Boise-area cyclists - Ambassadors-for-a-day Needed!

Dear readers/cyclists who are in and around Boise...

You are cordially invited and encouraged to join in an opportunity to put year-round transportation cycling in the public eye... in the annual HOLIDAY PARADE!

Saturday, November 29th, in the morning. (That's just a couple days from now.) The staging area is in the Morrison Center parking lot, just off Capitol Boulevard.

Come one, come all!

Some detailed information from #1 Organizer Danielo follows, but in a nutshell, the idea is to put a positive spin on our passion, in front of a happy holiday crowd. (This isn't a "critical mass" mentality; fortunately we don't have much reason for animosity or self-preservation instinct, with a few exceptions.) Ideally, we'll raise awareness and maybe even recruit a convert or two.

Here's the detail from Danielo:

Thanks for you interest in joining us in the Boise Holiday Parade! I'm Daniel, and along with my friends Clancy, Elizabeth, and Julia, we are entering the parade with a bicycle-themed float (under the ad hoc group name "Year 'Round Riders"). Actually, our entry is a series of 4 mini-floats, each one decorated for one of the four seasons. Spring (Elizabeth) will lead off, followed by Summer (Clancy), then Fall(Julia), and finally Winter (Daniel). The overall message of the parade is "Dreaming of a White Christmas," and our float's theme proclaims that the best way to have a joyous white Christmas is to ride a bike year round. We're not trying to make a political message, just a fun, happy one.

We have decided to invite other Boise-area cyclists to ride along with us. To do so, please review the parade "rules" below. Then, you should plan to choose one Season to ride along with, and dress appropriately. If you have a particular one you want to ride with, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the appropriate person who is leading that mini-float.

PARADE RULES:
(1) Safety is paramount. If you don't look safe, you won't go down theparade route. Helmets are STRONGLY encouraged, but not required. As this is the first time (to our knowledge) that a bicycle-themed float has been in the parade, we're not completely sure how the organizers will treat us. It's probably wisest just to wear a helmet.
(2) The parade goes on … rain, sleet, hail, snow, or otherwise. Bring raingear and warm items for everyone. If you need help/advice in that vein, check with me.
(3) No throwing candy or handing out advertising pamphlets, etc.
(4) Do NOT dress as Santa. There is ONE Santa Claus and he will be at the end of the parade.
(5) No blasting of sirens or airhorns! However, you may, and should,bring bells and other bicycle-appropriate sound-makers. and most importantly....
(6) Be happy! We are trying to spread the idea that it's not just practical, but FUN to ride a bike year-round. Whatever you have to doto get yourself in the mood to wave and smile LOTS, do it.
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CHECK IN: is at University Dr. & Capitol Blvd. We (the main organizers) will be there at 7:30am. We are arriving early for judging. If you can be there then, great! If not, be there no later than 9:00am. Parade step-off is 9:45am, and we won't know where we're at in the lineup until that day. Just look for the bicycle mini-floats!
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ROUTE: North on Capitol Blvd, west on Battery, south on 9th, ending at University Dr.
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