Get your batteries charged and get your lights on as it’s gonna be really dark where we are going, and the END of the world doesn’t have street lights. Please remember to turn down your music after 10:00 so the Mutant Zombies don’t get you!
This month we are asking everyone to focus on Letting the Cars Go! Cars are stinky. When you let them out of the ride it makes for a more enjoyable ride for everyone. If you see a car trapped at a light please wait your turn behind them so they can get out of our way. It’s the right thing to do, and they will thank you for it. Better yet they might even join us for a future ride. Help bike party build community by having a good time and showing folks how we roll.
Be safe, legal, and courteous (see How We Ride!). We share the road with other traffic. Helping cars move through smoothly makes the ride more enjoyable for everyone. Do your part to encourage good behavior!
Information on the route and more after the drop …
BIRDs
BIRDs are our wonderful volunteers that attempt to keep everyone on our rides safe. Please be respectful of their directions and thank them for all of the effort they put into the ride. If you want to help out and make your mark on Bike Party, please join the BIRDs at the volunteer cicle prior to the start of the ride.
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.
Ravens
Ravens are the elite group of BIRDs that make sure we leave no trace behind by cleaning up after the party at regroups. They are essential to keeping the party going. If you see any of them with a trashbag collecting your trash, please thank them and if you are so inclined please join them! They are a really cool bunch. Please bring trash bags and help us leave no trace.
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.
Route information
Parking
To make room for the festivities we Reccomend that you take a preride to the start no one wants to ruin the party by parking in the middle of it!
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 6:45pm (please RSVP in the comments)
- East SJ – Carl’s Jr. Alum Rock and Jackson leaving at 7:00 Sharp led by alexMTB
- East SJ Evergreen - evergreen valley high @6:00 led by Tyler
- SJ Downtown — probably not needed
the start is pretty close to downtown. - Campbell — meet at Campbell Water Tower – leaving at 7:00pm sharp!
- Burbank area – Starbucks on Meridian and San Carlos @6:45 led by freethegreen
- Los Gatos — Miles & LGCT led by Lord Humongus
- Your neighborhood? (let us know in comments below if you want to lead a ride)
SteveSgt
August 10, 2011
I guess I’ll have to go as a monk from “A Canticle for Liebowitz” [ http://www.amazon.com/Canticle-Leibowitz-Walter-Miller-Jr/dp/0060892994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313023679&sr=1-1 ], which has got to be one of the smartest and most insightful treatments of the post-apocalyptic genre I’ve ever encountered. Too deep and thoughtful to be made into a 2-hour movie, it made a great 15-part radio drama: [ http://www.archive.org/details/ACanticleForLiebowitz ]
Lord Humongus
August 11, 2011
The Couch Bike will be leaving from Miles Avenue and The Los Gatos Creek Trail when the time is right!!!
Marauders, Bezerkers, and Mohawkers gather for the feeder ride earlier @ the LL field
frantik
August 12, 2011
I think it’s awesome that this month BP is focusing on “letting the cars go”. That has always been a “pet peeve” of mine since the first time I heard of Bike Party was when my car was stuck in the middle of it
Showing courtesy to cagers is the best way to get them to join the ride next time 
Alex aka MTB
August 15, 2011
Good point frantik! Riders, look behind when at stoplights and LET THE CAR THROUGH especially at dedicated RIGHT TURNS for cars. Be courteous and be happy!
Tyler
August 13, 2011
Hello folks, I’ll probably be able to lead a pre-ride out from east side san jose. meet at evergreen valley high at 6. could someone let me know whats the starting point though?
Camera Dude
August 14, 2011
What a cool way to celebrate our 16th anniversary! We cant wait!
Mel T
August 15, 2011
wondering what everyone else is going as, we have some Mad Max action over here.
I do like the “let cars go” reminder, I think it’s pretty scary for all involved in those situations.
Michelle
August 15, 2011
Can you gi e me an idea of the type of dress for the on friday? Is it like Mad Max theme?
Cos-Mobile
August 17, 2011
I just did an image search for “Post Apocalyptic costume” Lots of great ideas and looks. Most common is ragged, durty. Mad Max/Road Warrior is my theme of choice.
Spike
August 19, 2011
Good to see a tanelt at work. I can’t match that.
Kelly
August 16, 2011
Feeder ride from Mountain View, please!
Ian
August 18, 2011
are you volunteering to lead it
?
A.B.
August 17, 2011
I’ll be leaving from downtown SJ if anyone’s interested.
John
August 17, 2011
A.B. – What time and where for Downtown SJ feeder ride? I’d like to join you if I get off work in time.
A.B.
August 17, 2011
The ride’s at 8pm, and I’m REALLY close to it (like, maybe 6 blocks away). How far are you? I’ll probably just go over there around 7:30pm.
