Bay Area Bike Challenge 2026:
What We Accomplished Together
Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2026 Bay Area Bike Challenge and in Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days all May! Here’s some of what we accomplished together:
179,000+ miles traversed over nine counties
16,025+ trips logged
942 participants in the Bay Area Bike Challenge
102% of the initial Bay Area Bike Challenge goal
341 Energizer Stations hosted throughout the region by Bay Area agencies and advocates on Bike to Work/Wherever Day
36,000 riders visited those Energizer Stations
All of the participating riders, as well as agencies and nonprofits worked hard to make the Bay Area Bike to Wherever Days a huge success this year, and we congratulate them!
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) used Ride with GPS–an app that helps you log and navigate routes while biking–to create the Bay Area Bike Challenge with the goal of strengthening community bonds and unity across the region.
For 2026, we knew we wanted to go bigger than our collective 159,200+ miles in 2025, so we set the goal at 175,000 miles. This one was a nailbiter! In fact, as of 11:59PM on May 31st Ride with GPS reflected just shy of our goal at closer to 174,000 miles. However, in the coming days, recording rides that had yet to sync finally took us across our goal and then some, all the way to 179,131 miles across 16,029 trips, with 942 people signing up to ride.
Winners
12 different prizes assured that everyone from first-time bikers to the most experienced long-distance cyclists had a chance to win. Explore this year’s illustrious winners below and hear about their Bike Month.
Grand Prizes ($500 each)
Most Miles Overall: Charlie Martin (Santa Clara County) - 3,570 miles
Most Trips Overall: Dulce Zarco (Alameda County) - 242 Trips
Creative Routes ($250 each)
Most Creative Route – Design: Dan Wanberg (Solano County) - Windy and we still ride
Design Runner Up: Hannah Carson (Santa Clara County) - Godzilla Eats San Jose
Most Creative Route – Points of Interest: Cassie Kifer (Santa Clara County) - Tour de Dog Park
Points of Interest Runner Up: Mike Fretz (Alameda County) - Every Peak in San Francisco
Raffle Winners ($200/$100 each)
Based on Miles #1: Katherine Dumont (San Mateo County)
Based on Miles #2: Max Vink (Alameda County)
Based on Trips: Ryan McNerney (Alameda County)
Register and Ride: Anita Tenley (Alameda County), Christopher McDonald (San Mateo County), Mitch Cramond (Alameda County), Julianne Mitchell (Santa Clara County), Melinda Wang (Santa Clara County)
Most Miles:
Charlie Martin (Santa Clara County) - 3,570 Miles
“A friend tipped me off to this challenge nearly halfway through May, and seeing what the #1 rider was logging instantly inspired me. Fortunately, a 1200 km grand randonnée earlier in the month, combined with my typical weekly long-distance riding, already put me in solid contention. I put my head down, poured everything into an intense second half of the month, and capped it off with a second 1200 km grand randonnée. It was fantastic seeing so many fellow SF Randonneurs on the leaderboard and following their adventures. We Bay Area riders are truly spoiled with such incredible terrain and community!”
Most Trips:
Dulce Zarco (Alameda County) - 242 Trips
“Our family has always enjoyed cycling and we use our bikes to get around a lot. We had recently completed a three-day bike trip to Yosemite the month prior. When I heard about the challenge, I thought it would be a great opportunity to win by doing what was already normal in my life!”
Most Creative Route – Design:
Dan Wanberg (Solano County)
Windy and We Still Ride
“I've been riding my bike to work for a few years now, and the ride to and from work is something I genuinely look forward to each day. It invigorates me in the morning and helps me burn off stress in the evening. I joined the Bike Challenge because it's rewarding to get around under your own power. Beyond commuting, I use my bike to run errands and enjoy spending time outdoors. Riding allows me to notice nature more, appreciate the beauty all around us. I also enjoy saying good morning to people I see on the bike path and feel more connected to my community. I've also been inspired by the Dutch approach to cycling, where people of all ages ride bikes for everyday transportation. In the Netherlands, biking is simply a way of life, and I enjoy incorporating a little of that mindset into my daily routine.”
