Pirate Ride - Regroup #1 (thanks GB)
This month marked a huge turn for Bike Party. While our decision may not have been popular for some, something had to be done. For months now, we’ve been trying to figure out the best way to reconcile the overwhelming concerns of riders and community members alike.
Dangerous and illegal activity are in direct conflict with Bike Party’s mission – to build community through bicycling. Legitimate concern about the vitality and safety of the ride were on everyone’s mind, and the question of how to rid ourselves of these problems while keeping the ride vibrant and fun drove the final decision. No one knew how it would work but we all anticipated the results.
San Antonio Rd behind Ambulance, Fire Engine (thanks GB)
And what happened? There was confusion, there was initial resistance to the idea, yet still, 2,800 people took to the streets for a wonderful evening. The behavior that’s plagued us was almost non-existent. BIRDs draped every major turn, both familiar faces and new volunteers who so graciously stepped up to support the ride. And not only was the route itself great, the communities and police departments along the way were very supportive. A lot of riders commented that this was there favorite ride in months, and it definitely had the spirit of the older days: more costumes, more community, more fun. So although the added challenge to getting the route was frustrating for some, and yes, a few kind-hearted folks surely missed out, this decision was, for the longevity of Bike Party, a good and necessary one.
Bike Party is an inclusive event but it also needs to remain sustainable to continue to thrive. Thank you everyone for trying out a different experience this month and thanks to all the volunteers and BIRDs who continue to rock this thing into action.
Pirate Ride - Regroup #3 (thanks GB)
Next month marks our three year anniversary and there’s going to be a lot in store, so help out to make it a great night. There’s more ways to get involved now than ever. Hope to see you before the next ride!
Ginny
September 19, 2010
I really have a problem with all the noise in a very residential area. Your ride down Fremont Avenue in Sunnyvale on Sept. 17, 2010 was extremely noisy, rowdy, and sounded like a bunch of thugs at a beer brawl–10 feet from our toddler’s bedroom window! He really needs his sleep (hey, do any of you have babies or young kids?), and the noise is going on and on. This is not funny or amusing and is making my blood pressure shoot way up. This is not a healthy event for neighborhoods–are you listening????? If you don’t start listening soon, I predict there will be problems of various kinds for your groups, because people really do not like the noise. And, by the way, we are both road cyclists who ride many miles. Please listen up and party somewhere else–non-residential. Thank you.
[originally posted at: 2010/09/17 at 9:02 PM, moved from FAQ to this Reflections post]
Brian
September 19, 2010
The party rolled through that area way before 10:00pm which is the legal witching hour for noise (which we were well below the legal DB limit). You throw out the “road cyclist” like they are the “real cyclists”. I have a lot of friends (road cyclists) that are like you and have never taken the time to truely find out what Bike Party is because it is not what they call cycling. My community includes the roadies AND Bike Party and I probably ride more than you and your hubby combined in a single week.
If your toddlers window is 10 feet from Femont Blvd he is already used to sleeping with noise. If you need the tranquility of the country you might consider moving further out.
Hope to see you on the road some day. I’ll be the guy without spandex.
Tim
September 19, 2010
Hey not trying to be a “DB” but i was wondering if the ultimate point of the secretive was to reduce the number of rider and therefore reducing the regulations the police and city officials might put on Bike Party? It is alright if you guys want to be exclusive, if thats your proghtive, but there were a ton of bummed out people on friday night… “DBs” and Non-”DBs” a-like… I just hope that this method was an experiment and that next month you’ll choose to go back to the prior set up, having turned away many people who won’t want to participate anymore…
Please keep in mind that absolute power corrupts absolutely…
hopefully this trend does not continue as i would hate to see in the future the route never being released (even to most of the Birds) to control the Bike Party… I’m sure it is not anyones intention to essentially remove the PARTY element from BIKE PARTY…
hope to make it next month(if i can find a map)
[mod/rs: look at the posts on sjbp and facebook for the last 3+ mos and you'll see that we've been asking for volunteers to help run the rides. as mentioned previously the DBs far outnumbered BIRDs, this had to change. some BIRDs did significant outreach last week.]
Spliffer
September 19, 2010
Hey Scott, great point about “TRASH”!
Let’s bring back the “Bike Party Trash Detail”.