John
August 18, 2011
Looks like we are both in luck since the start is close to Downtown! I get off work at 6pm so no problems making it in time! Have fun on the ride and maybe we’ll run into each other! SJBP rocks… & rolls!
freethegreen
August 17, 2011
I’m coming from the unincorporated loveliness of the Burbank area. Planning to leave from Starbucks on Meridian and San Carlos at 6:45 p.m.
A.B.
August 17, 2011
John– not sure yet. What time do you get off work? I probably won’t go until my hus gets off, and after I eat something. Not knowing exactly where the ride will be also makes that planning difficult– we’re new to the area and don’t know how to get around too well yet.
alexMTB
August 18, 2011
Leading East Side San Jose ride:
Leaving Carl’s Junior 7:00pm SHARP.
alexMTB
August 18, 2011
Carl’s Jr. Alum Rock and Jackson 95116.
Kevin
August 18, 2011
Scroll down, there’s a feeder leaving from Carl’s Jr on the east side at 7pm. I’m a block away so I’ll be joining that one as well!
Kevin
August 18, 2011
Sorry, that was meant for Tyler. Wrong spot
Tyler
August 18, 2011
hey kevin, what’s up?
Anson
August 18, 2011
The PDF with directions seems wrong. It says make a LEFT from Mission College Blvd to Great America Parkway. Shouldn’t it say make a RIGHT?
Mike G
August 18, 2011
Zoom in on the map, the directions are correct. We’ll be stopping for a break at Mission College.
Anson
August 18, 2011
Oops, you’re right. Thanks.
Gilbert
August 18, 2011
What time will the group arrive and depart from Mission College?
Alvaro
August 18, 2011
Thsi would be my first sjbikeparty! I’m interested in departing with the Santa Clara group, but I don’t know exactly when and where to meet. What Peets is it exactly? What time?
Thanks!
Ian
August 18, 2011
we meet in front of the peets in the rivermark shopping center http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=rivermark+peets&hl=en&cid=2841868446295031709
I plan on leaving around 6:45
Alvaro
August 18, 2011
Thank you! I will try to be there
AJ
August 19, 2011
From Rivermark, are we going to ride or take the lightrail?
Ian
August 19, 2011
we ride… it’s not a race or anything and no one will be dropped. theres only 8 bikes allowed per light rail car so i doubt we would all fit.
Lord Humongus
August 18, 2011
Greetings from The Humungus!
The Lord Humungus!
The Warrior of the Wasteland!
The Ayatollah of Rock and Roller!
I am gravely disappointed.
Again you have made me unleash my dogs of war.
Look at what remains ofyour gallant scouts.
Why? Because you’re selfish!
You hoard your gasoline.
Now, my prisoners say
you plan to take your gasoline out of the Wasteland.
You sent them out this morning to find a vehicle.
A rig big enough to haul that fat tank of gas.
What a puny plan!
Look around you.
This is the Valley of Death.
See!
Nothing can escape! The Humungus rules the Wasteland!
Humungus will not be defied!
There has been too much violence, too much pain.
None here are without sin.
But I have an honorable compromise.
Just walk away.
Give me the pump
the oil
the gasoline
and the whole compound, and I’ll spare your lives.
Just walk away. I will give you safe passage in the Wasteland.
Just walk away and there will be an end to the horror.
I await your answer.
You have one full day to decide.
Jr
August 18, 2011
Will there be anywhere to park at the beginning?
high cadence
August 19, 2011
park in the neighboring streets 2nd-4th streets. or park in the downtown garages and bike to the start. the start is 1 mile from downtown.
Juan007
August 18, 2011
We’ll be leaving from Kifer & Corvin (next to Kifer & Lawrence) at 7:00!! Meet up!!
John Phan
August 18, 2011
Hello SJ biking team,
My friends told me about the bike ride and invite me to join. Do I need to sign up for the members? I would like to ride tomorrow, please let me know if there issues/concerns. Thanks in advance!
m
August 19, 2011
no need to “sign up”, bike party is open to everyone. just show up at the start and have a good time!
Jimmy
August 18, 2011
Berryessa Creek/Piedmont (Northeast SJ) — I’ll be leaving from Morrill Middle School’s back parking lot, the one touching Morrill Avenue, and not Cropley, at 7:00 PM! Look for me in a yellow SJBP shirt.
TimC
August 18, 2011
Hey everybody! Be sure to bring bike lights, front and rear. This route has more low/unlighted streets than usual. And if you have lights, be sure the batteries are fresh.
Be safe – be seen, both by cars and other bikes. I can’t count the times I’ve nearly run into the back of a slow riding “ninja” on a dark stretch. Luckily my light saved us both.
Hope you all have fun!
SpeshBrum
August 18, 2011
To the “Kifer & Corvin” group, what’s your riding pace? I’m about 2 miles away from there.
Juan007
August 19, 2011
Just two of us. We’re not pro bikers, but not chumps either. I’d guess 15 mph given no traffic lights. We’ll meet at 7:15 right across from Qualcomm on Kifer.
