There was a very different ride theme this month… and while some were confused how to dress up, it’s great that so many did among the approximately 3500 riders. We love all those in costume and welcome you to add your pics and videos to our flicker account. We will add a few to this posting.
A huge shout out to all that attend the ride with the right spirit, the volunteers that make this all happen and the vendors at the regroups that make each regroup special. (Note: don’t trash the ride and regroups – pick it up!)
This month we were asking everyone to focus on Letting the Cars Go! This is another way to say Share the Road!
Visibly present in much of the ride was the Santa Clara and Milpitas Police Departments; only the very first and last parts of the ride were in San Jose. Riders were being pulled over for running red lights and for kids under 18 not wearing helmets. At any time, the police can ticket anyone for not having headlights!
(Far too many riders have no headlights, some volunteers sold a bunch of inexpensive lights… thank you!)
Yes we did have some issues with summer riders again: Those that do not care to share the road, cut off cars, ride in an unsafe manner, not listen to other riders, etc. These riders are probably never going to be reading this. But thank you all that do ride safely and courteously… and if you’d like to volunteer in ANY capacity, please do look us up for a test ride or volunteer meeting.
Community Activist
August 19, 2011
I thought this was a very well organized ride. I really liked the SJBP truck that came equipped with the speaker system & garbage can – fun & functional elements in one. It was also nice to see SJPD helping at a number of intersections.
The ride itself was peaceful. Heading all the way to Alviso was quiet & low light but at least there weren’t any cars to worry about. I hope we get more downtown SJ next time
Thanks to all the volunteers. This was truly fun to see so many people out.
Jimmy
August 20, 2011
Thanks again for a fun ride! Friend had a few flats along the way and managed to get back up and running again. We broke off in Milpitas to head home, though…
Also a *BIG* shout out to all the birds and everyone who helped out with the 4-car accident along 101. Jesus, two flipped cars—that was scary. Looks like everyone walked out okay. Fortunately, no cyclists were injured when they veered off the freeway and onto the route.
high cadence
August 20, 2011
i rode through there ahead of the party and had that scary thought…just a chain link fence separates the road from 101 and hoped no cars veer off through that “safety barrier” taking out anyone. good to hear that car drivers were the only ones affected.
Anson
August 20, 2011
A fun ride and great route. Thanks to all the organizers who put this together and the numerous volunteers along the ride!
It was good to see most people letting cars pass and stopping at red lights.
Just a comment about the regroups: I felt like the first one was too long, and the second one not long enough. On the second one, my friends and I went to get food at In&Out, and when we came back most of the Best Buy parking lot had cleared out. That led to confusion as people got scattered and lots of people ended up going the wrong way on McCarthy Blvd.
scott
August 20, 2011
@Anson –
Did you get to the regroups at the same time? Cuz it usually takes about 45-60+ minutes for all cyclists to make it to the regroups.
Some will stay and leave later, but I believe the timing of both regroups was about the same, and perhaps too long at that.
My vote is to go back to the 2 regroups and about 20-22mi (max) before the rides got ratched up mileage wise… there was a time (long, long ago) when the SJBP rides were usually 15-18mi (down to ~12 in coldest and ~20 in warmest months)!
Jimmy
August 20, 2011
Oh yes, and thank you to the man who attended us at Lafayette and Martin and gave us patches. Your kindness will not be forgotten.
I heard some asswipes tried to open a car door and scratched a car near 237. You are not welcome to join us. In fact, GTFO and don’t ruin the ride for everyone. Idiots, get a life.
MelT
August 20, 2011
I agree with Jimmy (maybe not is such harsh words). For those of you who cannot be respectful and obey the laws, you are not welcome on these rides. You know who you are, and witnesses know who you are too.
Jimmy
August 20, 2011
Haha. Well those guys won’t listen to anything with a gentle ‘please.’ Only words like those are the ones they’ll understand.
JellyCube
August 21, 2011
Agreed. Hecklers need to gtfo. I’m totally for a “Wall of Shame” section for hecklers and red light runners caught in the act by photo or video.
Rapid Robert
August 20, 2011
Had another good time on last night’s ride. Great weather for it, easy route to follow, great food at the regroups (especially the fruit cups!), and lots of party spirit happening.
The route (fourth longest we’ve done) was too long though, in my opinion. Probably why the third regroup was so apocalypicaly sparse. I’d imagine many bailed somewhere along the way to cut some of those miles. Saw many long faces on all types of riders on the second two segments. I say it’s time to put more party into Bike Party. THAT will encourage more women and beginners to ride, not an isolated ride designed with waaaay less distance to appropriately accommodate them.
