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.
b5125125
September 20, 2009
Next time we ride through a different city we need to shout out that name scbp!,mvbp!, silly con bp, make them feel part of the community
that way it doesn’t look like san jose people are ruining there beautiful and peaceful city were tooth fairies and easter bunnies live (at least thats what I dream of 
)
Old farts and lawyers suck ass, always finding a way to suck the life out of something special when he or she are both.
Maybe before we start our next ride we can remind people about some rules it can go something like… respect red light, pick up your trash, now ride sjbp!
Jahlaen
September 20, 2009
Well, Pat, in my opinion, your comments, ideas and advice has certainly connected.
I agree with you that the incidents to which you allude should raise eyebrows and should be taken as “warning salvos” of the potential for serious mayhem in the future.
Your eloquently stated concerns should be seen as constructive criticism and should motivate SJBP organizers, as well as, all clear thinking members and sympathizers to evaluate Bike Party’s strategic and tactical plans in light of potential threats brought about by the overwhelming success of Bike Party.
I would admit that your expressed concerns are not really all that new to Bike Party. I am sure folks have been debating your stated concerns for months, but the discussions, I would presume, have been going on sotto voce, perhaps in the back office among the Bike Party clerisy.
Your comments mirrors some of my own sentiments. For example, last Friday night, while I was positioned outside a liquor store waiting for my friend who went to purchase a couple of soft drinks at the Costco regroup, I got to really observe and listen to the over-indulgent element that has aligned itself to Bike Party. My friend, who was on his first Bike Party aptly labeled this element “the dark side” of Bike Party. These crazies perceive Bike Party as the perfect vehicle to act out their warped reality.
I am absolutely convinced that this sub-group’s ideals are totally at odds with the overall principles of SJBP. And they remain the greatest threat to the very existence of Bike Party. It is depressing to feel so powerless in the presence of these folks because there is no way to reason or get through to them.
Given their over-indulgent state, shouldn’t shouldn’t be out in public, much less, riding a bicycle on the streets. And they remain a liability to Bike Party until they somehow — through God’s — find their way home and are off the streets.
I am sorry to air this dirty laundry my brethren, (porque la verdad nunca viene disfrasado), but the truth wears no disguise.
From my perspective this threat requires strong, swift and proactive action to squelch the senseless over-indulgent revelers who have aligned themselves to Bike Party. They are a ticking time bomb within Bike Party and as last Friday night’s close calls indicate will eventually go off.
Peace my bicycling brethren!
than
September 20, 2009
Thank you, pat. This is what I am talking about.
I’m interested in bike rides but I am no longer interested in SJBP. On one hand you say, “Oh, we’re not with the alcoholics, vandalizers, litters, trouble makers” but then they turn around and include those people in their “community”. It’s one or the either and as far as anyone can tell you all come in one big, uncarring package.
I love bicycling. It keeps me sane. But I never truely hated bikers until I became one and had to deal with the whole counter-culture nonsense. SJBP is turning into critical mass which exemplifies this.
Please, just respect those around you, even if they are in the minority!
watani
September 20, 2009
@80 (jake)
there’s 2 sides to every story. here’s my side – and i’ll start from the beginning of the ride.
i worked a super long day at work and got off at 8pm. high-tailed it mission college to get dressed and be ready for the start of the ride. sprinted to bowers/augustine to direct traffic. stayed there for about 15 minutes (about 500 riders). got a FEW thank you’s while most ran the red light to make the right turn despite me yelling to stop for the red light (frustrating) and didn’t see/recognize any BIRDS to take over directing traffic.
sprinted past about 450 riders to the 1st regroup, mtv caltrain. made my rounds meeting and greeting people encouraging them to ride safe. next was trash detail. i rode sober that night but from all the beer cans i crushed and picked up, i reeked of alcohol. i picked up trash for half the parking lot – ran out of trash bags.
sprinted down moffett onto middlefield towards PA. found the front of the pack and stayed with them cuz i knew everyone would miss the turn off from moffett onto leong. stopped, parked my bike and navigated traffic. again, received FEW thank yous and a the majority running the red despite me yelling to stop – even with me standing in the middle of the turn lane with my arms out signaling to stop. many were riding very fast and a few couldn’t handle the s-turn while blowing the red resulting in crashing…hard.