Last summer it trash was a front and centre issue and, I recall being assigned to the “Trash Detail” as one of my first BIRD duties and responsibilities.
Our ‘mantra” was to leave each re-group area cleaner than we found it.
I still carry a few trash bags with me and do my best to clean up in my immediate area at regroups, however; the volume of trash an recyclables are overwhelming.
I welcome us addressing this issue — ASAP — by revisiting and revising our our trash strategy. We need to nip this one pronto and have a progress report following the upcoming anniversary ride. Bike Party numbers are so huge that we cannot, in good conscience, not have an effective trash policy. There were many good “trash” ideas floated over the past year.
Heck, 500 to 750 pounds of recyclables per Bike Party event is probably not out of the question. Setting up trash and recycling bins at each re-group area prior to the event or renewing the call for BIRDs to bring along a few trash bags to police their own immediate areas at regroups are all potential efficiencies. My point is we can can solve this problem if we put a solid trash plan in place prior the next Bike Party.
We had the trash problem mostly under control last summer, but then safety concerns became the one and only issue for BIRDs — like is should — however; we can no longer overlook the “TRASH” issue, nor the lights issue, nor…
[mod/rs: so many issues needed to be addressed, safety #1 as you said. volunteers are asked to do a lot already. this is why we need more.]
D.Rod
September 19, 2010
You know…. with That many recyclables and trash. Maybe we can find some can collecters and tell them where out meet locations will be. But we can tell them we will only let them know the meet spot if they help us out by picking up some trash. I’m sure all the recyclables left behind can be worth a pretty penny.
Spliffer
September 19, 2010
@Tim
“Please keep in mind that absolute power corrupts absolutely…”
Apparently you have not been around the volunteers who selflessly sacrifice for the good of this “bicycling community”.
Dude where have you been?
The August ride was a wake up call to the Bike Party Community to evolve or become extinct.
We almost lost two bicyclist in serious accidents.
So should we just continue on — like fools — and let the body count build; or do we learn and correct our strategic course to survive and thrive into the future.
Until you volunteer and get on the inside: meet the folks on the front line sacrificing to make the community safe for all bicyclists then your criticism is without merit my friend.
What you perceive as arrogance of power is simply the evolution of Bike Party.
The Bike Party Community has to evolve or it will surely die.
Come along on the next test ride and let us know if your attach statement holds up.
Tim
September 19, 2010
hey man…. i just offered that comment up as a warning… i understand the difficulties of an event like this and the need to eliminate dangerous elements, and to those who offer volunteering as a solution, i unfortunately don’t have the time to be involved in training rides (work and family schedule)… maybe you guys should consider a required donation (oxymoron i know) for those who want to be involved but can’t…. but please take into consideration the cost of becoming elitist… I would hate these actions to spurn a rival SJ Bike Party that encourages Drinking and Dangerous behavior, because if one bike party gets banned… they all do…
thanks and again not trying to be a DB (dumb Biker right?)
Rider 44
September 20, 2010
Would love it if a rival SJ Bike Party started up that encouraged Drinking and Dangerous behavior. Even willing to help donate to the cause. In fact, I’ll even help them pick a name and a slogan. How about…
The Real San Jose Bike Party realSJBikeParty dot com
We weren’t the first, but we are the Wildest!
Why do I say that? Because I know who I want to ride with based on the ‘how we ride’ rules of the original SJBP.
Disagree that if one bike party gets banned… they all do…
Want to know more? Ask me about a ride that, depending on where it is located, is usually either called Critical Manners or Courteous Mass.
Rapid Robert
September 20, 2010
Why not just call it San Jose Critical Mass?
Rider 44
September 20, 2010
Several reasons.
1) Critical Mass doesn’t really encourage drinking and dangerous behavior, so creating a new ride for those reasons wouldn’t be clearly conveyed using that name. You ride Critical Mass with me, you know that, even though there is drinking and smoking going on, it doesn’t typically get to the dangerous point.
2) Calling it something that is a variation of SJBP will make it show up in google searches.
I’d love it if they shamelessly stole from SJBP. Steal the name, steal the previous routes, steal everything they want to.
And in the process, steal the jerks that currently ride with us.
Hey it might even be worth it for the people that manage this current SJBP web site to create a sister site, set it up, get it going, and have both sites set up so jerks gravitate to the new one and non-jerks gravitate to the current one.