The big police presence through Santa Clara again prevented the red light running and salmon that used to plague us. The longer rides were initiated to discourage such riders, but I believe it’s the presence of police that really does it. It’s a huge shame SCPD focuses on helmet law compliance for those under 18 though. I will happily pay the $25 fine for anyone over 12 who’s busted for it. But I fully support and appreciate their presence along our routes, and will certainly be letting the captain know my thoughts on the matter.
The darkness of the route was really appropriate for the theme, but I really wish more would use lights or stronger lights. A number of times I shut mine off and the whole road went dark. I use a Magicshine headlight that costs $125 and is essentially the brightest on the road. Probably too bright even on medium, but that’s a better problem to have than being too dim! I think the coordinated buying power of this enormous group should be adequate to get a big discount on them or something similar. In any case, if you’re going to be riding at night, I think a good “rule-of-thumb” would be to spend about 10% of your bike’s price on the lighting system. More for the lower end bikes and less for those over $1300 (because the Magicshine is all anyone will ever need!). This is absolutely, by far, the best thing you can do to stay safe on the bike after dark.
high cadence
August 20, 2011
agreed. i think police presence is more affective to keep bad behavior in check rather than long routes.
i’d like to see SJBP move back to shorter routes, but with 1 regroup. have the party end sooner to minimize on complaints, get home at a decent hour and/or hit the local pub up for a beer or 2.
tallasianmike
August 22, 2011
I’m not sure but there was an underage kid who suffered a Concussion because he dropped the soda can he was holding and in an attempt to save it. He kicked it into this front spokes and flipped over.
Now that probably doesn’t balance out a $25 helmet fine at all…
This was the accident after the Abel street Bridge in Milpitas.
high cadence
August 20, 2011
huge thanks to the organizers, birds, ravens and anyone who volunteered to help the party move – including SJPD, SCPD and MPD. also huge props to everyone attending with good spirits and positive attitudes. proppers also to route organizers. designer of the flyer – i salute you, nice job! and this theme! this is one of the most awesomest themes that practically nobody dressed up for hahaha.
now, the route was a bit long for my likings – almost 28 miles. and with no friends to party with, i sprinted the entire route on my full suspension trail bike, clipped in. got a solid 3 hour workout. i was dreading heading into the landfill areas of alviso and milpitas but, it wasn’t that bad. had it been 20 degrees warmer…probably would have been horrific. but having no cars to contend with on that stretch was refreshing.
i did get a chance to meet this guy named “cisco”. 46 years old hispanic pushing a 29′er like it was nothing. really cool cat yapping about all his bikes, parts and lots of knarly trails to ride. i don’t remember a single one. my loss hahaha. saw some weird but cool bikes. like that huge wheel with the seat in the middle – i want one!
cheers SJBP! looking forward to the anniversary ride. yeah, i’m not even thinking about next month, it’s all about october! SJBP’s b-day ride! i’m thinking a checkerboard route in the downtown area with a finale ride through SJC around 1130-midnight. lmao.
rapid robert
August 20, 2011
I agree with HC. Take the route through past the terminals and out on a final leg of the main ride! It will be a blast. Publicise the fact we’re all obviously on camera. Cruise right on past the new terminals our taxes subsidized. It’s a magical place when closed. But I digress.
Wilson
August 20, 2011
Thanks SJBP. Great job, Birds and volunteers! I enjoyed the ride, the roundups were too long though. 3 stops, really!?
I will not be returning to SJBP, I’ve ridden a half dozen over the past couple years. The police presence is horrible. What a turn off that they are pulling over SJBP riders. Do we really need 20 police motorcycles and paddy wagons following the party? Stupid. F-the San Jose Police. Question: Do you usually bike with police? We certainly dont ride with police at a party.
Don’t let the SJBP become a critical mass where the police are guiding the party ride. Remember, the police are public servants. Sorry to have to bring this up, but its the reason why this SJBP is my last.
frantik
August 20, 2011
um.. most events with thousands of people do attract the police.
Ride legally and you don’t have anything to worry about
tallasianmike
August 22, 2011
People who complain about SJPD. When San Jose was where we had the smallest amount of police presence.
Next time you guys should realize different cities have different Police ordinances. The 3rd stop was what it was. Optional. When I rode up, it was a small turnout because people who were able to continue on to the start decided to do so. People in need of a breather took a break over at Lowes. That is all.
KB
August 20, 2011
This was my first Bike Party and I had a blast! A huge thank you to the SJPD and Milpitas PD, thank you guys so much for putting up with us!