30-40 minutes later, you, the so-called kid and what, about 100 riders, probably more, were approaching leong. but, what everyone failed to notice or simply didn’t care, was that a car was patiently trying to get into the turn lane with her signal on since 85 overpass – so she could go home. i was yelling at everyone approaching to let the car go, make room for the car and stop for the red.
i was tired of being nice since it wasn’t working. this so-called kid who wasn’t wearing a helmet, has to wear a helmet (state law). while i was yelling to allow the car to go ahead, make room and stop for the red, he didn’t even try to do any of what i was yelling, nor did anyone else – but he was looking directly at me. he had an expression on his face that said to me “nobody else is stopping so i won’t either”. i sarcastically said to him “thanks for helping idiot”. i could have easily dropped f-bombs, but i didn’t cuz it wasn’t necessary. he cried about it and either you or someone else came to his rescue. i didn’t “flip out”. i made a loud statement to everyone about following the party rules, which coincides with state law, and if you can’t or refuse to follow them, go home and don’t come back. i mentioned again that we stop for red lights and he disagreed and validated it by saying nobody else is – or something like that. so, i gave him an analogy “if everyone jumps off a cliff, are you going to do the same?” referencing running red lights and he said “i’ll gladly be the 1st to jump”.
as far as i’m concern, he’s an idiot. i take ownership when ANYONE jeopardizes the integrity of SJBP, especially when you and the rest of your comrades that you riled up to ride how you want to ride, totally disagreeing with the party rules. yeah, antagonistic. chill out? i didn’t hear you say it and you definitely didn’t come up and tell me that cuz i would remember that. so, you might have said it but you didn’t TELL me to chill out.
it felt like i had to pull teeth to get that car through when the light turned green. she eventually got through after many still disregarded my plea, but, thanks for your assistance, jake. you waited for her to get through right? make what you want with it, but, that’s how i saw it…
my previous post, i wanted to focus on the good despite my unhappiness of the ride.
i’m still frustrated and angry cuz many people just don’t get it and it’s obvious that they don’t care. many are NOT taking ownership in SJBP on stopping at red lights and sharing the road with cars. if a car is trying to turn but can’t cuz there’s so many riders, we can’t expect the car to sit and wait until it’s clear or, have them thread the needle in between riders?! STEP UP and help the car out! we can share and let the car get through.
like i said jake or anyone else reading this, if you don’t respect the rules, do us a HUGE favor and don’t come to our party … EVER. start your own anarchic group ride.
spoke, BIRD, test-rider – SJBP
long live san jose bike party!!!
Jahlaen
September 21, 2009
Please Than, I respect your right to speak and post as you like.
But isn’t your credibility compromised?
Please go back and read all of your posts since yesterday.
You first gave the impression of being a member of Bike Party but, the truth is, you have never participated in Bike Party.
Why do you feel the need to mislead or go undercover?
It leads us to suspect that you have some hidden agenda.
At least Pat’s message is as clear as a bell and he appears to be person of integrity.
I am not trying ot impugn your integrity, however; I am confused as to your motivation.
Every month we have people who pretend to be members of Bike Party — like your yourself — and usually their objective is not in our best interest.
Please review your previous comments and you will see why I think your credibility is somewhat compromised.
Tian
September 21, 2009
I enjoyed bike party a lot. A week ahead of time I was dithering about how to tell Mountain View we were coming. Sally Lieber told me who to talk to. Friday afternoon I was on pins and needles about how it would work out. It helped a lot when Mayor Abi-Koga told me at the LMV thing “it’s better when we know ahead of time.” I am so happy it worked out as well as it did. Thank you Mountain View!
The ride was awesome. I remember talking to people more than riding, but we did a lot of both. Thank you bike party for being a highlight of my month to date!
I bailed after the Lockheed regroup. I wanted to see what the aftermath of bike party really looks like. It was much better than I’d expected. I had a roll of trash bags, 13 gallon ones. I filled three of them. I gave the first to the guy selling water to cart off in his pickup. Thanks guy! The security guys wanted the 2nd one. As I was leaving this guy in a pickup showed up intent on harvesting the recyclables. I gave him the last bag. I left some cardboard behind, but we weren’t that bad.
