This month’s theme is all about the ’70s. It’s time to dig out your bellbottoms (make sure they don’t get caught in the chain) and find your platform shoes. Think disco, leisure suits, big hair, mood rings, pet rocks, and all-steel bikes.
Remember your lights and follow How We Ride! Be safe, legal, and courteous!
Encourage good behavior!
Route and More after the drop…
Help Needed
We need artists to volunteer to do the ride art for our monthly rides. so if you are artistically inclined or know someone who is please drop a line to tanner (at) sjbikeparty.org
Volunteer Circle
We will need volunteers (BIRDs and others) at key intersections, such as at a few stop signs, near freeway exits and before and in the regroups. If you’d like to help us, look for the circle of volunteers that will assemble around 7:30-7:45pm.
Volunteer Needs @ Key Intersection
Scroll to bottom of this page. Anyone can help. Easiest if fastest riders get to these intersections, then if someone replaces them after 15-20minutes.. and then if someone replaces that 2nd group of volunteers.
Ravens
We need to make sure the Start and Regroups are cleaner than how we left them. Please bring trash bags and help clean up.
How We Ride
If you follow these eight rules, Bike Party will be safe and a positive place for riders, drivers, pedestrians, and the community.
8. Communicate to Fellow Riders! (We need your help to remind those who aren’t following the rules!)
Route information
Wheels on the street at 8pm!
For Our Non-Riding Friends
For those friends that don’t like riding, you can have them join you for the pre-Bike Party festivities starting at 7pm… then walk across the bridge and listen to some great music. Check out the “Wild Life” program at Happy Hollow next door!
$25 at the door
Talent
John Beaver
Ross Fm
Ghetto Superstar DJ “SwitchBlade”
Mr.Tyler Jackson
Dj Yeshua
Thomas Phan
Parking
This is one of the few times we’d love to have you drive to the start! Drive and support programs at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo with your $2 parking fee. If you ride, you are most welcome to donate $2 to the Happy Hollow parking attendant.
Make sure that you park ONLY on the NEW parking lot on Story Rd opposite Remillard Ct… you will be greeted by personnel. There is virtually unlimited parking starting at 7pm… please park in the far end (south) of the lot past the bridge. Please do NOT park in the OLD parking lots on Senter Rd!
Feeder rides
Feeder rides are a great way to get to Bike Party They allow you to make great friends and get to know people who live near you. They also make it super easy to get back home as a group as most folks ride home with the group they arrived with. You save the planet and save on parking while getting a little bit more exercise. It’s all good.
- NSJ/Santa Clara — Led by Ian from Rivermark – Meet in front of Peets Leaving at 6:15
- SCU/Santa Clara — Led by Rapid Robert — Meet at Safeway on The Alameda near SCU. Meet at 7:00pm, leaving at 7:15pm (updated time per Rapid Robert’s comments below)
- East SJ — Led by Alex — Meet at Carl’s Jr, North Jackson & Alum Rock Ave. Meet at 6:45pm, leaving at 7:00pm sharp!
- SJ Downtown — Led by Britton (Yellow fixie & black headwrap). Meet at San Jose City Hall by 6:45, leaving at 7:00
- Campbell — Led by EdN — Meet at the Pruneyard between 17 and the Outback restaurant. Meet at 6:30pm. Leaving when the Los Gatos ride gets there.
- Los Gatos — Led by Couch Bike Dude and TheFerg — Meet at Starbucks by Petco across from Walgreens. Leaving at 6:00pm
- Your neighborhood? (let us know in comments below if you want to lead a ride)
Key Intersections
* Start – riders take Left thru intersection (we may have cars coming in)
- narrow driveway – we may need to get all the fast BIRDs …out first, pre-load!
* Keyes & 2nd/1st (short distance)
* stop sign @ Goodyear & Willow
* Willow & Minnesotra or Lincoln & Minnesota (??)
* stop sign on Dry Creek (?)
Regroup #1:
*Union & Woodham
* Union & Samaritan? (we take quick right as we go over Hwy 85)
* Samaritan Dr & southbound hwy 85 exit ramp
* 2425 Samaritan Dr (main entrance to Good Sam Hospital) ***
- critical need here !!
