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Comments on the ride Below.
Reflections – The Animal Ride
Written on April 15, 2011 at 8:00 PM, by Ian
Written by Ian
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San José Bike Party
Building community through bicycling
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-W-
April 15, 2011
Wish I could’ve made the ride. Still had a little night ride of my own. Bike Party!!!!!!!!!!
Community Activist
April 15, 2011
Great ride. Weather was perfect. The Birds did a good job keeping the group from getting lost on many of the un-lit turns in East San Jose. I did notice SJPD tailing the group a few times but no problems (for either party).
Britton
April 16, 2011
Had a BLAST! Thanks, Bike Party Peeps for putting on an awesome ride.
Ian
April 16, 2011
That was a great ride. I always love pedaling through the east side.
bryanlafferty
April 16, 2011
That was a good ride. Got to warn people about those brownies, though.
Also, I noticed too many people employing a left turn tactic where they pull into the opposing lanes about 100 feet before the intersection and salmon up to the left turn (often turning left at the corner, into the opposing lane of the cross-street). The sheer numbers of people doing it suggests to me that it’s a common pattern people are employing on whatever day to day riding they do. That strikes me as behavior that, if it becomes common, will lead to legislation for licensing riders or against bike use in traffic altogether. Unfortunately, other than booing after the fact, I don’t see a useful way to oppose this sort of maneuver; once the riders have committed to the action, it’s safer for them to complete it than cut back across lanes of opposing traffic. It sucks.
high cadence
April 16, 2011
i hear ya bro. the problem is that it starts with 1 rider thinking it’s ok to cut a turn early that cars do as well – obviously an unsafe move. so, when others see that person doing it, instead of them thinking that’s not safe, they think it’s ok (since that person is doing it). a chain reaction happens. you know that saying “monkey see, monkey do”? smh.
but licensing bicycle riders will not happen. in fact, SJPD has abandoned their bike registration ordinance. the reason people are required to have a license to drive a car is because a car is a dangerous vehicle that causes death and/or major damage when in a collision – even at slow speeds. bikes, well, will not cause the same as cars when involved in a similar collision.
people are just going to have to learn the hard way when riding unsafe, by either a ticket or by getting hit by a car.
Ian
April 16, 2011
Still riding while stupid needs to be discouraged. it makes the road less pleasant for everyone.
bryanlafferty
April 16, 2011
Yep!
Katie
April 16, 2011
I was seeing the same thing. A few times I was pushed into the opposing lane on the left by the people on my right turning too early. I didn’t like that! I think part of it was from really short lights where people were rushing to get through the light before it turned.
bryanlafferty
April 16, 2011
Yikes, pushing other people into the opposing lanes is even worse than just endangering themselves.
ridenaked
April 24, 2011
i see hella people doing that in cars too so im like uhhh w.e
Carlos
April 16, 2011
Great ride everyone. Feeder rides were great. Thanks Britton, Tanner, and Ian and others.
Vlad Gantvarg
April 16, 2011
Soooo, i seem to have lost my wallet somewhere on the ride. I’m suspecting near king and san antonio. Did anyone happen to find it? had my DL in it. Let me know please. thank you
kevin huddlestun
April 16, 2011
Had a great ride, was able to do the entire route on my 1948 Firestone cruiser and a broken arm. Met a pretty feline who told me about a Wednsday night ride. Had hoped to see her again there but cant find any info. Looking forward to more rides now that the weathers better.
moo
April 16, 2011
I’m guessing that’s the cruiser ride on Wednesday nights that starts at Hyland Family Bicycles. If no one responds here, I’d suggest calling the shop to find out more.
kevin huddlestun
April 16, 2011
thanx mooooooo
Rider 44
April 17, 2011
Was it this one?
http://bikesoiree.org/49503523
roel cunanan
April 16, 2011
Great ride last night. Aside from the Capitol ave before alumrock car accident and spare of the moment detours. It’s was fun.
Cyciumx
April 16, 2011
awesome time as usual but a few things to note….
major fail after the penitencia creek trail. we should of had a bird there to guide people right and then left…. but that may have been a moot point anyways because there were about 50 riders in the front that were all booted back to the trail by two police cruisers. me and moya guided in about 20 people in the right direction before we aborted that section… twice being called idiots…
using major streets like white and capital well convenient do distract from the actual main route because locals that know the place skip entire entire sections trying to get to where they know they need to go.
