Invited You Are: Empire Bikes Back Star Wars Day ArtRide & Lotsa Nat’l Bike Month Fun
Posted: May 4, 2012 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, how to develop a bike culture, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club | Tags: first fridays, league of american bicyclists, May the Fourth Event, National Bike Month, Star Wars Day | 1 CommentIt’s CycloMAYnia and National Bike Month is officially here in the US! With longer, milder days in the northern hemisphere, it’s time to recognize bicycling for the multitude of benefits it provides – improving our health, economy, and environment.
Here in Ventura, weather is a crapshoot. We’ve had rainy first Fridays every single month of the year–and 70 degree night rides too! Fortunately, for tonight’s Star Wars Day First Friday ArtRide “The Empire Bikes Back” the weather should be PERFECT.
So light your bike like your favorite Star Wars vessel, energize your light saber, find your robes, gather your buddies and meet us at 5:30pm tonight at the Artists Union Gallery or outside Aloha Steakhouse on the Ventura Beach Promenade for a ride to various galleries and art studios around downtown and the west side.
Because INVITED YOU ARE!
Here are three more ways to make the most of this year’s National Bike Month from the PeopleForBikes.org crew:
1) Go for a type of bike ride that you normally wouldn’t: If you’re a road rider, try a mountain bike ride. If you’ve never ridden your bike to work, give bike commuting a shot. And if the ride to work isn’t something you can tackle this year, ride your bike to run an errand you would normally do by car, even if it’s just a trip to the coffee shop or ice cream parlor.
40% of trips Americans take are two miles or less, an easy bicycling distance.
2) Introduce one other person to bicycling. Whether it’s your partner, a coworker, a family member, or just a friend, help someone find a bike and go for a fun ride. Bicycling is a pretty amazing thing, right? Why not encourage someone else to discover the activity that brings you so much happiness.
Invite them on an ArtRide! June 1 is Secret Agent Man!
3) Participate in one or more National Bike Month events. A list of community rides can be found at the League of American Bicyclists, and here are some key national events:
- National Bike to School Day (May 9)
- CycloFemme, the International Day of Women’s Bicycling (May 13)
- National Bike to Work Week (May 14-18)
- National Bike to Work Day (May 18)
- National Bike Challenge (May 1-August 31)
This May and this summer should be an amazing time for bicycling in America. An increasing percentage of our national leaders recognize bicycling as a simple solution for transportation challenges, jobs and economic development, and health and obesity issues. Communities are investing in bike lanes and paths more than ever, helping bicycling to become safer and stress-free. We encourage you to take advantage of these new places to ride by participating in National Bike Month!
Happy riding!
May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day ArtRide–The Empire Bikes Back!
Posted: April 22, 2012 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, how to develop a bike culture, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club | Tags: beach promenade, Empire Bikes Back, san buenaventura, Star Wars Day May 4th, vacation | 1 CommentNOTE: Join us for the 2014 Star Wars Day Ride: The Empire Bikes Back 2! Details here.
May the Fourth Be With You! Celebrate Star Wars Day, Friday May 4 with The San BuenaVentura Artriders Bicycle & Social Club for “The Empire Bikes Back” ArtRide!
Meet 530pm
Ventura Beach Promenade: By the Fountain, Aloha Bar, Artists Union Gallery
330 So California St, Ventura CA 93001
Ride 6pm
Art Galleries & Studios
Afterparty? Follow us there!
Free! Family Friendly! Light Your Bike! Bring your own mug! Join our facebook group!
Spring Has Sprung! And the Bunny Will Hop! First Friday ArtRide Ventura April 6, 2012
Posted: March 24, 2012 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: Active Transportation, ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, how to develop a bike culture, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club | Tags: bunny ears, egg hunt, travel, vacation | 3 CommentsJoin us for the Bunny Hop! Hop on your bike in your bunny ears and your easter best for the April ArtRide around town!
We meet at 5:30pm around the fountain on the Ventura Beach promenade by the parking garage and Aloha (where you can get your bunny ears a bit fuzzier! Bet we an get some drink specials for wily wabbits!) We’ll take photos and visit the show at the Artists Union and roll off into the sunset sometime between 6 and 6:30pm. We usually lap Main and cruise Ventura Avenue during this leisurely, fun, family friendly and FREE ride!
Bring your own cup for libations! Decorate and light your bike!
