By Leo Postovoit
This months theme is Under the Sea. Did you know that as you get deeper under the sea that there is no light other than the light you bring with you? There are many fish in the deep ocean that provide their own lights so they can see. Make sure you have lights on your bikes so you don’t get caught and given a nasty ticket.
We also ask our riders to remember the story of Captain Ahab and his pursuit of the Great White whale. To ensure that you don’t meet his fate please remember to Let the Car GO! and help the whales stay out of our Bike Party. It’s safer for everyone.
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! Also, please remember to turn down the volume when riding through residential areas late at night.
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. 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
- Start Location: See Printable Turn By Turn and while you are at it Print one out
- Online Route Map
- Printable Turn By Turn & Map
Parking
To make room for the festivities we recommend that you take a feeder ride 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 — Meet in front of Rivermark Peets Leaving at 6:45 led by Ian
- SCU/Santa Clara — ??
- East SJ — ??
- SJ Downtown — ??
- Campbell — Meet at Campbell Water Tower in downtown Campbell. Leaving at 6:45pm
- Willow Glen — ??
- Los Gatos — ??
- Your neighborhood? (let us know in comments below if you want to lead a ride)
Moped Marvin
September 6, 2011
So if I participate on my human powered bike, using only my muscles, I’m welcome at SJBP, right?!
But if I accidentally forget my bike, am I still welcome if I drive along your route using my Hummer? Prius? Tesla? Harley? Moped?
Where is that dividing line between who is ‘welcome’ at SJBP and who isn’t?
frantik
September 6, 2011
I know when i’m pedaling, a bunch of unfiltered exhaust from gas powered vehicles is not especially welcome.
Diane
September 13, 2011
This is a bicycle party. Of course an automobile isn’t welcomed. One of the most dangerous situations I encountered at Bike Party was a car full of curious folks who were way too close to the bikes. Ride safe.
Start a Moped party Marvin and do your own thang…
It’s OK to just say no. No, Marvin, no.
Janet
September 16, 2011
I think the event is great! Looks like fun!! But please remind your riders about road safety – I am very careful around cyclists but your riders tonight were WAY out of hand with the left turn at 10th – held up traffic, zig-zagged between cars and made it very unsafe for fellow cyclists and drivers alike!!
Manuel Puentes
September 16, 2011
Pretty self explanatory San Jose Bike Party. I certainly don’t bring a bike to a nascar race. Lets get with the program here.
RitchieRich
September 6, 2011
If you enjoy riding your moped along with many,many other bicycles…perhaps you might enjoy China alot more than the Bike Party
Rapid Robert
September 7, 2011
One wouldn’t ever “accidentally forget” their bike, so intentionally driving along the route of an SJBP route amongst all those riding bicycles of all different sizes and types with any of those vehicles would be unwise and unwelcome in my opinion. The first three (unless in a supporting role) because they’re obviously not bicycles. The Harley and motorized bikes are bikes, but are also unwelcome because of the sound and in the latter case, fumes.
Magee of Donegal
September 7, 2011
When is the next Tweed Run?
Lorina Louie
September 9, 2011
I’ll take the feeder ride from Downtown SJ. We’ll meet in front of the Event Center at SJSU. I’m not sure what time yet, where and when is bike party next Friday???
tallasianmike
September 13, 2011
thanks for volunteer Lorina! Although I cannot give out the location of the Party for Friday.
I can say that you should make it to the Party spot in a good 15-20 minute average. So leaving at 7 for good measure will give you time to hang out at the start
RideNaked
September 11, 2011
fish dont wear clothes, ya
Ian
September 12, 2011
loving the art
J
September 12, 2011
Don’t feed the trolls
Tyler
September 12, 2011
Can anyone inform me where the starting point is?
RideNaked
September 13, 2011
yeah, the starting point should be one of the very first things listed on the website post the day of, place name & address
Rider 44
September 13, 2011
That’s a good point, but, for whatever reason, the way SJBP has always done it is to build anticipation and not announce the route until approximately 24 hours before the ride.
