We have one word to sum up the night: EPIC.
Yet again, more surprises from the democratic community of cyclists that make up Bike Party: Over 2,000 of you showed us you were willing to travel to an (for many folks, at least) inconvenient location, take a 24-mile trek to parts unknown and foreign to us with “San Jose” eyes, and enjoy the snot out of it.
This ride’s successes showed the fruit of the hard organizing that our many volunteers have struggled over for the last month, and at the same time we know that we need much more: MANY more volunteers, MUCH more coordination to help everyone work together, and MUCH more thoughtful communication to keep everyone informed effectively. Rest assured that these ongoing struggles will be major topics of the Hub meeting (the Hub is the group of “spoke” organizers who coordinate all other volunteers) following this ride. Likewise, don’t hesitate to contact one of us to get involved.
A special thanks needs to go to our AMAZING route planners and test riders who work super hard to find all the amazing places to go. We love you (although we all have been grouchy lately), and this ride certainly showed the benefit of amazing route planning. That 3rd “mystery” regroup was killer! Of course, a huge shout-out is also due to the Mountain View police, who not only anticipated our ride and publicized it by their twitter account, but showed incredible tact, courtesy, and good planning as they escorted & policed our ride, and in at least one case responded to an injury.
If you would like to share your experiences, the comment section is open.
ask lee
September 19, 2009
I’m not too tired. Thanks Red Bull chicks. Loved the party on the garage and the night ride along 237/NASA. Heavy cop presence in Mtn View and I saw some one in a Benz complaining to the cops or something. All I heard was the cop say “some of them have already been drinking….”. Rides are better with low rider tricycles and tandem sofas with music. Now if the assholes wouldn’t smash the EXIT signs in the garage or smack other signs down on El Camino Real it would have been even better. All in all, a great first SJBP for me.
Matt
September 19, 2009
EPIC.
cj mcg
September 19, 2009
long but fun good times
nick
September 19, 2009
holy crap! i biked 58 miles today just getting to & from work and this ride! wow, what a night. i can’t wait to see pictures!
whyyyyy
September 19, 2009
Duuuuuude.
I was loving everything about this month’s ride. And my night was going great. I met a really cool chick and we were really hitting it off.
Sounds great, right?
Yeah.
But my night took a drastic turn when some drunk idiot hit me. He cut me off and his back wheel locked with mine. The momentum pulled in my wheel, ate my spokes, bent my rim, and flattened my tire. As a result, my bike got pulled down and my drop bars got pulled into his back tire too; I was dragged for a couple of feet on the road—my face and body is now bruised and scraped up.
My shit is all f’d up.
Some random rider stopped and helped me up. Dude also tried to tie my mangled spokes and straighten my wheel a bit. While none of that crap worked, I want to say thank you. I really respect and appreciate the love….that is true community and Bike Party greatness. (I forgot your name homie) bless you and thank you kindly brother
——–
I was sad my ride ended the way it did. My night was going great and a drunken idiot ruins it.
If I can leave with something:
Please ride sober
Learn to ride your bike properly
Learn to ride in a straight line
And take a cue from homie that helped me out
keep Bike Party alive and safe
thanks
Garrett Birkel
September 19, 2009
Speaking of pictures:
http://garote.livejournal.com/168314.html
Big pictures, taken with a big lens.
This ride was FAN TASTIC. I agree, the Mountain View police were in good form, and our group riding behavior was the best it’s ever been.
Good job everyone! Totally looking forward to the next one!
Frank
September 19, 2009
Don’t forget Palo Alto PD…they responded to the injury.
