MCBC Member / Volunteer Spotlight Paloma Ojeda Finds Peace While Riding Her Bike
MCBC is lucky to have such a broad and supportive membership. Paloma Ojeda is not only a member of MCBC, she volunteers with us regularly and even helped get some of her friends and coworkers on board as members. Most recently, Paloma was a participant in MCBC’s 7th annual Dirt Fondo ride on August 18th. As such a rich contributor to the MCBC community, we wanted to give Paloma the spotlight to understand more about why she’s so passionate about cycling in Marin.
Paloma works in tech product enablement and has been riding on the road for 6 years, and on the dirt for 4 years. She commutes regularly between San Francisco and Larkspur. Read on to get to know this star MCBC member a little better!
What part of your ride do you like the best?
I love riding through the Bothin Marsh and watching the birds play around, sometimes I take a break and just watch the birds for a bit before getting back on the bike. It’s super peaceful and usually a nice break from all the wind and tourists on Golden Gate and Sausalito.
What do you like best about the benefits of riding your bike?
What I really like about biking home from work is that it breaks my day and helps me unwind. It’s a workout but also a great time I get to just be with myself and enjoy everything around me, though the wind sometimes makes it challenging.
Outside of bike commuting, biking has brought me closer to some friends and has also allowed me to meet new people and enjoy the outdoors with like-minded people.
What would you have liked someone to tell you when you started?
There are SO MANY groups to help get started and over any biking fears. Being afraid to change a tire, doing some basic maintenance or even knowing the rules of the road should not be something that holds anyone back from riding. I know I was scared to bike alone or with friends when I first started and I wished I knew about all the resources earlier on.
What is your vision of the bicycling in the future?
More people on bikes and less cars! Bike commuting can be a lot easier and safer if there is separation between cars/bikes/pedestrians. At the end of the day, we all want to get home safe.
As for mountain biking, always looking for more loops and trails!
Finally, if there’s a further message you would like to share with the people who ride bikes in Marin County – whether simple, encouraging or aspirational – what would that be?
Be safe and have fun!
To be part of the MCBC experience, visit our membership page or Contact Membership Coordinator Annie Leverich.
