General Cycling Discussion - Barhopping or Clubbing on a bike

I know some bikers probably don't understand this, but I would love to get a group of men and women together, dress up somewhere, and ride our bikes downtown to the nightlife scene on a nice summer or autumn night. There's just something special about doing something that even most cyclists say is impractical/unrealistic: an outing on a bike. Can you imagine how great it would be, seeing a bunch of attractive and well dressed people meeting up and riding their bikes down a main street checking out places along the strip? We have some main city roads that spread over the course of 4-5 miles and have bars/clubs all along the way of them, but as a pedestrian you probably wouldn't get to them all in one night.

I know that cyclists make a lot of excuses for why they wouldn't want to do this, so I've provided responses to each one:

#1 Sweaty clothes - This isn't a factor if you pick a cool enough night.
#2 Getting nice clothes dirty - Live a little! Plus if you pick a dry night, and wear something to guard your clothes from touching the chain, you should be fine.
#3 Gear - Only bring what is necessary. A cheap front and rear blinky works fine. A patch kit is another compact piece of insurrance (and maybe one pump for the crew, or just use the gas station for air). And of course, a helmet! Bring a cheap water bottle, not one that you'd cry if it got stolen. Lock the bike, leave the lights on it, and lock your helmet in with the bike too. Now when you walk into the club, it's just you, no gear.
#4 Worrying about bikes and stuff on them getting stolen or vandalized: Lock them up, but still have one person in your crew stay outside and watch the bikes in half hour shifts (then swap). Or you could just not care. I've never had anything taken.
#5 Getting home too late - It works better if at least one of you lives near the inner part of the city so that you can all crash at their place when done with the bar hopping. But if the people involved don't live too far from the meeting spot, that works well too. I've biked home at 4am, no big deal.


Positive things:
#1 It's the green thing to do
#2 Social aspect of biking together down the street
#3 Looking pretty in nice clothes rolling down the main street and catching the eyes of people
#4 Get from bar to bar with ease (transit is faster than by foot, and parking is a piece of cake!)
#5 Riding with people is fun!
#6 The money saved on gas can go towards cover charge and drinks
#7 The extra calories burned help allow for consuming more drinks without guilt!

Note: Be sure not to ride when you are too drunk to do so! Walk your bike until you are sober, then hop on it and ride. Sometimes it's better to pace yourself!


I've biked to the club alone by myself, but I would love to do it with people sometime. Anyone else feel the same way?

Feel free to add to the list of concerns or postitives!

Also, has any cyclist on here actually tried this already?

Not gonna ride while buzzed. Did it once, and I was paranoid the whole way home -- not about getting busted, but about riding stupid.

If I'm going to go drinking, someone else is driving. If I'm going to ride, I won't drink, but that doesn't mean I won't go out.

Oh, and about keeping a group together on the street during party time, at least in my area...

No way. It'll be okay if we spread out somewhat, but this isn't the time for a mini-CM from bar to bar.

And definitely not a good idea if people are drinking.

I get loaded and bike around all the time. Hell I did it tonight!.. lots of fun. Some people cant ride drunk though, my friend and I went out and got loaded and biked home, he fell and broke his collar bone and shoulder.
But sounds like a great idea!

Good thing about bikes is it is easyer to get in contact with other peopel. I sat in a staircase once outside a doctors office and waited for my friend. In 30 minutes a lot of peopel, especially old peopel stopped to talk. When you are alwas innside your car you do not meet peopel.

In a lot of the European city`s alot of peopel travel to and from work on a bike, also in suits and dresses. Maybe a special club bike if yours is not suited? They also go clubbing on bikes for sure. Fenders, chainguard and skirt guard helps. Also you can buy or make lockable trunks for bits and pieces you carry.

When I was young I worked in a farming area (small farms) and we used to walk to go to the dance on saturday, also in the winter.That would take 1 to 1 1/2 hour, depending on how fast we walked. A lot of talking and flirting went on, and also the men who was too shy to dance could get to tallk with the girls. I think about it often, what is missed when you go for fast transport.

In my nearest (small) town there is a lot of small places to go for food and drinks. Almost all has got places to sit outside the club in the summer, so you could keep an eye on your bike that way.

