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For him, too: HER Helmet Thursdays

What’s meant by H-E-R? 

Besides referring to Mother Earth,  who benefits from more people bicycling, HER is also an acronym for H=Hotels/other lodging, E=Entertainment venues and Educational attractions, and  R=Restaurants/other food and beverage service–including related places, such as wineries.

Nearly 200 H-E-R spots are in the HER Helmet Thursdays project already, and they give discounts on Thursdays–to males and females, locals and visitors–to encourage bicycling (details below).

Where do you get the discounts?

HER Helmet Thursdays spots are in Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, Marina, Monterey, Moss Landing, Pacific Grove, Salinas, San Ardo, Sand City, Seaside, and Soledad.

On the listings page, you can locate HER Helmet Thursdays spots on the Clickable Map, or download the Quick Reference/Pocket Guide (alphabetical list of participants).  You’ll also find “How to get the discount” and other FAQs on the listings page.

A long-term ecology-economy sustainability project

The Naval Postgraduate School Foundation Cycling Club arranged a graphic reminder (pictured below) at Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca, because these strong bike advocates want people to know:  Thursdays are a great day for biking in Monterey County!

Get discounts from businesses and organizations countywide just because you ride a bike.  In turn, the businesses and organizations are better sustained by new and repeat customers who appreciate getting around our bike-friendly county.  That’s the economy part of the HER Helmet Thursdays Project.

As the City of Monterey says, all this biking benefits HER–Mother Earth.  That’s the ecology part of HER Helmet Thursdays.

H=Hotels/other lodging

Below is a participant in the H/hotels category, Sanctuary Beach Resort.

For a lodging discount on your Thursday night stay, just BYOB (bring your own bike) or rent a bike for a day or more from any Monterey County rental location. Click here for details.

E=Educational/Entertainment venues

The Steinbeck Center is a participant in the E/Educational/Entertainment category.

For a discount at an “E” venue, just bike or bike-and-ride there, then walk in with your bike helmet in hand (as evidence), and mention HER Helmet Thursdays.


R=Restaurants/other food and beverage service

Below is a participant in the R/restaurants category, Lalla Grill.

For a discount at a restaurant (or other food and beverage spot),  just bike or bike-and-ride there, then walk in with your bike helmet in hand (as evidence), and mention HER Helmet Thursdays.

How to participate

Want to know more? Some history of the project:
Helmet? Gotta wear a helmet?

Not for lodging discounts.  For all other discounts, having a bike helmet in hand is your evidence of biking–no need for punch cards, coupons, etc.  Nice and simple!  A few places (e.g., Lucia Restaurant & Bar at Bernardus Lodge, Will’s Fargo Steakhouse & Bar, Spa at Bernardus Lodge) allow walking in with a bike pump instead; if so, that’s noted in their individual listing, found here.)

Outside Monterey County?

HER Helmet Thursdays, launched in Monterey County, is appropriate for other geographic areas too.  For goals and overview, click here.

 

This post was published on 27 July 2011. One or more changes last made to this post on 10 April 2016.

  1. marilynch says:

    We’ll be waiting for you! I enjoy reading about your young sons via your Twitter feed. Your family would probably love biking to HER Helmet Thursdays spot the Monterey Youth Museum (MY Museum), which has a special entrance door for little people. It’s a super short distance from Class I bike path. Here’s MY Museum’s HHT listing: http://hht.herokuapp.com/home/detail/109

    And about your Sea Otter race? Ouch! Still, I salute you for racing SOC–that’s something I’ve not done!

    You likely already know, but other readers may not: When you head to Fort Ord, check in with MORCA if you’d like all the latest news about those trails. MORCA’s Google group is very active; you’ll find people there ready to answer questions not addressed on their website. http://www.morcamtb.org

  2. Sad to say that the only place I’ve ridden my bike in Monterey County so far has been while racing at the Sea Otter Classic (where I bonked ever so hard! do not under-hydrate and take your ADHD meds, very, very, very bad combo!).

    I have been meaning to roll down to Fort Ord one of these days tho.

  3. marilynch says:

    You’re so right–Loulou’s is barely off the bike path!

    Plus Loulou’s outdoor tables are one of Monterey County’s best places to feel that fresh sea air, watch children frolicking on the beach, observe marine life, and more. And even in inclement weather, when their indoor seating is preferred, the views remain special.

    Loulou’s is located on unanimously bike-friendly Wharf II: http://marilynch.com/blog/commercial-wharf-ii-says-its-unanimous.html

    Here’s Loulou’s HER Helmet Thursdays listing: http://hht.herokuapp.com/home/detail/88

  4. Malinda says:

    My favorite spot is Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle! Just off the trail, it’s super easy to get to by bike. I’m there a lot!

  5. marilynch says:

    You have to hand it to the Walters; they sure know how to select wine, create uniquely fantastic recipes, and serve it all up right! Not surprising that they’ve earned a Zagat rating.

    There’s more that makes this restaurant so special though: Besides being a Seafood Watch participant, Passionfish was the first restaurant to be certified in the Monterey Bay Area Green Business program!

    Here’s their HER Helmet Thursdays listing: http://hht.herokuapp.com/home/detail/29

  6. Becca says:

    Passionfish! Some of the best food and drink anywhere in the Bay, and an easy ride from my house.

  7. marilynch says:

    Ah, there are many reasons why, for over 20 years, this quiet little place is so beloved by locals, and visitors. The unassuming decor and humble demeanor of the owner and his niece keep their awesomeness a bit of a secret to those not-yet in the know! They do a lot of take-out business, and their on-site dining is also popular with people who want to enjoy conversations with friends (or just peace and quiet) while dining. The atmosphere is muyo tranquillo.

    Here’s this terrific taqueria that Sierra is referring to: Taqueria del Mar, 530 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, 831-372-7887.

    And here’s Taqueria del Mar’s HER Helmet Thursdays listing: http://hht.herokuapp.com/home/detail/45

  8. Sierra says:

    I absolutely love Taqueria del Mar (and even better, they’re a HER Helmet Thursdays participant)! Biking down the bike trail by the water and up to the Taqueria is a lovely little ride – not too strenuous, but gets you nice and hungry for some delicious coastal Mexican food! I highly recommend it 🙂

  9. marilynch says:

    Thank you, Rob. Besides hearing about people’s favorite HER Helmet Thursdays spots, it’s also fun to receive comments about favorite rides in Monterey County!

    Those who want to bike Pebble Beach, as Rob does, may want to refer to the following post on this site:
    http://marilynch.com/blog/biking-17-mile-drive.html

    Also refer to “Serious Cyclists” section of this site’s 20-section guide, “Tips for Bicycling Monterey County.” There you’ll find NPS cyclists, like Rob, and others who often share tips to help others bike their favorite routes, with greater safety and pleasure.

  10. Robert Hagerty says:

    Laguna Seca is an excellent and fun track to ride, but my favorite ride is along the coast from Monterey to Pebble Beach. My second favorite ride involves some hill climbing behind La Mesa and then coming through PB to come back to Monterey.
    Rob

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