After the first set of interviews, profiling bikers of color in Oakland, I decided to join the movement and bought a bike from Bikes 4 Life. Then, not in small part due to peer pressure, two friends and I decided to ride in our first Red, Bike and Green ride.

I was all for it until I realized how hilly my neighborhood is and faced the reality that it would be an uphill ride to Nina’s house. I put on my game face to hide my embarrassment as I slowly huffed and puffed up those hills in front of groups of people relaxing on porches and gliding by in cars. Sweaty and humbled by my apparent lack of physical fitness, I made it to Nina’s and the three of us rode to Lake Merritt.

About 50 people were there when we arrived. After chatting and introductions, Jenna gave us the route and we took off down Grand Avenue. It was thrilling to ride in the city streets surrounded by new and old friends. The thought of riding on Oakland’s streets had scared me, but I felt safe surrounded by the group.

As we rode through Downtown Oakland, pedestrians waved and cheered and cars honked in approval. When we arrived in West Oakland, kids shouted “I want to come with you!” and we shouted back, “Yes, come ride!”

We passed cheering art murmurers and their bikes lining Telegraph on the final leg of our trip and my heart was full. Here we were, a group of African Americans so large that we couldn’t be ignored - biking, exercising, building community, doing the things that we do regularly despite the stereotypes that suggest otherwise.

Richmond Spokes provided free bike parking while we ate burgers and fries from the organic burger taco truck at Broadway and Grand and grabbed drinks at Era.

When it was all over, I felt great. I can’t remember the last time that I’d gotten so much exercise while having so much fun. As a long-time Oakland resident, I appreciated the fact that I had fully and conspicuously engaged with Oakland as a city.

This article is a part of the Oakland Local series exploring Bikers of Color in Oakland. Follow the link for the whole series.