I was disappointed in the lack of respect and knowledge that many of the bikers have for rules.
ymi5150
August 20, 2011
lost my iphone on the ride last night. 8/19
if somebody found it please post here. MY LIFE IS OVER WITHOUT IT.
Alicia
August 20, 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.
(ed/rs: originally posted in ride posting @ 11:14pm, 8/19)
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.
(ed/rs: originally in ride posting, 12:10am, 8/20)
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.
(ed/rs: originally in ride posting, 1:08am, 8/20)
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.
(ed/rs: originally in ride posting, 1:40am, 8/20)
Gabe Q.
August 20, 2011
Its hard to put into words how much I liked this bike party. Likely the most treacherous route that I’ve done at the party but me and my bike handled it pretty well. I could have done without seeing cops at every stop sign and stop light, but I understand their presence is necessary. Some highlights off the top of my head:
Following the guy in the hat with the music trailer after the second stop and almost immediately playing Europe’s The Final Countdown. Probably the most epic part of the whole party and something I won’t soon forget. Definitely Bro’d out with some cool people at that point. By the way, the dude in the hat always brings the party. At every bike party, he always has the best music and the best crowds around him. Viva Dude in Hat, leader of Bike Party!
The DJ’s the set up at the stops were sweet! Shouts out to the hippies and baseheads.
The fireworks going off between stops 1 and 2 were fantastic. Always a good time when there’s fireworks involved.
Torches during the joust were awesome.
Shouts out to SJ Bike Party booth for hooking it up with patches. My buddies tire blew out right as we pulled into the first stop, but all was well in the end because we got a pump and patches from the crew. Finished the ride no problem.
Overall, great ride and a great way to end summer. Hope to see everyone next month!
Gil C
August 20, 2011
Want to give props to all the organizers. I also want give props for those who stopped when the cyclist got hit by a car on El Camino by SCPD station. Hope he recovers, it look bad. This is what happens when you ride in the middle of the road or try to cross on a red. Car drivers get flusterred, comfused seeing several thousand bikes alll over the road.
I agree the ride was a bit long especiallly for families with kids. The regroups should have s specifice time for departcher.
Anyways very deverse crowd, lots of music,lots of fun.
demonkey
August 20, 2011
I had another great ride! Thanks again to everyone who organized it. I see the importance of the police’s role in this ride, especially considering how much of it was in busy and high speed car traffic areas.
I was surprised how many people were riding without lights, I think this was a major problem this month. People need to know that it’s a critical safety issue for everyone around you, not just for your pleasure/vision to have a good light. I saw a couple people riding on the wrong side of the road near Alviso without a headlight, onto incoming car traffic. Also when you’re riding a bike, whether fast or slow, there are other people riding faster and slower. So you need good lighting to avoid your fellow bikers and so they can avoid you. It’s also illegal to ride without lights, another reason those police might harass you.
I’m also wasn’t excited about stinky gas mopeds cutting through bike traffic, not sure if this is a common thing but I don’t remember it being a problem the last couple of times.
Rapid Robert
August 20, 2011
I agree about the mopeds. I love the bikes and respect those who ride them, but this isn’t the place for them. For me, it’s not the fact they’re not pedaling, it’s the fumes and sound.
Those guys should be asked officially to not ride with us, unless on bicycles. If they respected us that way, I’m certain they’d find many among us that would also appreciate the motorized machines they love. But not on the rides, that are for bicycles.
If they continue to disrespect the ride, I wonder if there’s something the police can do on our behalf? Sound enforcement? Emissions? Helmets? Tickets? It was only one or two before, but last night a crew of about ten were there.
Spliffer
August 20, 2011
Mopeds are a very hot issue with me. They travel faster than the average bicycle, and can do serious harm.
If a moped collides with any bicycle in a peloton, there would be a domino effect with potential harm to multiple bicyclists.
Moped exhaust release pollutants that contaminate the clean air for hundreds of yards down wind and around the immediate vicinity..
That is why Bike Party should be a no moped zone.
The lighter, slower and underpowered bicycle is no match — in a collision — to the heavier, faster gasoline powered moped.
We should not wait for the mayhem of the first moped with bicycle collision, at a future Bike Party, that could take out multiple bicyclists, to realize the potential danger of having these nutty folks darting in and out of huge Bike Party pelotons.
high cadence
August 21, 2011
SJBP has NEVER supported bikes that have been modified with a gas powered motor. mopeds, scooters and motorcycles need to go somewhere else with the highly polluted vehicles.