Metal Dan
September 19, 2009
Epic. Thanks to MV Police, they were bomb. Worried about the one biker who was ‘headbanging’ and veered directly into a parked car. Best Wishes, although he seemed okay. Wanna thank the BIRDS and the Planner for the time they spent unpaid to make this ride EPIC. Although it was quite long and quite a ways away from our traditional starting point, it was great. BOOO to the crabby lady towards the end who commented on the stereo. See you all next month!!! \m/ keep it metal
scott
September 19, 2009
epic –
yup, that’s the reaction we were all hoping for –
the trust that sjbp’ers have that we’ll have a killer ride month in and month out, the desire of at least 2500+ riders spreading the sjbp spirit in new far away places (getting more converts!), secret mystery locations a nice twist, a long smooth ride, way ez going vibe…
a super job and restraint and support from 5 police jurisditions (SJ on “pre-rde”): Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mt View, Palo Alto… fantastic! hope others were shouting out to em too.
thanks for the love from admins, volunteers and riders, lots of good times. lots of people saw (and cheered) 45-60 minutes of bikes going by their apartments, restaurants, cars on freeways… sweet.
next month back to SJ for the 2-yr anniversary, can’t wait!
scott
September 19, 2009
garrett – love, love those pics – each and every time you hit it
WhooHoo
September 19, 2009
thanks SJBP! Awesome organization, planning, and entertainment. F’in RAD!
Chris
September 19, 2009
Last night was just great. I thought the cops really did help keep things moving along and applaud PA and MtV PD’s involvement, especially.
I did see a rider down and EMT’s working up in PA just before the train tracks. Does anyone know the story and if they’re OK?
John M
September 19, 2009
@ chris, the rider who took a spill was talking to rescue crews when I left the scene. I think they were taking him to Stanford as a precaution.
Props to the police force last night. Mostly my interactions were with PA and MTV PD. I am impressed by their tact and attitude towards us. I said many Thank You’s along the ride.
I loved this ride. People gave me props for being a BIRD and helping out. The community response was awesome. A few people said they didn’t like the ride when we posted it but changed their minds. Kudos BP!
3rd regroup was massive and memorable.
ks
September 19, 2009
props for having the music truck – cool that u hustled to get to all the regroups. if we send mixes ur way, can u pre-mix n play it? sure u find some dope mashups from this crowd. anyone else step up 4 a 2nd music truck?
than
September 19, 2009
The parking garage incident was uncalled for. How do we plan to prevent trespassing and vandalism in the future?
sam
September 19, 2009
ok, this is my third ride. The only thing I can complain about is that we should make it longer!
By far the best ride, I’ve been to. Riding through downtown Mt.V and Sunnyvale was the best part having the weekenders look at us in awe and asking questions. Bike party is definitely generating interests with these questions. The last stop on the parking structure was badass. It’s racing to the top and taking some weaves here and there and the way down.
Constant good music throughout the ride as well!
And the cops were more than accommodating by stopping traffic for us and directing cars and bikes at intersections. Very cool!
I heard someone got hit by a car at the turn onto El Camino Real, I hope he or she is okay.
Thank you SJ BIKE PARTY, I LOVE YOU ALL!
Rapid Robert
September 19, 2009
An excellent Bike Party for sure! The third regroup in the parking garage was fantastic.
Twice, however, I saw riders blow through red lights for absolutely no reason and very nearly getting hit because of their obviously stupid action. And really at an obviously dangerous place to do it. I hope they learned a lesson. If not, they’ll be dead soon.
I also saw a rider try to take the turn onto Ellis with the police blocking traffic for us. He totally wiped his bike out into the pavement but managed to keep standing and ran the energy out right in front of the cops. A truely GREAT save! 8^)
Loved the music truck at the refroup stops too, but as much as I like music from my youth, maybe next time they will have something from this century on the list.
mike g
September 19, 2009
wish i coulda been there!!! already had 20 miles from home to work and back. would not have been able to push another 45 into that (10 to the start, 24 ride, 10 home). im glad the ride went well! cant wait for next month and the 2 year anniversary
John M
September 19, 2009
@sam, the rider who took a spill was not hit by a car. His buddy who rode with him didn’t believe so and I did not hear or see an impact with a vehicle.
The PD helped out immediately and were also concerned for his safety and that we weren’t victims of a hit n run situation.
The spill was unfortunate, but thanks everyone for showing concern for one of our fellow riders.
