The rumbling and humming of Quicksilver Express, Mushroom Swing and other thrilling attractions may have been silent, but there were still plenty of rides to enjoy at Gilroy Gardens on May 20.
The second annual Ride the Gardens, in celebration of National Bike Month, returned to the horticulturally themed park with more bicycles and scooters than before.
Organizer Eugene Bernosky said 550 people signed up for the free event, nearly double the amount that was allowed in 2021’s inaugural event.
“They are here to pedal their own ride,” he said.
As the gates opened at the beginning of the three-hour event, Bernosky noted the range of attendees, from grandparents leading their tricycle-riding grandchildren, to couples on tandem bikes and various regional bicycle clubs.
“It’s really designed to be a family event,” he said. “This is what this is all about.”
According to Bernosky, signups for the ride filled up in less than a week, with attendees showing up from across South Santa Clara County, as well as Watsonville and even as far as Los Angeles and Reno.
May 19-21 was the Silicon Valley Bay Area’s Bike to Wherever Days, where everyone was encouraged to pedal to do errands, visit friends, commute to work and ride along the levee trail.
The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition was on hand at Ride the Gardens to direct traffic, snap photos and pass out complimentary goodie bags.
