Bike Party

One of the few traditions that have been started here is walking to the gas station around the corner to stock up on junk food and energy drinks. It has gotten to the point where the man behind the cash register knows me and even let 64 cents slide one time when I didn't have an extra dollar.

Friday night, upon walking up the small hill to get there, I noticed a bunch of bicycles going by, with their lights shining on the road. At first, I just assumed it was a small get together of friends taking a nighttime adventure on the main street of Los Gatos. But then, the bikes never stopped coming. I watched in awe from the moment I saw them until the moment I left the gas station, bag full of chips in hand. Outside, some kid was dressed like a teletubby. 

When I got home, I excitedly told everyone about what I had just seen and from there, we found out that it was the San Jose Bike Party. On the third Friday of every month, riders can meet at a rotated meeting place in the South Bay area and ride the planned route. A different theme is also picked out: last week's was 'That 70's Ride.' Next month is still a mystery, yet the website promises it will be special.

The rides, according to the website (which you can go to here) "aim to demonstrate a tangible alternative to car-based transportation and continue to provide a focal point for the local bike-friendly community for the long term."

The rides, which start at 8pm each time, are usually around 30 miles long through the San Jose suburban areas and they promise that even if you're out of shape, it's slow paced and the adrenaline rush of riding in a group gives you the stamina to get through it all. Since the beginning of the party in 2009, the rider count is around 2,700 riders and during the summer months, it grows due to the warm weather. I love their mantra:

"A bicycle is freedom, a bicycle is friendly, and a bicycle is life." 

Anyone in the Bay area should definitely check it out, if they're unfamiliar with it anyway. It seems like a cool, fun way to meet people. As I watched from the window, it seemed like a ride for all ages, even though it is suggested that it's for the over 18 crowd. Below are some pictures that I grabbed from the Bike Party's Flickr page!

And, in honor of today being Father's Day, go check out this awesome slide slow on BuzzSugar featuring fatherly advice from movie dads.