To make things easier for the cleanup crew, I’d like to suggest:
1) ONLY BRING ALUMINIUM CANS. Glass bottles are heavy, the bulk is a hassle to deal with, and they break. Leave the cartons and bags at the store or keep them with you. Most bags fit in pockets when empty.
2) After you’ve got empties flatten them and leave groups together. The idea is to save the time hunting for more. A pile is easy to see, and easy to pick up efficiently. Don’t worry too much about leaving cans behind. There are people that want them for the money they represent. The trick is to make it easy for them to harvest the stuff. If we do that they will follow us like dung beetles following cows.
I think the vast majority of bike party exhibited good citizenship that made me proud to be part of the ride. I saw lots of stopping for red lights, and lots of keeping right. Yeah we made some noise, but that was part of the fun. I am totally looking forward to next months ride!
Jahlaen
September 21, 2009
Tian, you are a Bike Party “SUPER TROOPER”!
Your conscientious efforts represents the best of Bike Party volunteering.
I was overwhelmed by the crowds at the Costco regroup and quickly ran out of trash bags, but, I did the best I could with what I had.
We definately meed to tighten our trash control strategy. It would certainly help if Bike Party revelers where more considerate.
Rapid Robert
September 21, 2009
I think Pat above misses the point of SJBP completely. Personally, and as a lidless adult rider, I’m shunned from all bike club activities and rides by their arrogant, meme spreading, politically correct and totally unnecessary focus on requiring helmets for everybody, always.
They often say it’s mandated by their insurance policies, but nobody can or will prove that by showing the policy. It’s the worst kind of peer pressure to buy unnecessary equipment out of over paranoia regarding legal liability, just as expressed by Pat above.
Bike clubs don’t want everyday riders on their rides. They want spandex clad, helmeted riders on brand new carbon fiber framed bikes, buying every accessory and power bar on the bike shop racks, and paying registration fees to ride. It’s “pay to play”. Just my opinion, but I think the unexpected growth of SJBP is a direct indication of the enormous community of bicyclists thr bike clubs have specifically excluded.
I hope the SJBP continues to do exactly what they are doing now.
LAWMAN
September 21, 2009
I have to commend Tian and all those Birds that helped put this together. I chuckle at the notion that some believe this is out of “control” and is on the precipice of being shut down. Has Critical Mass been shut down? Bicycles have rights to the road just as cars do. Once a month is nothing to lose sleep over. SJBP is far more curtious, and for the most part reflects the need for Santa Clara County to have something FREE and FUN for ALL. Love it or leave it, this is OUR bicycle demographic…constant, constructive work on the part of everyone can make this better. Like an extended family, your going to have a few bad apples that everyones picked up a few times hoping for the best. Leave it in the dust where you found it and Ride-On SJ Bike Party!!!
blowbyblow
September 21, 2009
This was my first bike party and it was great! I had been thinking about going for a long time and finally decided I had to try at least once for the experience if nothing else. I crashed in the first ten minutes and some other fellow helmet wearing biker (nothing against lidless riders, to each his own) helped me up and some other dude handed me the tail light that had fallen off my bike, thanks to both of you! Personally didn’t see too much debauchery, but to the dude hanging onto the car on Bowers, boo! You are only going to piss drivers off and turn cars and the community against SJBP! I would have to agree with everyone else regarding the last regroup in the garage. There was nothing like it on the way back down, thousands of bikers gliding through the night, making all kinds of noise! That was the highlight of the whole ride for me. And whoever has the loud horn, I love that! Freakin’ awsome!
Didn’t see the schmucks who messed up the signs at the garage, but boo to you too! What the heck is that all about? Mob mentality at its finest, I guess.
My final last words: to all of you who cannot keep from dropping trash on the ground, wtf? If you are carrying a backpack, keep it there and if you aren’t, find a proper receptacle. The ground is not a trash can. There should not have to be a clean-up crew, BIRDS should not have to worry themselves about picking up after pigs. I would even venture to say that all of the people who drop their trash on the ground are the same folks who run red lights and cause all the other problems that bike party does not stand for. It is called R-E-S-P-E-C-T, respect for fellow bikers, the law, other citizens, and above all else, yourself! If you don’t have respect, stay home!