Oh yeah, on thinking about it I realized that ‘Real Bike Partay’ doesn’t really roll off the tongue that well.
Nor does it clearly convey the intent of the group.
A better name would be
dub dub dub WildBikeParty dot com.
Then the riders can holler (in the exact same inflection we currently use)
Wild Bike Partay!
I really want Wild Bike Party to succeed. Don’t you?
perlasum
September 20, 2010
Right’ …but, the jerks are freeloaders and I hardly doubt they are willing to put any kind of effort into anything… little lone organization’ but, I bet if they did soon the lesson of “THE LITTLE RED HEN” would probably be learned.
Then maybe they would get that nobody in SJBP is on a power trip but trying to keep the fun continuous… and in ‘reality’ for all.
ryan
September 20, 2010
I don’t think it’s a good idea at all to encourage people to do stupid and dangerous things, especially things that will reflect poorly on others.
When I ride with a small group of friends practically anywhere in SJ, random people shout ‘Bike Party.’ Any other group will be seen by the unknowing public as Bike Party and their actions will shape the way we are perceived. Hundreds of drunk idiots riding around will affect our ride even if it’s not actually our ride.
It’s also irresponsible to encourage this. Do you really want hundreds of people threatening public safety?
Rider 44
September 20, 2010
Yes Perlasum, but don’t you see? In the long run, it is easier for the volunteers of the Original SJBP.
Of course it doubles the work of the web site volunteers.
But the huge increase in simplicity for everybody else (IMO) more than compensates for that.
The routes already exist.
Food vendors will learn to flock to both sets of regroup sites. Some vendors will serve the original, some vendors will serve the wild. It’s a market driven
economy. If they sense they can make money, the vendors will come. Is someone really going to choose one ride over the other based on which route QuickDog decides to serve that night? I don’t think so. And probably some other hotdog vendor will discover an opportunity and serve the one that QuickDog doesn’t.
Birds directing on street corners… C’mon, it’ll work itself out. So they get lost more. Do you really think
they care? I’ve ridden near responsible looking riders that, when they see me referring to my map, comment
that, for them, half the fun is going with the flow, getting lost, getting found. It’s a party.
If they know that if they ride in the original ride they’ll get hassled aggressively but if they ride in the wild ride they won’t, they’ll quickly learn which ride is more to their liking.
Ryan,
I know what you mean. And I agree. Really, I do.
In a perfect world I’d love it if we didn’t have to consider this option.
But we don’t live in a perfect world. Jerks will always want to ride with us.
We’ll always be battling them. If we give them an easy option, a path of least resistance if you will, we both win.
Sure there’s the negative perception. But we already are regularly lumped in with Critical Mass even though we all say we are not. And the more wild we regularly are, the easier it is for people to say that and for it to be able to stick.
Hopefully on one of the upcoming test rides we can talk about this. I’d like that.
Regarding it being irresponsible to encourage this. Please take this the right way. I don’t mean this in a rude way. Are you freakin’ serious?!
SJBP currently hijacks parking lots for starting, regroups, and ending. Regularly thrashes them and
leaves them thrashed (I know, not always, but not infrequently either). And battles riders that have
no respect for authority, laws, or shouting down bad behavior. I remember before my first SJBP ride,
I was at the LBS getting a new light and I commented I was getting it to ride in my first SJBP. The owner and the two bike techs each winced like I said I was going to sodomize a goat. And that was before May, before
the problems of this summer. SJBP already is encouraging this. SJBP already creates a venue where hundreds of people threaten public safety. I know the hub has ideas on how to solve this. And I know that when we were a ride of several hundred it probably worked. But we are regularly a ride of several thousand now. The crowd control dynamics are a lot different.
If you ask some of the other people on the hub that have talked with me, they will (I think) vouch that I’m not nuts. I really would like to have a civil discussion with you and any other people about this option.
If it doesn’t work after a few months. take down WildBikeParty dot com and no problem at all.
perlasum
September 20, 2010
I am going to agree with Ryan on this… “I don’t think it’s a good idea at all’ to encourage people to do stupid and dangerous things” And especially linking it to SJBP. It seems to me that even though SJBP is volunteer run we in fact are accepting some responsibility for the participants “which is a positive” this I assume is the reason for the boost in recruiting and push to get the A ‘holes out… obviously we cannot control every aspect of what happens during the monthly rides, and personally I do not want to… however I feel we are working towards getting the positive vibe and encouraging the non birds to participate and help when possible.
