The 80 adventurous riders that braved the weather were rewarded with a fun and challenging ride experience. Music was present from a few brave souls and a great spirit was abound. As one rider put it, ” Purple Rain blaring with the real rain sideways whilst cruzing through the lower SF bay…too awesome!!! “ Lots of great anime and toon songs were heard during the ride!
Many riders were challenged with flats and other mishaps, and to their relief there was no shortage of volunteers and regular riders willing to help out their fellow biker. We were also lucky to have one of our non-riding volunteers driving behind to assist ailing bicyclists.
We enjoyed a police escort during the first leg of the ride. A few non-riding volunteers came by to visit at our regroups because they are just that fun. The first leg of the ride was dry, then showers during the second leg and rain during the last part. It was amazing to see how many happy riders there were during the last part of the ride, and a few cold and weary ones. The key is to wear warm, waterproof or water resistant clothes and full finger gloves.
Needless to say those that completed the ride, felt a great sense of accomplishment. There was even an “after party?” at a local restaraunt, so riders could compare war stories. Another historic ride under our belts!
SteveSgt
February 19, 2011
First comment!
This was a hearty, happy group. I had a great time.
I was especially thankful for the Santa Clara P.D. who were out in force to protect us from homicidal motorists.
DBird
February 19, 2011
Hey we missed all the fellow party riders who don’t have the right gear, or otherwise can’t handle riding in a little rain. I feel sorry for you, it was another fabulous run.
I told my buddy a plan if it got too gnarly out there, we could take a short cut back; but we ended up enjoying the entire route.
Thanks everyone who made it!
bryanlafferty
February 21, 2011
You had a chase car, presumably waterproof rainwear, a rainstorm that has been described by Ed as of concern only to “Nancy Boys”, and a pre-planned escape route in case it got “gnarly”. And you have the self-rightous gall to congratulate yourself and denigrate others.
So if your idea of Bike Party is wearing a drysuit so you can ride with smug superiority past the naive riders who showed up without taking rain into account at all because they got conned by other flippant birds like yourself, then that’s your thing.
It’s not my thing, and it’s not what I think a Bird should be.
Seriously, were you even at the November ride?
Ian
February 21, 2011
Brian,
your coming across as a bit of an conspiracy theorist.. Everyone was out there to have fun. for all those who chose not to ride for whatever reason they missed out on a great ride. No need to get upset about it.
There were a number of folks who were riding with plastic bags on their feet so it certainly wasn’t all folks in dry-suits
For the record Feb’s ride was colder than november’s but i think we got more rain in nov…
Lighten up and enjoy the ride
Billy Cool
February 19, 2011
Geat night, great ride. So we had a small turnout tonight. 80 people at the first regroup. The first leg was relatively warm and dry. The second leg got cold in Alviso, but got warmer as we left the bayfront. The rain picked up after the second regroup and left most of us a little chilled.
And as always hanging out with great BP friends is always so much fun. Thanks to Dan and Howard for helping with trash…nice. And HUGE thanks to Sonya for driving and helping stranded riders and trash detail and intersection assistance, etc, etc….
Rapid Robert
February 19, 2011
It certainly turned out to be an eventful night for me! Rockin’ Ed came over to meet me and wait for the group to come up The Alameda and right past my home on Newhall. Though we waited for what seemed to be a long time, the group finally arrived and we got to see what the very front of a Bike Party looks like! A big group passed (didn’t know it was the only group), so we were off!
But just as we were about to catch them near the police station, I got a flat! Damn! So I told Ed to check the time and I changed the rear wheel tube on the fendered ’69 Raleigh 3-speed in 13 minutes. So we blasted away up Lafayette to get to the first regroup and Damn!, another flat on the same tire.
So I sent Ed on his way and prepared to patch the tire under an overpass when, out of the cold and rainy night comes Batwoman to save the day! Sonya, the Purple Angel, scooped me up and off to the second regroup we went.
Patched the tube with the group arriving just as I finished. But after starting out from there I noticed a thump, thump, thump as I rode. No obvious issue to deal with on the tire, so I continued through the rain. By the way, sorry about the prediction of the end of the rain last night. To paraphrase Eric Cartman, “I didn’t account for the fact that I suck at meteorology”. But I was overdressed for the weather anyway, so was warm as a bug in a rug. Passed the end by staying on Taylor with Howard and Dan to get home directly (sorry for makin’ you wait there Ed), because I was worried the tire would blow again.
So here’s a huge THANK YOU to Purple Shooter for her enthusiastic support for this party I love sooooo much, and for being there for me personally. She represents the Bike Party Spirit.
scott
February 19, 2011
Our doctor, who’s a sport fisherman on the side, said we’re in for a La Nina this year. Some rain, but a cold rainy winter. Boy was he right!What a cool hard core bunch of riders. I wimped out and didn’t ride, but did meet you at R#1. The usual great bp crowd. And for a while, no rain.
Totally agree that “Prple Shooter (Sonya)” rocks by helping out… esp with her Batwoman getup and bum “wing(leg)”… as my knees have been bugging me big time lately… she rocks cuz her knee must still be hurting.
Didn’t catch all of you, but Joules (dog) had a good time. Still can’t get her to like riding in the trailer tho. Hope to catch y’all on another ride soon… and that this “La Nina” weakens so we can get warmer.