Theant408
September 21, 2009
loved the ride the only bad thing was the light rail stopping b4 the event was over. The last stop from Great America was at 12:06. I drove back up first street at about 1am to pick up some friends that wouldnt fit in my ride. there were alot of people trying to get back to Downtown most of them walking there bikes.
Metal Dan
September 21, 2009
Anyone see the guy who was “headbanging” and didn’t know his bike was turning, then ran right into the car? I wonder if he’s okay. Oh and the young lady who was “headbanging” and didn’t realize she was turning into the curb near the light rail, and then kinda crashed, i wonder if she’s okay.
Cedric
September 21, 2009
Parent argument is hilarious on MT voice.
testrides
September 21, 2009
@67, @92 Stephagal – Thank you! This is the active volunteering that we need. Using sustainable methods like this will improve the bike party experience and be thrifty with donations (if there are any) by being reusable and effective. Been trying to get that specific action item (and others) for months… so thanks again! Anyone else ready to actively make sjbp better??
thee ryan
September 21, 2009
i just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has recognized all the effort put forth by organizers, BIRDS, and our huge community of cyclists.
it isn’t easy to pull something of this magnitude off, however we are doing an awesme job.
while BP may not be perfect, there are a lot of individuals who care about its success and will continue to work hard to achieve BP’s mission.
thanks everyone for an incredible night.
ks
September 21, 2009
for all those that chose not to come last Friday it was your loss… great time.
and there was a “Ride to Bike Party” ride out of san jose and campbell that you could have taken.. partied by 101 and ridden back… hell you could have gotten 10-20 of you guys to roll back, make it your ride.
i’m also hoping the drunk stupid folks and those that threw their stuff down (saw none personally) stop coming to the ride.
not saying you can’t get a lil high, but some people just don’t know when to say when.
MaroneSJ
September 21, 2009
We only rode as far as the first stop and then turned around. It was still awesome. We had to turn around because we were too tired from old water mixed with plants and made it to the first stop at 11:00. Figured we wouldn’t get home in time for dinner so we left early.
MY VOTE – Keep the starting points in San Jose.
Lots of fun still and more people following the “Rules”. Looks like things are working out for your guys. NOYCE!
thee ryan
September 21, 2009
METRO ARTICLE
we made it in Metro last week.
here’s the link:
http://www.metroactive.com/metro/09.16.09/cover-0937.html
you have to scroll about 3/4 the way down the page to get the section titled “rock and roll.” that’s where they really talk about us.
they call us “alternative athletes”. that’s pretty good.
Wuss912
September 21, 2009
I was just thinking perhaps we should have the bike party go through a sobriety checkpoint next time . if you don’t pass you get a DUI which goes on your perm record and a hefty ticket as well as your insurance goes up. could be a good way to get rid of the abusers…..
Metal Dan
September 21, 2009
I have to agree that having a DUI (or BUI) check point would minimize the drunkeness of the crowd, however, its not what Bike Party is about. I believe this would be tragic to the total morale of BP’s existance. And more effective is to encourage your peers to be compliant to BP’s “How We Ride” (in effect “Peer Pressure them to do whats right, not be DBs)
Wuss912
September 21, 2009
Sadly the abusers aren’t folks i know or am peers with so other than the disapproval of a stranger which they respond with expletives to theres not much i can do…
C
September 21, 2009
When is the next meeting or test ride.
testrides
September 21, 2009
Correction – testrides@sjbikeparty.org (have not determined date and ride route of next test ride yet)
than
September 21, 2009
You can make ad-hominem attacks all you want but it doesn’t change the fact of the situation: regardless of how you wish people would react, the way they are reacting in reality is not to your strategic interests. You can either force your agenda, in which case you will lose, or you can finesse it through and keep your “bicycle advocacy” party.
The points that pat makes are pretty good and mostly mirror my own opinions.
Either you fix this yourselves NOW or citizens, those *other* bikers you don’t like, such as myself, and government will soon organize against you.
MustangRider
September 21, 2009
I would like to comment on how much fun BP is. I was turned on to it by some friends I rode the train with, now I count the days till the next one!! I started a new job and have started to turn them on to BP..now they are hooked too!! AWESOME all the way around.
