350 smiles took to the street last night for the Ladies Ride. In total, we rode 16.5 miles.
Ladies @ SJFD Station #1!
The ride started across the street from San Jose Fire Station No. 1. It was nice having an “open house” and it gave us a chance to interact with the Fire House before the ride started. The group moved quickly through downtown San Jose and found its way to DT Willow Glen. A regroup near Campbell kept the group together and in high spirits before riding through DT Campbell itself.
Ladies @ Santana Row!
Following the second regroup, the ride rolled down Winchester and rode through Santana Row. A final regroup brought the ride together before a stellar finish at Cesar Chavez Park.
2010 SJBP Ladies Ride Video (thanks Billy Cool! you must have Facebook to see this)
Please share your experience.
The success of last night’s ride had to do with the enthusiasm for the ride itself and the massive amount of dedicated planning.
Thanks Katie! Thank you everyone for bringing out your friends to ride together on such a great weekend evening.
BIRD volunteers were effective and support for the ride came in many forms. People were willing to help tune up bicycles, inflate tires, and stop along the ride to make sure people were OK. I heard several shouts of “are you OK?” to anyone stopped as the ride progressed. Posting volunteers at important corners to help direct traffic went smoothly Thank You BIRDS!
To anyone reading this: San Jose Bike Party hopes you had a good time last night. We hope that you found this experience worthwhile and will ride with us again.
Lucy Medina
July 25, 2010
My first Bike Party ride was the “Ladies Ride” and I had a great time. Everything was well organized. I have been reading posts about the regular Bike Party ride and was happy to hear about the Ladies Ride.
Everyone seemed to follow directions well, moved out of the way for cars and tried to stay to the right. I also observed people using their hand signals to move to the right and turning left which I think isn’t used often enough in everyday cycling. I also heard alot of “Thank You’s” to motorists who allowed us all to merge into their lane to stay as a group and I’m sure they were appreciated.
The route was beautiful and entertaining. I hope there will continue to be a Ladies Ride every month from now on.
[mod/tr: only the formatting was edited, to increase readability]
Diane
July 25, 2010
Wow, the Ladies Ride was really really fun, mellow and joyful. It was the highlight of my Summer 2010.
Thank you loud drunk stoner young drunk guys for not attending. It really made a difference. I was delighted to see so many parents with their young children enjoying the ride and spirit of Bike Party. I’d NEVER bring a child to a regular bike party due to the many intoxicated young men who ride unsafely and put us all at risk for collisions.
A thousand bows to Katie, Bill, Britton, Scott, Justin, John and the other Super Birds for making this happen. Many thanks to the cool men who accompanied us. I also loved starting out early so we could end in time for Bike partiers to hop on Caltrain or light rail home.
Billy the Kid
July 25, 2010
A great ride. Kudos to Katie for making this happen, and kudos to Billy Cool for organizing the BIRDs and keeping everything running smoothly.
It was great to see so many Bike Party first-timers — and even several women new to bicycling in general — riding beside the more experienced Bike Party Babes. It was great to see the crowd relishing the red light dance instead of trying to run past it. For 95% of the ride we even managed to keep everyone in the right lane.
And a big thanks to whoever put Blondie in the music mix. And the person who played Cyndi Lauper definitely struck the right tone for the night.
From this BIRD’s perspective, it was a great ride all around.
Spliffer
July 25, 2010
Wow, what a revelation!
Bike Party can function beautifully within it’s established principles for bicycling on the road.
I will contend that if women ruled the world, PEACE would break out in every corner of the known universe.
And as a result: war and nuclear arms –mutually assured destruction — will be relegated to history’s “dust bin”…
Ladies should rule!
Bike Party forever.
Perlasum
July 27, 2010
lol…. = D
Alicia
July 25, 2010
I had a fantastic time last night! A huge thank you to the organizers and volunteers. Hopefully, I’ll hear back from you soon about joining the ranks.
The only thing I would have changed about it would have been something organized after those 16 miles. That ride was just enough for me to get into the groove, and then it was over. However, I think it was the perfect length for some of the other women (especially those with little ones tagging along, which was *wonderful* to see.)
Hopefully we can make Ladies Ride a semi-regular thing. I really liked the lack of d**k swinging behavior that I see on regular BP rides. I mean, sometimes that stuff is funny, but only to a point, after which it’s dangerous and stupid.
I think the Ladies Ride is fantastic PR for our group. People seem to feel far more comfortable cheering on a bunch of crazy ladies on bikes, and less confrontational when cars get boxed in.
