For Matthew, this was more than losing a bike. It was his sole mode of transportation and a symbol of adventure. He had bought it for our unforgettable 2022 ride on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail. The bike carried memories and meaning beyond its monetary value, along with the gear from that trip.
His Surly mountain bike had been secured with a cable lock outside the City Sports gym. He’d left his sturdier U-lock in his bag, assuming a quick 45-minute workout posed little risk. But when he returned, the bike was gone. A thief with cable cutters had acted swiftly. Even the Apple AirTag that might have helped track it down was useless, its battery recently dead.
Realizing that Matthew urgently needed a replacement to get to work, I felt like I had to do something. I emailed my local “7-by-7” running community with the subject, “Looking for a bicycle.”
“If anyone has something for a loaner for a week or two, let me know.
And yes, I am planning to run the track tomorrow if you want to discuss it then.”
The ease with which I reached out said a lot. It was instinctive because they are my tribe.
7-by-7
The 7-by-7 is more than just a running club—it’s a celebration of community. This remarkable group of men and women is united by a shared love of running, their common bond.
This year marks 25 years of friendship and miles shared with the 7-by-7. The club began in 1999, inspired by a Runner’s World interview where a world class running champion credited his success to, “never missing the Tuesday morning track workout.” Motivated, we started our own tradition: a weekly one-hour track session at Los Altos High School on Tuesday mornings, with the goal of running “7 miles by 7 a.m.”, mostly through interval work to improve our speed and fitness. Amazingly, the tradition stuck, and the 7-by-7 was born.
While our pace and mileage have evolved over the years (we now joke it’s “4.5 miles by 7:30 a.m.”), the camaraderie remains steadfast. The 7-by-7 isn’t just about fitness; it’s about showing up—for workouts, for each other, and for life’s highs and lows. Rain or shine, holiday or not, someone is always on the track Tuesday morning, ready to join in on the workout.
This group has celebrated births, mourned a death, and supported each other through sickness and in health. In this community, differences in background, politics, or beliefs are set aside. What matters is our shared commitment to the run—and to one another.
The infamous 7-by-7 White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange (2014)
Spartan Turkey Trot
The Spartan Turkey Trot (STT), entering its 15th year this Thanksgiving, has become a cherished tradition for Mountain View High School (MVHS) and the surrounding neighborhood. While I may take credit for coming up with the idea, the race owes its success to the collective effort of the 7-by-7 running community. Without them, that first Turkey Trot might never have happened.
The idea first took shape in 2010 when I was helping coach the MVHS boys’ basketball team. The Athletic Director challenged his assistant coaches to brainstorm fundraising ideas to help our public school athletics program compete with well-funded private schools like St. Francis High School. With my background in running, I immediately thought of organizing a Turkey Trot. The concept gained momentum when I pitched it to the 7-by-7 during one of our Tuesday track workouts. By Thanksgiving 2010, the first Spartan Turkey Trot was founded, with 100 runners paying $10 each to participate. $1,000 in revenue against $265 in expenses told us it would stick. Since then, over 13,000 runners have participated, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Fast forward to 2024, and the STT is now a major community event. This year, over 1,300 runners are expected to pay up to $50 each to help support MVHS athletics. Participation doubled annually during the first four years, and we now cap registration at 1,400 to comply with city guidelines. In 2014, the city approved a scenic course through Mountain View streets, making it one of the Bay Area’s most picturesque 5K runs.
More than just a fundraiser, STT has significantly bolstered MVHS athletics by funding things like timing systems for swim meets, softball gear, a track-and-field jump pit, video equipment, a new grill for the snack shack, and more. It’s also strengthened relationships with neighbors, many of whom now actively support or donate to the event, fostering a stronger sense of community around MVHS—something that wasn’t always the case.
What truly sets STT apart is its spirit of community. Families travel from across the country to participate, turning the race into a beloved holiday tradition. For many, the highlight remains the children’s races—an inspiring glimpse of the next generation of athletes experiencing the joy of competition for the first time.
STT is more than a race—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and shared purpose, ensuring MVHS athletes have the resources they need to thrive. This diverse population of runners gathers from across the country to support a common cause that strengthens the neighborhood and uplifts MVHS athletics.
Heat map showing where the entries for the 2023 STT race came from
The rest of the story
As the late, great Paul Harvey would say, “And now, the rest of the story.”
After seriously contemplating how I’d hang that bike thief by their fingernails if I ever caught them, we decided to bury our sorrows with takeout pizza. Just as we were about to dig in, the dog started barking—someone was at the door. My first thought? Maybe it was the Mountain View Police with news that they’d caught the villain.
What I hadn’t done, however, was check my phone since sending out that email to the 7-by-7. It turns out I had a text from Dino waiting:
“I’ll be dropping a bike off at your house in the next 10 minutes.”
Sure enough, it was Dino at the door, holding a stunning high-performance Specialized mountain bike—in Matthew’s exact size. The mood in the room flipped instantly. It was as if the 49ers had just intercepted a pass and run it back for a game-winning touchdown as the clock hit zero. We were stunned, overjoyed, and deeply moved by Dino’s generous gesture.
Matthew’s relief was palpable—he suddenly didn’t have to scramble to find a replacement bike to get to work. And for the rest of us, Dino’s act of kindness was a warm reminder of what true community looks like: people showing up for each other in unexpected and meaningful ways.
As we devoured the pizza, it hit us just how powerful a sense of community can be in turning around what had started as a dreadful night. Being part of a group like the 7-by-7 made all the difference—it was truly a gift to feel connected to such a supportive community.
Later that evening, when I finally did check my email, I found three more generous offers from members of the 7-by-7, all willing to lend a bicycle to Matthew. I couldn’t resist replying to each of them, asking why none of them had simply shown up at my doorstep with a bike, like Dino had.
I am just kidding!
The whole experience reminded me just how much we all need community. If anything, the bike theft taught us the importance of coming together with others for a shared purpose, reinforcing how vital our human connection truly is.
Matthew and his Surly on the Great Divide Mountain Bike trail in 2022
This blog left me verklempt (see Mike Myers, SNL). You write beautifully about wonderful people giving generously and the power of community. Thanks for sharing Mike!