I also believe it’s in our best interest not to contribute to creating or manning a site that allows disruptive behavior and or a complete disregard for common sense safety. If there are people out there who feel the SJBP isn’t keeping up with the “PARTY” then they can take their bikes and organize themselves without the contribution of SJBP.
If some “hooligan” yep I said hooligan… wants to get crazy with WildBikeParty dot com then they can do it without the name of SJBP attached
Rider 44
September 20, 2010
I see where you all are coming from. Agree.
I wasn’t thinking of…
‘Wild Bike party’, brought to you by ‘San Jose Bike Party’.
I was thinking more along the lines of ‘Wild Bike party’ where their online personna is that they blatantly steal everything from SJBP but they are in no way affiliated with SJBP.
Basically, we all know that the jerks/hooligans are never going to have the initiative to create the site.
But if someone creates it, I’m betting the jerks/hooligans will flock to it.
We’ve all heard the phrase,
‘If we build it, they will come’.
But in this case, what we would be doing is,
‘If we build it, they will GO’.
And it would be good riddance!
I’ve probably typed more on this topic than I should have. If I’ve offended, my apologies. Not my intention at all. Feel free to edit/delete as you see fit. Of course my goal is the purity and sustainability of SJBP. If these ideas don’t coincide with that, may they never be.
Billy the Kid
September 20, 2010
@Rider 44, I love reading your idea/argument. I don’t agree, but I’m certainly not offended. I think this is the most provacative exchange I’ve read on this forum in a while, and I hope you’ll continue to make your case. But for now, I’m siding with those saying we should never encourage irresponisble bicycling as that hurts relations between the community and cyclists in general.
If they do have a douchebag-run party, they should call it Bike Orgy. (Though I confess if they do, I’ll probably go myself if only to see what the Bike Orgy T-shirts look like.)
Rider 44
September 20, 2010
Oops, now I see the problem. In my original post on this thread (6:39am) I typed,
“Would love it if a rival SJ Bike Party started up that encouraged Drinking and Dangerous behavior. ”
Wow, that was not what I meant at all. Obviously that would be bad. What I meant was creating something that would be more appealing to those that engage in activities we do not want. Not encouraging worse behavior, but giving those that behave that way a different outlet for their behavior.
Again, sorry for any confusion that caused.
Rider 44
September 20, 2010
@Billy the Kid
Thanks! That’s funny, I didn’t refresh the screen and see your 3:33 post until after I typed my 3:46 post.
Looks like we are all in agreement. I definitely don’t want to encourage the irresponsible bicycling. What a dumb early morning typo on my part. Totally goes against what I believe in. Mea culpa! Mea culpa!
Now on the topic of your Bike Orgy T-shirt….
If one of the more artistic douchebags creates a Bike Orgy graphic, I’ll make you a laminated spoke card to go with your T-shirt.
Doc Hawk
September 19, 2010
I have suggestions regarding trash aftermath at the regroup stops:
Saturday morning I went back to the Foothill College parking lot in an attempt to reclaim a piece of safety equipment I suspected had fallen off my bike up there. I didn’t find it, but instead found an embarrassing, ugly and needless scene of garbage strewn all over the lot.
First, add a rule to “How We Ride” about everyone packing their trash. If one is able to carry a container with something in it on one’s bike, one is also able to carry the empty container to a proper disposal. Carry a plastic bag if you expect the trash might be wet. All participants should take a look around before they take off, and take a little extra trash than what they made. Yell at litterbags.
Second, try to persuade the food vendors to bring additional trash receptacles, and to pick up around their trucks when they leave. It was obvious which truck had parked where by the various concentrations and content of spills.
Third, rather than forcing a few honorable volunteers to miss the rest of the ride because it required hours for them to clean up a regroup site, have a volunteer “morning after” crew to show up at each of the sites when early daylight makes it easier. My buddies and I both want to volunteer to do this for the December ride, when our schedules will permit.
