For those who ride with a destination

Being involved with the cycling community is more than just getting out and riding your bike when you have nothing else better to do, it is being involved. The cycling community in Sacramento is well positioned, and loaded with the advantages that promote the use of the bicycle over the use of the car. Sacramento knows that bicycles can be a promotional tool, a tool that keeps us both healthy and reduces our carbon footprint in a world that has gotten out of control from the overuse of the automobile.

With all that said, starting this month we will promote these businesses in our blog and pass it on to a growing culture in the Sacramento area. YES!! Sacramento is now becoming a strong voice in bicycle advocacy. Yes, Sacramento is becoming an integral part in the national cycling culture, and Yes, since Davis, Ca, has decided that to yield more to the culture of the car than the bike in recent years, we will gladly take their spot on the cycling radar.

Cycling and restaurants have always had a great history together. As far back as the beginnings of the Tour D’ France, riders would stop for a bottle of beer, some meats, cheeses and crackers as they rode along the paths of France to victory. This relationship in the towns of Europe still hold true to this day and is one of the genuine pleasures of visiting and cycling in the European Union. In America and with the emergence of the American car culture in the early 1900’s, the relationship between cycling and the small American bistro type restaurants ended as the restaurateurs need to cater to the growing culture of the time, cars ruled the roadway and the death of the American bistro was almost accomplished with the birth of the American drive-thru.

In today’s restaurant landscape nothing has really changed in the last 80 years, with the exception of those few individuals who have the insight that the cycling culture is again on the rise and calling out for the return of the American bistro. These restaurateurs make extra efforts so that cyclist have a place to park and feel comfortable while stopping for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These efforts have become synonymous in the downtown area due to people such as John Boyer and his Edible Pedal delivery service, Rick Mahan owner of One Speed and The Waterboy and many others. It is these symbiotic relationships that are now starting to emerge into the unincorporated regions of Sacramento as well, and is a welcome note to the area.

In our corner of Sacramento, collectively called Carmichael, this opportunity is being created by our location adjacent to one of the best access points along the American River Parkway, the entrance to William Pond Park. Here we have the privilege to be neighbors with two high quality restaurants, Bella Brew, and Matteos Pizza & Bistro.

Matt Woolston, the owner of Matteos is involved in the cycling community not so much for his riding prowlness, although he is an avid cyclist, but in his sense of community and understanding that cycling is good for business. Matt recognizes that like the downtown grid, Carmichael is also a viable cycling destination, and that the businesses that are located in this prime spot, need to be able to accommodate cyclists and their nutritional and cultural needs.

With the help of his wife Yvette, together they have created a sanctuary for the cyclist, with outdoor seating that is located away from the sounds of traffic and a menu that is accepting to the health minded. As a business man, Matt knows that with small investments, such as accommodating bikes and cyclists, the returns will bring in new customers.Matteos offers also indoor seating with plenty of eyesight bicycle parking, great pizza’s and entrees, all made with fresh ingredients. The menu is full of great foods that are healthy and pack the sophistication that cyclist desire. Also, let it be known that Matteos also sports a large array of libations on tap and wines for those with a distinctive pallet and a cyclist’s wallet. Here is a link to Matteos bistro which has their complete menu and wine list.
http://www.pizzamatteo.com/pages/about
As a bonus Matteos is offering to those who ride a bike for the “Ride to Matteos on Mondays” promotion, will receive a $2.00 off on all regularly priced fare of $10.00 or more.
http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/548688/7b9158ac26/ARCHIVE
Remember to Facebook Matteos for more promotions and daily fare specials. http://www.facebook.com/MatteosPizzaBistro?ref=ts&sk=wall
After lunch be sure to stop by and say hello to us at the shop and let us know of other great stops along the Parkway so that we can write about them as well.