! ! ! PEDAL POWER ONLY ! ! !
scott
August 20, 2011
@demonkey –
I think stopping at reds took 2-3 months to make it the standard… I hope that “Let the Car Go” will continue for 2 more months… and that we won’t need police, cuz the next ride probably won’t have any police presence.
I agree that stinky, noisy (and too fast) gas powered cycles have no place in SJBP, but I’m not sure what can be done to exclude them… public “boo-ing?”
On a side note, a bigger issue is the lack of lights… we need vendors to make really wild looking lights that are inexpensive… and early adopters and trend setters to buy em…
maybe an “underground” contest to see who has the wildest lights, etc??
high cadence
August 21, 2011
we COULD harass them until their ears bleed…? lol
Wilson
August 21, 2011
Rapid Robert, your solution to gas powered motor vehicles (the moped bicycles – four or six of them?) is premature. When did it become too hard to self govern the SJBP? For example, face to face greeting. Why do police need to intervene and decide and or enforce who or who doesn’t get to ride the bike party. Lame.
Rapid Robert
August 21, 2011
The police are paid by us citizens to serve and protect. These moped riders KNOW this group generally doesn’t want them among us on the rides. That’s why they’re never around at the regroups. They’re there to intentionally piss us off. My thought to involve the police is only because these guys don’t get it.
But where else can they ride? They’re probably not welcome at motorcycle events. Same with the Vespa crowd. So they take advantage of the size and openness of Bike Party and glom on, hoping anonymity will protect them. It has in the past, but won’t in the future because I’ll make it a little project to find out who they are, take pictures, get names, visit where they hang out, and use that information against them if they continue to ride amongst us.
Eastsidebiker56
August 21, 2011
Definately agree with wilson. I dont have a moped myself but i dont mind them. They seem to go with the crowd just fine. I seen people with road bikes jammimg faster than them. Mopeds are just regular size bikes with small engine, so quit over exaggerating and making them seem like this huge heavy bike. Get real people.
moya
August 21, 2011
I was unhappy with the moped riders as well. ‘Course, maybe that had something to do with the fact that I was riding with people who were basically STUCK with the moped riders who speed ahead with their engines running, stinking us all out, and then they STOP at the side of the road and do whatever they do there, and then they start up again. We were stuck with them for MILES and there was nothing we could do to get away from them because of their riding “technique” of jetting ahead and then stopping and waiting. I felt seriously sick inhaling their fumes. Don’t want.
Although, I have to say, those cruiser mopeds look awesome! Much cooler than the mopeds from the 70s / 80s. Still, I prefer to ride with cyclists who don’t smell.
Spliffer
August 21, 2011
It’s obvious that you are among those few bicyclists who are friends of the moped riders, whom we see hanging onto mopeds on relatively steep uphills to get a breather.
However, the safety of all bicyclists attending Bike Party is paramount and, is a non-negotiable issue for the Bike Party Community.
I will never compromise the safety of any bicyclists to appease any “friend” operating a disruptive and polluting moped, and I will advise that you shouldn’t neither.
Like motorcycles, mopeds need to take the initiative to form their own groups and clubs and avoid endangering bicyclists by attending Bike Party.
How many bicyclists need to be seriously maimed before you and your cohorts are convinced, that mopeds, running “hog wild” in huge Bike Party ‘pelotons’, is a formula for potential disaster?
moo
August 22, 2011
I’m not fond of the fumes and noise that the motorized bicycles emit, and I too, experience the issue that Moya mentioned above – that it was hard to find a way to avoid them, despite my attempts to either speed up or hang back.
However, I will say that I didn’t see any of them riding erratically, nor did I ever fear that one was going to collide with me.
JellyCube
August 21, 2011
I don’t think I need to make a lengthy reply but I do agree with moya and Spliff about how i feel towards mopeds and that they are not just a few people that don’t want them around during bike party.. I’ve also spoken about it with some of my friends and they too dislike their presence/hate their smell.
seriously, it’s soooooo easy to arrange their[the mopeds] own ride. why can’t they do that? i’ve arranged my own 20mile-ish ride with a group of 10 cyclist friends to go out to eat and chill on a weekday evening.
Eastsidebiker56
August 21, 2011
And also if you’re complaining about noise coming from the mopeds then maybe a ride with 3000+ bikers should not be your thing.
