Northern California - FolderFest ride report

I posted a ride report in the Folder section, but here's a special NorCal edition:
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Well, what a great day and great turnout. We had about 40 riders show up for the event. Alex (X.136) came from Sacramento, another from Davis to participate. We had a real nice mix of people, both young and old. The youngest rider was 9 years old, and there were many veterans from the SF folder community. It was an unusually beautiful Summer day in in San Francisco - high 60's and NO FOG.

Ron, Paula, Alex, Pete, JoBob and LeeBob and a couple of other riders met early at the BART station with the BART TV crew and got filmed in various states of folder-hood. I got mike'd and interviewed. Hope it all turned out well. I'll provide a link to the video as soon as one becomes available.

The group starting arrive at the Ferry Bldg around 10:45. One by one, folders started arriving - Bike Fridays, Bromptons, Downtubes, Birdys and Dahons won the day, each with 5 or more represented. Two representative Moultons were there - one a 1963 AM3 and the other a new Pashley Moulton TSR30. The latter was the cause of much admiration and envy (especially from me!). What a beautiful machine! I had the only Strida there, (which kind of surprised me), and I had to answer a lot of questions from members of the group as well as passers-by. One certainly cannot be an introvert if one wishes to own a Strida, that's for sure.

We rode along the Fisherman's Wharf area of SF. Traffic is always slow there, so we took a lane and gawked at tourists as they gawked at us. It was fun! Picnic at Crissy Field gave us an opportunity to admire each others' machines. I was originally intending to have some contests and games, but the group was having fun chatting and admiring each others' bikes, I didn't want to disrupt that. After lunch, we took the opportunity for some group shots and then it was off to conquer the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was a busy Summer afternoon on the Bridge. There were lots of tourists on rented bikes intermingled with fully decked out roadies and the occasional mountain biker. Then there was us - about 20 strong at this point, on our small wheels. It must have been a sight. I wish the BART TV crew could have been there to shoot that sight, but alas, they had to go to another shoot by this point. Normally it's very cold and windy on the Bridge, but today was wonderful. Just a comfortable breeze to accompany us on this evocative and beautiful route.

After a quick stop on the other side, the group separated again. Some riders continued to Sausalito for gelato and expresso. Others turned around for the return journey.

It was a memorable outing for me. I was struck by the large turnout and by how passionate the group was. Special thanks to Pete for his showing his solidarity and riding his Yellow Taxi Langster. He's got lots of pictures to post. Another big thanks to JoBob (and hubby LeeBob) for being the field correspondent for Momentum magazine. I hope you got lots of good material to writeup.

Thanks again to all who participated! Let's do it again soon. Pictures will be forthcoming!

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Folderggb.jpg
The day in a nut shell

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/3guy.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/BartStation.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/BikeFriday.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Convoy2.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Convoy.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Fromback.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/JoandBo.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Paula-3.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/RonPaula-1.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/RonandWhat.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Ronticket.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Ron-2.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/View.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/bikeTraincopy.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/sleep.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/train.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/upsidedown.jpg

Sounds fun. I had family stuff to do in the late morning so I just did the Pen Velo ride and boogied home.
Can't wait for the pics.
Oh, I see there are pics now.

Thanks once again for an excellent party-ride, Alan! I had a great time, and I look forward to the next.

Story time, kiddies.

The foldies start to BART their way in:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0778.jpg

Soon after, BART TV set up some shots to catch us in action. Of course, Pete heard the word "camera" and came running.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0783.jpg
How does that thing fold? Shhh, they don't need to know!