Design Runner Up:
Hannah Carson (Santa Clara County)
Godzilla Eats San Jose
“I had a blast plotting out 'Godzilla'. Very cool that Santa Clara County's bike infrastructure was able to support it with the route feeling safe. What a testament that you can really 'bike to wherever'!”
Most Creative Route – Points of Interest:
Cassie Kifer (Santa Clara County)
Tour de Dog Park
“I’m getting into cycling for the first time as an adult and I’m currently training for RAGBRAI, a seven-day ride across Iowa this summer. I’m riding as much as possible to get the recommended time in the saddle, so I really appreciate how this contest inspired me to track my mileage. ”
Points of Interest Runner Up:
Mike Fretz (Alameda County)
Every Peak in San Francisco
Raffle Based on Miles #1:
Katherine Dumont (San Mateo County)
“I love the feeling of being part of something bigger -- which is what the Bay Area Challenge is all about! Every mile I log contributes to the overall goal. And we did it! I got a little thrill from logging every ride - it was a great incentive to hop on my bike to do my errands or to get a little more exercise. The highlight for me - and by far the longest ride I took all month - was SVBC's annual El Camino Real Ride! Over 17 miles from Santa Clara to Menlo Park - my first time doing the entire ride.”
Raffle Based on Miles #2:
Max Vink (Alameda County)
“I joined the Bay Area Bike Challenge because I love riding my bike! This month, I've ridden all across California, from Los Angeles to Yosemite, and especially around my home of Berkeley. And I can definitively confirm that the riding in the Bay is the best.”
Raffle Based on Trips:
Ryan McNerney (Alameda County)
“My bicycle has been my primary mode of transportation since I moved to the Bay Area in Fall of 2015 for school. I commute to work via bike almost every day, and I think it's a great way to start and end the workday! I also take care of errands on the bike since my wife and I are car-free. One of my favorite memories of the past month was cycling the Lafayette/Moraga Regional Trail with my wife. We took BART to Orinda and cycled to Moraga and onto Lafayette where we enjoyed some tacos before taking BART back. It was a fun scenic ride, and a great chance to relax and get some fresh air together. Life is more fun on two wheels!”
Register and Ride Raffle:
Anita Tenley (Alameda County)
“I joined the Bay Area Bike Challenge as an incentive to increase my biking mileage. Since retirement 8 years ago, I have been on a mission to bike regularly for errands, exercise and just plain enjoyment. While traveling, I include cycling whenever possible. My husband and I have had a lot of fun recently using public bikeshare systems to explore New York City, Washington, DC, Mexico City, Paris, and Bologna, Italy.”
Register and Ride Raffle:
Christopher McDonald (San Mateo County)
“This is my second year participating in the Bay Area Bike Challenge. I am an avid cyclist and love getting out there and exploring this beautiful area that we live in on my bike. The challenge really has gotten me to get out there more and try to get more people out there on bikes for better health and a healthier planet.”
Register and Ride Raffle:
Mitch Cramond (Alameda County)
“I signed up again this year for the Bay Area Bike Challenge because I love seeing how collectively we can all ride so many miles in only a month! I'm a firm believer that all rides are great from tootling around for errands and coffee to really pushing yourself for mileage.”
Register and Ride Raffle:
Julianne Mitchell (Santa Clara County)
“I joined the Bay Area Bike Challenge to encourage myself and others to cycle more. A highlight of this month was participating in group road, gravel, and mountain bike rides!”
Register and Ride Raffle:
Melinda Wang (Santa Clara County)
“My friend told me about the Bay Area Bike Challenge, and I liked the way anyone could participate and everyone's efforts would count towards a collective goal, greater than what any individual could achieve on their own. I've always wanted to bike around the entire Bay Area and finally did so with my friends thanks to The Bay Ride last fall! I'm also grateful that every year I get to be both a BTWD energizer station host and participant thanks to the support of my colleagues!”