* perhaps a 2nd Good Sam entrance/exit?
* 2 stop signs on LG Blvd (downhill – hope LG Police might help??)
- 2nd one is at a 7-11
* N Santa Cruz Ave (stop salmon riders/try to get riders to stay behind cars)
Regroup #2:
* Winchester & Hacienda
* Haciendea & entrance (ask riders to go past end of long driveway)
* end of long driveway (to get people to go back further)
* Winchester & Campbell (?)
* 3 stop signs on Campbell Ave (???)
* 2 stop signs on Pine (on the ride?)
* Minnesota & Pine (?)
TheFerg
June 13, 2011
Is anyone attending from Los Gatos? I’d like someone to ride with.
Couch Bike Dude
June 14, 2011
I can be your ticket to ride!
TheFerg
June 14, 2011
I friended you so we can coordinate offline. Can my friend ride on your couch? She doesn’t have a bike!?
Couch Bike Dude
June 15, 2011
I’ll be riding my ’70s bike. So no rides this month. It takes about 40 minutes down the bike trail to the Pruneyard, so we need to leave Los Gatos by about 6 to catch a 7 PM feeder ride in Campbell.
Jennifer
June 14, 2011
I’d like to ride from Los Gatos too!!
TheFerg
June 15, 2011
Couch Bike Dude – can we meet at the Starbucks, by the Petco, across from Walgreens in Los Gatos at 6pm? Jenhansen wants to meet up with us also and Jennifer posted she would like to also.
Couch Bike Dude
June 15, 2011
That’s perfect for me.
See you then.
If I can convince my girl friend, she’ll be with us too.
TheFerg
June 15, 2011
Jennifer – friend me – I can’t click on your name for some reason so I can’t send you a note.
Drewsk
June 15, 2011
Has this feeder ride from the Pruneyard been planned? I live in downtown Campbell and it would be a cinch to get to take off from there. Let me know and I’ll join you!
Ian
June 15, 2011
we still need a leader for Campbell if you want to lead it you get to pick where it starts
Mike G
June 15, 2011
A small group of us are meeting at the Pruneyard behind Outback and planning to join the feeder ride to the beginning too.
Hopefully someone will figure out a route and lead it when it’s posted tomorrow.
Drewsk
June 16, 2011
Sounds like it all got set up? I may need to catch up with ya’ll, I need to pick up my girlfriend from Diridon at 6:30 then take off after that. Hopefully I’ll get there before the Los Gatos folks do and we can roll together.
TheFerg
June 14, 2011
Jennifer – friend me so we can coordinate!
jenhansen
June 15, 2011
Just sent a request. Thanks~!
BreathLess.
June 15, 2011
Can some one jot down the whole address of where every body meets up.
Rapid Robert
June 15, 2011
That’s announced the day before the ride. Hey, that’s TODAY!!!!
Rapid Robert
June 15, 2011
Sorry, tomorrow. In the meantime, here’s a site for everything ’70s for those born as a result of it all. My mood ring tells me I’m getting excited about this! “An-ti-cipation ……. “
Rapid Robert
June 15, 2011
Damn, did it again!
http://classic70s.com/70s-fads.html
Inhale
June 15, 2011
420 Mary Jane Way
San Jose, CA
Rapid Robert
June 15, 2011
I’ll lead a Feeder Ride from Santa Clara, leaving the Safeway on The Alameda at 6:15.
kboejoe
June 16, 2011
Isn’t 6:15 a little early? If the ride is anywhere close to the test ride on Monday, it should only take half an hour or so to get to the start point. Do we need an hour and 45 minutes to get to the start? Maybe you have inside info…
Ian
June 16, 2011
the party at the start really starts at 7:00 not 8:00. we roll at 8:00
kboejoe
June 16, 2011
I did not know that, but an hour or partying beforehand? Heck yeah!
Rapid Robert
June 16, 2011
You’re right, I got the time wrong. I’ll leave at 7:15. It’ll take probably 20-25 minutes if the group is small, and the ride probably won’t start right at 8:00 on the nose. Sorry about the confusion.