This is exactly what I needed after the BP last week. Again, thank you to the folks who put it together!
Kaayten
July 25, 2010
Fun ride! My two guests will definitely be riding with SJBP again. Thanks Katie and thanks to all the other volunteers!
Meow
July 25, 2010
I’m so sad I missed out on the Ladies Ride! ): too bad it had to occur on a Saturday. I wish I could have gone.
It’s nice to see that everyone enjoyed the ride and that it was a success.
Teheh, I was there in spirit!
Townie Bill
July 25, 2010
Hey now,
The conceptual continuity of a Female centric ride was very well executed. Most impressive was how many women “owned it”. There is a special place in SJBP history for the first “Ladies Ride” and Katie, you made that happen.
Much kudos and respect to SJBP women! Townie Linda and I thank Katie for organizing this event.
Way to roll Ladies!
[mod/tr: posting was originally on the Ladies Ride announcement; transferred to here]
Biker Belle
July 25, 2010
Yep.. it was perfect.. great vibes all around.. volunteers couldn’t have been better placed and gave me chills to see the smiles and dancin in the streets when we rode by! Gotta do it again.. and again!
Grace
July 25, 2010
The “Ladies Ride” was the first bike party event my sister and I attended. We had an AWESOME time and plan to join the monthly rides. Thank you Justin & Rose W. for letting me about this event. Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers! This event was a GREAT experience for us so PLEASE do this again for the ladies. I loved that people brought music to the event!
Sara M.
July 25, 2010
Last night was like normal bike party without the douchebaggery. I really could not have asked for a better experience and it was obvious that a lot of planning went into this event. SO MANY good vibes. Everyone was really respectful and it was FUN. Let’s do this again, ladies.
Ian
July 25, 2010
so did the firemen actually fall for Katie’s fainting spell? Did you guys drag them along for the ride? Inquiring minds want to know.
Heidi
July 25, 2010
Terrific ride last night ! Great route and the group was wonderful. Especially loved the couple on the tandem bike that had all that wonderful music… it really kept you going
SjRollinThunder
July 26, 2010
Hi-glad you liked the music-we were actually invited to go out to the lake that day but decided to stay and provide music to help the ride along-it was a great ride and have to give ot to the ladies for being safe and courteous as well as thanks to all the Birds who showed us so much luv for being there-Maria is actually 5 months pregneat and a shorter ride like that worked out great for us!
Really appreciate her willingness to get out there and ride and getting everyone motivated with music, cheers and her whistle! So please-big round of applause for Maria! Also we have a facebook page-sjrollinthunder-please take a look and add us! Why we built it up and hoping to get as many friends as we can-thanks again everyone!
Katie
July 26, 2010
Congratulations, Maria!
testrides
July 27, 2010
so glad that you both did – you had a great impact on the ride – thank you. congratulations as well!
fyi, we’ll like to share music tips with others, how you built the trailer, component issues, etc. this is why we’re creating the music list. so those into it and wanting to be into it can learn from each other etc. the more music the better on our rides.
Norma K
July 25, 2010
What a fun and well organized ride! The ride was just right to accommodate everyone. I hope more such rides are done as I will definitely be there. The ladies followed the rules of the road and those who didn’t were reminded nicely. Birds did a super job directing. This was my second time riding with SJBP and I much prefer this ride over last weeks. The only reason would be that it didn’t have the drunk and stupid people. Two thumbs up to all the ladies and everyone who helped organize and make this a great ride!
Billy Cool (Bill H)
July 25, 2010
A huge Bike Party salute to Katie for being so diligent the past few months in making this ride happen. She worked hard on so many details, including trying not to alienate guys while letting them know that the ride was for ladies. This was quite an undertaking. Way to go Katie!
And a big Bike Party thanks to all the male birds who came out and supported the ladies. From Steve, driving around to all the regroups to lend technical support, to Ed N who began the ride in the back and help out so many who were experiencing problems in getting started (one person’s wheel even came off and Ed got it back on), to John M who puts so much effort on our website, yet still came out to lend corner support.
History has been made and we’ll probably be talking about this ride for quite awhile. Seeing as how this was such a success, I definitely see another ladies ride in Bike Party’s future. The energy going through downtown Campbell and Santana Row was “through the roof”. It was great to see so many first timers experiencing Bike Party.
Buy the way ladies, our “almost weekly” test rides have the same fun casual feel to them and all skill levels are welcome. Everyone is super friendly on test rides!