JellyCube
August 21, 2011
i’d rather hear music and people than the sound and smell from a moped.
int3rpo1
August 21, 2011
1. I don’t understand the police hate, but I do think it’d be good to have them around for if you see some dumb riders scratching up someone’s car or something like that. I don’t like the helmet rule, but I do think the light rule is fairly important if you’re a lone rider type. Overall, I wasn’t doing anything illegal, so meh, I didn’t really care whether police was around or not. I heard some people audibly expressing their hate right next to them. Is that really a good idea? Do we really want the police to hate us? C’mon now.
2. I didn’t know anything about any riders trying to open a car door or whatever, but if anyone sees something like that happening, I think it should be a rule to have everyone slap that person upside the head.
3. I dunno, I kinda like the long routes, and I hope they don’t go down to lower than 20 miles. A lot of people want shorter routes, but why? If you’re tired, with all due respect, just head home! You most likely came to bike party with a group, just leave with them whenever y’all are tired.
4. As for the regroups, I really think there should only be two. The first meet up, regroup 1, regroup 2, and then the final meet up. I also think it’d be pretty cool if there was some kind of event or reward of a sort for riders that make it till the end, I think it’d be nice to have something to do rather than just head home after the last meet up.
That’s about it for my thoughts, I enjoyed bike party this month, and look forward to maybe checking out a pre-ride soon. =)
fit1amers
August 21, 2011
You’re right about shorter rides, people can cut out when they want. I had 3 in my group and we decided for our first SJBP ride to meet at the start/county parking lot and ended at regroup 1 (7 mile mark) and then headed back the same way for a first-time ride of 14 miles. It was perfect. It was eerie going back that route without the other riders or benefit of the other bikes that were lit so well. For the next one we ride, we plan to have extra lights and warmer clothing. I liked the police presence because I believe it keeps the group in check, weeding out the “bad” riders, and assist riders when necessary. Since everyone knows what the laws are- helmets & headlights, obey the rules and you shouldn’t be bothered.
GiggleMonkey
August 21, 2011
This ride was a serious challenge for me. The combination of so many overpasses, the length or the route, and heading into the wind towards the end was kinda rough. That said, there were some fantastic bicycles (who else loved the battle-ready recumbent?) and really good music.
Also, at one point, I lost my ipod. I know it’s a long shot, but if anyone found a smaller size Touch that identifies itself as Taci when you plug it in, would you be so kind as to let me know? I miss it lots…
Yakemil
August 21, 2011
Robert…
“That’s why they’re never around at the regroups.
They’re there to intentionally piss us off. My thought to involve the police is only because these guys don’t get it.
But where else can they ride? They’re probably not welcome at motorcycle events. Same with the Vespa crowd. So they take advantage of the size and openness of Bike Party and glom on, hoping anonymity will protect them.”
You know buddy… you really need to relax on this matter. First of all, no one is there to intentionally “piss us off” as you say, and 2nd there just trying to have a good time just like everybody else. Also as you stated..”where else can they ride?” well you answered your own question. Id assume its not that easy riding those with all the traffic nowadays, and with the bike party it gives a chance to be had and to join in the rally. About 10 years ago those stand up scooters not “vespas” were pretty cool and its awesome to see people still ride them nowadays. These are always going to be bike parties and nothing is gonna change that. These handful of riders are not going to ruin it for 2-3000 bikers.
p.s.
the only thing you should want to worry about are the riders who do happen to try and open car doors, run red lights, scratch cars, cut people off…those are the ones who you need to think about. alot more dangerous than the 2-3 scooter party riders, i mean former bike party riders, *cough cough*
i also know for a fact that these “motor scooter riders” have been apart of the SJBP scene for a couple years now, just until recently have they pulled there scooters out of the shed and left there bikes in the garage this last week. and by any means, no one is hoping anonimity will protect them. I can assure you that they arent.
Rapid Robert
August 22, 2011
There’s no way I’m going to “lighten up” on this issue. If those guys have bicycles, THAT’s what they should be riding to have fun with this group, NOT their mopeds.
We all object to the sound and breathing the fumes, as we ride and especially as we all sit together at red lights. Bicyclists are sensitive to that. How many times does that need to be said in Ride Reflections before these disrespectful jerks get it? Will it take a handcuff quickly slapped onto one of their wheels to give them the message?
Again, I love the machines! I admire those who dig ‘em enough to keep them going and bring them out. That respect will be all gone on the next ride they attend, especially in mass.
Pixie
August 22, 2011
LOVED the route (nice roads and few cars compared to some other routes), hated the typical abundance of inconsiderate riders who dart through tight groups, cut other riders off and ride in a manner that is generally dangerous and inconsiderate to other riders.