If you look at the top under ‘About Us’ and click on FAQ
http://www.sjbikeparty.org/faq
you can read about this.
It used to bug me but now I enjoy the anticipation. These days we are all so used to instant gratification and this is a rare opportunity for us to delay that until 24 hours before.
You aren’t the only one curious though, this question comes up just about every month.
IMO it would be cool if SJBP had a WordPress Countdown Clock like this
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/countdown-clock/screenshots/
that would display the days:hours:minutes:seconds until the route is posted
but I don’t know if that is overly difficult or not.
See you back here in a little over 02:04:21:00
David
RideNaked
September 14, 2011
yeah, thats what im talking about, I like the anticipation of not knowing where Im gonna be going that night, but in order to find out where the start is, I have to look at a map which kinda ruins the whole thing for me, so im just saying it would be cool if when they update the post on ‘the day of’ that they would also just include where the starting address
Ian
September 14, 2011
But we want you to look at the map and hopefully to print out a copy.even better would be if you brought a couple of extra ones for you friends….
Rider 44
September 15, 2011
Question about the Volunteer Circle.
Frequently I have difficulty finding it until it is either well under way or already done.
Ok, I lied, this isn’t a question, it’s a, ‘You Guys Need To….’
When you all announce the route and start later today, would you please take a moment and pick a specific spot to hold the volunteer circle and ask people to try to meet near that.
For example,
The volunteer circle will meet near….
the flagpole, (or) the fountain, (or) the planter between the McDonalds and Home Depot.
I don’t know what distinctive features this start will have, but you do.
And I know you can’t guarantee that that spot will be available, but this at least gives people a specific landmark to look for.
For several rides I’ve been one of the first 1-50 cyclists to arrive at the start. At that early stage it is trivial to ‘stake out’ the appropriate spot and, as people arrive around you,
let them know that in a few minutes this will be where the volunteer circle will be.
If people want to be a part of it, they will stay.
If people want to avoid it, they will go.
Thanks,
David
Sahar
September 15, 2011
Anyone know exactly what time they post the route?
Rider 44
September 15, 2011
Your answer is here.
http://www.sjbikeparty.org/faq
francisco
September 15, 2011
were is this bike party ganna be held at ??
Read this carefully
September 15, 2011
See http://www.sjbikeparty.org/faq
Cree
September 15, 2011
i can lead the pre ride from the east side
Carl’s Jr. Alum Rock and Jackson leaving at 7:00
(blazing might occur so may leave a little later)
RideESSJ
September 16, 2011
Hey ALex. nice that you stepped up… there is another group of eastsiders riding from James Lick leaving @ 7p… if you’d like to meet up
4085618799
tino
September 15, 2011
just wondering why the route is shorter then last months ride?
Rapid Robert
September 16, 2011
To make it a little less bike and a bit more party! Originally SJBP rides were less than 20 miles. Distance was increased to shake off the over-indulgent and poorly behaved. It also shook out many women and the less serious (but well behaved) riders. EBBP, SFBP and now SCBP are all around 8 – 15 miles long, and equally bike and party. Much more dancing. Many, many, many more women.
AlexMTB
September 15, 2011
Eastsiders Meet in front of Sport Chalet at Eastridge Mall.
We meet at 6:45 pm.
RideESSJ
September 16, 2011
Hey Cree. dope that you stepped up… there is another group of eastsiders riding from James Lick leaving @ 7p… if you’d like to meet up
4085618799
mrrabbit
September 16, 2011
How about San Jose East (Southeast – AlexMTB) meet up with San Jose East (Alum Rock – Cree) since both groups are in direct line with the start at Berryessa.
I’ll be joining Southeast…
=8-)
Joe
September 16, 2011
So Bike Party Starts at a different spot everytime?
tallasianmike
September 16, 2011
yes.
reason: no centralized area for them to close us out.