After a few more shots, we rode off. A long, brutal ride later, we arrived at the Ferry Building on Embarcadero, and posed for a while. (Okay, we were waiting for all the other people to arrive.)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0791.jpg

Handily taking the title for oldest bike there was this neat 1964 Moulton.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0789.jpg

More muscle-destroying riding later, and we took a break for more posing at Crissy Field. Oh, and a picnic lunch, socializing, and more bike-gawking too.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0799.jpg

A pair of Swifts, one geared, the other fixed.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0800.jpg

And... Pete. Model or photographer? His makeup artist will never tell.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0796.jpg

Ron showed up!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0806.jpg

...with his entirely too immaculate Dahon in tow.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0808.jpg

Paula, on the other hand, knows how to get a bike dirty.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0814.jpg

Tiring of camera wars, Pete and Ron engage in a game of "point at things."
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0834.jpg

After that, some people peeled off, there was a ride over the Golden Gate, a few people split off to go further (with a couple visiting from Barcelona in tow!), and some headed back to the mean streets of San Francisco to catch their respective trains.

All in all, it was a great day of riding, and a great day for riding. It was very nice to escape Sacramento's especially craptastic weather and atmosphere to spend a day in the perfect San Francisco climate with friends.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b359/x136/Folder-Fest%202008/img_0811.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Ronticket.jpgThis is simultaneously the most hilarious and creepy picture I've seen today. I very nearly inhaled my drink when I noticed the background. :lol:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/View.jpgThis picture, meanwhile, is beautiful. Your camera is screwed up in the most pleasant way.

If you have this one in a resolution of 1920x1200 or greater, I'd love a copy. :)

I like that my seatpost/saddle in front of the bridge was noticed by more than one person, too.

This is simultaneously the most hilarious and creepy picture I've seen today. I very nearly inhaled my drink when I noticed the background. :lol:We could have made it even more creepy if I had been behind Ron...Especially since I took the picture!

This picture, meanwhile, is beautiful. Your camera is screwed up in the most pleasant way. I take artistic freedom in reproducing how I see things...Too many bumps on the head :lol:

If you have this one in a resolution of 1920x1200 or greater, I'd love a copy. :) think I do

I like that my seatpost/saddle in front of the bridge was noticed by more than one person, too.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/upsidedown.jpg

Now that's creepy! :wtf:

so bummed I missed out on this. Had to stick around here for our 11th anniversary. I really wanted to meet James_swift and try out a tikit.

Even more photos ... but before we get to that, I want to thank Alan for putting this together. This was a hoot, a lot of fun. Thoroughly enjoyed it:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/97f0d98a.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/8e4ba5e4.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/57c7e588.jpg

Picnic!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/5268d9fd.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/505e98b6.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/4b958bb8.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/0696ba57.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/e34bdbdc.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/661a3fc0.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/18d53d07.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/fa7a4909.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/684fd3ec.jpg

I have no explanation for this!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/364172e8.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/65e7c555.jpg

Some of us went across the GG bridge. We also wanted to try each other's folders out. Some were just too large
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/dce9120e.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/73d11a73.jpg

That looks like you guys had sooooooo much fun!! Fantastic pics, everyone! That one with the kid sleeping in the child seat is great! :D

Of course Pete taking the model's pose was perfect too.

That one of the station agent....OMG that was funny in the background!! :lol:

Paula is always smiling as usual, and X, I love that one of the saddle and the bridge as well...great job. :thumb:

I take artistic freedom in reproducing how I see things...Too many bumps on the head :lol:Last time I gave a camera a bump on the head, it took fully unfocused pictures for a few minutes, then shut down forever. I would have loved if it became an "artistic" camera instead!

think I doCool, PM me a link if you find it?

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/57c7e588.jpgI are serious x. This are serious face.

I have no explanation for this!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/364172e8.jpgI think he was threatening to "fold" (disassemble) his bike. :P

That looks like you guys had sooooooo much fun!!You should have a folding bike by next time and come along. There was less climbing than the Oddball ride, and lots of rest stops. :)

Paula is always smiling as usualI swear, she has some kind of sixth (or seventh) sense. She can sense when cameras are around.

Me, on the other hand... I manage to not notice the camera at all, and either face the wrong direction or make an unintentionally goofy face. If I knew the cameras were there, I'd make an intentionally goofy face, dammit!