The previous posts abuots the bike shop showing up at the ride that went right past thier store. If you were at the previous BP you would have noticed them there as well. I thanks Walts Bike shop for showing up. They are doing a well needed service at keeping the bikes that need a little bit of service running so that those people can do a lit BIKE PARTY and make it all the way. It is also worth mentioning that they are selling lights, spare tubes, and other safety items that are needed for a safe nite ride.
A note to the T Shirt vendors…hell yaa…love em I wear em out and get comments all the time. People have seen or heard of the rides but wasnt sure what it was or when it would be again. I am sure to fill them in on the correct website. Has anyone else noticed what a simple typo on the web site addy can lead too? If not be sure to check out http://www.sjbikeparty.com LOL Roll on Bike Party wish it was sooner till the next one.
C
September 21, 2009
Thanks =)
HotWheels408
September 21, 2009
This was my second bike party and I had a great time. My first one in July got me back in the saddle after a 15yr hiatus. It brought me back to my high school days when me and the boys rode our bmx and mt. bikes everywhere and anytime. Bike party does get people motivated to come out and ride a bike. It got me interested all over again, and some much needed exercise I’ve been missing. You definitely get empowered riding with such a large group and it’s really an awesome and inexpensive way to spend your Friday night. A way better alternative than the bar or sitting at home! I love the vibe, seeing people costume up, the enthusiasm, the cool bikes and accessories, and of course the beautiful ladies!
I only wish some of my friends went with me on this ride, but most were turned off by the starting point distance from their homes and jeered that what was once SJ Bike Party had turned into Santa Clara, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Mt.View Bike Party. Personally, I can’t say that it’s a bad thing to go outside the normal confines. For them, having to drive to the start point or take public transit was too much of an inconvenience. Besides, I heard in the pre-ride that it was a group of DeAnza College students that started SJ Bike Party Anyway, It was definitely a stretch for some people to participate and quite a long route for even the casual rider, but at least it was flat and relatively smooth for most of the route. I chose to drive to the start point from my home near Valley Fair/Santana Row and believe I was in the middle of the “pack” for most of the ride, and I didn’t get home until 1AM!
To the several groups of riders I saw on my way to Mission College, (which by the way was a great idea for parking), you’re hardcore! You probably got home much later than I did, and added an additional 5-15 more miles to your night. I think a lot of people were screwed if they took Light Rail to get there, as most of the lines shut down close to midnight. I also noticed a lot of people did not know where the start point was once they arrived at Mission College, and were riding around bewildered.
As for the ride itself, I was aware that some of the local police departments were given prior notice and thanked them whenever I saw them. Their presence was much appreciated, just wish they could have witnessed several of the drunks I saw along the ride (one which crashed beside me into someone else), and the vandals spraying graffiti and trashing signs at the parking garage. One girl commented on how she had sweat all the alcohol out of her system. Nice! I noticed many inexperienced riders that could not or would not hold their line, had no lights or were talking on their cell phone while riding trying to reconnect with separated friends. There were several jerks cutting people off (the poor girls next to me were furious), and lots of guys that were too cool to abide by traffic laws. I was fortunate to have one of the few BIRDs that had a bullhorn near me for the latter half of the route, and she did a great job in being vocal “Are you ready?” while waiting for a green, and “People who run red lights are so not sexy!” when guys would disregard them. There also seemed to be a lot of riders that had no idea where the route ended, how long it was, or where to go. The BIRDs were not easily identifiable (although I did run into three at different points of the ride that I recognized from the Saturday pre-ride), but since I did the pre-ride I was able to answer fellow rider’s questions.
The 3rd “secret” regroup was worth “the burn” in riding up, and the music trucks were an added bonus where they were used. I’m a bit skeptical to Bike Party’s longevity with the growth in participation over the year. As everyone well knows, the bigger these things get, the harder they are to manage. More volunteers are needed, and more resources are drawn. Not to mention more noise and in turn complaints by local residents. We’ll just have to wait and see.
A word to the newbie fixie riders out there: Bike Party is not the place to learn how to ride a fixie! One kid I talked to had run into two cars and wrecked on his newly purchased fixie during the ride.