… both probably will be self corrected as the weather keeps up and we get more bird volunteers.
not just as a fellow music trailer hauler, I was concerned for john who was pulled over by the police for his music…. if you can shed some light on what transpired that would be beneficial to most of us!
maybe make a note in the rules not to harass the music Folks. it hasn’t really happened in the past but this ride I was countlessly harassed by people not only grabbing on my music trailer to physically slow me down but physically boxing me in so that I couldn’t pass them up… that’s not only disrespectful but I have a job to do and I got places I have to go to give directions to future lost bike partiers!
bryanlafferty
April 16, 2011
Grabbing on your trailer and assaulting you? That’s astoundingly horrible. They’re really putting the “d” d-bag.
TimC
April 16, 2011
Maybe a wingman (wingwoman? – lol) could help with the freeloaders?
Spliffer
April 16, 2011
This was a great ride because the route was an excellent blend of city streets and lower East Foothills that was just challenging enough but not excessively so.
I loved the crowd, the camaraderie and the music mixes were tight and flowed well with the ride.
I agree with the breakdown in discipline with the many novice riders performing “risky and unsafe” street riding.
Many of these folks show up at Bike Party without any knowledge or experience in riding within the flow of traffic on the street.
This was the first huge attendance in months so, I think we need to keep reminding folks of the error of their ways.
It seems like we face this challenge every year and, it is a “glaring” safety issue. Somebody could get seriously injured.
We can’t just overlook it.
We have to call the perpetrators out or, just work to stop the inexperienced riders from “mimicking” ignorant and unsafe behavior, so as to limit the potential catastrophic consequence of risky bicycling riding on streets.
It is a challenge Bike Party faces every year, primarily, during the heavy ridership months from spring through fall.
So here we go again with the cyclical challenge in 2011…
bryanlafferty
April 16, 2011
Yep, the hard part is always remembering that there are other people who are watching us and are following our lead; people who aren’t as visible to us in light of other behavior.
I suppose, it’s not so bad if we assume about half the people who get called out will at least think twice about such maneuvers next time they’re in that position.
Rapid Robert
April 16, 2011
Another fine Bike Party under our pelts! I left the doghouse around 7 and found the pack gathered at an old theater on the north end of the East Side. Not all dogs like me (including Scooby Doo); lots of kitty kats, bunnies and other assorted furry critters including the cutest Minnie Mouse and a cuddly pregnant purple pooh. Lots of music in the air and a big clear moon to howl at.
I found the route we took through the East Side really easy to follow, and enjoyed riding through all the residential neighborhoods. I think this is the best. Really love to see people out watching the spectacle, especially with their kids. I saw one guy takin’ a bike off the wall in his garage as we cruised past. There is was, right there! We probably woke a few babies, but the many who start riding their bikes after seeing us cruise by overcompensates for it (in my opinion). And the kids who see such a big and diverse group having so much fun on a bike has got to make a priceless impression. That’ll pay off 10 years from now, and I certainly look forward to hearing the story.
There was a little confusion on the entrance to Eastridge, but Ian and I hung out there guiding people in as we had a nice long and personally insightful talk. Don’t believe what you’ve heard about old dogs and new tricks! Got a little lost on the park trails near the end, and a large group of us cleaned our tires romping through some grass to get back on course. Then, we went left instead of right and ended way too soon after cutting off a big section that would’ve included more path riding, which was a BIG treat for this ride.
Great route, fun theme, party vibe and plenty of music made this ride one to remember!
Cameron
April 16, 2011
Great start location, we should use it again. Great route, love those neighborhoods. Little kids waving along the way.
Lighting shakedown cruise. I used between three and six of the little $1 OSH flashlights for most of the ride. They work, as bike headlights. The little wire saddle works, but some need a tweak with pliers first. Met several folks without lights who prefer to ride without them. So now I have a bunch of $1 flashlights with Bike Party logos and handlebar saddles.
From the second regroup to the end I rode by carbide lamp. It stayed lit with no windscreen the whole way, unexpected. It was just the right light for the path through the creek park.
420 guy
April 16, 2011
I’m the long haired stoner with the 420 shirt. Many of you asked me where my bike was. It was parked a block away (with its engine). I don’t ride high, so I don’t ride often.
