Becca Ritterspach

I recently spent a beautiful Lakewood evening with a great group of people on the patio of the Beer Engine--lots of laughter, excellent beer and food, and the opportunity to meet some really interesting new people. It was already a wonderful night, but what made it extra special was the fact that it was Bike Night, meaning that anybody pulling up on their two-wheeled self-powered beauty got to eat their burger or sandwich for two dollars less than everybody else! Besides the obvious benefits of bike nights, such as the monetary discounts and another excuse to go for a ride, they also provide unique opportunities for making connections within the biking community. I got to meet some fellow bikers, and even got to have one last bike conversation as I was unlocking my bike to go home.

One of the faces that night was Becca Ritterspach, a sort-of newcomer to the Lakewood biking community, who dove in head-first and is loving every second of it. If you’ve ever gone for a ride in the valley and been greeted by a warm smile and sing-song, “Good morning!” or, “Hello!”, the chances are high that it was Becca you were passing on the trail. A truly positive and optimistic personality, Becca is an absolute treat to be around. One of her observations about cycling that resonated with me was that when riding a bike, she feels a sense of heightened awareness of the world she is traveling through. From yards to architecture to fellow riders, the world seems to open up when you truly place yourself in it, which is something I believe she does actively every day.

Becca is currently riding a blue cruiser-style Ross that she bought on Craigslist for $60. Knowing very little about bikes at the time, she brought a friend along to help her check it out, and bought it after it was approved as a smoothly operating machine. What struck me most about Becca’s biking experience so far is the way she’s approaching the activity. She is thinking about it as a replacement for her car in every situation that allows for it, essentially taking one more car off of the road for those common trips we all regularly take to the grocery store, coffee shop, or local park. Seeing her eyes light up when she talks about it, and thinking about the possibility of so many more people beginning to make this transition is incredibly exciting. It’s a great feeling to have a person like Becca on board and advocating for bicycle travel along with the rest of us.

Now, if you’ve gotten this far along and are thinking you know Becca but can’t place it, it’s highly likely that you’ve seen her on television recently. She works for Courtney Bonning, the owner of Bonbon Bake Shop (soon to be Bonbon Pastry and Cafe), and winner of the show Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. Not only is she an incredible person and now biker, but this girl makes some truly delicious treats to top it off! So keep your eyes open for their new restaurant, and be sure to wave back and say, “Hi!” when you see Becca rolling down the street.

Here’s a quick guide to some local bike nights, so that you can take advantage, too! All discounts apply only if you get to the business by bicycle.

Mondays:
The Beer Engine: $2.00 off burgers and sandwiches from 11:00 a.m. to midnight (sponsored by Spin Bike Shop).

Wednesdays:
The Root Cafe: 25% off beer and pizza. 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (kitchen closes at 9:00PM on Wednesdays).
Eddy and Iggy’s: Pre-ride, discounts, and raffles; check the website (http://eddyiggys.weebly.com) for more information.

Thursdays:
Now That’s Class: One free beer, up to $5.00 value.
Deagan’s: 15% off of your bill, June 16 to October 13, 5:00 p.m. to close (sponsored by Century Cycles).

If you know of other bike nights that have been overlooked, please pass along the information. Now get on your bikes and ride!