Marcos Torres
September 16, 2011
Well bike party in WILLOW GLEN we can in DOWNTOWN WILLOW GLEN at lincon and willow at the jack in the box. At 6:30 be there. At Jack in the box! Then we will go to the destination. I’ll do it for WILLOW GLEN.
jose
September 16, 2011
someone please let me know where the people who live by San jose west/Campbell meet
moo
September 16, 2011
The Campbell feeder ride starts from the Campbell Water Tower in downtown Campbell. Check back for more details, but we’ll probably leave at 6:45pm.
moo
September 16, 2011
Confirmed. Leaving Campbell at 6:45pm!
CC_Campbell
September 16, 2011
Campbell ride – I am in – I have a 3 speed Cruiser, Mtn Bike and Road Bike, which is best to stay with the group? The Cruiser currently has all my lights….
Manuel
September 16, 2011
Anyone close to cupertino and west san jose going?
AlexMTB
September 16, 2011
Sure. We will leave Sport Chalet at Eastridge Mall Shortly after 6:45PM.
“How about San Jose East (Southeast – AlexMTB) meet up with San Jose East (Alum Rock – Cree) since both groups are in direct line with the start at Berryessa.
I’ll be joining Southeast…”
Riding Like A Pirate
September 16, 2011
Hey will anybody share the map with me.
PLEEEEEEAAAASSSEEEEE.
I help birds, ride sober, I don’t run red lights……
Oh, wait, wrong September.
tallasianmike
September 16, 2011
Sir.
1. hit Find.
2. Look up “Route Information”
3. @(#*$&(#$&
4. Ta dah! route!
Riding Like A Pirate
September 16, 2011
Thanks, but actually, that was meant as a joke for people who remember the 197 (yes, one hundred and ninety seven) responses to the September 2010, ‘Ride Like A Pirate’ announcement. http://www.sjbikeparty.org/archives/3070
tallasianmike
September 16, 2011
darn I guess i was caught lol.
But yeah amazing how the bike party gods didn’t have to resort to doing that this year
They just want to make sure the city doesn’t go nuts after bike party and bike partiers don’t end up in drunktank or worse from then.
Marcos Torres
September 16, 2011
Am i the only one doing willow glen;;;??????????
Supermike!
September 16, 2011
Willow Glen feeder route set up for 6:30 @ the Aquis on lincoln ave. @ willow led by Earnest C. And Supermike
Marcos Torres
September 16, 2011
Hey supermike well just meet at Aqui then.
Supermike!
September 16, 2011
cool beans macros! I’ll be the idiot with the unicycle
RideESSJ
September 16, 2011
Another group of Eastside cyclists are starting from James Lick @ 7p … we will try to meet with you other riders
Marcos Torres
September 16, 2011
How many you people you bringing supermike???
Stasn TheMan
September 16, 2011
The Flea market isprivate property and they normally charge parking fees to ALL their events. Do they know we are coming and are they OK with parking there for free? Hate to see anybody come back to find their car towed. Do we know the story there?
mrrabbit
September 16, 2011
James Lick can join Alum Rock (cree) at Alum Rock and Jackson at Carl’s Jr.
Southeast (AlexMTB) at Sports Chalet can leave at 6:45 and join you guys at Carl’s Jr. at 7:00.
Basically it’s a triple feed from Southeast and Lick to Alum Rock and on to Berryessa.
=8-)
See you at Sports Chalet AlexMTB
=8-)
AlexMTB
September 16, 2011
East Side Triple Rendez-Vous!
Someone
September 17, 2011
Thanks for running red lights, riding on the wrong side of the road, doing donuts in the intersections, blocking traffic, cutting off cars, and generally just causing as much chaos and bad blood as possible. You’ve reminded me once again why I can’t stand cyclists in the Bay Area. The only community you are building is with your fellow bike riding morons and you’re causing the rest of the community to loathe you.
SpeshBrum
September 18, 2011
Sounds more like Oakland to me…. I rode the whole route, and saw none of what you speak of. Thumb -to-the-tooth to you!
Here’s an option, move to Texas.
cardczar
October 22, 2011
Do any of these people actually do any real riding, or are they mainly beer drinkers on wheels?