I love the show of support for fellow riders. BIKEPARTY!!!!!
patricio
September 19, 2009
WORD UP!!! Great ride, Great route!! Very well thought out, riding distance was awesome, rest stop entertainment wheather you were into it or not added to the easy going atmosphere. Thank you so much for this one. To the guy playing bag-pipes while riding his bike, LIKE WHOA!! I saw no accidents on this ride, soo cool!! The police in SC, SV, MV, PA, were so with it, at certain points we had a police escort like we were on a tour, AWSOME!!
RESPECT to admin and birds, all your work is much appriciated!!!
Mike
September 19, 2009
One of the best rides yet, even though I didn’t ride this time (I was w/ the music truck. Thanks to Terry who owns the equipment!!). Shout out to Scott and all those who did pre-ride’s to figure this one out. The 5-story parking garage was awesome. TRULY the highlight. Police in all areas were awesome – including security at BIRK’s and Costco who gave us thier blessing! Thanks to A-Rental center (Los Gatos) for the generators. All the guys and gals in drag were awesome!!!!
Low Lights – biker being hit by a car sucks. Hope he is ok. Trash everywhere. My biggest dissapointment was the damage done at the 5 story parking garage. Some moron thought it was cool to trash two of the hanging lit exit signs, tearing them partially down. Figure a cost of $200 per sign, union labor at another $400 and administrative expenses to deal with it all and I bet that totals out to $800 in damage. Once the big 5 property management companies hear of that sort of thing the security guards will be instructed to call police the instant we show up.
The sound truck is going to take a break in October but will be back in November weather permitting. And yes we will WELCOME playlists, music – some method will be put forth for all Biker Partiers to participate in that.
Pink Haired Tranny
September 19, 2009
The best bike party yet! Rooftop regroup, nice scenery, music bumping all made it amazing. Definitely well-organized, nice cooperation with riders and cops.
Plus I won the “Worst Dressed” competition.
admin
September 19, 2009
@ks and anyone interested: The music truck is looking for great playlists. You can email sjbikeparty@gmail.org if you are interested. (
ANGEL IN THE VAN
September 19, 2009
Fantastic views from the apparel van. Covering the route from back to front and again backtracking
trying to beat the herd to the next stop was even more amazing then last time.
Fewer traffic lights, the dedicated crowd left it’s own trail of natural selection as we witnessed a 3 mile sprawl of stragglers during the backtrack. Everyone with flats were being attended to. Way to go San Jose and neighbors……
Just a note:
Never a complaint
We personally prefer to see the variety of independent groups representing their own style with music. It is fantastic being able to choose your sound surroundings at the rest points.
I think if we leave any decisions up to the attendees this is a fairly safe one:
Let them at least choose their music as opposed to One huge radio station like sound of force fed music drowning out all other forms of sound.
It was still nice of that dj to come out and
thanks for that.
Wear your Bike Party shirts proudly
you all looked great.
Keep on conscious cycling San Jose.
Peace and safety to you all
Jeff
September 19, 2009
SICK ROUTES DUDEZ!!
i liked all the little hiddin side roads bad ass!! wooo “go to the top” than i looked up and they was a giant parking garage
\!!sik!
Chris
September 19, 2009
As an aside, the Palo Alto police can be reached at pd@cityofpaloalto.org and the MtV police at police@mountainview.gov .
I just sent them both email thanking them for all the help last night.
Shanna
September 19, 2009
This was like something out of a movie, it was just THAT cool!!!!
I want to give a shout out to the group of bike shop people from BICYCLE EXPRESS for fixing my boyfriends flat tire in like 3 minutes flat….that was UNBELIEVABLE!!! You guys are angels and thanks to you we were able to finish the party with flying colors! SJBP made a regular outta me!! SAN JOSE BIKE PARTY!!!
sam
September 19, 2009
Thanks for the clarification Mike. As long as those injuries will heal with no permanent damage, keep the spirit alive!