Pics will be posted as soon as my computer starts co-operating. Tomorrow by the latest.
[mod/tr: Bill's video catches the vibe very well. it is posted above. the more video at all bike party events better. Bill is "spot on" about the test rides. similar vibe, no DBs, all are welcome. no one left behind]
Rockin Ed
July 26, 2010
Another Sweet bike ride. It was great to see all the Bike Party ladies out on the Streets. The South Bay never looked so good! I really had a good time, hope to see more ladies rides soon.
Thanks to all of the volunteers great efforts to make this such a fun ride! BIRDS rock!
shen
July 26, 2010
My first ride was the Diety Ride a week earlier, and we cut out early. This time around, I made it all the way through. What a great experience! Great weather, and a nice relaxing route.
The birds did an excellent job, and everyone was well behaved, safe and responsible. There were a few wobbly riders, but I managed to get around them & avoid them.
Thanks so much for putting this together. It was great to see the little kiddos on this ride too.
Cindy
July 26, 2010
What a great ride! I enjoyed the route with my nine year old daughter.
Kudos to the coordinators and the birds! Job well done. I’m very grateful that these events are coordinated. Thanks again from my family to your bike family.
scott
July 26, 2010
what a fun ride to experience… this is getting back to the core of what makes bike party so great. thank you ladies!!! riders of all “walks of life” getting on bikes of all types having a great safe time. as a BIRD a real treat! reminded me of old school san jose bike party. thank you.
(everything below is are nitpicks, suggestions to improve on next ride. this ride was [as rhino from bolt would say] awesome!)
the only sour note before the ride were the guys that were whining cuz they weren’t invited (not true-we were clear that men were allowed as long as they stepped up and volunteered in one of 4-5 ways)
the only sour notes during the ride were of course a series of not so smart traffic lights (oh how it’d be different if we had really good bike sensors in the roadbeds)…. and the real safety concern of a mom and a young daughter (on a red bike?) that was really struggling. she needed a lot more practice and didn’t seem to be ready for this ride. i was really concerned for her!
Cindy
July 26, 2010
I completely agree that they have to practice. I had my nine year old in a bicycle trailer for the past year. She was embarrased but she just wasn’t ready to ride alone. Her safety is first to me. I finally felt she was ready after she had practiced enough riding on the street. She did great on the SOFA ride and the ladies ride. I study the maps carefully and select a start and finish according to what I think is safe for my kids. Thank you BIRD for keeping a bird’s eye view!
Katie
July 26, 2010
Yay Bike Party! I’m still beaming from all the fun we had Saturday night, what a success!
I took a bunch of video footage on the ride from my handlebars, check it out on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/KatieSJBP
I’m gonna try to take video more regularly at Bike Party events, so keep an eye out. See you all at Hot August Lights!
Billy Cool (Bill H)
July 26, 2010
I forgot to thank all the lovely ladies who came out and made the ride such a special day! You ladies, girls, moms, grandmoms etc. were great. Here are pictures of the ride (all 100 of them)!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28057&id=1828791997&l=e470240593
ryan
July 27, 2010
Katie, you’re amazing!
Perlasum
July 27, 2010
For some reason I am unable to view the link
2010 SJBP Ladies Ride Video (Billy Cool!)
what gives?
Nonarocks and now rolls with SJ Bike Party!
July 27, 2010
This is my second ride after riding the Diety party the week or so before. Both events were welcoming and it was great to see friends and family. The Ladies Ride was amazing. I appreciated having some of the guys there to help with their quick tune up skills. Bringing my pre-teen daughter was a struggle at first but she overcame that with empowerment in the end. Beautiful experience.
Jo Ann
July 28, 2010
This was my 4th ride, with my daughter and her co-worker, this was a totally cool ride starting when it was still light, finishing in the dark with our bike lights on. Woooho! What a difference it is with hundreds of woman…and too you men whom attended you were very helpfull and made the ride even more fun for everyone else…thank you to the birds what would some people do with out you…love bike party I keep trying to get more people I know involved.
Inge Everly
July 29, 2010
This was my first bike party ride and I absolutely loved it! Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to coordinate and contribute to a fun and safe time had by all. I will definately want to do it again.
My bike was stolen just yesterday from the Pruneyard in Campbell – it was a matte finish dark blue Cannondale (black straight handlebars and no kickstand). It actually belonged to my son (I was just borrowing it). I had it during the ladies bike ride but did not see any photos of it. Anyway, if someones sees a bike that fits the description – please let me know. Thanks!! – Inge