**comments are closed, please take them to the recap**
Roll with the San Jose Bike Party south towards Almaden Valley and back into downtown via Willow Glen and the reinvogorated Cannery Area of Midtown San Jose. Please look at the “How We Ride” section on our website.
- Stay in the right lane when possible. NEVER ride the sidewalk. NEVER ride against oncoming traffic.
- Pick up your trash, leave nothing behind.
- Stop at red lights.
- Ride straight, ride predictability.
- Roll past conflict.
- Leave no one behind.
- Ride sober! It’s illegal and dangerous to drink and ride a bicycle.
- Make some noise! (we need your help to remind those who aren’t following the rules!)
Please arrive before 8:30pm as we’ll leave promptly by 9:00pm!
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: Many more needed to keep SJ Bike Party going! http://www.sjbikeparty.org/who-we-are
- Before ride – post signs w/ arrows on route (email testrides@sjbikeparty.org), an ability to print out directions,etc.
- During ride – help riders to ride correctly, get deep into regroups, get out of regroups, boo littering & red light running,help someone with a flat, etc.
- After ride – yell out at SJSU that you’re going back to Dicks, pick up litter at Dicks, etc.
BIRD’s training- We will be meeting earlier to hand out patches and discuss BIRD’s prior to the ride. We will send an email providing more details. (If you signed up to volunteer, you got added to the BIRDs email list)
Dick’s Center: Please be warned that riders CARS HAVE BEEN ROBBED AT DICK’s CENTER and your car CAN BE TOWED. We encourage you to park elsewear, ride to Dick’s, or take light rail.
***Construction Update: Meridian & Hillsdale is 95% done (ahead of schedule). Exercise some caution – curbs, minor gravel only. No reroute needed.
DIRECTIONS & PRINTABLE MAPS: Please print out your own Turn by turn directions
Does anyone know how to turn these maps below into useful Printable maps? And still have readable street names?
17.95 mi route
The main route is the first map. The second map is the same except for an extra loop up a three part hill on Camden Avenue. There will now be 4 regroups .
At about the 7-mile mark, we ask that riders who want to follow the main route to look for the chalk markings on the street after the ARCO gas station. Start merging to the LEFT about 2-3 blocks after it! Please be aware of cars and share the road!!
Please ignore those riders that will stay in the right lane who will go up the Camden Ave hill. Only one left turn lane on Camden.
Coleman Avenue is a gently curving one lane road each direction plus a bicycle lane and a wide shoulder. There is lighting only on the south side of the street and occasional low hanging branches to the right of the bike lane.
For riders wanting to return to Dicks, and not proceed to SJSU, please let the group exit from Regroup #4 at Hamilton & Meridian and let them ride toward downtown WG & SJSU via Meridian first. Then please safely cross Hamilton Ave. and proceed west for about 1.3 miles to Dicks (taking a right on Bascom).
Main Route Plus Extra Hill section:
19.19 mi + 118ft extra elevation
If you’ve got the balls to wear no pants, than you’ll be up for this. But don’t let that 118 foot 3-part hill fool you. It can bring you down to your knees if you’re not ready for it!
For those wanting a more rigorous workout, by the 7 mile mark:
scottl
July 14, 2009
This should be a fun ride, but No Pants? LMAO — 80 degrees at start of ride, 70 degrees at the end? Sweet
testrides
July 15, 2009
How many riders are going to have music, either on trailers, racks or on front handlebars like John Dixon? (not loud, but he only spent $25l) Any fave places for free downloads? Gimme more Red Light Music!!!
Megan
July 16, 2009
can’t wait for tomorrow!!
Ryan
July 16, 2009
Good news, just received work that Melissa Sweat is fixing her bike seat and will be riding tonight!
John Dixon
July 16, 2009
The speakers I rode the pre-ride with:
http://www.nirve.com/accessories.asp?cid=152
I got mine at Hyland Family Bicycles off Meridian in San Jose. I just called and they said they have a couple left if anyone’s interested.
$25
4 AAA batteries
Hooks up to any mp3 player
I’ve had them for about a week now. Batteries last 8 hours of play time before sound becomes distorted. I’m sure they would last longer, but I tend to blast as loud as I can.
All and all, not bad for $25.
Emily
July 17, 2009
Heard from someone last night that Dicks Center has posted tow-away signs. Just a heads up!
scottl
July 17, 2009
Yup Emily, that’s what happens cuz we’ve left way too much trash around. I’m taking light rail early and I’d suggest others take light rail as early as possible too “cuz the light rail’s gonna be packed. ” Plus there’s that bake sale going on to support SJBP…. mmm.
testrides
July 17, 2009
About 2500 downloads of the map so far – about 500 ahead of pace of this time (~10am) last month, when we had 1500+ riders.
admin
July 17, 2009
Concise Route (this will be passed out)
How We Ride
July “No Pants” SJBP Ride – Fri, July 17th, 8:30pm
L Bascom Ave, proceed straight past Camden Ave
L Woodard Ave (about 2.7 mi)
REGROUP #1: Cambrian Village Straight Thru the light at Union!
Exit by Togos
R Camden Ave
R Camden Ave at the Y, go under Hwy 85
REGROUP #2: Avanti/Longs – R side & Go DEEP
R Camden Ave (to exit)
Move to left lane 3 blocks after ARCO
L Coleman Ave
L Meridian Ave.