All in all it was a great night and I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next ride, which just happens to fall on my Bday! I’m going to rallye up my buds guaranteed!
Scott
September 21, 2009
@80 jake, bummer you had such a reaction to what you were told by an “old” guy, lol, but you’d do well to emulate him dude… ask those in the know at sjbp and you’ll know why.
@47, @53, Rapid Robert, you know I’ve got your back but are you serious?!? I like hands off behavior from the police, but ANY vandalism and trashing the roads,etc is unacceptable and against the sjbp mantra. Or do I have it wrong?? I gotta strongly side with “Than” and not you on this doozy:
“Hey Than … Lighten Up!
YOU throw a party for 2500. A few of them are going to piss off the neighbors and damage their lawns with, ahem, discarded beer. Somebody might even break off a neighbor’s sprinkler head with their unlawful behaviour. BIG DEAL.
Rational people have well established mechanisms for such situations. They don’t include expecting a crowd of 2500 to dutifully follow every law on the books. Join us in the real world and everything will be cool.”
FAllEN RIDER!!!
September 21, 2009
I AM THE FALLEN PALO ALTO RIDER…
One Second i am riding having fun then i blink and when i open my eyes I find my self in the Stanford medical center ER with a fractured Neck and several Fractured bones in my face… I do not know how i crashed or even have any images in my head of the crash its self. The DR said this is normal for a blow to the head as big as i took..
Does anyone know how i fell? have pics? Or know exactly where it was that i went down?
Please let me know i also want to thank everyone on this blog who wanted to know if i am ok! i ill be fine and back on my bike in a couple months!
Before the accident i could say for sure that SJBP is effing amazing it was my first one and breaking my neck cant keep me away from another one.
-kite
Rapid Robert
September 22, 2009
I don’t think there’s any possible way a crowd that big can avoid breaking laws. My point is that it’s gonna’ happen, despite the best efforts to discourage it, and the best the group can do is deal with it responsibly, as they are. Littering, noise making, not using their hand turn signals, J-walking, rolling through stop signs with 20 other cyclists and no cars present anywhere, 17 year olds smoking cigarettes and not wearing a helmet (OMG, what’s the world comming to?!?).
Vandalism like the exit sign incident obviously crosses a line. But it’s still a minor little thing, and there are plenty of ways to deal with it besides stopping the rides or turning them into sterile gatherings of the Borg advocated by Than and Pat above.
Brendan
September 22, 2009
Than,
Okay enough already, you cannot shake your magic wand or force people to think the way you think!…(thank gawd for that).
You have made your points all of them….now take a chill pill and sit back. I’m a lot of people here are getting tired of your ranting in fact, Craigs List has a special forum for that…why don’t you go there and post!
Amber
September 22, 2009
Brendan,
That was a fake post. Someone pretending to be Than. It shouldn’t have gotten approved and has been deleted.
Direct insults will not be approved. Any reference to the fake post will also be edited.
chain_n_cogs
September 22, 2009
Government against us…? It makes SJ Bikes Party sound like a cult or some terrorist organization where the FBI, DEA, CIA investigate why there are thousands of cyclists on the streets. Yea, I bet they’re thinking we’re terrorizing the streets striking fear into the hearts of citizens using scare tictac tactics.
Give me a Kit Kat bar…
John M
September 22, 2009
@kite, glad to hear you made it out of hospital. I was one of the first people to run over and try to help you out with your buddy.
If you have questions, shoot me an e-mail and i can try to fill in those gaps: johnm@sjbikeparty.org
Hope the recovery goes well.
dhug
September 22, 2009
Ahh man my comment got edited hahahaha oh well but ya bike party was too far i rode 40 miles that day probably more and it was tiring it was awsome ride though i liked the places we went but really when you get stuck in Mountain Dew with a flat or broken chain like my friend did some one has to come pick you up way out there and usually who would want to do that at 12 or 12 30 at night i was one that did sugest we go to mountain dew or sunnyvale but i was wrong not alot of people liked going all the way out there. We havent been south san jose yet i believe only los gatos but south east wud be sick.
Hubert
September 22, 2009
did you guys end up getting a leader from DT Campbell to mission college? I e-mailed volunteering and got no response ..