I think it’s good to call out “RIDER DOWN!” when we have any future accidents/injuries. This way people know to stay clear of the person that have fallen and prevent more injuries. If you’re riding and know any basic first aid, please stop by and help your fellow riders.
In regards to the trash situation, I saw a few people just throw their garbage on the street. Would it be possible for us to get a group of people to haul a trash bag during the ride? Or have orange trash bags laying every couple miles? Just a thought though it might be a bit a hard to coordinate.
Rapid Robert
September 19, 2009
The trash I saw was empty water bottles at regroup spots, Red Bull and beer cans tossed on the street when the rider finishes it off on the move, and bike light parts and batteries dropped off bikes and left for dead. A couple glass bottles smashed on the street too.
Not much I can think of to prevent parts from falling off our bikes, and I’m guilty of that one too, except to check everything before starting up every time. Regarding the waste from mood altering refreshments; roaches are invisible and completely biodegradable. Just sayin’.
Amber
September 19, 2009
Exit Signs: If anyone saw the riders that damaged the exit signs, let me know who they are. Amber@sjbikeparty.org
Senseless acts of vandalism like that will get us kicked out of every parking lot in the South bay.
If you see your fellow riders doing anything, boo them, have your friends boo them. Sometimes a gentle reminder is all it takes.
Sharon
September 19, 2009
I’m a big fan of biking…I ride my “street” bike when I can instead of driving and I ride my road bike often for exercise. I’m also a fan of community building. But I have to say, when your ride went past my house at 11:15pm last night (for 45 minutes!) and woke me out of a much needed deep sleep, I didn’t feel much love for biking or “community building”. Why in the world does the ride have to go so late in the evening?? I’m all for encouraging people to ride bikes, but disturbing the neighborhood is another thing all together. Now you can call me uptight, but remember, some people have to go to work early on a Saturday morning…and some people have children sleeping. Even with the window shut I could hear the yelling and the flashing lights. Just a warning that you were coming would have helped…please consider the community when you do your next “community building” event. Thanks!!
Sharon
ASBJones
September 19, 2009
that was an awesome ride! it was so warm out and most of the roads were smooth and wide open, the craziest thing was watching everyone spew out that parking garage for over 15 minutes!
JR
September 19, 2009
I saw you folks go by last night as I was riding home in my car. I had no idea what was going on, but I was amazed to see such a huge group of bikers out riding and enjoying the night. I’ll definitely make it to the next one. The PA cops were fantastic too. The ride is a great way to remind everyone how much fun bikes are.
Ala_Amber
September 19, 2009
Sharon,
You comment is understood and appreciated.
We organizers are torn by two really important issues.
1. We want to avoid tying up traffic as much as possible.
2. We want to avoid waking people up.
We start the ride at 8:00 PM to avoid traffic and our goal is to end by 11:30. We think that noise before 11:30 PM on a Friday night is reasonable for the average person.
Our plan is to avoid neighborhoods after 11:30 PM, but it is really difficult with south bay suburban sprawl and with our group’s size.
This is also why we rotate routes every month. You are only woken up once. Instead of once every month.
watani
September 19, 2009
i’m one of the riders who prefer to keep the party starting/ending in san jose. on the flip side, i will ride anywhere in any weather with my sjbp’ers! BIKE PARTAY!!!!
we are sooo blessed to live in the best county of the bay area, the best big city in the bay area. we absolutely have thee best weather…hands down. what was the temperature last night…75 at start, 68 at finish? plus, it’s flat, a bicyclists’ heaven. over heard a rider who came down from san fran who rides in the SF critical mass, who, last night, got hit by a car while riding to caltrain (minor injuries), said “SJBP is better than critical mass – THERE’S NO HILLS, IT’S ALL FLAT!!!”. =)
easy route with an epic regroup and a super warm night! had fun dressing up too. loved the reactions. little wardrobe malfunction at times – my boobs were too big and my wig made me over heat. gotta love gatorade!
spoke, BIRD, test-rider – SJBP
ps. you guys think this ride was epic, wait until october’s ride. 2 years!!!