ATL
June 17, 2011
thanks for clarifying that, i was a little confused on the start time.
Spliffer
June 15, 2011
School is out, it’s summertime and, it’s Bike Party Friday with a fantabulous theme ride!
Do you need anymore motivation to jump on your “ride”– bicycle; that is — and join the Bike Party “fun bunch” on another awesome route, jammin’ to the sounds of KC and The Sunshine Band? (Get Down Tonight, That’s the Way I like It…. aha, that’s the way…)
Well, if that little tidbit doesn’t give you a “minor adrenaline rush” in anticipation of this Friday’s festivities, I suggest you just stay home cuddle up on your sofa and enjoy your favorite movie.
For the rest of us: it is about the crowd, the fun, the fabulous food, the music and, mingling in peace and friendship with the huge bicycling community, that makes SJ Bike Party “the funnest party on wheels in America today”.
Bike Party forever!
Jimmy
June 15, 2011
Guess who’s back from LA?!
My name is Jimmy and I’m a proud bird.
Speaking of which, has anyone seen Scott? I haven’t been able to keep in touch with him for a while…
Ian
June 15, 2011
Hi Jimmy
he’s around…
nick
June 15, 2011
Anyone want to ride from Palo Alto/Mountain View area? I really hate driving my bike places. New to the area and would love to attend.
kellyyingchiang
June 16, 2011
Is there anyone coming from Mountain View?
Vaness.S
June 16, 2011
hey…. Where can i find the link for that 70′s bike tour?
Anyone
Vaness.S
June 16, 2011
Hey Rapid Robert, Thanks for the groovey link .. like far out!
Edgar G
June 16, 2011
whats the route!?
Learning To Read
June 16, 2011
I just read this post and right under a huge font that says, ‘Route information’ it said…
The route will be posted here 24 hours before the ride. If you still see this message, it hasn’t been posted yet.
Honestly, I’m a bit confused as to what that means. What do they mean by ‘see this message’? Is it a secret route this month? Are they not going to post it?
jacky
June 16, 2011
It means the route will be posted by 8pm tonight Thursday June 16th which is 24 hours before the ride. It doesn’t say it is secret. It is not. When the route is posted you will no longer see that message you will see the link to the route.
TheFerg
June 16, 2011
From LG I have collected jenhansen, TheFerg, Couch Bike Dude +1. Anyone else wants to meet in LG?
If so – meet at Starbucks, by the Petco, across from Walgreens in Los Gatos at 6pm.
Couch Bike Dude
June 17, 2011
Here’s a link to my plan for our route:
http://tinyurl.com/3omsf6s
We’ll stop at the Pruneyard of course!
kboejoe
June 17, 2011
Couch Bike Dude -
It looks like the parking lot everyone’s leaving from is in the North corner of the park, so instead of stopping where your route tells you to you’ll have to continue north on Senter and take a right on Story, then take a right into the parking lot. Didn’t know if you caught that or not.
Cosmo
June 16, 2011
When is the feeder from Rivermark going to leave?
Ian
June 16, 2011
probably 6:15 or so … unless i am running late
it’s one of the advantages of leading a feeder is they can’t leave without you 
drunk biker
June 16, 2011
I gonna get so high for this ride…
jacky
June 16, 2011
Thanks for the opportunity to provide the reminder of “How we ride!”
If you follow these eight rules, Bike Party will be safe and a positive place for riders, drivers, pedestrians, and the community
1. Stay in the Right Lane NEVER ride the sidewalk. NEVER ride against oncoming traffic.
2. Leave Nothing Behind
3. Stop at Red Lights.
4. Ride Straight, Ride Predictability.
5. Roll Past Conflict.
6. Leave No One Behind.
7. Ride Sober! It’s illegal and dangerous to ride a bicycle inebriated.
8. Communicate to Fellow Riders! (We need your help to remind those who aren’t following the rules!)
Officer Friendly
June 16, 2011
I gonna make so many arrests Friday nite…
amused onlooker
June 17, 2011
haha
Grammar Nazi
June 17, 2011
I am going to correct so many grammar errors.