Please invite your friends! You can download a full size Bunnyhop pdf flyer and the Bunnyhop 4 up flyer here.
Save the date! We’re planning a second Bunny Hop on Sunday April 15–escape from the tax man! Meet at 11am at the Jolly Oyster, ride along the Beach and River Bike Paths to Old Creek Ranch and Vino V wineries for picnic, poetry, egg hunt, and tasting! More details to follow!
FF ArtRide: The Brides of March
Posted: February 26, 2012 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club | Tags: Brides Ride March 2012, san buenaventura | 1 CommentIt’s a nice day for white wedding Friday March 2!
The San BuenaVentura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club
requests the honor of your presence
The Brides of March Brides Ride
March 2, 2012
5:30pm Photographs
Ventura Beach & CA St.
6pm Ride to
Galleries & Art Studios
—>formal attire requested
BYOB sparkling beverages
BYOB flutes, mugs, etc
RSVP https://bikergogal.wordpress.com or on our Facebook Group page or event page.
DownloadBridesRide12full size here. Download BridesRideMar12 6 up on legal size.
We Ride every First Friday!
bride drawing by the illustrious Claudia Pardo
Rides: Heart Moves 2/2 & Pretty & Pink 2/3
Posted: February 2, 2012 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club, Santa Barbara Bike Moves | Tags: san buenaventura, santa babara, wheelhouse | Leave a commentBig changes for Santa Barbara Bike Moves! Tonight, Thursday, 2/2/12, console your broken heart on the LAST RIDE WITH THE WHEELHOUSE!

Ventura December ArtRides? Santacon On?
Posted: December 2, 2011 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, how to develop a bike culture, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club | Tags: Santacon Ventura, Ventura Santacon Bike Ride | Leave a commentIs there a First Friday ArtRide in Ventura tonight?
Here’s my answer:
There is if you show up and ride!
Following the news in October that I was stepping back and letting others come forward to help with the ArtRides, we held a meeting to discuss whether and how the ArtRides would continue.
While the consensus was to hold fewer rides and put more energy into promoting them, a couple riders said they would ride regardless of whether anyone else did or there was any publicity. As far as I know, Daniel and Matt plan to ride.
While we discussed the challenges of having a ride on a workday so soon after people get off of work, as far as I know the start time did not change. However, the truth is, folks show up when they can. Often people meet as early as 5pm to have drinks at Aloha before the ride. Since we meet at the Artists Union, that’s usually a first stop. So we rarely leave the Promenade much before 6:30p. If we hear that a rider is on the way, we try to wait or to communicate where we’re going.
We don’t leave riders behind; please tell lots of people if you leave the ride so we’re not searching for you.
So if you want to ride, meet around 5:30p around the Artists Union Gallery, Aloha, and the Ventura Beach Promenade. The Ride will commence when riders leave sometime after 6pm.
Don’t be a darktard–take after Rudolf and light your bikes!
There does seem to be more enthusiasm for a Sunday Santacon Dec. 11. Meet 2pm at the Ventura State Beach by the Jolly Oyster. Potluck follows. Here’s a pdf of the flyer: Santacon version 2
There’s also a traditional pub crawl Santacon being organized elsewhere by others for Saturday night December 10.
Rudolf & The Red Nose Riders + Sustainable Living Bike Tour in Santa Barbara 12/1
Posted: December 1, 2011 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club, Santa Barbara Bike Moves | Tags: bike lights, darktard, holiday bike rides, Santacon | Leave a commentThursday, December 1st, Friday December 2, and Sunday December 11, to get your jollies on–while riding your bike!
Remember to light up your bike with Christmas lights as well as legal ones–you don’t want to spend your Christmas money on a ticket for riding without a headlight!
Th. Dec. 1, meet Rudolph and his red nosed riders at the Wheel House at 7:30 to merrily roll along State Street in all your seasonal glee.
Down at the pier, an epic reindeer bike sumo battle will determine who will guide Santa’s sleigh this year. Afterward head to Red’s bar and tapas for a gay ol’ time and a festive assortment of beverages.
Come down to the Wheelhouse early to support the Sustainable Living Bike Tour. Meet the riders and watch a slideshow documenting their epic ride so far from San Francisco.
Then Friday, Dec. 2, San Buenaventura ArtRiders will meet in holiday attire at 530pm for a 6pm ride around town to visit studios and galleries open for First Friday.
Sunday Dec. 11, weather permitting, the San Buenaventura ArtRiders will do a Santacon on bikes.
