As part of my maternity leave, I’ve asked a group of wonderful bloggers submit a guest post to Simply Bike for the coming weeks. Their posts encompass everything that I love about these people who I have come to know through the online (bike) community and whose words and images never cease to inspire me. They lead thoughtful and engaged lives; make connections to their community (be it by biking or advocating for greener living); they appreciate local foods and businesses; and they promote a healthier and more sustainable way of living just by setting an example.
Today’s post comes from the talented crafter and fellow cyclist CB of The City Bird’s Nest. Join her as she takes us along on a San Francisco bike party…
hi everyone! i’m cb from the citybirds nest and i was so delighted when s. contacted me about doing a guest post while she is nurturing her brand new little nugget!
i wanted to share with you the one of the delights of riding here in the sf bay area…two words…BIKE PARTY!!! here in the bay area we are lucky to have two bike parties, the sf bike party which is held every first friday of the month and the east bay bike party held on the 2nd friday of the month!
what is a bike party you ask? well, it is one of the most fantastic things about riding and being a part of a biking community. think critical mass but calmer, no cops beating innocent bikers, following the flow and laws of traffic but still able to have all the fun of being in a huge group and celebrating being a rider. people of all types gather together and ride the rolling hills of the bay area. weather they are fixies, mountain, road, unicycle or tricycles hauling speakers for us riders to enjoy loud tunes everyone is welcome!
man is it a site to see all these people riding together! on top of it just being a mass of people riding, the rides are also themed! from love, birthday, st. patty’s, robots, rites of spring & skirts, everyone dresses up and what is funner then riding a bike dressed up? none that i can see!
what is really great about the bike party is that people in the streets and in their homes get really excited about the ride to! cheering and clapping as we all ride by, makes for a community and respects each other and encourages more riders to get out on the streets and conquer the pavement jungle.
like what you see? the people who started these awesome rides are regular bike riders just like you…they are a part of a co-op and with volunteers that help set up each bike party route and help guide riders and help traffic while the ride is rolling along. so easy right? so easy you could start one in your home town!! hope this has inspired some to take that step and great a fantastic bike party in your community!
as the famous freddy mercury said “get on your bike and ride!”
xo,
cb
This is totally off-topic (although I have been loving the guest posts!), but I know you have a breakfast board on Pinterest and thought that perhaps you might enjoy this gallery as much as I have. (I found it through an old A Cup of Jo post.) Take care! http://jonhuck.com/breakfast/index.htm
Oooh, I love that! Thanks for the link!