SesameCrunch

Since the UK guys are meeting for a Folder gathering, I thought I would see if there's interest in a similar event for folks in the SF Bay Area.

Here's my proposal for a FolderFest in mid July, say Saturday, July 12th. We meet at the SF Ferry Building in downtown at 11am. This will allow us to arrive via public transportation (to embody the spirit of folding bikes) from all over the Bay Area - BART, Muni, Caltrain, Ferry, etc. We ride through the Embarcadero (gawking at tourist as they gawk at us) to the Marina for a picnic on the Marina Green (so bring a backpack with picnic lunch, or stop at the Marina Safeway for lunch goodies).

During lunch, we can have some contests - fastest fold, longest hands-free ride, longest track-stand are some fun contests that come to mind. No speed contests though, too crowded around there.

After lunch, we can ride around the Presidio, or the more adventurous ones can ride across the Golden Gate Bridge and up the Marin Headlands for the best view in the Bay Area.

If we do this, I'm thinking I'll call up the local news orgs and have them cover it. Should be of interest to them, especially now with gas prices up and more people interested in commuting with folders. I'll post this message in the Northern California sub-Forum too and drum up interest.

ANYONE INTERESTED?

snafu21

Me. send me a plane ticket, huh? I'll bring the London New Folding Army over..


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Seperate Folder EVENTS THREAD NOW!

BruceMetras

Sounds good to me.. I could take the ferry over... my Birdy buddy and I were talking about just that type of gathering while riding in the rain (?!?!) on Saturday...

nekohime

+1, there should be a sticky for folder events. The thread for the event will still be separate, and only organizers should be allowed to post on the sticky thread to prevent clutter and such. Umm...now who is our mod?

folderster

Sounds great. Mrs. Folderster and I are both in for the first leg.

msincredible

Sounds great, I'm in!

mulleady

Nooooooooo! Too bureaucratic Should all be allowed to post as part of the dialectic nature. Makes it more fun. For example the emergent clutter on the Hyde Park event thread became logic in that we meet at the QE gate and then pass via the Boathouse for anyone wishing to join the folding bike extravaganza there!

I would give anything to join you guys in the lovely city of SF for a ride! Maybe one day.............

nekohime

No, the discussion thread would be separate, so the fun in planning would still be there. You'd only post details to the events thread once stuff is reasonably finalized, so that other people can look at just one place to see all the events going on.

edit: here, see this thread
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/422514-official-folding-bike-events-thread.html

edit again: Hmm, teh bf and I *were* planning to drive up there during the summer...we'll see about that.

msincredible

Here's our NorCal event calendar, the format seems to be working well so far.

Oh cool, hope you can make it!

mulleady

Am I welcome too MI? Sniff

mulleady

Sounds logical, sorry for the misinterpretation!

Live long & prosper! May the fold be with you................

nekohime

The SoCal one is similar, though it's not updated. Speaking of which, I will edit the sticky to add more info and links.

mulleady

NoCal sounds like a local brand of diet coke from the Napa Valley and SoCal sounds like the sugary version......................

msincredible

Of course, please come!!!

mulleady

I might steal that Birdy of yours if I do lol. Well I would if it was in anthracite. I want to add an anthracite Rolhoff Birdy to my raw lacquer Brompton! OMG I test rode and saw one in that colour, absolutely divine!

Donations welcome

sahadev

Great idea SC! I will be there with my DT. I have wanted to ride in SF for awhile now. This is a great opportunity to get my feet wet. I am also looking forward to seeing everyones else's bikes. Ample notice like this also gives us a chance to spread the word to other folder riders. I see them in my area regularly.

I agree that press coverage is a good idea, both for folders and for bikes in general. CalTrain and BART would also be good contacts. BART currently has a campaign promoting folding bikes and CalTrain seems to always promote bikes in general.

And I know this is asking a lot, but let's also ask for some sunshine and warm weather! That would definitely be a treat and a rarity in SF in the summer.

SesameCrunch

Great to hear there's interest! Book the date on your calendar and spread the word. I'm probably going to distribute some flyers to some of the bike shops that sell folders also.

We'll have a great time!

bokes

I'll be there. I'll write a post of the SF Bike Friday yahoo group to see if they want to join us.

edit: oh yeah, what time??

lyen

Which folding bike would you guys suggest me to bring? Dahon Cadenza, Dahon Helios SL, Dahon Roo El, Dahon Speed Pro, or Brompton M3L? Besides, what else should I be carrying with me other than food & water?

kb5ql

July 12th Great date, except it's our anniversary. Hmm...

Definitely won't be winning the fastest fold category.

SesameCrunch

Ha Ha Ha! That's my dilemma also. I guess we'll have to ride a different one to each successive year....

SesameCrunch

So we won't mind if you bring your wife and kids (but only if they ride the XtraCycle).

SesameCrunch

That would be great if you inform the Bike Friday group!!!

I propose meeting at 11am at the Ferry Building.

sahadev

SC - If you email the flyer to me I can distribute it here on the peninsula. There are six shops within an easy ride of my home. PM me if this works for you.

And to you guys with multiple bikes - bring all of them and a friend each to ride them. It would be great to see such a display of folding bikes.

bokes

Or another idea, how bout we say which folder we'll bring, so you multiple folder owners can maybe choose to bring one that is lacking, and then we'll have a nice variety.
I'll start, Bike Friday NWT