* IF going up hill stay in right lane, see directions at btm*
REGROUP #3: Lunardi’s Parking Lot – R side & Go DEEP
R Meridian Ave
R Hamilton Ave @ the Shell Station
R into the Rite Aid parking lot (~500 -750 feet)
REGROUP #4: Rite Aid Parking Lot – R side & Go DEEP
Proceed to your right past the Ballys,
R Meridian Ave. (North)
R Minnesota
L Lincoln Ave, Go under Hwy 280
R Savakar Ave IMMEDIATE L on Sunol Ave
R Auzereis Ave
L Woz Way
R San Carlos
Enter SJSU campus at San Carlos
17.95 mi END at SJSU Event Center Fountain
===================================
If Taking HILL RIDE:
Stay in right lane on Camden
L Meridian (dark park on your left)
Proceed thru Coleman
===================================================
http://www.sjbikeparty.org
testrides
July 17, 2009
one of the lines said:
“L Bascom Ave, proceed straight becomes Camden Ave”
changed it to:
“L Bascom Ave, proceed straight past Camden Ave”
admin
July 17, 2009
I fixed it on the printable too.
srgsparky
July 17, 2009
I just spoke with SJPD for some possible support from “them”. I also gave the operator the routes were are taking and our website. The sergeant may be calling me sometime this evening, if needed. Hopefully all goes well. God speed and BIKE PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STEVE
bruno
July 17, 2009
whooo hoooo
Resident off Camden Ave.
July 17, 2009
Look, I have no problem with you riding your bikes at night if that’s what you want to do, but the screaming and shouting is ridiculous! We live between Camden and Meridian in the neighborhoods and we could hear the noise from your bikers from several blocks away! It’s 10:30 at night and I’ve got work at 6am – thanks for waking me up, jerks!
concerned
July 17, 2009
I hope everyone has/had a safe ride. I’m cool with “make some noise” but I wish the group that ended up on Ross Avenue near Hillsdale had been aware that the neighborhood didn’t need to hear so much of that kind of swearing or the yelling about their beer (specifically Guiness). We didn’t all know about your ride and that was disturbing.
Your Neighbor
July 17, 2009
Let me first preface this comment by stating that I am a cyclist also. I enjoy riding trails as well as on the public streets. I believe that bicycles and cars should share the road equally. That being said, tonight I got stuck in the middle of your ‘event’. Your participants are clearly NOT following the rules listed at the top of this page. I live in the Cambrian Village neighborhood in the vicinity of Camden, Bascom and Woodard in SJ. I was attempting to turn right on to Woodard drive tonight at a 3 way stop sign controlled intersection during your event. It was nearly impossible to do so. Your participants en mass had a complete disregard for the public in general, the traffic laws and common sense. I watched your mob run red lights, stop signs, fail to yield to oncoming traffic, ride on the wrong side of the road (on Woodard), take up all three lanes on Camden Avenue and ride without proper lighting. Just the shear mass of the group was a public safety and traffic hazard. I find it unmentionable that a group that is here to promote the fun and healthy activity of bicycling, would sponsor such a disruptive event. Let’s hope that the organizers of this group gain some common sense before the next scheduled ride. As far as I am concerned, your group is not welcome in my neighborhood if you can not follow the traffic laws and use some common sense. I will have no problem picking up the phone and contacting the SJ police again next time I see your group acting the way they did tonight.
David Z.
July 18, 2009
The party just crossed past our home at almost midnight. It was an awesome sight to witness. There were seemed to be hundreds of bicycles crowding Willow Street, all of them with lights and young, eager riders. While I have seen joggers, racers and other bike marathons down the streeet, this was absolutely incredible. It was like a stream of lights pouring down the street on the way to Lincoln Avenue. It made an incredible statement for bicyclists everywhere. These were just everyday people out having fun and showing their passion. What energy and excitement!
uurf
July 18, 2009
It would be fan-freaking-tastic if you could reiterate rules 1, 3, and 4. I just spent 20 minutes stuck behind an otherwise spectacular bike parade on Meridan between Curtner and Hamilton. Take over the right lane, no problem, taking over two lanes, not cool. Riders swerving in front of the two cars trying to get by in the left lane.
If someone had been answering a page, a call to 5-0 would have certainly in order.
Bikelungs
July 18, 2009
The ride was really fun. Lots of happy people, and lots of happy spectators on the sidewalks. Just like a huge parade party! The most fun I’ve had in weeks.
It was very difficult for bikes to stay in just the right hand lane. There were so many bikes. I think most automobile drivers were okay with it.
David Z.
July 18, 2009
While safety is important, I think some neighborhod residents are taking this too seriously. How often do you see something like this? It made a huge statement for bicyclists. Everyday, people who choose to ride bikes are subjected to the bias of auto and truck drivers, as well as all of the cultural assumptions and urban planning and infrastructure. That’s an every day inconvenience, far beyond a what some couch potato at home feels against a one night public demonstration to show the growing popularity of bicyclists everywhere. People have the power! Ride on!
Your Neighbor
July 18, 2009
@David, Yes it was a spectacular site BUT, unfortunately the statement it made while passing through my neighborhood was that bicyclists have a total disregard for the rules of the road as well as for public safety and for the right of way of other vehicles on the road! I’m sure that is not the message that the organizers wanted to make. I completely support the idea of a fun bike ride, but the problem was there there were just too many cyclists involved in this event. I hope that the organizers learn something from this and limit participation in the future. It would have also been a good idea to have included the CPD and SJPD to help direct traffic during the event.
Your Neighbor
July 18, 2009
I would also suggest not sending thousands of cyclists through quite residential neighborhoods in the future, it is bound to piss people off. Maybe sticking to multi-lane main roads where there is space for both the bikes and cars would be a better idea.
admin
July 18, 2009
Hi Guys, I closed the comments so we wouldn’t have discussions in two different places. If I could move your comments to the recap (so others can discuss), I would. But I can’t.
If you want to repost in the recap so more people will read, go for it.