Just like traffic laws, littering is illegal; and if this issue isn’t addressed, Bike Party may find police or other security forces blocking the entrances to preferred regrouping sites. Not only is it unsightly… trash in a parking lot or in the street becomes serious pollution when it gets carried into waterways and the ocean.
I hope this helps keep Bike Party happening!
[mod/rs: trash is #2 on how we ride]
scott
September 19, 2010
way cool doc –
nice ideas, let’s attempt to implement them all. we could use volunteers just to coordinate this, maybe come up with an “ad campaign” of sorts.
fyi: we’ve asked vendors to bring extra bags-it is an issue, they’re not really set up for more. the problem is people get the food then go elsewhere
while next morning may be too late-security at FHC & Cupertino Square saw all the ugliness for example that night-but lets try it anyway.
we’ve already been told not to start in certain places based on issues like these, the graffiti and general trashing of the place.
Brian
September 20, 2010
As a Community we really need to work on this problem because it definitely makes us look bad. A rider that was with me tried to find a trash receptical at the first regroup but couldn’t. We “packed it out” because I had available space but I can see where people will think they are forced to throw it on the ground especially if they bought if from a vendor and don’t have a place to store it on the bike. Maybe we could use it as a rallying point to get poeple moving from the rest stops by having people shout ” Pick up your trash and get ready to ride.”
I would be willing to pull around the trash can that I have seen before. I ride to the event so I am not wiling to haul it 70+ miles round trip. Maybe we could share hauling the trash by switching at the rest stops so one person isn’t constrained by it all night. One of the “light Afficiandos” could set up a blinking TRASH sign above it to help people find them.
It still leaves the problem at the end of the ride, what to do with the full container.
Ian
September 20, 2010
These are great ideas…
I know that BBQ Kalbi had trashcans and i’m pretty sure Mogo did as well.
Doc or Brian would one of you be willing to Run with setting up a team of Ravens
who would be responsible for helping us leave no trace?
we really need someone who feels the calling and would be willing to own this.
Thanks again…
perlasum
September 21, 2010
On this note’ there was a vender at foothill college… all I was able to read was Georges on the side. My dinner was purchased there, this vender did not set up a trash can near it and this area was littered with garbage, my friend, daughter and I did cleaned up this area. Maybe people littered because they were to lazy to walk over to BBQ Kalbi who did provide a trash can.. or maybe people were just jerks who knows…
Brian
September 21, 2010
Unfortunately I don’t have any free time to organize anything because I am already overcommitted at my sons school and After Care Program. I will try and make the next meeting if there is going to be discussion around this topic. I think there are some fundamentals that come into play.
Merri
September 21, 2010
@ Brian, the best time for these discussions seems to be the Volunteer mixer. I may be incorrect but, the test rides primarily seem to be just that… more geared towards riding. The next mixer is Oct 6th, hope to see you there..
Rider 44
September 21, 2010
Could the volunteer(s) that work on coordinating the food vendors please get in touch with me?
I’ve got some ideas and I’d like to see if I could help.
Thanks,
David
Meowwz
September 19, 2010
I’m sad I missed the event! ): My friends and I were so lost as to where we could find a bird with the information we needed.</3
It was heartbreaking. But at the last minute….I managed to somehow get a map from my friend who's girlfriend is a bird. Lucky me eh?
But because we(my friends and I) didn't get the map in time, we made other plans.
Its good to hear that there were less rude riders and that the ride turned out great! I just wanted to know if it'll be invites only next month as well..BECAUSE if it is…my friends and I would lovee to be in the know of what the route is and what not! I mean, 3rd year celebration!!! WHO CAN MISS IT?
Ian
September 19, 2010
it’s not safe to always plan on the route being public.
if you want to insure you always get a route get to know some birds or become one.
BP needs the help anyhow There were a number of folks I KNOW who i forwarded maps to when they asked.
nlovele
September 19, 2010
I’m meowz, just decided to log in (:
Anywho! Uhm, this was the first time I ever had to encounter such a situation…so how was I to know that I needed to make some BIRD friends? Well, now I know.
And as I mentioned in a different post…
“Well, hopefully I have time to go and sit in on one of these meetings, you know being a high school senior and all, the first semester’s pretty busy! ):”
I’m pretty new to bike party, this ride would have been my 3rd one, and I really do want to help out. So maybe when things slow down in school I’ll come round’ and try to get in on this volunteering business.
