Wear your scarfs this month!
Test Rides are a way that we prepare the SJBP route & train volunteers for the main ride. We need many more volunteers & we need these tasks (listed below) performed for both the Test Rides and the main ride. Your help is appreciated. For those that get up early on a Saturday, or want to catch a ride en route this ride’s for you… next Saturday, Dec. 12th, 10:00am-1:45pm
1. help market via FB, SJBP page,etc
2. send out info on FB (direct messages only)
3. print out guest list (2 per ride)
4. make & format documents – “Turn by Turn Directions”
5. create route & site captain sheets on google docs
6. recruit friends to join the test rides – or volunteer
7. lead a test route, ensure pace is good, regroups brief
Sign up on links below or at sjbp.prerides@gmail.com
Catch us en route at any regroup. Details sent to those that register on FB or send email to the one listed here.
All of these tasks have been done before, often it’s a matter of “cut and paste” tasks. We need help immediately on these Test Rides and this is 100% transferable task to the main Bike Party.
Evening Test Ride
1st of 3 Test Rides planned for Dec…
Tomorrow, December 1 at 4:00pm
Sun Test Ride
2nd of 3 Test Rides planned for Dec…
Sunday, December 6 at 10:00am
Sat Test Ride
“Dry Run” 3rd of 3 Test Rides plann…
Saturday, December 12 at 10:00am
This afternoon, meet here:
Look for the tallest building along 10th St:
Meet on the 9th St side between the low fountain and the palms in front of this bldg
Red
November 30, 2009
Waaay too early. People work ya know!
Stephen
December 1, 2009
would like to help out Tuesday 12/1 and test the route on my single speed.
testrides
December 1, 2009
@Red – This ride is for all of those that work really early that have been saying our rides start too late (many of them still came tho!). There are two other rides, Sun, Dec 6th and Sat. Dec. 12th.
We don’t really need these rides, but felt it helps train new volunteers (which we don’t have enough of) and helps people get into shape, have fun and meet great people. It’s also a great way to develop leaders for SJBP.
But if we don’t get volunteers to assume the tasks that 1-2 people have been doing this whole time for the test rides and main rides than we will stop having them. Simple as that.
Ryan Smith
December 1, 2009
These rides are great. They keep the momentum going. They turn bike partiers into volunteers and help keep bike party alive. The party vibe is there, too, especially considering a lot of music trailers ride these, too. And any excuse to go on a ride with dozens of good people is a great excuse.
testrides
December 2, 2009
Mad props out to erik b and yoshi for leading the ride… and to those that tested the ride last night. we need a lot more leaders like erik and yoshi.
We hope that yoshi is ok after taking a hard spill…
We hope we can get more city leaders to ride with us so they can see how truly dangerous it can be to ride a bike with the large number of potholes and sketchy roads that we have in SJ.
It doesn’t even have hard freezes here so our roads should not be as bad. If someone/anyone from the city reads this, you’re welcome to join any of our rides!
Also an issue city leaders should see:
Drivers like the white lexus 460 driver that purposely veered into the path of our front riders on Blossom Hill ave & Almaden Expy during Nov’s Bike Party — mad cuz we were in the right lane (which is legally OURS to ride in)
Technically our challenge is this:
1) to educate the public that the CA DMV states that we can ride there when it’s safer to do so
2) it’s better to “own” the right lane and drive straight then veer into the bike lane than back to the middle of the right lane,etc
3) better to ride as a group then get spread out too thin with gaps where drivers will get inbetween too closely
4) that we need riders to listen to our BIRDs, many of the riders went off ahead of the group which puts them and others more at risk
In the case of the Lexus 460, most riders were in the bike lane and the right half of the right most lane. I believe if these riders waited for the BIRDs directions that there would have been a LOT more riders (5x more at least) so the Lexus may not have tried to intimidate riders.
Our riders need to remember a few things:
1) it may be safe in a large group, but when riding alone or in a small group you’re much less safe
2) most drivers think they know the law, but they often don’t… ignorance and ego is dangerous
3) pissing off drivers by grouping around cars at lights or running red lights doesn’t get us any friends
Ed
December 2, 2009
Hey guys, I would have loved to join your ride yesterday. I was actually off of work for the holiday. I just checked the website today and missed it! I will try to catch Sundays ride if the weather is good…
Rock on Bike Party!
Ryan S
December 2, 2009
I really hope that Bike Party can serve to show how poorly educated the general public is about traffic laws and safety, both motorists and bicyclists. I live in downtown SJ where there are tons of bikes, making cars used to our presence and right to the road, but most other places in the south bay demonstrate a total lack of respect for the rights of bikes and I think it is due mostly to misunderstanding the law. In my mind, bike party has already done a lot at promoting the use of bikes and especially using them properly. With VTA and San Jose’s vision for bike use in the city, Bike Party couldn’t exist at a better time.
Erik B
December 3, 2009
I had a great time on the test ride, thanks to Jeff C and Steve for leading us…and I brought up the rear like always, making sure everyone made it… and Kudo’s to Jackie for being the only female rider…come on girls she needs some buddies….. Thanks for the cool route… see ya soon…