Bicyclists Sow Seeds and Stencils at Closed Businesses in Santa Cruz

On August 1st, more than a dozen bicyclists went on a "mystery ride" to tour the hallowed out remains of businesses along Soquel Ave., Water St. and Mission St. in Santa Cruz. Mystery rides, where the route is not known by most riders, are usually organized in advance by one or more bicyclists as a fun, creative and safe way to enjoy a community bike ride.

Seeds were sown after cyclists rode around the dirt lot on Ocean and Water, where a Shell station once conducted their dirty business. The next stop was on Soquel Ave. where there was once a Wienerschnitzel. At this point, the question was asked, "Who knows what these businesses have in common?" Someone stated that the businesses were related to a failing car culture, while someone else theorized that maybe the commonality was that the businesses sold hot dogs. Stencils painted onto cardboard were placed along the fence guarding the abandoned Wienerschnitzel as well as one protecting an empty car sales lot. The final stop was an out of business Shatzki gas station on Mission Street. ((i)) | more