Well, Ian, since you’re a bird(?)…let me start off by trying to make friend with you! Hi, I’m Nancy, its a pleasure to be having this conversation with you.
Ian
September 19, 2010
Nice to meet you. hopefully you can come out and have fun and just hang out with us on a testride or the volunteer meeting.
it doesn’t have to be as much work as some of us put into it
anything you can do no matter how small helps the whole community that is bike party out. Once you start getting plugged in you may find the testrides are as much fun as the main ride just because of the people who are there.
give it a try and see.
Nat
September 19, 2010
I credit the invitation-only method of info distribution in keeping the DB count down. More BIRDs and less DBs is a great direction for us to be in.
I have noticed a DB on some of the test rides, so we’ll have to watch out for that — taking any such people off the BIRD email list.
My one observation was that it was difficult to find people at the start because of all the cars in the parking lot. Empty parking lots don’t have this problem, so when they’re available, let’s go for empty.
[mod/rs: this is a cultural shift we're hoping to change: people parking away from the bike area. it worked at dicks with a few volunteers. we need help in this area!]
kd
September 19, 2010
bp newbie, here!
for what it’s worth – we had a BLAST – what a great night – the weather was perfect – people were welcoming, helpful, spirited, happy – we really enjoyed the collective goodwill
this was a FAB way to spend a fri night
it was a little fretful finding the starting point . . . it was a matter of luck – that’s all.
what’s a newbie to do? it isn’t very ‘green’ drivin’ around burning fuel and guessing the route from blog chatter . . . i’d like to join the bp community & support the positive goals . . . but how do we join a ride on time without spinnin’ our wheels (pun?)
Rapid Robert
September 20, 2010
Go on a test ride some day and make your point there. You’ll quickly find someone who’ll put you on a list to get notified. Or get on Mingle and mingle there. Or try a volunteer meeting 10 days before the ride. Or contact someone who obviously comments regularly here via facebook or the site. Or write an intelligent paragraph before the ride simply asking for the route. The people we want to exclude are too lazy to do any of those things, or it’s obvious from what they write. Good luck! And welcome!
Two Stroke Smoke
September 19, 2010
I love bike party and appreciate that the roads are public and open to all.
But I don’t appreciate it that people on gas powered cycles join our party.
A couple of blocks, no problem. But mile after mile. Please go away.
Whenever I had a gas powered bike near me I yelled real loud, ‘BOO, two stroke smoke’. Is there a common boo phrase for this problem?
What if, during miles 1-5…
Everybody just BOOed the motorized cyclists.
Then, if they are still with us during miles 6-7…
Groups of cyclists blocked them in like cops surrounding a bad guy, slowed, stopped, and then people with real annoying voices could drone on monotonously asking them to please either ride a non-motorized bike or leave the Bike Party.
Then, if they are still with us during miles 8-9…
Groups of cyclists, caught up in the joy of the moment, could try to recreate the ‘bike lift’ image at the top of the SJBP web site. But whatever you do, don’t drop their motorized bike, they might break.
Billy the Kid
September 20, 2010
I’m with ya. Blocking in such a person would be an option if we had more volunteers. As it is, our person-power is stretched pretty thin.
But yes, Bike Party should be about human-powered vehicles, not gas guzzlers.
Joe Fixie
September 19, 2010
Powered by Beans guys, thanks for the music =)
geras81
September 19, 2010
Enjoyed this months bike party. Didn’t c too many rowdy ppl. Alot of cops helped keep everyone in the right track and so did the Birds. Although my brothers bike kept breaking dwn, we still hung in there till the end. That wuz my 2nd BP and both times I did the entire route. So much fun and anxious for the next!!
DC
September 19, 2010
looking for some advice… I rode in sjbp for the first time last friday, and for the most part, had a great time. i love the concept of biking through the city in big crowds, love the pumping music… don’t love how unsafe some people are on their bikes. i realize that no matter what, there are just going to be some people who aren’t going to ride safely and sensibly, so i’m wondering if anybody has any observations around if it tends to be safer and tamer more towards the back of the pack? less people? or does it just get filled up with the drunks who stop for liquor breaks and then try to catch up again? i’d love to do it again, but I’d rather ride with a smaller crowd where there’s more room on the road so people aren’t constantly swerving in front of me.
