“Slow Spokes DFW” - December Cruiser Bicycle Ride

[DRayK]

“Slow Spokes DFW” - December Cruiser Bicycle Ride, Saturday, December 7, 2013 - “Coppell Lighted Parade”

The “Slow Spokes DFW” cruiser bicycle club invites all fans of cruiser style bicycles (beach cruisers, vintage balloon tires, ratrod bikes, kustom bikes, muscle bikes, etc.) to join them for a parade ride, the “Coppell Lighted Parade “on Saturday, December 7th. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than to unroll some garland, find a few funky ornaments, pick up some battery powered lights and create a holiday themed, spectacle of a bicycle. Then, grab your Santa hat, jump on that awesomely decorated bike & represent the Slow Spokes in the parade.

We are participating in Coppell’s annual Lighted Parade. The parade starts at 6:30 PM. However, since we are in the parade, we will have to meet up at 5:00 PM so that we can get staged and lined-up with the rest of the parade participants. Let’s meet at the Coppell Aquatic & Recreation Center, 234 East Parkway Blvd, Coppell, TX 75019.

We will ride to the parade staging area at Sandy Lake Road & Samuel Blvd. The parade will end at the Coppell Town Center which is across the street from the Coppell Aquatic and Recreation Center where we started from. By decorating some crazy cool bikes, we will be in the running for the parade awards: “Best Decorated” and “Most Spirited.” Besides that, the Slow Spokes will have its own award for the coolest cruiser in the bunch.

Immediately following the parade, the city of Coppell will host a celebration at the Town Center including: tree lighting, live music, food, candy cane hunt, popcorn, hot chocolate, coffee and, of course, Santa Claus. Bring your friends and family for what should be a most excellent cruise. It is a great opportunity to promote “Slow Spokes DFW” and cruiser biking in DFW.

 

[DRayK]

Greetings Slow Spokes DFW,
I attended a parade organizational meeting earlier this week. Despite the forecast for freezing temperatures, Coppell is planning on going ahead with the Lighted Parade. The city will only cancel the event if the weather is extreme (and they intend to hold off making any such decision as late as possible). Therefore, Slow Spokes DFW is still planning to ride in the parade.
Given the weather forecast, we are requesting that parade riders do the following:
· Dress in layers and bundle-up to stay warm & comfortable (remember gloves, scarfs & hats).
· Please arrive early to the meet-up location, say 4:30 PM (we will begin our ride to the parade staging area no later than 5:10 PM).
· By Friday, please send an email to “[email protected]” to: (1) let us know if you are planning to ride; and (2) provide a cell phone number so that we may alert you in the event Coppell cancels the parade.
Safety, safety and safety are the key concerns of the parade organizers (it will be dark and that heightens their concerns). With safety in mind, for those hearty Slow Spokes that still want to ride, here is some more information from the parade organizational meeting:
· We are the first bicycle club procession to participate in Coppell’s lighted parade (our example will, in part, determine if Coppell allows bicycle groups to ride in future parades).
· We must ride in a set formation for the duration of the parade, e.g. no riding in circles, or otherwise breaking formation (think “marching band”).
· If possible, please have battery powered holiday lights on your bicycle (collectively, we are supposed to have a minimum of 200 lights).
· Only bicycles may be ridden as part of our procession. No children (under age 18) may walk in the parade. However, children may be pulled in bicycle trailers.
· Throwing, tossing or distribution of glow sticks, jingle bells, candy, etc. from bicycles is prohibited.
· Do not entice spectators to approach your bicycle during the parade.
· A maximum of 4 adults (age 18 and up) may walk adjacent to our bicycle procession. Only those walkers may hand (not toss) glow sticks, jingle bells, etc. to spectators. However, please do not distribute candy. Walkers must wear either clearly lit, glowing items or a reflective vest.
The parade should be a lot of fun. Let’s make this a memorable Slow Spokes DFW cruise - can’t wait to see your festively lighted and decorated bicycles.

 

[DRayK]

Slow Spokes DFW December Parade Ride Update:
Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating and the City of Coppell has cancelled the Lighted Parade. Therefore, there will not be a Slow Spokes ride this Saturday, 12/7/13. The parade will not be rescheduled.
I know some of you went all out to decorate your bikes. We are open to suggestions for an alternate ride or other activity for the Slow Spokes DFW to participate in yet this month (and maybe still show off those decorated bikes). If you have any ideas for an alternate December event, please email ideas to the club at “[email protected].”
Stay warm and safe this weekend!