Happy Holidays! And remember–don’t be a darktard– light your bike!!
Dia De Los Muertos ArtRide 11/4/11
Posted: November 2, 2011 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, Fun Rides, how to develop a bike culture, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club | Leave a commentThis Friday Nov. 4, the San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club invite you to celebrate Dias De Los Muertos with an ArtRide con calaveras!
5:30pm: Meet and hang out on the Ventura Beach Promenade
6pm: Photos then ride off into the sunset
So find your bones or paint some on and
LIGHT YOUR BIKE!! It’s gonna be dark out there!!
(Seriously, you can get a ticket if you don’t have headlights and tail lights and reflectors on your bike! In Santa Barbara, we have seen several people written up for $150 tickets for not having appropriate lights on their bikes!)
Gothtober Quidditch ArtRide Report & Photos
Posted: October 8, 2011 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, how to, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club | Tags: Gothtober Quidditch Bicycle Ride, Harry Potter theme costumes examples, how to Harry Potter theme costume | Leave a commentLast night we had a small but enthusia
stic turnout for the Gothtober Quidditch ArtRide.
We had a few hoodlums, ghouls, wizards, witches and plenty of students and faculty from Hogwarts School.
(Here’s a link to my fav FUN photo of the night!)
I went as the Hogwart’s Mistress of Spells–from my blue dress you can tell that I am with Ravenclaw house–that’s my husband Marsh Dumbledore with his moth open wearing a Gryffindor tie.
I’m sorry I didn’t get any better pictures of my outfit or of my bicycle which had a GIANT spider on the back with flashing EL wire and a raven with red glowing eyes in my bicycle basket which was ringed in orange EL wire and a black scarf with a glowing box inside!
We gathered as usual at the
Artists Union
Gallery…
rode at sunset along the new beach bike path to the Ventura River Trail and Main Street…
lapped Main…
cruised up to Vita and Bell Arts where we hung out there for a long time–Reed Weasley and Mullet Potter even sat down for a photo op on the couches there!–
enjoying the art and dancing to the live band in the Community Room –we should have stayed there dancing longer! We were having a blast!
Art highlights for us were Claudia Pardo’s must see show at Vita and the album cover show at Bell Arts Tool Room Gallery which is so good and affordable that DJ Jeremy bought one of them!
Nothing was happening at 643 Project Space, so we went up Main again and dispersed for an early night.
Photos 1, 2, 4 at the Promenade by Gwendolyn Alley aka Bikergo Gal; the rest of the photos are by Daniel Boggs aka H Potter with a mullet.
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Gothtober Quidditch Ride & other bike news
Posted: October 7, 2011 | Author: Gwendolyn Alley aka Art Predator | Filed under: ArtRide, First Friday ArtRide, how to develop a bike culture, San Buenaventura ArtRiders Bicycle & Social Club, Ventura Bicycle Union | Leave a comment
First Friday ArtRide “Gothtober”
Let’s show those Muggles how we roll! Pictured is Daniel on his broom bike–he’d fit right in at the Gryffindor table at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Meet 5:30pm
Ventura Beach Promenade and CA Street. Ride 6pmto Art Galleries & StudiosJoin the fun! Wear your best Hogwarts / Goth attire!
Family Friendly * Free * Pimp & Light Your Ride
The San Buenaventura Bicycle & Social Club invite you to a game of Quidditch and ride to Art Shows and Studios in Downtown Ventura. For more information visit
https://bikergogal.wordpress.com/first-friday-artrides-more-fun-rides/
VBU Bike Rodeo Meeting Tue, Oct 11 7:00pm – 9:00pm
345 W. Center St., Ventura (It’s a house, so we’re looking for a better location.)
– Our very first Meeting in preparation for our 6th annual VCCool Kids’ Bicycle Safety Rodeo, May 2013.
If you were involved, we hope to see you! Newcomers totally welcome too! There’s lots to do.
?Full Moon Bike Ride maybe? Wed, Oct 12
A local cyclist’s fun event – bike at your own risk, and bring lights!
Not a confirmed event: stay tuned–Downtown Ventura Mission Park
VBU Monthly Meeting Thu, Oct 13- Bicycle Advocacy meeting. 7:00pm – 9:00pm
345 W. Center St., Ventura (It’s a house – so we’re looking for a new location.)
You can also check out our calendar at www.vccool.org !
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