Thursday Evening Cruiser Rides

 

Originated many years ago by the folks at the Sports Garage, this weekly evening ride around town has become its own event.  Many weeks with halfway good weather see 50 or more riders show up and some of the largest gatherings of past seasons have gone over the 100 rider mark.  Folks are mostly riding cruiser type bikes though anyone on any kind of bike is welcome to join in.  There are typically a few teenagers and a handful of us older folks, with the 20-35 or so age bracket making up the bulk of the group.  Customized or decorated bikes are right at home; outrageous dress or costumes are applauded; bells, horns and other noisemakers are encouraged.

Most riding is done on smaller non-artireal streets, alleys, bike paths, downtown streets, campus and Uni-hill areas and the occasional cruise up and down a parking garage.  Roundabouts frequently become special events, with the entire group packing in and circling noisily for a couple of laps before a lead group peels off in a new direction.  At some points the ride is in conflict with cars, most commonly for the fact that such a large group of riders wanting to stay together must sometimes consume a full lane of the road.  Most drivers are patient and willing to yield to the group, and are given friendly waves of thanks.  Some drivers are very supportive, waving and honking, asking where and when they can join in.  A provisioning stop for some riders is usually made at one or another liquor store (support your local merchants).  A 15-30 minute gathering (or dance party if a "music bike" is in attendance) can be expected to punctuate the ride at some location thereafter.  Rides typically finish up at one or other downtown eating-and-drinking spot.  This last is loads of fun for those inclined, but the finish of the ride typically being closer to bedtime in greater "old fogie land", some riders choose to bail out at that point.

The ride is loosely organized.  No announcements of rules or plans are made.  The ride pretty much starts and stops and changes direction whenever a distinct chunk of rides takes the lead.  No political or protest agenda is in operation with most riders wanting to keep distinctively away from being a "critical mass"-type ride.  The ride does end up achieving some of the best goals of other group rides.  It gets a large group or riders out on the streets, as friendly if not always well-behaved traffic.  It promotes its form of group biking as an easy-going and fun community activity.  The cruiser group also gets together for other special event rides such as the Kinetics parade, Boulder-360, New Belgium's "Tour de Fat", Denver's "Moonlight Classic" and the Parade of Lights.

It's not for everyone but I encourage any BBCers that might like the sound of this to come and see about joining every Thursday anywhere from  7-7:30pm starting at the Scott Carpenter Park located on the South West corner of Arapahoe and 30th St.  It is sustained by smaller to very small groups through most of the winter but has its best season throughout the daylight savings time months.