Rosanna Lee
September 19, 2009
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had an amazing time @ Bike Party. This was my first time and I was a little worried that I couldn’t hang but with the morale and motivation of all the riders, I totally did the whole route.
I want to send a special shout out the amazing guy who, when my pedal flew off, he took intiative and sat there for a while to put my pedal on. He never even knew me, he searched for a wrench even, got one and tightened both of my pedals. Whoever you are, I want to thank you, if it weren’t for you my night would not have seen so fabulous.
I will be there next month as well, and I could hope it will be as fun as it was this month. Thank you to all the people who volunteered to organize this event. Your hard work is so greatly appreciated.
Barhop
September 19, 2009
@wantani, SJBP isn’t better, because the enjoyable flat route, wasn’t even in San Jose.
And after being on my 22nd bike party, I’m DONE WITH YOU. It’s really old, all this bird shit is annoying, JOIN, JOIN, JOIN. Spam the shit out of my email/myspace/facebook some more, please.
Rosanna Lee
September 19, 2009
Oh BTW, ummmm Sharon, the lady who got all pissy about us waking her up. Dude seriously you missed out on a wonderful event. I had to be up early too for my sons football game, but something like this that is only once a month and will most likely not be doing the same route next month, which in turn means you will not be disturbed, would have been well worth losing a little sleep over.
My kids were with my parents cheering on Bike Party, so rather than being so uptight and missing the whole point, maybe join in or just be quiet. Most of us work too, and have busy Saturdays, but that’s what makes it mean so much more.
Get over it Sharon, suck it up and drive on soldier!!!!!!!!!!!!
BIKE PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jahlaen
September 19, 2009
Folks, last night’s ride was fantastic! It should be way up there with all of the best Bike Parties.
There was so much going on from start to finish. The choices of re-group locations were excellent.
I have never experienced so much love and support and appreciation — if you will — from so many people in these communities who came out to cheer, high five and interact with Bike Party revelers. It was like they were real pleased to have Bike Party roll through their hood.
I want send out props to Santa Clara PD. You guys where pushing to get the ride started and out of that parking lot but, you were patient, respectful, professional and totally cooperative.
Viewed through the lens of my BIRD trained eyes, I would say that the ride had it’s usual challenges and there were several rough spots, primarily in the first 3.5 miles but, overall this was an amazing Bike Party. The mixture and variety of this route was superb!
Kudos SJBP!
thee ryan
September 19, 2009
the ride kept getting better and better, and the parking garage was the ultimate climax!
in regard to SF critical mass- that’s awesome to hear that an SF rider likes SJBP better. I’ve heard that from about 3 other people.
as a BIRD, I want to say thanks to everyone who donated whatever dollars and cents they could to the donation can. and to everyone who helped corral people into the right lane when cars were coming. and to everyone who kept it peaceful, which was just about everyone i encountered.
this was the best ride yet. let’s make next month even better!
itisMarco
September 19, 2009
i hardly saw any drunks. what an improvement.
i am extremely sore from this one hehe. highlights were the 2nd to last stop at the parking garage rooftop, going down in woohoo’s.
if i can suggest more residential streets. theres something extremely beautiful about biking thru a street covered in trees, darkness, with only our lights flashing like paparazzi. its a sight.
bringing my music is continuing to bring good spirits to the rides. im one of twenty or so riders who bring loud speakers for others to enjoy good tunes. its a great way to make new friends as they ride by and compliment the tunes or simply decide to ride next to u for their fav track.
does anyone know where i can get better speakers for an event like this? contact me please.
great ride last night, felt safe, a lot of help, and a special thanks to the cute white boy in white tee and shorts who saved my bike on the parking garage rooftop when someone bumped into it and knocked it (almost) over.
ps. Where are all the gay riders at? bring your gay buddies, riders! diversity!
speaking of, not many participated in theme last night. awesome, for those who did.
than
September 19, 2009
>if i can suggest more residential streets. theres something extremely beautiful about biking thru a street covered in trees, darkness, with only our lights flashing like paparazzi. its a sight.
no. NO. NO NO NO. If I lived on that street I would be super pissed. Why can’t any of you THINK about the feelings of OTHERS?! Two wrongs don’t make a right. You are all so selfish.