Matt Smith
February 19, 2011
…Purple Rain blaring with the real rain sideways whilst cruzing through the lower SF bay…too awesome!!!
PS – I did not know there were so many frogs in the area and that they all seem to really enjoy cold rainy nights…
Ian
February 21, 2011
yeah the frogs were loud out esp with it being that cold who would have thought they could handle the cold…
Rider 44
February 19, 2011
Sounds like it was a fun ride. Would have liked to go but needed to be home with family relatives & friends.
Is anybody interested in riding the February route this Sunday 2/20 at 2:30pm?
Check this forum post under ‘Get Out And Ride’
http://www.sjbikeparty.org/mingleforum?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=102#postid-709
Rider 44
February 19, 2011
Update: In order to include some people that needed to start earlier, the start time is now TBD, some time after 12:30pm. Post what times work for you on the forum thread and the actual start time will be updated this evening at 8pm.
Rider 44
February 20, 2011
What an awesome ride! Huge props to the person that designed the route this month. The group of us that rode it today (Sunday afternoon) had a blast. Thanks!
Rapid Robert
February 21, 2011
Huge props to you Dave, for initiating the make-up ride yesterday! Great idea.
hannah:p
February 19, 2011
this was my third bike party. last night was amazing im so happy for the fellow bikers who helped me fix my bike chain when i rode to hard and it came off. the rain was awesome! i had so much fun, the most ive had in a long time! everyone was so cool there we had a blast im definitely going to the next bike party in march. thanks P.D for looking out for us! and the birds! to make sure no one gets left behind.
Billy Cool
February 19, 2011
You story just made my day!!! BIKE PARTAAAY!!!
Spliffer
February 19, 2011
The downpour in the foothills was so intense that I couldn’t get out of my house.
But I can’t help squeezing in here to “sing the praises” for the “brave hearts” in the Bike Party ranks who showed up and delivered Last night.
The “hard-core” wing of Bike Party is truly a “special bunch”.
See yawl next month!
bryanlafferty
February 21, 2011
Hardcore is someone commuting in the driving rain the week before, without Gore-Tex.
Hardcore is continuing to ride through the S&M ride despite being told there wouldn’t be rain during the ride, and then continuing to help mapless, soaked, despondent riders through the heavy, wind-driven downpour (instead of sprinting through the rain to end the night as quick as possible).
Hardcore is *not* toodling along in a drysuit while smirking at the soaked riders around you after you told them all it wouldn’t rain.
Spliffer
February 21, 2011
Hey Bryan, OK, your passion totally convinces me that you are the essence of… “Hard-to-da-core”.
I find your comments both refreshing and amusing.
How about channeling your passion and bravado constructively by becoming an active — functioning member — of Bike Party’s group of volunteers.
If the spirit moves you, please join us at one of the next scheduled “test rides” or at the next “Volunteer Meeting”.
Peace!
Spliffer
February 21, 2011
OK, Bryan, it’s said tongue in cheek, eh ’cause I know you do sacrifice a lot already for the BP community, eh…
Glowstick Head
February 19, 2011
This was my first Bike Party in a while, and what a way to come back! The rain was constant but light (kinda), and it was good to see who wouldn’t let a little weather get in the way of a fun ride, yelling out “Bike Party” in defiance of it all.
Tian
February 19, 2011
Mogo at the beginning was yummy! Thank you everybody for a great evening!
BTW: What is a good kind of pants to get to handle the wet chill? My legs got so cold that they turned red a swelled up when I hopped in a warm shower after I got home. I’m okay now, but that was an unpleasant surprise. I attribute at least part of it to being out in the rain for a couple of hours before bike party. Too chill.
Sherbona
February 20, 2011
Hi Tian
I wore some Novara Headwind pants on this ride and my legs stayed nice and warm (and dry). It features a nylon/spandex/polyester blend that stops the wind, water and cold on the front while allowing ventilation at the back of the leg. One of the best cycle item buys I’ve made.
Unfortunately I just checked REI’s site and see it has been discontinued. But here’s a link anyways to check the specs for features to look for since maybe other companies make similar products: http://www.rei.com/product/786461
Sherbona
February 20, 2011
I almost didn’t go due to a cold, but then decided this was a great excuse to bust out my bike rain gear. I’m really glad I did this ride, with the right gear (and lights!) stormy rides like this are exhilerating! Loved all the ‘toon tunes too
Big thanks to all the volunteers for all their hard work and also to the santa clara PD for the escort.
bryanlafferty
February 21, 2011
Excellent, Sherbona! I think you’ve got the right approach for Bike Party in the rain.
pizzasfortires
February 20, 2011
Good times…I was only able to do the first couple of miles due to other obligations, but I did have a chance to enjoy the initial gathering and a good warm up on a cold night…I almost didn’t go but decided to just work with what I had, threw my bike in my Probe and drove on over! Glad I went. Thanks to everyone for helping out! see you next time
David
February 22, 2011
I couldn’t go on this ride
. But I’m dyin’ to see pictures of drenched animation characters! Please post photos to SJBP’s Flickr group at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/san_jose_bike_party/ . Over 200 contributors, over 2,000 photos…ever since October 2008.
Scape069
February 24, 2011
hella fun ride. I missed the launch point so I decided to head straight for the first regroup. When Ian rides up behind me and scares the crap outa me! Lol. No worries though, it was great having someone to ride with to the first regroup and chat with at the lot. Thanks Ian.