Highlights
We are so wowed by each of the participants in this year's challenge! Check out all of the riders and rides by exploring the final leaderboard. The numbers only tell part of the story, so here are some highlights.
Santa Clara County’s Charlie Martin claimed the top spot for Most Miles with a massive 3,570 miles, outpacing last year’s leader by a staggering 1,200 miles! Our leading group of five all surpassed or nearly reached the 1,500-mile mark, with Jonathan Izen, Noah Swartz, Hans “Chicken Man” Bernhardt, and Mike Holt rounding out the top tier.
Dulce Zarco rode an incredible 242 times this month! The “official” rider of most trips in 2024 and 2025, Tim Oey, came in second at 189. The list of riders clocking over 100 trips includes: Richard Lam, Jay Gardner, Naor Deleanu, Kevin Z, Rebecca Wernis, and David Andrew.
With 576 participants logging between 1 and 400 miles, this group accounted for more than 50% of our total mileage, contributing 80,383 miles. It’s wonderful to see how the Bay Area Bike Challenge unifies cyclists of every ability and style in such a vibrant shared event.
Rider Stories
The Bay Area Bike Challenge is about more than the miles! We heard great stories from folks using Bike Month to challenge themselves, whether it was to ride everyday, to keep climbing those hills, or to spread joy in the form of rubber chickens. Here are just a couple of those stories.
Hans “Chicken Man” Bernhardt (Santa Clara County)
Hans Bernhardt, or "Chicken Man," transformed the Bay Area Bike Challenge from a strict leaderboard race into a community-building experience. Using rubber chickens as his mascot, he engaged park rangers and first responders, turning solo rides into social service opportunities. Hans countered the intimidating stats of top competitors with a "fun-first" attitude, activating the leaderboard by changing his display name and sending out humorous ride reports complete with photos, modeling joy and inclusivity.
Below is an excerpt from his ride report on Day One. Find more photos and descriptions on “Chicken Man’s” Ride with GPS page.
“Today on the first day of the Bay Area Bike Challenge, I decided to do some flat to build up some miles... As I was coming out of Coyote Hills Regional Park, I saw the entrance booth with a park ranger in it. I was about 50 miles into my ride and thinking to myself, 'I'm tired, I've had a headache most of this ride, and I really don't feel like interacting with anyone…” [But] I went past the booth on my way out of the park today, did a u-turn on my bike, went up to the window of the booth at the entrance, and said in a high voice, "Good morning!" Even though it was late afternoon. “You know, I have given rubber chickens to Park rangers in the Hills and neglected you in the Valley. Here!" I handed her a rubber chicken keychain.
She got totally excited. And she said, "I have a special relationship with rubber chickens! As a matter of fact, I have a therapy rubber chicken…”
Shortly after that experience my headache went away.
The rest of the ride I had a smile on my face.”
Glen Kimitsuka (Solano County)
Elevation is a challenge that the leaderboard doesn't show, but it’s a huge part of the experience for many Bay Area riders. With elevation varying so much across our hilly region, we loved hearing from one intrepid participant, 72-year-old Glen Kumitsuka, who reached out to share how he navigates the steep, rolling terrain of Green Valley.
“I challenged myself to ride all 31 days of May. Something I have never done before! It was a workout in my hilly terrain… I live in the Green Valley area surrounded by hills on three sides. The area is rural with lots of peaceful vineyards for scenery. The country roads here have narrow shoulders but most drivers are considerate and pass with care.
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in the late 90's. So I started to ride a bicycle and commute to work. I continued that until I retired in 2020. My trusty Miyata's odometer logged 54K miles in that time. I therefore, by default, participated in every Bike To Work Day! I'm 72 years old and don't ride very fast or very long distances anymore. But I have always liked to climb. 10% grade is easy, 15-20% is doable, anything greater than that, there's always switchbacks! Give me a hill, I'll try it!”
Creative Routes
The Creative Route prizes celebrate riders who turn their rides into masterpieces. From drawing with their GPS tracks to curating tours of hidden local gems, these riders prove that biking is as much about creativity as it is about distance.
