Monumental. Beautiful. Well-organized. Noisy. Unbelievable. Brilliantly costumed. Poorly lit. Clean.
Those are just some of the words this webmaster has heard about Bike Party tonight – and for those that were keeping score, the good outweighed the bad by 3 to 1. Tonight, our second anniversary ride, struck yet another new mark in South Bay history, as four thousand riders (see count) hit the streets to build community through bicycling.
I’m proud of this city, proud of all of our riders, proud of our fantastic organizers and volunteers, and even prouder of the potential we still have to achieve. A lot of heart and soul (and sweat and lost sleep and sometimes even blood and tears) goes into these rides, and it’s showing. Things that were uncommon just a few months ago flowed smoothly tonight:
- Riders largely kept to the right (when reminded)
- Riders left significantly less trash and/or helped pick up trash
- Turns were marked both by volunteers “posting up” and by signs posted up by volunteers
- Most riders rode responsibly, sober, and in predictable directions
- Soooo many people decorated bikes, rode in costume, or somehow tried on the “Dia de los Muertos” theme
Of course, life isn’t perfect: We still get a lot of complaints from neighbors about noise, we still leave trash at regroups and along the route (because really, we ultimately need to leave NO trace, not just little), and there’s still room to improve our organizing with better communication and more organized volunteers.
But when you allow yourself to sit back and think of the achievement, it’s wild. Think of all of the now-regular riders you know who never or almost never rode their bikes before they started riding Bike Party. Think of all of the friends you’ve met. Think of the impact we’ve had on passers-by and spectators, demonstrating without a doubt that cycling IS an accessible and reasonable method of transportation in this highway-slashed city. Consider on top of it all that this started 2 years ago with 25 riders and it’s still run completely by volunteers with small donations, and it’s even more impressive. It’s worth a huge pat on the back.
Happy Birthday, Bike Party! Here’s to many more!
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Hey Than, I answered your question (honestly, for all practical purposes), characterized your posts associated with SJBP (accurately), compared you to a blue-haired old lady (rightfully so), and offered a suggestion (take it or leave it). So what’s your problem pilgrim?
Where can I make a suggestion for future theme?
There is a wiki
wiki.sjbikeparty.org
Next month theme = Where is Waldo
http://wiki.sjbikeparty.org/wiki/Theme_ideas
who the hell seen the guys about to fight the bus driver that was coming off the freeway ??!?!?! got pics video ?
@ admin- are we talking about the infamous Waldo Faldo from Family Matters…..or just plain Waldo from the books?
lol. just joshin’
Great ride! I am constantly amazed at how the folks at BP are able to come up with new routes every month that work big time. I am committed to BP though I have a full plate and can’t help out but maybe that will change down the road.
It’s not a perfect world…we all know that. Trash, riding while intoxicatied and other dangerous behavior is still an issue but it is getting better. The Red Bulls are a nice bene but too many cans get tossed on the roadway and parking lots along with water bottles and other stuff. It would be nice to clean up that behavior along with the motor guys but keep the faith. Great Job SJBP!
Great ride! I took a bunch of pictures. You can see them at:
http://tian.greens.org/SanJose/BikeParty/Oct09/index.shtml
That page has mustangRider and others on it for sure…
awesome pics Tian….superb! great that you put all that together. I’ma have to email that link for sure…you got some pics of lots of my friends in there.
funny thing is…. there will be 1/300 who actually play the part…..so perfect….good job.
Hey, Tian — fabulous pics!
You captured the spirit of the night.
Your photos presents the huge-fun-bunch, dazzling and talented creative wing of Bike Party that many folks on the outside never get to see nor experience.
Kudos to all Bike Party photographers — and to all you artists in the SJBP creative wing — for contributing, capturing and presenting, soo’ well, the real story behind this community that will continue to fuel the Bike Party phenomenon… forever!!!
Bike Party, you are the best thing that ever happened to the South Bay… and perhaps Planet Earth!!!
I have a great idea for the december ride. Make it a Plush and Furry ride. The kicker would be to everyone bring a stuffed animal to do donate to Toys for Tots. There is a collection site here in SJ as well. The link is here, http://san-jose-ca.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp , it would be a fun theme and great publicity as well.
VIDEO GAME THEME!!! cmon!!
wouldn’t that be sweet!
Thanks for the kind words about my site. Thank you also for the sudden blitz of hits.
theme——–EVERYONE WEAR SHARKS JERSEYS OR APARREL
This is a ride recap – put your theme ideas on the wiki –
http://wiki.sjbikeparty.org/wiki/Theme_ideas
anyone else got pics of BP ? or videos?
Plush and Furrie? sounds scary…
noone wants to see a fullgrown man in a teddybear suit…..
though i could see a toys for tots ride….