Post your comments and fond memories of the ride below.
Reflections – Under the Sea
Written on September 16, 2011 at 10:00 PM, by Ian
Written by Ian
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San José Bike Party
Building community through bicycling
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SteveSgt
September 17, 2011
Perhaps it was because I stayed near the front of the pack, but that was one of the mellowest Bike Party main rides I’ve ever joined. Other than the usual juvenile red light runners, I saw no significant misbehavior, and no real accidents. It felt like an easy, fast route as well. The crowds seemed huge at the regroups; so large that I couldn’t find most of the people I know. We can always improve, but this was a nice ride.
AndrewB
September 18, 2011
I feel pretty much the same way. I haven’t been to Bike Party in many months, and juvenile behavior was part of the reason. This was definitely the mellowest ride with the lowest douchebag concentration that I’ve been to. I dig it and I will do my best to make it to the next one.
AlexMTB
September 17, 2011
Fun ride but some of the feeder rides were not posted.
Why??
mrrabbit
September 17, 2011
Meeting up with AlexMTB who seemed to be the only feeder lead communicating beforehand – and then Rider44 with the triple tandem was pretty cool.
Come on feeders…gotta pipe early in the day before the start…and web guys…repost ‘em up front below the usual route links and such.
=8-)
There was an accident on Santa Clara around 12th or 13th? What happened?
=8-(
TOOL BRIGADE assisted 5 people last night. It’s a start. But where was Rapid Robert?
=8-P
Bike Party Piper
September 17, 2011
Pissed that I missed this one, was looking forward to doing some bike-piping, but my bike was stolen. Here’s hoping October’s ride proves even better.
tom williams
September 17, 2011
Best Bike Party! so much funnnnnn!
TeamSpecialized
September 17, 2011
Had a great time at our first Bike Party!!! Can’t wait for the Rapture Ride!
Manuel
September 17, 2011
Yah I couldn’t find feeder rides close 2 cupertino
RideNaked
September 17, 2011
BIKKKEEEEEPPAAARRRTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Rapid Robert
September 18, 2011
This was a very mellow bike party under the sea for me. Met up with a group of regular riders and rode a few miles to the start. First leg was the best as the crowd emerged from that huge parking lot, but it seemed like there were less music trailers this time. Easy ride down to The Plant to sea a good ol’ bout of bike jousting, catch a hot dog, and troll for some bikin’ friends.
Second leg was just a fun ride to the next regroup where loud boomin’ fireworks and a corporate trick riding show were happening. Heading out from there early, I heard the route was to be derailed because of police action blocking King Street. Cruised fast with the route planner for this one (great job!) and got to the front of the ride to “person” a new corner until the bulk were past.
I also saw very few salmon (despite the theme), and just a couple of show-off boys blowing through red lights with cars there. All those riding motorized bikes were pedalin’ when I passed them and I gotta give them all big credit for that! That’s gotta be a tough ride. Considering the need to get info and corner BIRDs up to the front fast this time, I thought these guys might be our best “pony express” riders for such occasions.
Jacob Emmons
September 19, 2011
That was my first SJBP. I loved it so much! It was huge and epic! You will see me at the next one!
Erika
September 19, 2011
Overall I thought this was a nice, mellow ride. I liked the slightly shorter route and had a great chat with some older, first-time bike partiers. They said they were having a good time.
I was really, really unhappy about the fireworks, though. Someone set off a firework DIRECTLY next to our van while were were packing up bikes at the end of the ride. Busy with the bike, I didn’t notice the firework until it had just launched, and by then it was too late to get away. *BOOM* right next to me. I could hardly hear for hours and now it’s been three days and my hearing isn’t all the way back to normal. Pretty idiotic for people to be launching fireworks in a crowd – doesn’t take much to injure a fellow bike partier. I was furious at the time, now I’m just frustrated.
pizzasfortires
September 21, 2011
damn, Im sorry Erika. I hope ya are feeling better soon…those were pretty loud
Erika
September 22, 2011
Thanks, Pizza! Ears are doing better, and I’m looking forward to the next bike party.
pizzasfortires
September 21, 2011
lets do another classic Campbell Water Tower starting point…it should have been done sooner than this! Campbell can easily handle BP considering all the bro-bars around there….By the way how long ago was the last Campbell water tower start off? Those were awesome times for sure. Next ride start?? Maybe?? YES
yoshi
September 21, 2011
your wish may be granted…
Tian
September 21, 2011
I agree that it was nice. I had a wonderful evening to. Here are my pictures of the event:
http://tian.greens.org/SanJose/BikeParty/UnderwaterRide/index.html
I’d say that the theme participation was lighter than it is when people really embrace the concept. Those rides are an awesome thrill to take pictures of. This time I felt like I was playing “where’s waldo” for most of the evening.
CCC
September 28, 2011
Overall it was a fun ride – my 2nd at a San Jose Bike Party. I did witness a few knuckleheads, tho. There was a small gang of guys at the Home Depot stop and one of them was heckling “No helmets allowed here! Quit acting like yo mama’s watching you”. As I rolled past him with my helmet, I smiled and gave him the, um, “friendly” finger. When he saw me he raised both his hands in the air, like he wanted me to stop and discuss it with him face to face. I’m way too grown up for that crap, so I just kept rolling by, looking back and still smiling and laughing at him because of how much a d-bag he was.
At the stop with the Red Bull truck, I saw some guy getting into it with a lady who was driving in her SUV with her family through the crowded parking lot. I don’t exactly know what happened, but instead of the rider just letting it go, he was hanging on to her side mirror talking crap to her, which just made the situation worse. Roll past conflict, people. Even if you are in the right, pissing off or scaring someone in a 2-ton vehicle with a family in it? There’s nothing good that can come out of that.
So one thing I would suggest, even tho I’m a newb, is to try to plan the stops at parking lots or areas where there won’t be any cars. Mobbing a parking lot of a shopping center that’s still open doesn’t help in trying to have communities be more tolerant and respectful towards cyclists.
Keep up the great work and I’m looking forward to the next SJBP!
Steve Wozniak
October 19, 2011
Pics from 9/2011 SJ Bike Party are available at:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150318197742287&set=a.10150318196782287.359532.506787286&type=3&theater