Medengineer
April 16, 2011
We had a great time. Put together of the video shots I took. No need to add music.
http://vimeo.com/22499237
Stan TheMan
April 17, 2011
Good Bike Party video and the others on Vimeo especially Sierra Azul downhill. What can you tell us about your helmet cam? Type, cost, where sold etc.
Bike Partyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Spliffer
April 16, 2011
Great point about the start location and the neighborhoods.
We didn’t have the typical logjam at the start, given such a large group pf bicyclists, and, the bicycles stretched out quickly and easily down No. Capitol Ave.
I enjoy the “star” treatment we always receive when Bike Party roles through East San Jose.
That was such a huge positive vibe!
Plus, we never get complaints about noise, nor do we get irate residents posting threats the morning after.
Last night’s ride is pleasantly among my top three Bike Party experiences.
Bike Party forever!
Mary
April 16, 2011
Pictures from the Animal Ride??
Shad
April 18, 2011
Yeah! I saw a pooh on a tandem bike snapping pics where are they?
dora
April 17, 2011
Animal ride was Awesome …. love all the sjbp peeps!
JO
April 17, 2011
Those idiot kids at the 7’11 at quimby and white had better watch their stealling. They walked into the store and saw no employee around and just took off without paying for their stuff. Then a friend of theirs did the same. Stupid idiots like this attract extra unwanted attention to everyone else in this group and its not wanted nor needed. Pay for the stuff you want or don’t bother grabbing it. Don’t go to the Bike Party if your gonna steal along the route and make us all look bad. You know who you are and we are watching.
Tian
April 18, 2011
I had a great evening at this bike party! Thank you for everyone that made it such a fine time. I took lots of pictures, which you can see the best of here:
http://tian.greens.org/SanJose/BikeParty/AnimalRide/index.html
I gotta say this: WATCH OUT FOR THOSE BROWNIES! Every time someone else gets bitten by them I wonder how they managed to not hear about the warnings.
I was one of the last people to leave the parking lot at the end of the ride. It was just one of those evenings where I had so much fun I didn’t want to go home yet. The last thing I did was find an empty plastic bag and fill it with cans and cups and paper. There wasn’t much. I couldn’t even fill one bag full. We have improved a lot on that since the last time I did raven duty. Thank you bike party!
BEEV
April 18, 2011
This route was awesome! A little short but really fun. I felt like it was my birthday or something when I saw a Bird stopped at my street directing everyone down it! It was so cool seeing the party go past my house. Nice work Tanner, all the Birds and everyone else.
Spliffer
April 18, 2011
JO, I think your label of “idiot kids” is quite appropriate.
I wonder what person of sound mind in this day and age walks into any store and doesn’t assume there is a camera hidden somewhere recording his/her every move?
Folks attending Bike Party who have a penchant for “stealing” or, performing any “criminal act” should realize that they cannot assume any amount of privacy and must take into account that there are “2500+ cell phone cameras”, plus many avid photographers ready to record every move.
And now with the expanding use of “Helmet-Cam” we just have to glance over at you in the act of doing “something foolish” and you will be on ‘YouTube” or on this home site competing for the “dumb-criminal-wanna-be of the day” for everyone, including law enforcement to see.
Cameras, cameras and cell phones everywhere…
Potential criminals wanna-be attending Bike Party…
Better beware!
Peace on the streets!
HEC
April 18, 2011
Me and my friends drove up from the Salinas/Monterey area to attend the bike party. We had a good time out there riding around San Jose. We’re looking forward to the future bike parties!!
Kat
April 18, 2011
I’m determined to find the guy who was playing really good music. His little music trailer was small and black. He road around the regroups just blasting his music. The only thing I remember was that we was wearing black thick framed glasses. I would like to know what songs you played because I really enjoyed them. Thanks!
ridenaked
April 24, 2011
HA!!! i got to look through his ipod, great shit in there!!!
SJ Rollin Thunder
April 19, 2011
Was one of our first times back on the ride in a few months-had a great time-a lil difficult maneuvering on Capital with Rollin behind us-but all in all was a great time-looking forward to many more rides!
David
April 23, 2011
Don’t forget to post, or just check out, photos at SJBP’s Flickr page.
Happy Trails!