The BlockParty is back once again for our FIFTH ANNIVERSARY!



ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS FREE EVENT.

The BlockParty is a fun weekend that's all about getting to know your fellow scooterists and riding, riding, riding your scooter. Great rides, live music, BBQ, beer, patches, t-shirts, a slow race and a raffle can be expected.

Events take place at various venues around the NYC metropolitan area, so keep the below itinerary handy! And check back often as events/times may change...

NOTE: All riders must obtain free wristband and sign waiver [PDF] to join any and all group rides.

SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, MAY 14TH:

***COAST OF BROOKLYN RIDE TO CONEY ISLAND***

5:30 PM: ***MEET & GREET/SIGN IN AT CARBON NEGATIVE*** (formerly "McCarren Motors")
42 Dobbin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (between Nassau Avenue and Norman Avenue in Greenpoint/Williamsburg)

7:00 PM: Ride leaves for Coney Island

9:00 PM: Arrive at Coney Island, ride the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel, stroll the boardwalk, and eat at the original Nathan's

RIDE LEAD: CHRIS (Sallad)
RIDE EXPERIENCE: Moderate

SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, MAY 15TH:

9:00 AM: MEETUP & SHORT RIDE FROM THE BRASS MONKEY (55 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014) For those from out of town or otherwise unfamiliar with the world west of the Hudson, there will be a ride at 9:30 to help get people over to Vespa Jersey City. We'll basically be heading down to the Holland Tunnel, then going straight to Vespa JC on the other side.

9:30 AM: ***MEET & GREET/SIGN IN AT VESPA JERSEY CITY***, 247 10th Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 (between Erie Street and Coles Street, south of the Holland Tunnel) Pick up a BlockParty logo t-shirt, patch, rally swag, and raffle tickets (available all weekend, while supplies last). Enjoy coffee and donuts, get acquainted or catch up, and check out scooter-related vendors.

11:30 AM: ***HUDSON RIVER RIDE TO METRO SCOOTERS***--Head out from Vespa Jersey City along the banks of Hudson, featuring some great views, and great roads through the Palisades to Piermont, Nyack and the surrounding hills. Ultimately, we'll make our way through historic Old Tappan and end up at Metro Scooters. Should be a beautiful ride.

RIDE LEAD: BRENDAN (Hendon)
RIDE EXPERIENCE: Moderate (no highway riding, but there will be some stretches of open road at speed, some steep hills and winding roads)

3:00 PM - ***FOOD, MUSIC & FUN AT METRO SCOOTERS***, 281 Livingston Street, Northvale, NJ 07647 (just south of the state line) -Enjoy food, drink, and live music, as well as the slow race competition and other events, and get to see some old and new friends. (duration ~3 hours).

6:00 P.M. - ***RETURN TO MANHATTAN***, Grab some dinner if you're still hungry (it's New York, we trust you to find a place), and maybe wander the High Line

9:00 PM: ***TIMES SQUARE NIGHT RIDE*** - Big night ride leaving from the Brass Monkey (55 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014) up the West Side and to and through Times Square. This is a New York tradition, so don't miss it.

RIDE LEADS: BlockParty Organizers (duration ~1.5 hour)
RIDE EXPERIENCE: Moderate

10:30 PM - ***HIT THE TOWN*** - If you still have the energy. Location t/b/d. If you're drinkin' leave the scoot and take the subway. (duration ??? hours).

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 16th:

9:00 AM: MEETUP & SHORT RIDE FROM THE BRASS MONKEY (55 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014) For those from out of town or otherwise unfamiliar with the world east of the... well, the East River, there will be a ride at 9:00 to help get people over to Vespa Brooklyn.

9:30 AM: ***MEETUP AT VESPA BROOKLYN*** (215 Park Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205) (corner of Vanderbilt, next to the BQE) Pick up a BlockParty logo t-shirt, patch, rally swag, and raffle tickets (available all weekend, while supplies last). Enjoy coffee and donuts, reminisce about Friday and Saturday's fun, and get ready to ride.

11:30 AM: ***BROOKLYN/QUEENS RIDE TO ROCKAWAY*** - Ride from Vespa Brooklyn through some of the historic neighborhoods of Brooklyn, through some parks and other surprises, and end up in the best surfing locale in NYC (actually, at times you'll be surprised it's still NYC). Take in some sun or grab a snack, then head back to Brooklyn for a ride through Grand Army Plaza.

RIDE LEAD: BRENDAN (Hendon)
RIDE EXPERIENCE: Moderate/Experienced (no highway riding, but there will be some stretches of open road)

4:00 PM: ***WRAP-UP PARTY & BBQ AT SCOOTER BOTTEGA*** 65 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (between Van Brunt & Columbia)-Get ready for some more live music, DJs, food, and, of course, the all-important RAFFLE!!!!! We've got some great prizes lined up, so buy early and buy often (tickets $1 each). Must be present to win. Bands scheduled include GeTSeT and others TBA. (duration ~4 hours).

??? PM: BLOCKPARTY ENDS… SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!

Many people's first introduction to the scooter community in prior years has been the BlockParty, so if don't be shy!

Questions? The BlockParty discussion thread is here: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13379

See you there!

Signed,

The BlockParty Planners
(Andy, Brendan (hendon), Chris (sallad), Drue, Heather, Herb (tispectrum), Joel Hamilton, Jonathan (Brouhaha), Maya (MissMaya), Peter (plutjen) and Rich (photovillage) and the rest of the BlockParty planning committee (in formation... always in formation).


P.S. For the benefit of first-timers, here are links to some previous BlockParty videos: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 Part 1 and 2006 Part 2 and previous BlockParty photos: 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006.