Last time I gave a camera a bump on the head, it took fully unfocused pictures for a few minutes, then shut down forever. I would have loved if it became an "artistic" camera instead!

Cool, PM me a link if you find it?
I actually meant I had too many bumps on the head... I manipulate everything. I get bored otherwise.

If I knew the cameras were there, I'd make an intentionally goofy face, dammit!

... you mean like I do? :roflmao2:

I actually meant I had too many bumps on the head...I hope the bumps on your head weren't gained the same way as your cameras! :eek:

... you mean like I do? :roflmao2:Exactly!

I swear, she has some kind of sixth (or seventh) sense. She can sense when cameras are around.

Meh, plenty of goofy shots of me too. There's just lots of pictures of me smiling cause I was having so much fun! :D

I only took 2 pictures as I saw everyone else was busy with their cameras.

From the morning's BART ride from Millbrae to Embarcadero:

http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/folders01.JPG

http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/folders02.JPG

http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/folders02.JPG

And that was just a reflector, not a light. Dang, my reflector does reflect light pretty good, doesn't it?

I hope the bumps on your head weren't gained the same way as your cameras! :eek:

Exactly!

Ahh Yeah of course!:twitchy:

You should have a folding bike by next time and come along. There was less climbing than the Oddball ride, and lots of rest stops. :)

Well to be honest with you, since you got yours, I've been googling....;)

There was less climbing? Dang!! I missed out!! :eek:

Well to be honest with you, since you got yours, I've been googling....;)

There was less climbing? Dang!! I missed out!! :eek:

There are always flat options ... you just gotta be persistent.

http://www.zaftig.net/images/bike/guads.jpg

Alan, is there something you're not telling us? Let me know your supplier. I could use some help.

Oh yay, more photos !

Here are mine ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/14212338@N04/sets/72157606136707609/

http://www.zaftig.net/images/bike/guads.jpg

Alan, is there something you're not telling us? Let me know your supplier. I could use some help.

Hey! You and your PhotoShop need to leave my guads alone!!!:notamused:






:roflmao2::roflmao2:

There are always flat options ... you just gotta be persistent.

I'll need to go on the next flat adventure. I just need at least two weeks notice. :thumb:


http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/bikeTraincopy.jpg

Haha. A taxi waitin' on a BART train. That's funny. :lol:

Alan, is there something you're not telling us? Let me know your supplier. I could use some help.How ya think he was able to keep up on that rubber-band-powered umbrella bike? :P

Great report and turnout for the ride! Pete should have used his charm to get into drivers seat of that street car. That would be a classic pic.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Folder%20Fest/42491305.jpg

Hey! We were in Seattle and couldn't come, so thanks for all the photos and report. You guys are just too cool, or weird, or cool, or weird, or .. wait... both. That's it.
I want a folder now and I don't need one at all. i just lust.

BTW, Did ths make the tube? Is the online vid somewhere?

BTW, Did ths make the tube? Is the online vid somewhere?

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyY4gv_KG44

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhyrTKqPfLY

BTW, Did ths make the tube? Is the online vid somewhere?

The BART TV production should be up in two weeks....

The BART TV production should be up in two weeks....

In case people missed this:

http://www.bart.gov/news/barttv/?&cat=27&id=429

In case people missed this:

http://www.bart.gov/news/barttv/?&cat=27&id=429

How'd they find that dashing and knowledgeable guy to interview? :D

I found the video the other day, but it doesn't work for me for some reason. Boo.

I found the video the other day, but it doesn't work for me for some reason. Boo.

Try a different browser?

Excellent. Did they give you prompt cards to read off? You sounded like an "official" spokesman.

Try a different browser?Don't have one. (Well, except lynx/links, but I'm pretty sure there's no Flash plugin for that one. ;)) Probably some sort of hidden platform dependence, despite being a Flash app.

I want one.