I sometimes take my son out riding a bike in the middle of the night, also in winter w plenty lights so he can see it can be done. I used to go out with a horse and sledge at night when I was young, the forrest is beautiful in the moonshine with the white snow.

This is maybe a bit off the topic, but it is just to support you on "do something different on your bike" or "what you do, do it on a bike".

For some peopel the clubbing bike should maybe be a trike, or somebody bring a trailer?:D

"Can you imagine how great it would be, seeing a bunch of attractive and well dressed people meeting up and riding their bikes down a main street checking out places along the strip?"

Perhaps you assume to much here... :lol:

Yeah that is what I want to see, a bunch of drunk adults ridding bicycles down the street,

You should add to your negative list:

#7 Possibility that one friend will hit a pedestrian.
#8 Possibility that one friend will hit someone's parked car.
#9 Possibility that one friend will ride out in front of a truck and become ground meat.

Negative item #9 alone is enough to forget about the whole deal.

Driving (or riding a bicycle) while intoxicated is stupid. There is nothing cool or positive about it.


What is wrong with going out for a ride to drink coffee or soft drinks? Or go for a ride, everyone has a sleeping bag on their bike, meet at your place, have a party then sack out in the living room?

I get loaded and bike around all the time. Hell I did it tonight!.. lots of fun. Some people cant ride drunk though, my friend and I went out and got loaded and biked home, he fell and broke his collar bone and shoulder.
But sounds like a great idea!

!!!!!!!!!!

Positive things:
...
#4 You are less likely to hurt someone if you do end up riding home a little tipsy


I don't know what's more frightening: the fact that you actually found a way to categorize the potential to cause harm as a "positive," or the fact that you find the potential to cause harm to be less of a concern than sweaty clothes.

I don't know what's more frightening: the fact that you actually found a way to categorize the potential to cause harm as a "positive," or the fact that you find the potential to cause harm to be less of a concern than sweaty clothes.

Good catch, I didn't even see that in the "positive" list because I was concentrating on his negative list.

Yeah you are less likely to hurt someone, that is a good one.

What you are describing is the true sport of kings. It is known as "barcycling" or "beercycling". I've had many happy hours with my trusty Rockhopper along the Orange County coast visiting the establishments.

Took a good friend from out-of-state along one a ride through Dana Point. She said that hands down no contest it was the highlight of her trip, including Disneyland.

It's not for amateurs or the faint of heart. Road bikes need not apply. Beach cruisers are best, followed by hybrids & mountain bikes.

It's not for amateurs or the faint of heart.

Agreed.

There was a group here that rode/drank together weekly on Thursdays. Called the ride, "Tour de Bar". Had a web site and everything.

A high rate of accidents and injuries eventually thinned the herd. (It's amazing how mobile trees can be, stepping out in front of bikes and all, and one rider learned the hard way not to stand on the pedals in a parking garage.) And getting kicked out of bars didn't help much either. The group eventually disbanded.

Agreed.

There was a group here that rode/drank together weekly on Thursdays. Called the ride, "Tour de Bar". Had a web site and everything.

A high rate of accidents and injuries eventually thinned the herd. (It's amazing how mobile trees can be, stepping out in front of bikes and all, and one rider learned the hard way not to stand on the pedals in a parking garage.) And getting kicked out of bars didn't help much either. The group eventually disbanded.

It's called Darwin's theory of natural selection. Unfortunately, sometimes those in the inferior stupid gene pool take out those that know better.

Not gonna ride while buzzed. Did it once, and I was paranoid the whole way home -- not about getting busted, but about riding stupid.

If I'm going to go drinking, someone else is driving. If I'm going to ride, I won't drink, but that doesn't mean I won't go out.

I've modified my original post to be more accomodating to an audience that wants to play it safe. I agree with you last sentence, you don't have to drink to ride your bike and go out! Some of my funnest times I've had clubbing was when I wasnt drinking.




This is maybe a bit off the topic, but it is just to support you on "do something different on your bike" or "what you do, do it on a bike".



This is exactly what I'm trying to get at. Some people assume bikes can only be used for getting to work or doing small errands and they can't be used for any kind of fun outing unless it's a ride through the park or something. That is simply not true!


"Can you imagine how great it would be, seeing a bunch of attractive and well dressed people meeting up and riding their bikes down a main street checking out places along the strip?"