These rides do not endear us to the public as a whole. Why does anyone think that creating a massive disturbance for people at home trying to sleep at midnight, clogging streets, ignoring traffic laws (even if it’s only 20% of us)? And the parking garage? That was trespassing, plain and simple. The exit signs? Even if it was only one of you the SJBP was responsible. If I was the owner of that property I might be suiting up for a lawsuit.
These huge rides might be fun for us but they do NOT build up goodwill with the public. I ride every day for commuting more than most of you and I can plainly see that this is turning into a bad idea.
Ala_Amber
September 19, 2009
Dear Barhop,
Good riddance. If a handful of emails and website comments scare you away, then that is your problem
Remember step up or shut up (or in your case, step out).
ks
September 19, 2009
@Barhop & Ala_Amber – can’t we all just get along?
scott
September 19, 2009
it’s our ride, we can all own it and should own it. we’ve had the same struggles aug 08 as we did 2-3 mos ago. the focus to clean up our own act made a big difference.
yea, pushed too hard by organizers – but then we as a crowd didn’t step up. we still haven’t. i saw hardly any birds last night. 50ish? among 2-3k riders? huh? there should be 250+ birds.
so step up or you will keep getting emails about it, noone wants this ride to stop so step or she might be right, we’ll all have to step off. that would suck.
22mos experience-hats off to ya- help start your own stealth raven thing. just don’t be anti-bird. counterculture is cool tho.
chain_n_cogs
September 19, 2009
Someone’s happiness is always at an expense of another person’s misery.
That said, I never feel so alive when I’m out there on the street with some 2500 other people sharing a common interest that’s fun, cheap, and memorable. While some may complain about Bike Party, others have cheered us on as we passed by their homes, made them wait a few minutes in their cars, it’s a Friday night take your time.
We do build community, we do get positive reactions, we do have a great time that brings some life into this, what used to be, boring town.
This is the best thing that happen to me in San Jose and surrounding cities for the past 22 years that I lived here growing up.
Rapid Robert
September 19, 2009
I can certainly imagine lots of residents were surprised and pissed at the unexpected noise on their street last night, as I might have been. A big noise like that on the street will pass, however. Those residents will just have to tolerate it, for the greater good the group represents.
And the group does represent a greater good. I know, because I saw it on the faces of the many, many other residents, especially those in front of apartment buildings, hapilly cheering us on. Especially the little kids! They’re gonna’ remember that huge parade of bicycles going past THEIR house one night, with everybody having a partyin’ good time, and you bet they’re gonna’ want to ride a bike. I think we should maximize our visibility to apartment complexes, especially in the first two hours of the ride.
Bryan
September 19, 2009
Last night was fun and the good vibes were definitely felt. Great weather and really appreciated the police for their help. Even spectators helped guide some of us lost ones the right way which was really awesome. I saw a lot of litterbugs throwing their cans and bottles like the street was their own personal garbage can. Next time we should focus on a NO LITTER policy and obeying the traffic laws so that we can continue this event for a long time to come.
than
September 19, 2009
Spliffer,Rob: You are a fundamentalists. “The greater good”? Really? You are determined that you are on the right side because it agrees with your personal views just because. You are also ignoring the factual substance of what I wrote.
Regardless of how you *wish* people should respond to the bike ride the manner in which they *will* respond is not conducive to building better relations between bicyclists and the public as a whole.
kelley
September 19, 2009
i say next time stay in san jose, it’s more fun as SJ bike party. the ride was fun, but it’s more fun to run around our own city i think.
curiousliz
September 19, 2009
last night was pretty epic. not going to pretty long too. but overall good night. and the cops did an awesome part in helping us out. cant wait for next month since bike party well be on birthday : D