Take a Bike Tour of the S.F. Sewer System

Bryan Banducci

It's not as crazy as it sounds. There will be no sewer gators or teenage mutant ninja turtles (unfortunately). You don't even have to get your feet wet. This Saturday, Oct. 13, the S.F. Public Utilities Commission invites you to hop on your bicycle and follow them on a free guided tour of San Francisco's treatment plants, pump stations, storm drains, outfalls, and green infrastructure installations.

See also:

We're Getting On: The Triumphs and Perils of a 2,000-Mile Bike Book Tour

Day Tripping Across the Bay by Bike: A Starter Course

Called the 2nd Annual Wastewater Whirl, on this tour you'll hear from the experts about how everything works in the pipes beneath your feet (something we all take for granted) and why we need to invest in our sewer infrastructure for the future.

Here's a schedule of the day's events:

Part I
10:30 a.m. -- Meet at Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, 750 Phelps (at Evans)

Mix and mingle, pump up your tires, check out the Free Health Fair at the SE Community Facility, grab coffee at nearby Flora Grubb Gardens [Ed. note: which was just honored by Martha Stewart!] nearby. Street parking available; we encourage you to carpool or bike.

11 a.m. -- Ride departs from Southeast Plant to Fort Mason (~8 miles, easy).

Part II
1 p.m. -- Meet at Fort Mason parking lot on Buchanan and Marina Blvd. Grab lunch or a snack.

1:30 p.m. -- Ride departs from Fort Mason to Oceanside Plant on the Great Highway, and back to Southeast Plant (~19 miles, medium to strenuous).

Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for the rides. Either way, what better excuse to get some exercise and explore San Francisco's unglamorous yet fascinating underbelly.

For more information visit the event website or check out their Facebook page.