.
Bart connected with people. Many speak of the lasting friendships he helped them make. He loved to talk! He loved the science of being fit for biking so your meal, your equipment, and your workouts were grand topics for the role they played in your cycling experience.
One rider remembers, “I first met him (Bart) after passing him going up Tunnel Road. He was slow. I thought to myself, good for him, I hope I’m still trying when I reach his age. He caught me about five minutes later, saying he was feeling much better now that he’d recovered from too much beer the evening before. He invited me to ride with him… On the way back, as I was struggling harder and harder to keep up, he casually mentioned this was his recovery ride after racing the day before. He then said “if you want to get stronger, ride with me next weekend with my two much stronger friends”. Many show up to Bart’s ride because they enjoy the challenge from fellow riders and end up better for it.
Another says, “knowing the Bart crew has greatly improved my Phase 3/retirement life! My life has been enriched thanks to Bart. He still inspires me to get off the sofa and ride.” With Bart it was about the bike but also always about the people. Conversation at the rest stop holds people together just as much as the ride itself.
In the past few months, the Friday riders decided to honor Bart with a small fund-raising effort for Bike East Bay. They raised a couple thousand dollars and got Bart out of the house for lunch with some of his old cycling buddies.