Perlasum
September 20, 2010
Yeah the back does tend to carry the drunks..
SteveSgt
September 20, 2010
I experienced very few miscreants toward the very front of the pack.
In the segment after the last regroup, riders in the vanguard were quite spread-out. By all reports, the last of the people who actually finished the ride came in more than 90 minutes after I did.
DC
September 19, 2010
PS – I did think for the most part, it was very well organized and the police escorts were a great touch. great job organizing, and great job to the birds who helped make sure everyone knew where to turn!
camigamble
September 20, 2010
This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!! There will always be some DB to make a group look stupid and there will always be someone who doesn’t think what we are doing is productive. I can’t think of a better way to build community! I felt the love! So many different walks of life, so much friendliness. I was one of those peeps that fell, but only suffered some road rash and a couple of bruises. I honestly don’t see how people can ride while drunk, it’s hard enough sober! BIG Thanks to BIRDS, all the people who thought this up and keep it going. I am not a videographer, but here are some clips on youtube. Enjoy! I did and I CANNOT wait for Ocotober. BIKE PARTY!!!!!
camigamble
September 20, 2010
OK can’t embed here. Sorry. Check YouTube for BikeParty092010
Spliffer
September 20, 2010
I don’t want to influence the “October Anniversary Theme Selection” but — let’s just face it — it is October; it’s Halloween and All Souls Day, (Dia de Los Muertos), season.
Last year’s “DIA DE LOS MUERTOS” theme was the best ever and a photographic — videographic dream.
It was the most amazing display of creativity and artistry the bicycling world has ever seen on wheels.
If we can’t top our most successful theme to date; at least, we can try to match it.
Good luck on the — all important — October anniversary theme selection!
**Bike Party forever!
Yogicycles
September 20, 2010
Great ride, thank you organizers.
I do not agree with the exclusivity of the ‘secret’ maps, etc. I met many people who were nice, respectful, and safe, and LOST looking for the ride (myself included). I would think organizers would rather have more of these folks present…
I have long been involved in the ‘underground’ party (or rave) scene, where secrecy and map points are the norm.
Guess what: irresponsible people still attend, and go over-board. However, the MAJORITY of the people attending (while maybe not being 100 percent law-abiding) handle themselves in a responsible manner, and actually help out and contribute to the event and the overall scene.
I guess all that we can do is lead by example. I don’t mind if you smoke/drink and ride. I DO mind if you throw your empties on the ground, ride unsafely, and give other riders/drivers bad attitudes.
I will be back: riding, partying, and respecting others on a friday night…
Spliffer
September 20, 2010
@Perlasum
I am so amused as well as “funcused” by how you’ve tangled yourself in that web of hypothetical scenarios.
But don’t worry ’cause this is the kind stuff that makes the Bike Party Community so appealing to me and countless others.
It is why: I don’t just like Bike Party. I love it!
Keep on keeping on…
The other Crudo
September 20, 2010
Friday was my first Bike Party and had a blast. I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to hit one up. But that won’t be happening again I plan on hitting all of them from hear on out. Thanks for the good time on Friday SJBP.
Spliffer
September 20, 2010
@sk8dad
That idiot gave us trouble all night.
He was doing the same silliness on Mary Av. at the final phase of the ride.
We just could get him to move over. He is just one of those guys who thrives on showboating by riding in the oncoming traffic lane.
We had to ignore the jerk and just focus on making sure we didn’t get anyone moving to imitate him.
That dude seems to be a potential candidate for a 2010 “Darwin Award”.
I just hope he takes his tasteless act elsewhere.
de-virginized
September 21, 2010
First Bike Party, and I have to say it was everything I expected it to be. There is no easy answer for the DB riders and while apathy is not the way to go, I am sure Karma will at some point make a turn on that green arrow and remind them of their own mortality. You take care of your family, friends, immediate neighbors and be respectful of others and that is all you can really do.