Spliffer
June 16, 2011
On the eve of this month’s Bike Party, the Bike Party Community must “learn and profit” from past experiences.
We had a great ride last month but, we had one unfortunate incident involving a small group of hoodlums attending Bike Party who threatened a pedestrian and his girlfriend and exhibiting other crude behaviors while we were on campus at Stanford. And we certainly heard it from that individual loud and clear.
We also received major complaints about the HUGE number of bicyclists riding without lights.
So, to profit from these confirmed and valid complaints, I suggest that while folks print this month’s route, please don’t invite your “wannabe petty criminal” nor, “rude and crude” friends.
Leave all the DB off your guess-lists.
It will be better for you and even better for the Bike Party community.
Bike Party is a family friendly event, where the party is about respecting the ride, following the rules of the road and enjoying: the music, the peace, the camaraderie and the positive environment that is shared by those of us with a lifelong love affair with bicycles.
And, as to the second complaint; “It is against the law to ride your bicycle in traffic in the dark of night.”
Leaving your home to attend Bike Party intending to ride all night long without proper lighting on your bicycle makes you subject to being cited by the SJPD.
And even worse, bikes without lights are a potential danger to other bicyclists on the ride because on some areas of the route you become invisible at night — leading to needless crashes and injuries.
Lights for bicycles are very cheap these days. Since it doesn’t cost anything to attend Bike Party, the most responsible — the right thing — you can do is to show respect for the Bike Party Community by lighting up your bike because you will be less of a liability to all well meaning bicyclists attending Bike Party.
Peace and let’s keep Bike Party safe for all bicyclists my bicycling brethren!
Spoon
June 16, 2011
This will be my first ride! Bringing a few friends too!!! >.<
Rick1983
June 16, 2011
Where dose it star?
dpinoy
June 16, 2011
is there any hills
moo
June 16, 2011
You can click the “show elevation” box on the map to see what the profile looks like. The hills on the route seem pretty gradual, as they are on most SJBP rides.
Spoon
June 16, 2011
Being my first ride and all, I was hoping for something less than 20 miles.
Are there groups that are taking a shorter, more manageable route? What do folks normally do when they aren’t interested in completing the entire route? Just checking out ideas for myself and friends. Thanks!
I’ll go check out the forums too. Getting excited!
kboejoe
June 16, 2011
You can take a shortcut from the first rest stop to the second, just a short trip down Camden or the Los Gatos Creek Trail.
I really wouldn’t worry about the distance, though. There are plenty of people who average around 8-10mph. I’d say get to the first checkpoint and make a decision from there.
On another note, this route will be AWESOME! Downtown Willow Glen, Los Gatos, AND Campbell?! And on different legs! Woooo! Bike party!
moo
June 16, 2011
Spoon, as kboejoe points out, the ride goes at a pretty relaxed pace. One of the great things about SJBP is that people are often surprised at how easy it is to ride these distances.
For this particular route, it’s mostly downhill after the halfway point. So once you make it to Los Gatos, you have a lot of nice downhills.
Rapid Robert
June 17, 2011
I’d also recommend riding to the first regroup spot, then taking Lark across to Winchester and up to the second regroup spot. You’ll miss Los Gatos and a long fun downhill, but you’ll cut off a bunch of miles and still have 2/3 of the ride in. SJBP is about fun AND growth. Great idea to identify a short cut, but I guarantee you’ll surprise yourself by how easily the miles go past when riding with a happy and partyin’ crowd!
karens3
June 16, 2011
is any one starting from south san jose?
Garrett Birkel
June 17, 2011
For those of you who don’t like MapMyRide’s banner-ad and members-only soaked atmosphere, here’s an alternate map from BikeRouteToaster.
http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=264125
The site supports embedding the map into your GPS for on-the-go navigation.
Rider 44
June 17, 2011
That’s cool, thanks!