Perhaps you assume to much here... :lol:

most serious female cyclists I know are pretty cute :) I can't vouge for the males though because I'm not gay.


Yeah that is what I want to see, a bunch of drunk adults ridding bicycles down the street,

You should add to your negative list:

#7 Possibility that one friend will hit a pedestrian.
#8 Possibility that one friend will hit someone's parked car.
#9 Possibility that one friend will ride out in front of a truck and become ground meat.

Negative item #9 alone is enough to forget about the whole deal.

Driving (or riding a bicycle) while intoxicated is stupid. There is nothing cool or positive about it.


What is wrong with going out for a ride to drink coffee or soft drinks? Or go for a ride, everyone has a sleeping bag on their bike, meet at your place, have a party then sack out in the living room?

I've modified my original post. Alcohol is not necessary to go out and have a good time. You are right, being safe is important, and that must come first and foremost. But if I were sober, I'd have no problems with riding at night, and hopefully we can get the rest of the world into that mindset too, because it's actually a lot of fun!

Yeah that is what I want to see, a bunch of drunk adults ridding bicycles down the street

Driving (or riding a bicycle) while intoxicated is stupid. There is nothing cool or positive about it.


What is wrong with going out for a ride to drink coffee or soft drinks? Or go for a ride, everyone has a sleeping bag on their bike, meet at your place, have a party then sack out in the living room?

Are you telling us you are not able to go to one or several clubs without drinking yourself senseless? Maybe the rest of us are able to do that?

"riding home a little tipsy" does not mean "dead drunk". If you are one of those, then driving a car, a cab or trying to walk home is also dangerous.

Are you telling us you are not able to go to one or several clubs without drinking yourself senseless? Maybe the rest of us are able to do that?

"riding home a little tipsy" does not mean "dead drunk". If you are one of those, then driving a car, a cab or trying to walk home is also dangerous.

Even if you a "tipsy" you are a danger to yourself and others if you are operating any kind of machinery. You don't have to be "dead drunk" to be a danger.

People with attitudes like yours is what gets thousand of people hurt and killed each year. A little drunk is OK.

And I am guilty of driving buzzed myself. I would go out and have a few then drive back home. Those were my younger days. I was lucky that nothing happened. I have also become a lot smarter since those days. I don't do that anymore. I will have at most beer when going out.

You don't get laid much do you?

it's always nice when for the rest of us when those few self-appointed superior souls offer up a bit of judgemental wisdom to the unwashed masses



get out there, round up some other cyclists, and have fun -- don't do anything dangerously stupid, and remember that bikes are fun, and not as all fired serious as some of the overly serious types here want you to believe


and don't take clubbing advice from those who haven't been out in decades ;)

this is every Thursday-Saturday night for me

You don't get laid much do you?

Better to get laid sober than, "Bed at 2 with a 10, wake at 10 with a 2".. :innocent: :lol:

bicycle pub crawls are a not-uncommon thing around here.

bicycle pub crawls are a not-uncommon thing around here.

They happen around here too, but rarely do I see a bunch of cyclists dress up like they are going clubbing.
They always wear duds and show up in small dingy joints.

I'm saying it's time to expand the mindset of America for what a cyclist can do and where they can go :)

I would totally go fer, you in québec city?

I would totally go fer, you in québec city?

Nope, I'm in the twin cities area

I used to ride hammered a lot. I loved it. One time I ended up in the hospital for 6 weeks, came out weighing 90lbs and with one less functioning part.

1. Go to England.

2. Ride with the CTC.

1. Go to England.

2. Ride with the CTC.

You don't think it could happen in America?

You don't think it could happen in America?

I'm sure it could ... but it IS happening as we speak in England. I've ridden with the CTC there ... it's quite the experience. :)

Make sure you have the proper equipment. (http://www.xyzbikes.com/catalog/cruiser-holder-black-p-190.html)

Sorry not my idea of fun at all for 1 reason. Almost Every story I read in the local newspaper of a bicyclist being run down and killed is after 12AM. Aside from riding a bit tipsy will make you have a hard time staying in your lane and not hitting a sewer grate or anything, but then you have drunks on the road that are attracted to lights (on your bike) and cant stay in their lane either with something that physics defines as much more mass than you!

No thanks, I like breathing....