That being said, BIKE PARTY! The music, the people, the bikes! There was a dude on a longboard and a three or four year old fresh off of training wheels! I even saw a hella cute pirate wench wearing a lightsaber. Unreal.
loopay
September 21, 2010
I’m still really bummed that I wasn’t able to go on what would have been my first ride after supporting you guys for over a year. I mean seriously, what do I have to do to get a map when I’ve never been able to go on a ride? REALLY HOPE I can get one next time.
tanner
September 21, 2010
you will.
scott
September 21, 2010
much like a list of who’s gonna head to the yelp party, how about we make a list of what we think we might be able to do.
cool to find out how many bike parties you’ve been on, test rides, etc. too. i’ll get it started, with an overview and then other details. (if you think this is lame, that’s fine. but we each have things that we can do, even if it’s just during bike party once every other ride, etc.)
# / first name / # of bike parties / # of test rides / what i’d like to do/ help needed
1. Scott/ ~20-25 BPs?/almost all test rides/bike only zone at start & trash solution
WHAT: create bikes only area at start, get a LOT of trash & recycle bins at start & regroups.
WHY: cuz when we’re all able to chill we have more fun. the sept start drivers didn’t park in parking lots nearby, so bikers couldn’t meet each other easily. trash was everywhere… we could use garbage/recycle bins to block off parking lot and keep it car free!
HOW: find someone that can donate them (cardboard ones with removable bags inside?) anyone work at BFI, WM,etc. would need help with truck & crew to make it happen, hope it’s ok if we put garbage in shopping center dumpster,etc
(put this into your reply)
# / first name / # of bike parties / # of test rides / what i’d like to do/ help needed
perlasum
September 23, 2010
@ Scott;
I think this is a good idea!
On the Responses to Ride like a Pirate- Sept 17 (Ride 36)
Comment: Route Scouter Sept 17 at 10:11AM, posted a spreadsheet that was unfortunately removed due to spamming…
This spread sheet was like a sign up, for where along the current route help was needed…. corners, entrances, intersections, parking lots, trash cleanup..etc… I think a collaboration of what your inquiring with this direct sign up would be good! See if Route Scouter has the original doc’
perlasum
September 23, 2010
@ Scott.. are you the R.S./Scott? Because I may feel very foolish now….
Tian
September 22, 2010
I agree with many comments above about the great ride it was! There were lots of people that at least paid lip service to the pirate theme. I got the proof here:
http://tian.greens.org/SanJose/BikeParty/PirateRide/index.html
I saw several accidents. Once I talked to someone who had seen the accident. She said the guy just braked too hard and went over the handlebars. I haven’t done that since I was 11ish. When I start feeling my back wheel lifting I ease up on the brakes. It can be done. Especially since I never squeeze the brakes too hard to begin with.
Anyhow, I see that as a symptom that bike party is continuing to bring in people that haven’t ridden their bikes much. Bit by bit we are making San Jose more bike savvy! The best part is that it’s major fun to participate!
Thank you bike party! I’m looking forward to the next ride.
Tian
perlasum
September 23, 2010
I love that collection of pictures Tian!!!
Spliffer
September 22, 2010
@Jynelle
You said:
“I think the very idea that the organizers friends and their friends are miraculously not disruptive, drunk, rude, do illegal things and what not is highly judgmental and thinking of one’s self and friends as “cooler” with a capital. The bottom line is we excluded far more more good than “bad” (which there was still plenty of lets not lie to ourselves), and the way I figure it, until that is not the case…….. it was a major loss.”
How can you be upset with the most successful Bike Party of the summer?
And, coming on the heels of the most troublesome August Bike Party, I don’t see how you can have a problem with… SUCCESS.
Yeah, many good folks were inadvertently disappointed last Friday, but it was not part of some nefarious plot.
The fact is, if many of those “good folks” were a bit more resourceful and persistent they would’ve gotten the the start location in time to make to the ride.
That is not to say that I am blaming anyone. I am just stating an — after the fact — opinion.
I think you are missing the “bigger picture” by excessively focusing on too much detail.
Mike G
September 22, 2010
Mike
6 bike parties
1 test rides
I’d like to help- direct riders at intersections/corners, organize riders into P-lots, block off the starting p-lot so cars don’t enter, assist (yell) along the way reminding riders of the rules when they forget (ride right, stop on red, etc)….and bring some music to the Party!
perlasum
September 23, 2010
Nice!!!
Spliffer
September 22, 2010
@Rider 44
Dude, you should be nominated to the post of SJ Bike Party Ambassador-At-Large!
Rider 44
September 22, 2010