I know that SJBP will always have people acting like asses, but it seems to be too many and for too long. I was clipped by another rider who cut through a group too close to me and he knew exactly what he was doing (if I were not such a competent rider, I would have crashed), and he didn’t care about how his actions could hurt a fellow rider. That on top of so many close calls over the last year of participating. It takes away the enjoyment for me and, because of that, this will be my last bike party.
The number of riders without lights on their bikes always surprises me. Should be obvious: ride at night, get a light.
As for police presence, I was not doing anything wrong so their presence was a non-issue for me. Those who were not following the law (out of either ignorance or rebellion) and got cited should just chalk it up as an expensive lesson.
Tim
August 22, 2011
I’ve only ridden in a handful of rides over the past couple years and this was the least fun for several reasons.
The first was that while I am not a bird I do try and help convince people to follow the rules. On the way to the second regroup coing down off an overpass was a red light and while a few of us stopped, a couple others went screaming through. The second one I yelled at to stay home if he doesn’t want to follow the rules. This really upset him as he siddenly hit his brakes and spent the next minute yelling about who said that and he would kick their ass. Of course he was alone and will probably never read this message, but seriously, stay home, you are not wanted on the rides. A nice thing though was the small group of riders I was with after the second regroup that sat at a redlight with no cars anywhere in sight and patiently waited for it to change.
The second thing was the fireworks at the first stop. We all love to see fireworks, but they are illegal and the open flames could lead to bigger problems. A couple things they lit were very smokey and there was some stuff burning on the ground. The last thing we need is a trash bin or dumpster to get set on fire and that would be the end of bike party.
Lastly, while the route appeared to have been created to minimize the impact on traffic, going through neighborhoods where people come out and cheer is a lot more fun. I know people get upset about getting stuck in traffic because of the rides, but this isn’t critical mass and at most people are interrupted for 5 minutes.
I did like the police ticketing people for no helmets, no lights or running red lights. More of that will only keep away the bad apples.
Motorized
August 22, 2011
Hello everyone. I am one of those “motorized bikes” (mopeds as you folks are referring to). We really enjoyed riding and participating with sjbp and we had no intentions of offending nor harming anyone. We’ve had these bikes for a while and ride it here and there but ever since we found out about sjbp, we went along and never missed an event. Most of us pedal our bikes most of the time but due to the weight of bike, we use our motors when going uphill or need to rest our legs. Before we ride, we check the site and we’ve always obeyed the light rules and traffic signals. We like to have fun and enjoy the ride with everyone but if we are not welcomed then we don’t want to continue to offend and annoy everyone else who wants to enjoy the ride. We hope we can continue to ride along with sjbp without getting booed or called “cheaters”. If we had the money, we would get “regular bikes” and ride but we put our money to customizing our bikes and other things. =)
Thanks SJBP and volunteers for hosting such an event.
moo
August 22, 2011
Motorized – thanks for checking in on this subject. Speaking for myself, the “cheating” doesn’t bother me, but the noise and the fumes do. Maybe people on this forum have ideas on how your impact could be mitigated so that you could still enjoy the ride.
Rapid Robert
August 23, 2011
I agree with Moo, and apologize to Motorized for my harsh words above. How about joining us at the regroups as a crew where we can all enjoy the cool bikes and great work you put in to them, but take a parallel route to get there. Like the vendors do. Maybe your alternate route can cross ours often. If one of your group was on the route list or known to be a contact, you’d have the route early to allow time to coordinate. Just something to consider.
high cadence
August 23, 2011
motorized bikes are cool to look at and are a great cheap alternative to buying a moped/scooter/motorcycle. (no license/registration/insurance required either). however, motorized bikes sends the wrong message to the public and to SJBP ridership. they are gas powered and unregulated on pollution. the same for mopeds and scooters. the added polluting to the air we breathe is not welcomed in my book. even if you pedal “most” of the route, it’s the image of that while riding with us is a buzz kill for me.
SJBP wants to bring people out of their homes watching tv on their couches, out of their cars and an alternative to the club scene, all the while learning about their city and foreign neighborhoods from the seat of a bicycle. a non-motorized bicycle.
now, thee only option i can see for you and others like-minded in areas where you can’t pedal because they’re too heavy due to the motor, is to walk it up those challenging sections of the route just like some of us who cannot manage that section. PEDAL the ENTIRE route like the rest of us. for those who insist in motoring with us, start your own party/ride.
i know i may stand alone on this but, i still draw the line on anything motorized (gas/electric) riding along with SJBP – even if it’s pedaled thee entire route. SJBP is clean, green, healthy and FUN! and it should stay that way.