People with attitudes like yours is what gets thousand of people hurt and killed each year. A little drunk is ok.

Could you show me the word DRUNK in my posting? Did you manage to read and understand it all?

Some more reading for you my friend :D

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=485104

Your whole concept reminds me of this...only on bikes

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/LeopardChic416/Zoolander.gif

Your whole concept reminds me of this...only on bikes

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l145/LeopardChic416/Zoolander.gif

:lol: That's what I was thinking; I envisioned a little more guido style, but equally hilarious.

Riding tipsy is fun -- and safe, if you're not stupid about it.

Riding tipsy is fun -- and safe, if you're not stupid about it.

I will admit I have done it once on Fire Island (where the only way you can travel is on foot or by bicycle). Unfortunately I was so zooted I hit a sign, later I landed in a bush, I also bounced off a telephone pole... I ended my journey home safe and sound, too bad I kept riding and ended up in the sand and over the handlebars on my head. A few bumps, cuts, and bruises, oh and destroyed a very expensive Versace button down.

Needless to say, as I mentioned in my earlier post, if there were cars involved.... well I don't believe they have internet access from a cemetery.

I really never had a problem riding drunk. Generally people who all of a sudden can't avoid trees and running redlights are accident-prone/wreckless/stupid to begin with, the beer doesn't really do a Jeckyll/Hyde on them.

I think they're fun. Several groups on Chicago's south suburbs sponsor progressive dinner rides. The rides are limited to about 20 riders. They hit 5 different restaurants and cover a distance of 30 or so miles. The first palce is appetizers, second place is soup and salad, third place is a main course, 4th place is dessert, last palce is a bar. Bike theft isn't problem because one of the organizers stays outside at each place and watches the bikes.

They're advertised as dinner rides so drinking isn't as much of a problem as it would be on a bar hopping or clubbing event.

I should have never including "barhopping" in the title of this thread. This entire conversation now revolves around alcohol.
Maybe I should have just said "clubbing" or better yet "swing dancing" instead.

It's pretty simple folks. Get a bunch of friends together (male, and female), dress up, get on on the bikes, and have a good time.

Do it. That's what riding a damn bike is about anyway: FUN. Let me put it this way, for the people who only see things in black and white: If you're not willing to ride your bike in any given circumstance (after midnight, out to the bar, out dancing, in nice clothes, whatever) then sell your bikes. These things we ride aren't just for "training." Get over yourselves.

Do it. That's what riding a damn bike is about anyway: FUN. Let me put it this way, for the people who only see things in black and white: If you're not willing to ride your bike in any given circumstance (after midnight, out to the bar, out dancing, in nice clothes, whatever) then sell your bikes. These things we ride aren't just for "training." Get over yourselves.

I'm not going to get over myself and plenty of people here have perfectly valid arguements with this. Where I live riding in the dark is dangerous... PERIOD. I am willing to ride wherever, but the chances of becoming road pizza goes up exponentially when the lights go out, and its a FACT here, and I'm sure in other places. Not a risk I am willing to take, and even worse increase even more exponentially by being intoxicated while doing it! IMHO Pretty stupid, just walk or call a cab.

To answer the OP that is a pretty cool idea, as long as the alcohol is kept to a minimum of course, I just wish it were safer to do where I live, but I am sure there are other places in this world where it is.

I've done it. Especially in the B-Rip in Indy. Ride the side streets, and you won't have any problem with parking and such, and where I lived, I was a block away from the Monon - just get a light, pedal like hell to get there, then cruise on to the bar, lock up against the iron railing (esp. at the Monkey's Tale) and have a few drinks. The Free Spirit was best for this. mountain bikes were also nice for curb hopping and cross-country, but in the Rip, it was always easier to dodge jammed cars than hop curbs.

We have a local Friday night ride. There are a couple of little outdoor club/restaurants along the way that we will stop at. I don't drink, but some of the folks will have a beer or two along the way. We don't dress up any at all. Regular bike attire. When I do this ride I feel like a kid all over again. It's as pure and simple as pleasure gets. We take back roads as much as possible and are lit up VERY well. We look like a URO. We show up better than autos. People hanging out on their front porches always give us a shout out. It's a great time. If you have a chance to do one of these out on the town rides at night, I'd encourage you to do it. Good times!