Biking to a hot party is a prime way to spend a Friday night, but the evening gets a whole lot cooler when the entire party cruises along beside you. This Friday The San Francisco Bike Party will throw down another installment of their monthly wild rides and everyone who likes to peddle in a pack is invited to join.
Happy, safe and playful, the SFBP is the optimistic cousin of the well-celebrated Critical Mass, a ride hosted in many cities reminding drivers to share the road with cycles. Although CM can be a social event, politics, pompous cops and irritated drivers often make the event feel heavy. On the contrary, SFBP is a straight-up party on two-wheels, with riders of all ages and skill levels celebrating their love of bikes in a easy-going fashion.
The SFBP started in January of this year and each month the co-op of organizers pre-plan a route with enticing scenery and plenty of cool rest stops, like Sunset Beach and Alamo Square. People load up racks with fat speakers and lots of extra blinkies for flashy decoration. Panniers are surely packed with all sorts of party favors and wild accessories, ensuring everyone is prepared for each dance party pull-over. Monthly themes encourage cyclists to dress up themselves and their bikes, like August's Steampunk motif and this weekend's Ghost Town edition, playing off the fact that half of the city has temporarily moved out to the playa.
This Friday, SFBG will roll through an assortment of neighborhoods, including swanky Cow Hollow, the jazzy Filmore and even a detour into Japan Town. Stops will include a sweet, hill-top playground and a super-secret surprise at the Golden-Gate-facing Crissy Field. The party will officially put down the kickstand under the Arrow at the Embarcadero but the party don't stop just because the wheels stop turning.
Not from San Francisco? Start your own bike party and make sure to send us photos.