Spliffer
August 23, 2011
Motorized”, dude I am in total agreement with High Cadence. I would say no, no, no to your request to have motorized vehicles like mopeds in Bike Party.
This is not because of any dislike for you as a person.
You sound like decent and rational fellow, so please answer the following few questions for the Bike Party Community.
How does a gas powered motorized vehicle belching stinky, carcinogenic exhaust contribute to building community through bicycling?
How can we maintain our sacred “Green Label” by allowing gas vehicles as part of the community?
Or, should we just ditch our ideals just to accommodate “YOU” and your ever increasing numbers of “gas powered” pals?
Isn’t there a logically consistent reason why bicyclists are never seen participating in the Boston Marathon?
There is also good reason why moped don’t petition to compete in the Tour de France.
What is your problem that you can’t buy, rent or, borrow a bicycle and make this situation a non-issue.
Why should bicyclists bust their butts to get off work early, and do all of the hard preparations, sacrificing to get to Bike Party, and get blasted on the ride by foul smelling exhaust by 100 mopeds given free reign to attend Bike Party?
Mopeds aren’t only buzz kills but, they will also destroy the Bike Party because, the cycling community will have to compromise all it’s sacred tenets and ideals to allow you and your cohorts to pervert the purity of the Bike Party Movement.
For sake of brevity, I will not even go into the “safety threat” you present to the large numbers of in-experienced riders and families with toddlers in tow.
As a seemingly rational and sensible dude, we anxiously await you answers!
Jahlaen
August 24, 2011
Dude, seems like you will never gain acceptance within the SJ Bike Party Community.
And since you and friends pour all of your disposable income into, sprucing-up, your “motorized gas powered vehicles” rather than purchasing a bicycle to attend Bike Party; then why don’t you and your fellow moped enthusiasts start you own “moped movement”
As you stated your bike is way heavier than the average bicycle and, as osmeone stated, you travel upwards of 30 to 35 mph, you are a serious, SERIOUS accident waiting to happen.
The fact that it hasn’t occured yet, is no reason to ignore your potential threat.
It will take just one usavory collision to seriously injure one of the 1000′s of cyclists.
So please stay far away from from Bike Pary and, tell your friends too, because I am sure, in this case, prevention will be far, FAR much better than any hand wringing and regrets following any disaster your accelerated gas powered vehicle could wreak on innocent bicyclists out for a fun night at Bike Party.
To ignore and pooh, pooh this danger would be folly.
Yellowdog
August 27, 2011
Dude_motorized…….Its sorta fun to see you guys riding your motorized bikes, but the fumes are really bad…So why not come along and do bike party with us all, JUST DO NOT USE THE MOTOR…..
theCat
August 23, 2011
Motorized: I have a big electric recumbent (described above in comments as “battle ready”) that I ride in the party. I sometimes get the “cheater” thing tossed at me, but rarely in an aggressive way. Still I don’t really get that part; I ride 150 miles a week at least, more in one week than most people ride in an entire lifetime. And I built the bike myself. It’s a work of rolling art. People are just stupid sometimes and don’t think about what they are saying.
But — in the past I have not liked seeing the gas-powered bikes in the ride. The few I saw were really noisy (I mean painfully loud) and stank to Heaven, and the riders were going 30 mph in bike traffic. It was insane, I really wanted them to get the fuck lost.
But on the last ride I noticed the motorized bikes and was not offended. At first, yeah, I though “Oh fuck here we go, we’re all gonna die” but it turned out okay. The bikes weren’t nearly as noisy as I recall, and the riders when I was around were really mellow.
I think there might be a place for these machines, but I’m not sure where. They do pollute and smell bad and those of us riding non-polluting bikes often take instant and severe umbrage at that (for many reasons, my own being that I ride for my own good health.) I think the noise can be addressed, if only by not leaning hard on the throttle and trying to show off. Cuz clearly that ain’t working.
The idea that the bikes show up at the re-groups is a good one. Sort of like a rolling bike show. The owners have obviously put a lot of work into their machines and most on the ride will appreciate the chance to look at them. Also, because they get around so quickly and easily those riders could then leave early and go ahead and maybe even act as guides at critical intersections. I think if people saw the motorized bikes as helpful and out of the way they would be more accepting of their presence in the ride.
So my $.02 worth. One “cheater” to another.
PS: Electrics have none of these problems, of course. Except for being too fast for a crowded ride. You might want to rethink your hobby somewhat.
