More than 120 bicyclists donned Star Wars regalia, Friday, May 4 in the first Morgan Hill Bike Party.
“It just so happened that it coincided with the fourth of May,” said Bike Therapy owner Doug Hall about the typically Star Wars-themed celebrations.
Hall, who along with his wife and co-owner at Morgan Hill’s Bike Therapy, Jodi, helped promote the event, worked with several groups including Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Group, Matthew Araujo at Specialized, and San Jose Bike Party to ensure its success.
After a successful series of Friday night rides last summer coordinated by Morgan Hill Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Group, Hall said their goal was to get more people riding—promoting the evenings as events for the whole family.
“With everything happening for the Amgen Tour California (coming up May 16), the goal was to have a kickoff event,” Hall said. “My wife Jodi has been helping to plan the event.”
The local ride was inspired by San Jose Bike Party. The group, whose mission is “build community through cycling,” was formed in 2007.
“A big part of the San Jose Bike Party is to promote safe cycling and lights,” Halls said. “With the help of San Jose Bike Party we brought a bunch of lights that we were giving out with a donation.”
Hall said the event was well-received by residents.
“It’s amazing, there was so much support from the community,” he said. “We’d be riding along and people would be honking their horns. They were cheering for us. It was super fun. It was a really positive experience for cyclists and the community.”
The event was a precursor to Morgan Hill Bike Week (May 9-16), during which the city and other sponsors will host a series of community cycling events leading up to the prestigious Amgen Tour of California time trial May 16, which will start and end in downtown Morgan Hill.