John Dixon
September 22, 2009
@ Fallen Rider
I was there with John M when you bailed.
I HAVE PICTURES.
You can contact me-» John@SjBikeParty.org
Please e-mail me with details of what you were wearing. BE SPECIFIC! I don’t want these pictures to be seen by anyone without your permission (Fairly gruesome) so I would like verification that I’m being contacted by the correct person.
Out of respect.. I haven’t posted them anywhere. I wanted to make sure you were alright, and not a corpse.
I’m glad to see that you’re doing well, and I pray for your speedy recovery!
HotWheels408
September 22, 2009
Hubert,
I’m assuming they did. I saw a Jeff C typed in for Campbell to start point on the emailed spreadsheet they sent out to the BIRDS and pre-riders Wednesday night.
brie
September 22, 2009
This was my fourth Bike Party, and I even attended a pre-ride a couple of months ago to test a route.
None of my friends went this month but I was determined to go because I had such a bad week. As I stood by myself, waiting for the ride to start, a man came over and talked to me. I told him I liked to write in my free time and he told me I should be writing about Bike Party. When I told him I was riding solo he told me his name and that, since I’m a young girl all by myself, if anyone should give me any trouble to just find him and he’d help.
I was slightly stunned, at the kindness of a stranger, and as I biked I thought. There are so many positive things that come from BP; meeting new people, having fun, being active, caring for the well-being of others whether it’s by checking to see if a fallen member is ok, or helping to change a flat-tire.
Yes, there are still things that need to be worked on but I have seen such a huge improvement on a month to month basis. Change cannot magically happen overnight but I feel that there are many people who are continuing to take steps in the right direction. Overall though, within BP there is something very good happening and I hope that others can see it as well.
My biggest questions, and ones I would love to ask at the next ride, are: Why are you riding? What made you get on your bike and come out?
pat
September 22, 2009
I would like to pass along an excellant comment posted in Mnt View Voice. I think credit where due is due and it is a clearly imaginative what has grown here. I have learned so much. Thank you. I wish the best luck for this vision of the SJBP leaders.
Regards
Pat
Posted by Barry Burr, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, 15 hours ago in Mnt View Voice.
As a past member of the Mountain View’s bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, I have more than a passing knee jerk reaction to the coexistence of those who bicycle in town, and those who chose to be more sedentary.
The San Jose Bicycle Party is an evolving event, and as such has been suffering teething pains which do include a similar or less proportion of the population who get drunk on a Friday night, choosing to do so on this group bicycle ride. As for me, that’s better than them doing so and then operating a motor vehicle, but less so than if they did not consume alcohol at all.
However in any large group of people, a small amount of them will act disorderly, regardless of the appropriateness or efforts by organizers to maintain acceptable civil behavior.
It should be noted that bicycling under the influence carries a $250. fine, and I hope that police department do enforce this code vigorously, not just during a San Jose bicycle Party, but at all times.
I commend the organizers for evolving an event in a rapid time, that is taking on a life of it’s own more than could have been hoped for.
However along with this, any large gathering on a Friday night will attract those who will be unruly regardless of where they are or what they do.
If you live in any neighborhood in any town where this or any other organized bicycle ride passes through, please keep this in mind, and do not condemn all for the scattered unwelcome acts of a tiny few.
testrides
September 22, 2009
Hubert – we attempted to contact you… note that we need web experts to help us make everything more streamlined and simplistic.
I’d suggest those that want to volunteer to still do so and fill out that great form here: http://www.sjbikeparty.org/who-we-are
You can also email the test rides team —- testrides@sjbikeparty.org
Looking forward to your assistance Hubert and from others as well…. thanks for your patience.
anonymous
September 22, 2009
***CAUTION***
There have been several US Supreme Court cases that confirm the right of the police to be untruthful or intentionally deceptive when they are conducting an “investigation.”
In addition there have been several cases recently were SJPD people have been exposed acting as agents provocateurs on other forums.
Another tactic reportedly used by police is to force an alleged conspirator to entice his friends to incriminate themselves.
Not so much this time, but in many previous BP forums there has been an early post begging for information or witnesses to an alleged infraction, thereby establishing an “investigation.”