Rob H.
August 19, 2011
Count me in. I’ll be on a blue mountain bike…which theoretically glows in the dark. Can you confirm the time?
Juan007
August 19, 2011
7:15 across from Qualcomm. See you there!
Eastsidebiker56
August 19, 2011
What the heck is up with Lord Humongus???
Ian
August 19, 2011
it’s from a movie called mad max you should watch it it’s a classic.
Aaron
August 19, 2011
how many miles will this ride be and how long?
Ian
August 19, 2011
Aaron Check out the Route Links posted above so you will be prepared for how many miles the route is.
rapid robert
August 19, 2011
The route is 28 miles long, the fifth longest we’ve done. There will probably be riders out on the route well past midnight, but many of them will be drunk. If you’re uneasy with the length, plan to maybe hop on the light rail from Milpitas.
high cadence
August 19, 2011
that flyer is bad ass!!!
Joe
August 19, 2011
any one know where is the location to meet tonight. I want to be there and enjoy the bike party.
Ian
August 19, 2011
Joe it’s great that you are excited but you really should read the post above I know it’s a lot to read but it really is essential information so you aren’t caught out in the cold unprepared for a 28 mile bike ride.
Joe
August 19, 2011
is this the location to meet tonight?
3932 Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara, CA 95054
thanks
Ian
August 19, 2011
Print out the Turn by turn & map and it has the start listed on it. The Turn by turn will also help you stay on the route and keep from getting lost in the wastelands
Joe
August 19, 2011
is this the right location to meet tonight?
3932 Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara, CA 95054
thanks
frantik
August 19, 2011
Joe, view this page: http://www.sjbikeparty.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/SJBP-2011-08-19-The-Post-Apocaliptic-Ride-MAP-TxTs.pdf
it says in big red letters “Start at county p. lot (1st & Hedding)”
the start point is at 1st and Hedding in downtown San Jose
Joe's little brother
August 19, 2011
No
John
August 19, 2011
me plus 1 for feeder Ian. NSJ/Santa Clara
Ian
August 19, 2011
Awesome it’s gonna be a great ride
pizzasfortires
August 19, 2011
getting pumped…stuck at work, but almost out…LETS DO THIS
Lord Humongus
August 19, 2011
I’ll be engaging the nitrous bottles and heading down the LG creek trail at 6:15!
Alicia
August 19, 2011
you need to work on your riding guys. I was passing from Great America and some jerk tried to open my car door. then multiple people were riding in two lanes. the freeway lane was completely blocked (I was attempting to get on to the freeway and failed….) and also people were grabbing the back of my car because of my spoiler and trying to hitch a free ride. seriously it really pissed me off that for something so “organized” multiple people were destroying it… I’m only complaining because I had my brother in the car and I driving a classic car and I didnt need some people from a bike party scratching up my paint which is what happened tonight. seriously its messed up.
Spliffer
August 20, 2011
Alicia, thanks for bringing your unpleasant experience to our attention
I am so sorry that — by no fault on your part — you ran into to those jerks from our Bike Party event tonight.
You have a right to be upset and, I am just as pissed as you are at those sophomoric bicyclists who were way out of line in causing you such a distressing moment.
Sharing the road with other vehicles, especially cars, is one the major areas of focus for this month’s Bike Party, Your experience is proof that we have to double our efforts in this area. We just need to do a lot more work in this area.
I cannot express in words, the frustration and anger your experience elicits among the great majority of decent and law abiding bicyclists in the Bike Party Community.
We do our best to discourage this kind of silly behavior and, I sure wish those jerks were caught and made to somehow correct the harm that they caused. We are so pleased, that you and your brother got to your destination safely, but understandably, very upset.
Earth Ling
August 20, 2011
Same as Alicia, ran into a group of total jerks riding. Way to ruin it for cyclists. Just came off looking like a large group of obnoxious wankers. You can tell some riders were “special” idiots who become aggressive around cars because they are within a large group. Disappointing. Even more lame giving a female like the above poster a bad evening.
Betsy
August 20, 2011
Attention seeking losers. You make people with a real passion for cycling embarrassed. Criwding cars, damaging other’s property with no care or responsibility. Really a bunch of self-righteous pricks. Literally morons… You know these type won’t care either, not intelligent or thoughtful enough to even be capable of such…
fred
August 20, 2011
was driving at mccarthy ranch and saw this,most people were doing good. a couple of you however crossed the street where there were no crossings in front of traffic, you are incredibly hard to see even with a headlight on, the couple of guys that crossed in front of my car didn’t even have glowy things on their wheels, you cannot imagine how hard to see bikes are inside a car at night, you need to double the lighting or more on most of the bikes. buy a decently powered headlamp, hell the walmart you peddled past sells a 105 lumen coleman for 25 bucks.