Carbondale’s Full Moon Cruise has waxed and waned, but if history is any guide, this month’s Mountain Fair ride is likely to prove particularly bright.
The last time circumstances so aligned, hundreds of cyclists flooded Main Street right after the slideshow, breaking into several smaller groups that still outnumbered most successful months.
Other nights, a dozen stalwart souls rode against the February chill, half the procession waited at the bottom of White Hill while others rode up or the whole crew stopped for an impromptu fire dancing display.
“It’s never the same twice. That’s what’s cool about it,” said Spokes Man — an anonymous community member who has been involved since the very beginning.
He thinks that was April 2005, and doesn’t believe that the original organizers took the idea from anywhere else.
“I feel like it started in lots of places around the same time,” he said. “The town was ready for it to happen. It didn’t take much to get it going… just hand-drawn fliers that we just copied and put in brake levers in everyone’s bike around town.”
The anonymity isn’t just about liability, it’s an intentional attempt to keep things leaderless, as one of the Facebook group administrators — who identified himself as a robot “programmed to help Carbondale have as much fun as possible” — explained.
“It’s fun because it’s alive and anyone can determine the group’s fate,” he wrote. “Nobody wants to have someone in charge telling them what to do, especially not on the full moon.”
Still, someone has to set a time to meet and keep the group together.
“You’re kind of like a cowboy trying to get the herd to move,” Spokes Man observed.
It helps to have someone with music up front, which has become easier in the era of bluetooth speakers and even inspired intermittent pauses for dance parties. It used to be dedicated to those who didn’t or couldn’t join, but the latter demographic will hopefully be limited, as at least one pedi-cab service will be available. Spokes Man is proud of the diversity the event has attracted — all ages, walks of life and types of bikes — and the way folks cheer as it passes.
“It’s more of a community event,” he said.
He’s glad to see a new generation taking on organization, and plans to pass on the Spokes Man (Woman / Person) title like the Dread Pirate Roberts.
“It needs that youthful energy,” he said.
The robotic heir apparent — we’ll call him Spoke Too Soon — hopes that doesn’t mean too much of a party atmosphere, particularly with the Friday of the Fair timing.
“I’m really hoping that the chaos is contained safely and that the ride is fun for everyone,” he said. “I would definitely encourage people to wear helmets, light their bikes, make sure their bike is maintained ahead of time and don’t ride drunk.”
The July 27 ride will start later than usual to allow the final act to finish its set. The theme is “petals and pedals” to reflect the Fair’s “love pollinators.”
“Sometimes we have themes and other times we don’t,” Spoke Too Soon explained. “It gives some personality to the headless beast that is the ride.”
If all goes well, the big ride might hook some new participants as it moves into its next phase.
“I’ve really been enjoying the direction it’s headed,” he said. “I think people are having fun with it.”
Fair Friday Full Moon Cruise
What: A moonlit bike ride through town
When: 9:30 p.m. July 27
Where: Meet on Seventh Street, just west of Sopris Park
Theme: Pedals and Petals
Do: Wear a helmet, headlamp and a costume if you like
Don’t: Ride drunk
-
It takes community support to keep The Sopris Sun shining.
SUNscribe/Donate >