Many of the more obnoxious posts in this forum and complaints from allegedly irate residents could be the police acting within this framework.
For the safety of all, please be careful what you confess to or who you incriminate in your comments here.
Haven’t the police in the cities of Campbell, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Milpitas, Santa Cara, and Mountain View been wonderful!
What a great attitude and a true dedication to public safety they have demonstrated by their actions.
The SJPD and the Santa Clara County Sheriffs stand in dramatic contrast with their “compliance by intimidation” behavior and obvious disrespect for the rights of who they call with disdain “citizens.”
Spliffer
September 23, 2009
@ Anonymous
Can’t we please just skip, at leastfor this month, the nutty political rhetoric, SJPD bashing, and paranoia BS like: SJPD is out to get Bike Party.
I think all police departments in the South Bay do a great job for their respective communities — including SJPD.
Bike Party is not the forum for you to air your personal problems with SJPD.
There are other established and legitimate channels within city government for you to confront SJPD more effectively rather than through Bike Party.
In fact, SJPD is a natural ally of Bike Party in trying to purge the minor criminal element from our rides.
Dude, if you haven’t noticed, Bike Party is 100 percent pro SJPD and all police departments.
I suggest, you toss the “rag weed” and get with something more copacetic to clarify your thoughts…
ks
September 23, 2009
@spliffer – didn’t need to be nasty about the ragweed, lol. it’s not nutty, i’d not be surprised if @anonymous is totally right. even if police can’t entrap, sometimes the sjpd’s methods have been all or nothing. i think it depends what division(s) our ride is in: http://www.sjpd.org/BFO/#PoliceDivisions
Spliffer
September 23, 2009
@ks – I think SJBP need to focus exclusively on controlling the threats and enemies within its ranks rather than creating new ones outside — especially in law enforcement.
But, for the sake of brevity, I would like for YOU & ANONYMOUS to explain to the Bike Party Admin and the whole SJBP community at what point of last Friday’s route did we cross paths with SJPD?
As far as I recall this month’s ride was outside the jurisdiction of SJPD. So, why are you two blokes dragging them into this forum.
The Bike Party community wants you to explain yourselves.
Come to think of it, this should be fun!
I don’t want to jump to conclusions by labeling you blokes: agitators and anarchists — oops… ((((( CRITICAL MASS! ))))
ks
September 23, 2009
@spliffer – chill… i don’t need to explain, but for you i will… haha
just saying sjpd can be too hands off, can be just right or in da case of July’s ride a few officers being rude on woz way pulling riders (mostly female-weird) by the handlebars asking about lights.
-the preriders may have run across sjpd last time but i read on fb from amber that sjbp avoided main ride in sj to give sjpd a break for a month. (due to some of the issues and perceived issues with sjpd)
- critical mass?? ya got me all wrong — critical manners or a smoke em if u got em kinda guy here
- why dragging sjpd in this forum?? cuz we’re gonna run into ‘em almost every month so we might as well address em
@anonymous’ comments were all reasonable questions, and stated that one can be too transparent and that our words can be used against us… sounds like a guy trying to save sjbp not to tear it down or be agitators.
please read it with that perspective!
admin
September 23, 2009
I think the SJPD argument is a waste of time.
We already live in a world in which we are all paranoid of each other. Don’t encourage any more paranoia.
Yes, we support SJPD. Yes, SJPD does many negative and silly things that we believe have a negative impact on the community (4000+ public drunkenness arrests). But hating all police officers isn’t the solution to that problem-it only amplifies it.
Like Spliffer said, take those complaints to city channels to make real changes instead of complaining on this forum.
thee ryan
September 23, 2009
RE: police debate.
instead of arguing back and forth about this, why don’t we continue working on self-enforcement. we’ve come along way with following the law and creating a positive atmosphere. the police will react to us if they need to. let’s not give them a reason. let’s be reasonable instead.
testrides
September 23, 2009
amen ryan
GZ
September 23, 2009
This was my first bike party. Awesome!!!! I will
be back. Just follow bike party’s how we ride and
everything should fall in place. Those who don’t
follow how we ride, go ride by yourself. That is
all i need to say plain and simple.
P.S. Thank all who help bike party be bike party!