Alex
June 17, 2011
East Side San Jose Feeder Ride
Carl’s Junior Restaurant
North Jackson Avenue & Alum Rock Ave
Meet at 645pm
Leave at 700pm SHARP
Kevin
June 17, 2011
I live a block away. Looking forward to meeting and riding with someone else from the east side
rnobleza
June 17, 2011
Just a heads up for those who are planning to park near the start point. There is a San Jose Giants game tonight.
slorraine
June 17, 2011
Please, please, please consider changing the route so that it does not go past Good Sam. Hospital. People entering or leaving the hospital late in the evening are generally dealing with stressful medical situations. I myself have taken family members to the emergency room there on several occasions and can’t even imagine the distress that would occur if we couldn’t enter the hospital parking lot because thousands of bikes were blocking the way. It would be very simple to just continue south on Union and turn on Los Gatos Almaden Road instead.
Ian
June 17, 2011
We expect our riders to share the road with all car drivers whether or not they are having a medical emergency. The Roads around the Hospital are backed up with car traffic everyday. I don’t see how this is different. This route was tested by our test riders 3 times this month and they did not raise the issue. If you want to influence future routes i would suggest that you attend a Volunteer Meeting or better yet come on a testride.
slorraine
June 17, 2011
You have your head in the sand if you believe a miles long stream of rowdy and often drunk or stoned cyclists is equivalent to daily car traffic. Just because you EXPECT your riders to share the road it has been proven time and again that many bike party participants do not. I don’t see why I should have to participate as a volunteer or join a test ride simply to point out the insensitivity of planning a route that could impede people (yes there are people – human beings, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters in those cars) who are dealing with life or death situations at the hospital. I’m just asking that the leaders of this ride consider a simple route change.
spoon
June 17, 2011
@slo, There are dozens of traffic lights/hazards on the way from my house to the nearest hospital. Occasionally, road work may be performed at any given time, causing detours and traffic congestion. If I wanted a hospital built next door to my house, I’d probably go to a city council meeting or something.
I always jump at the chance to be a jackass, for that I apologize. But like Ian he said, go to a meeting or something if you feel that strongly about it. You pointed it out, and now you are just whining.
Ian
June 17, 2011
If people are breaking the law thats an enforcement issue and the police need to ticket them. Yes i think bike party is just another kind of traffic.
kboejoe
June 17, 2011
slorraine-
That’s a good point, we need to be extra sure we give cars entering and leaving the hospital right of way. Hopefully bike party can be a memorable celebration of life for those stressed by health related issues instead of an added frustration. I think we can surprise some people with how well BP can self manage in such situations.
As for the “this is just like car traffic/construction/other bike parties during an emergency”, arguments, come on. That’s using the “we’re no worse than the other terrible situations” argument, and BP is not intended to be just barely better than the worst things in life. I wouldn’t think we’d need to change the route (especially this last minute), but if you’re by the hospital, take some initiative and stop bike traffic for our car operating friends. That’s all it takes!
slorraine
June 17, 2011
@spoon, the immaturity of the people associated with this ride never ceases to amaze me.
@ian and anyone who produces this website who can be considered de facto organizers of this event: if you cannot take constructive criticism without being defensive then you are not ready for the real world. Time and again bike party’s response to route criticism is that people are expected to ride legally (well they don’t), that the people who complain should attend volunteer meetings or go on test rides (yeah, sorry I have a job and a family and for the most part I really don’t care where you go). I just wanted to point out that going past the hospital was inconsiderate to the community as a whole. I’m sorry that no one who participated in the test rides did not think to consider the impact of 2 to 3 thousand cyclists streaming past the hospital entrance but to say that I cannot voice my concerns because I did not participate in the test rides is ridiculous. I happen to think bike party is a great idea and I have been on several rides but it would be great if bike party would stop acting like a spoiled little brat and recognize that it can have a very negative impact on the places it rides past.
Ian
June 17, 2011
You can call me names if you really want to.. but it doesn’t make your point any stronger.
We as an group are not responsible for the Illegal actions of a minority. that’s not me being defensive it’s just the truth.
Rider 44
June 17, 2011
slorraine, I agree with you on so many points.
When my wife went in to labor with Evi (many of you all know her), she was born 27 minutes after walking thru the front door of Good Sam.