Points of Interest
“Oh, the places you'll go!” This category rewards riders for connecting the dots between Bay Area landmarks and local treasures. It’s less about the miles and more about the unique discoveries along the way.
WINNER: Cassie Kifer (Santa Clara County)
Tour de Dog Park
Whether you have a pup or just need a dose of joy, this tour is for you. Bonus: keep an eye out for backyard goats near Ryland Park! As Kifer shared:
“The 'Tour de Dog Park’ started on a ride with neighbors. We often meet for a quick Friday lunchtime ride, but because my one-hour break limits our distance, we quickly exhausted the obvious routes. One week, someone suggested, ‘Let's go to Watson Park and see if we spot any dogs.’ That sparked my personal challenge: bike to where the dogs are and count as many as possible! On the Friday we logged this route, I unfortunately didn't see that many dogs, but we did find a herd of goats living in a residential neighborhood, and two cats whose owner lovingly (courageously?) bring to the dog park to allow some time to explore the world beyond their apartment.”
Follow the Tour de Dog Park route on Ride with GPS and hear more from Kifer above under “Winners.”his route visits ten dog parks in Downtown San Jose.
RUNNER-UP: Mike Fretz (Alameda County)
Every Peak in San Francisco
As the 2024 winner for Most Miles, Mike Fretz returned this year with an epic route: a 72.5-mile trek featuring 67 peaks in under eight hours. His ride boasted 10,179 feet of elevation gain and a max grade of 23.6% uphill, accompanied by iconic snapshots capturing the grueling beauty of the city's steepest streets.
For a full list of all the peaks he visited in San Francisco, or if you dare tackle the route yourself, check out the Every Peak in San Francisco route on Ride with GPS.
Designs
Often called ‘Strava Art,’ this category uses city streets as a canvas. These riders went beyond simple loops to create intricate images, proving that your bike ride can be a work of art.
WINNER: Dan Wanberg (Solano County)
Windy and We Still Ride
Dan used the local Vacaville wind as inspiration for this clever 35-mile route design. A daily bike commuter, Dan was inspired to join the challenge by a desire to get around under his own power and feel more connected to his community. He credits his daily routine with helping him stay invigorated, appreciate the nature around him, and even incorporates the Dutch approach to cycling—treating it as a way of life—into his everyday rides. Check out the wind on Ride with GPS and hear more from Wanberg above under “Winners.”
RUNNER-UP: Hannah Carson (Santa Clara County)
Godzilla Eats San Jose
This nearly 80-mile route is a beast itself! Godzilla nestles itself around San Jose looking as if it is going to eat the map. As Carson included in the description:
“This route puts Santa Clara County bike infrastructure to the test! Including Steven's Creek Bike trail, Bay Trail, Highway 237 Bike Path, Coyote Creek Trail, St. Thomas Aquinas Bike Path, Penitencia Creek trail, Guadalupe River trail and of course the new Bike route on El Camino Real. A few pedestrian bridges, a few cut throughs, a few stops for tacos, and voila!”
Check out Godzilla Eats San Jose on Ride with GPS and hear more from Carson above under “Winners.”
Honorable Mentions
We received fantastic submissions from across the region, with subjects ranging from transit advocacy to dachshunds and a few prolific route artists who couldn’t stop riding. Here are the ones we couldn’t not share!
Warren Wells (Alameda County)
Where would we be without BART?
Cecilia Vega-Mayer (San Francisco County)
hot diggity dog
Jon Randell (Alameda County)
A Bike Challenge regular, this year Randell composed five different creative routes, each across or adjacent to his hometown of Alameda.
M Skriv (Contra Costa County)
This newcomer submitted four different routes exploring terrain in Contra Costa County.
While the 2026 event has come to a close, the momentum doesn't have to stop here! We invite you to connect with local bike coalition or agency, helping us foster a more connected, bike-friendly region all year long. You can also sign up to get updates on future Bay Area Bike Challenges. See you out there!
Explore Past Years’ Challenges!
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) proudly presents this challenge to strengthen community bonds and promote unity across the region.