“As a kid, I had a dream. I wanted to own my own bicycle. When I got the bike I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool, maybe the world. I lived for that bike…”
—John Lennon
“I don’t ride a bike to add days to my life. I ride a bike to add life to my days.”
—Author Unknown
I couldn’t have picked a better day for a 20-mile solo bike ride. The temperature was in the low 70s, breezy, and sunny. Though there is nothing like the shared experience of riding the trails or roads with friends, any bicyclist will tell you that sometimes it's such a joy to pedal the roads all by yourself and at your own pace. Moreover, it affords riders a little ‘me time’ to clear your mind chatter that we all crave from time to time. You can stop as many times as you want without feeling you’re holding anybody up.
Willow Glen is known as “San Jose’s Local Treasure.” With historic homes and charming tree-lined streets, and a colorful downtown area, it is a perfect destination for a bike ride. The Los Gatos Creek Trail which is about a mile and a half away from my home gets me there with very little time spent riding through street traffic. Willow Glen is one of the most charming, safest and most diverse neighborhoods in the San Jose area. The streets are lined with beautiful trees, the parks are safe for all ages and the downtown is filled with diverse restaurants including Japanese, Italian, Greek, Asian and American cuisine. Willow Glen was originally an independent town until it was annexed by San Jose in 1936.The downtown area is located on Lincoln Avenue. Formerly known as “Willow Glen Road” the name change occurred in 1865 after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
My favorite thing to see there is a mural created by artist Lila Gemellos located in the heart of downtown. It is often referred to a trip down memory lane as it tells many old stories about Willlow Glen including historic signs and depictions of long-gone businesses like the Willow Glen Basket Factory. There are also smaller flourishes of iris and lily flowers as well as peaches and grapes that harken back to the days of the agricultural roots of what was called the "Valley of the Heart’s Delight." The mural is an eye-catching visual that makes you want to drop everything you're doing to take a postcard-perfect snapshot. The mural gives off good vibes, and makes all passersby want to linger and enjoy its “Where’s Waldo” quality. There are other colorful murals on the walls of buildings facing small parking lots and alleyways including Mike's Bikes. Before heading back home I made a pit stop at Jamba Juice and ordered a large Greens and Ginger. I made other stops inncluding the Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park, the Los Gatos County Park to check out some beautiful Harley Davidsons at a benefit for kids and, Effie's parking lot to take a photo of a restored red vintage car.
