Pam LeBlanc spent nearly 15 years riding her bike to work. Now she works from home, but still bikes around Austin. Photo by Brian Fitzsimmons

My commute’s gotten shorter since I left the Austin American-Statesman last fall to go freelance, but I still spend a lot of time pedaling around Austin on my bicycle.

May is National Bike Month, and this Friday cyclists can score free breakfast as part of Bike to Work Day.

The ninth annual event, sponsored by Bike Austin, Austin’s largest bicycling advocacy and education organization, will feature live music, free food and drinks at nearly 50 fueling stations around the city, and an after party at Cheer Up Charlies. It’s part of a nationwide effort to promote cycling as an environmentally and physically healthy habit. Last year, more than 3,000 people in Austin – including me! – participated in the event.

“Our goal is not only to get more people safely on the road on May 17, but to raise awareness about active transportation options as an everyday reality for Austinites,” said Chris Riley, president of Bike Austin.

The fueling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and include places like Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, the Paramount Theatre, the YETI Flagship, Wheatsville Co-op and Houndstooth Coffee. This year, the Ghisallo Cycling Initiative will also host leader-led bike trains along three main bike commuter.

Along with fueling stations, there will be live musical acts throughout the city to encourage morning commuters, as well as festivities and tacos at City Hall.Bike to Work Day will culminate with a Bike After Work Party from 5-8 p.m. atCheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River Street.

For more information about Bike to Work Day, along with a list of fueling stations, go tohttps://bikeaustin.org/b2wd/.

A bakery is tucked inside the Dixie Quick Stop in Johnson City. Pam LeBlanc photo

The Dixie Quick Stop in Johnson City looks like an ordinary gas station, but I don’t go there solely to fuel up my car.

I go there for the pan dulce.

I discovered it a few years ago, on my way to Big Bend. I noticed the tiny sign that reads “Bakery Inside” on one of the poles supporting the awning over the pump area. Of course I beelined right inside, where three huge racks of pink, yellow and chocolate-colored baked goods caught my eye.

It may look humble, but it tastes great. Pam LeBlanc photo

I used the available tongs to pick out cinnamon cookies the size of Carmex tubs, long pie crust twisty things, big sugar cookies and golden empanadas. The selection also includes cake slabs, bunuelos and big puffy sweet buns.

They’re also pretty cheap, as in 11 large pieces for about $7 when I stopped by yesterday on my way back from the Devils River. I watched a cook behind the cashier counter mix up an industrial-sized tub of cookie dough, place colorful spoonfuls of it on a huge cookie sheet, then pop it in the oven. At a gas station!

Go for the gas, stay for the pan dulce. Pam LeBlanc photo

It’s a special treat now, a way to soften the sadness of returning home after another incredible West Texas adventure.

The station, one of the Valero chain, is located at 500 U.S. Highway 281 in Johnson City.

Colorful and fresh pan dulce from the Dixie Quick Stop. Pam LeBlanc photo

Go there. Now.