Look me up at the next ride. Black super-cruizer, 11 feet long, with the Browning heavy machine gun mounted on the back. Can’t miss me.
Purple
August 23, 2011
Two albums from the ride
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.167955956613585.42352.100001975448402&l=95a65350d4&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.168124463263401.42384.100001975448402&l=7ede31e27f&type=1
If you can’t see them, look me up under Prple Shooter
TimC
August 23, 2011
Pixie – I can’t help but wonder if that same ass who barreled past you was the same guy who knocked down a young woman on that lonely stretch of McCarthy, not too far after the 2nd Regroup.
She was riding with a group of strangers when she heard the guy yelling “Coming Through!”, using a strong arm move on her that caused them both to fall, with her landing on her face with him on top of her.
He got up and took off, while she endured the horrible realization that her face was scraped and bloody in several places – and worst of all – one of her front teeth was loosened.
Luckily, SJBP Hero/Volunteer Bryan Lafferty found her soon after and used his first aid training and supply kit (all BIRDs should carry one) to patch her up while waiting for her relatives. Did I mention that it was her 20th birthday?
How this kind of wanton violence could be dealt with is beyond me, except to say that if I had witnessed that event, I’d be hard pressed to say whether I would stop to help the victim or do my best to follow the culprit, gather a posse along the way (seriously!) and do what I could to get charges of aggravated assault held against the assbite.
Thank goodness this doesn’t happen often. But even if there’s just one maniac responsible for this kind of violent and irresponsible behavior, we’ve all got to be on the look out for him and his kind in the hopes of preventing even more serious injury from occurring.
JellyCube
August 23, 2011
That is horrible! I wish more people would come out with what they witnessed from an event like that
Especially details on the asshat and his bike to identify him next time he comes out.
Tian
August 24, 2011
I also had a great ride. I skipped the last regroup. I had lots of fun at the others, so I didn’t feel like I missed anything. Besides, it was getting late at that point.
The theme got some participation. This is what I saw of it:
http://tian.greens.org/SanJose/BikeParty/PostApocalypticRide/index.html
I did find myself booing the loud motorized smelly machines. It wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t leave a plume of unburned gas or whatever in the air. Probably I’ll use that raspberry noise more often next time. I didn’t do anything when there was just one two stroke engine thingie farting up a storm. Now there are lots. Grrrr….
Thanks to all that made it a great evening! Especially the lady selling fruit cups! That was awesomely good snacking.
fit1amers
August 24, 2011
Great pics! Thank you! I missed many of the “decorations”. I was impressed with the number of families and little kids.
Cosmobile
August 29, 2011
Hey Tian. You’re one of the few that posted pics of my recumbent and my fire act. (btw. Awesome pics) May I have your permission to post them on my Facebook?
Jimmy
August 26, 2011
Wow TimC, that’s horrible! I would’ve chased down that perk and performed a citizen’s arrest on him (mind you, I work for the PD). Along with pressing charges and all that… Unfortunately, I didn’t see him when I was cycling but the injustice here makes me feel so bad for her.
Mr. Biker Man
August 26, 2011
I have a great time on this ride. The route was long but nothing too unbearable. Saw a few people break the rules but nothing too crazy.
I didn’t mind having the motor bikes there. Didn’t care much for the fumes but I only smelled them for a few seconds and they sped up past us. They weren’t driving erratic and even saw one of the guys helping a rather large person up a hill.
This is such an awesome event and would be a shame to target a specific group because a few people were unhappy. There’s worse problems to worry about like people cutting in and out and riding wrecklessly.
Spliffer
August 26, 2011
Whether you are “motorized” and now as “Mr. Bike Man”, your “motorized gas powered” bicycle is still not welcome at Bike Party.
Your heavier gasoline powered bike, with a mounted 2 to 5 horse power engine traveling at 30 to 35 miles per hour could cut the average bicyclist in half in a collision causing very “serious and potential life changing injuries”.
Why aren’t you convinced that you are a liability?
Yeah, we know, you never ride your moped at top speed.
Most bicyclist attending Bike Party over the past 2 years, know that isn’t true.
No amount of sweet talking here is going to change minds.
Please review the responses to your “motorized” comment above.
Quit being selfish and just give it up dude.
Get on a bicycle and you will be a great help to Bike Party Volunteers.
You will be one less “dreadful safety hazard” for stressed out BIRDs to worry about during Bike Party — their burden will be lessened without you “motorized bikes” thrown into the mix.
RideNaked
September 11, 2011
as long as moped riders are riding legally, they have the same rights to the road as us bicyclist… (slightly different laws for them, tho)