When my wife went in to labor with Mark, he was born NINE (9) minutes after walking thru the front door of Good Sam.
Please, SJBP organizers and participants, I know that from the safety of my mom’s basement it is easy to type how we ‘should’ ride near Good Sam, and how authorities ‘should’ enforce the law.
But when your loved one is in need of emergency services, sometimes your driving skills may not be quite what you hope.
Just sayin’.
If everybody could ‘back up a BIRD’ as they encourage everyone to stay to the right near Good Sam, it could be very very important tonight.
Oh, mom just called down and said my milk and PB&J with no crusts is ready, time for lunch.
Spliffer
June 17, 2011
Slorraine, please realize that this is not the first time Bike Party has a route that goes by a hospital.
In fact I can recall three times where I have been on rides that rolled by a hospital and; come to think of it, we’ve have never had any complaints from: staff, patients, families, etc. — not a single complaint to date.
Otherwise, we would have reconsidered on subsequent route planning.
But now that you’ve mentioned it, hospitals will be considered on future route planning.
Making such route a change at this late hour is virtually impossible, the route was published 16 hours and can’t be re-called.
We are sorry but, at this late hour — as you can see — BIRDs are already offering up contingency plans to avoid any mishaps in this area.
Please understand that this is the best we can do under the circumstances.
Thanks for the warning and your expressed concern.
Couch Bike Dude
June 17, 2011
Kboejoe,
Thanks for the correction. That route plan of mine looks completely different on my phone???
I guess it’s because no google beta bike routes on my phone. Basic idea is to take LG Creek trail to the Outback at the Pruneyard, then to Willow, then Alma to Kelly Park.
Couch Bike Dude
June 17, 2011
Keyes, not Alma.
Mike G
June 17, 2011
Route sounds good! I’ll be in the group starting at the Pruneyard. See you guys there around 630ish.
Lou
June 17, 2011
Cool. I’ll be meeting at ESJ at Carl’s Jr. on Alum Rock & Jackson!
Alex
June 17, 2011
See you there Lou!
I’ll be the guy with the grey bike with red handlebar tape.
scott
June 17, 2011
@slorraine – you bring up a great point… I’m hoping BIRDs and non-BIRDs alike will volunteer at the main entrances in front of Good Sam.
so who can “sign up” to help make sure we make NO impact to people entering or leaving Good Sam?
we also need some volunteers at the southbound hwy 85 exit on Samaritan Drive after Regroup #2! plus several spots thoughout the ride including stop signs in Willow Glen, Los Gatos and Campbell.
thank your for bringing up your concerns!
Mike G
June 17, 2011
That’s a great idea- people in the front can chill at driveways and on/off ramps and make sure BikeParty breaks occasionally to let traffic through.
I’ll volunteer to do this since I’m not bringing tunes this time.
Ian
June 17, 2011
Awesome, I love it when people step up… Thanks Mike!
StephTV
June 17, 2011
UH OH! This goes right past Los Gatos High School on their graduation night. Gonna be a MESS. I heard some of the roads will be shut down up there. … oh well, nothing we haven’t dealt with before!
Mike G
June 17, 2011
We won’t be there til after 9 or 10, no worries.
http://www.lghs.net/
Graduation
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Front Lawn
Grad Night Activity
Time: 10:30 PM
Location: Large Gym
Jahlaen
June 17, 2011
Graduation day and a Bike Party?
Man! That is like double barreled-action of seemingly non-stop fun!
I wish I had that kind of fun hangover from my graduation day…
scott
June 17, 2011
@StephTV, should be fine… Main Street road closure in front of the high school ends at 8:30pm, they’ll be at their Grad Night at the back of the school.
we may need help at 2 stop signs in LG – LGB & Loma Alta and LGB and Pleasant.
Matt
June 17, 2011
Anyone have an estimate to what time the bp is over? Im trying to develop a plan on getting back up to the peninsula
concerned citizen
June 17, 2011
i was driving from los gatos to willow glen tonight around 9pm. i was shocked at how many of your riders did not have lights of any kind. that’s pretty brave and stupid of the riders. i hope no one gets hurt.