From Broom Wagon’s founder.

Three and a half years ago I drove my six-year-old home from an Oakland A’s game.  I don’t remember the drive, but my six-year-old did (and he did a devastating impersonation of my head nodding off while driving).  Thankfully we made it home safe, but, realizing how terrifyingly stupid this was, and facing the potential loss of my family, career, and life, I decided that my more than 20 years of excessive drinking needed to end.  Little did I know that making that decision would change practically everything for the better.  Life is still tough, but I am learning to meet it on its terms and to be grateful for all that I have. 

For me, a huge part of getting sober was getting on my bike.  It had been years since I rode with any regularity, and even longer since I had a regular exercise routine.  And while it wasn’t easy, I gradually fell back in love with cycling.  Now I ride almost every day.  In the last three years, despite careening into my 40’s, I have participated in several organized century rides, made countless ascents of Bay Area peaks, routinely set out my front door for 60+ mile solo rides, and somehow even had fun completing the 2024 Climb to Kaiser (woof! Look it up).  Through cycling I have made new friends, completed physical feats I never thought I would be able to complete, built self-esteem, improved my overall health, and regained the trust and respect of my family.   

Today, a better father, husband, employee, member of society, and 80 pounds lighter, I hope to share and encourage just some of the life altering benefits I received from giving up drinking and taking up cycling with people in my community.  That’s why I founded Broom Wagon.  It’s not a recovery program or a 12-step program.  It’s just a cycling community where it’s safe to be sober.  I understand that people come to sobriety for an infinite number of reasons and in an infinite number of ways, and I will never judge how or why Broom Wagon members choose to abstain.  I just look forward to riding with them!

I hope to see you in spring 2025!

-Jake

Broom Wagon Founder