You are cordially invited to a city cruise and garden tea on Sunday, September 21, 2014.
Bike tour rolls out from the Old Main Post Office on 105 N 1st Street, San José at 12:30 pm.
Tea at Two directly follows at 2:00 pm across 1st Street in St James Park.
Slip on your Sunday best and grab your most stylish bike for a slow cruise through some of San José’s most bikeable historic neighborhoods followed by tea in the park. We’ll begin with a spin in the Victorian Hensley District, roll through Japantown, then head off to turn-of-century Naglee Park, and finish with highlights in the heart of downtown. Along the way we’ll share San José’s largely untold, fascinating, and sometimes sordid history as we cruise along for 6-8 miles on lower-traffic city streets and new buffered and green bike lanes.
We’ll end our tour with tea and cookies under the trees in St James Park, 19th-century San José’s central plaza. Whether you prefer hearty Irish Breakfast, delicate Chamomile, healthful Green, or exotic Chrysanthemum Pu-erh blend tea, we’ll have something for you. You’re also welcome to bring a blanket and a picnic lunch too.
The Sunday Soirée is just a small part of a bigger Bike Life Festival in St James Park where you’ll find all kinds of bike fun: unique bikes, workshops, skills demonstrations and a gear swap, plus music and bike-inspired art. For your bike’s safety, bike valet parking is available at the festival free of charge.
When: Sunday, September 21, 2014. Ride begins at 12:30 pm, Tea at 2:00 pm in St James Park
Where: Ride meets on steps of the US Post Office on 105 N 1st Street in downtown San José
Who: Anyone who is comfortable riding city streets at a cruising pace.
Please RSVP so we’ll bring enough tea and cookies for all. Many thanks to the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition for sponsoring this social event, and for working to make San José a better, more pleasant city for bicycling.
Daly
September 14, 2014 at 11:46 am
Hmmm…I just might have to head over the pass!!
ladyfleur
September 16, 2014 at 11:53 am
We’d love to have you! Do they do anything like this in your area. I can totally see it in the Reno area, maybe with a Western twist.
Biking in a Skirt
September 15, 2014 at 11:59 am
Sounds lovely! First question, will we be using the normal traffic lane where legal? I am too risk-averse to want to spend my afternoon worrying about the right hooks, left crosses, and driveout collisions that happen at intersections when bicyclists operate at the edge. I conscientiously avoid these by following the rules of movement and using the center of the lane, where I’m most visible, predictable, and safe. Knowing I’m safe makes for a much more pleasant ride.
Second question, will we be obeying traffic laws? After intersection conflicts caused by edge cycling, many collisions are caused by bicyclists running red lights and blowing stop signs. I would rather be safe than save myself a bit of momentum.
I would feel comfortable joining the group if we plan to follow best safety practices.
ladyfleur
September 15, 2014 at 12:15 pm
I will follow traffic laws and lead in a way that encourages others to do likewise. We will wait as a group at red lights and regroup if necessary when the group is split by a red light.
Some of the streets are quieter neighborhood streets without bike lanes. People can ride as they see fit within the lane. Others have bike lanes (e.g. San Fernando, 3rd St) where both the law and I expect people to ride within them unless there are obstacles, turning left, etc.
Ultimately, each of us is responsible for our own behavior and our personal safety.
Biking in a Skirt
September 15, 2014 at 11:55 pm
Glad to hear your red light policy!
Regarding bike lanes, it turns out that left buffers and barriers change bike lanes (mandatory use) into bike paths (optional use). Legally, “left-buffered bike lane” and “protected bike lane” are oxymorons, despite common mislabeling.
Details here: https://www.facebook.com/Dan.A.Gutierrez/media_set?set=a.2688959754579.129764.1574017310
So I would probably choose to stay out of those optional facilities, depending on conditions. I’ll see how I’m feeling Sunday. It sounds like a lot of fun!
Elaine
September 15, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Hi Janet, Will you please tell people that they can leave their helmet with their bike? I am so tired of seeing people carrying their helmets around when nobody would ever want to steal it. Putting somebody else’s helmet on is like wearing their dirty socks.
ladyfleur
September 15, 2014 at 12:18 pm
I generally lock mine with my bike, but always doubted anyone would steal it. I can’t imagine there’s a market for used helmets and the kind of people who steal bikes generally aren’t the kind who wear helmets. There will be a bike valet at the festival regardless, so we won’t have to worry so much about theft.
Besides, I have to take off my helmet so I can put on my fancy straw hat.