Hoping to highlight Davis, California as the cycling center of the US and set a Guinness World record at the same time, the Davis Odd Fellows are putting together a little parade. By a little parade, they really mean at least 1,902 bicycles back to back for over 2 miles. The current record of 1,901 bikes was set in Taiwan on July 21, 2007. The parade is set to ride through the heart of downtown Davis at 10:03 a.m. on October 3, 2010.
However, there is more to the event than just trying to gain some recognition. While attempting to break the record for most bicycles in a single parade, participants will be simultaneously raising funds for the hurting Davis Schools. All proceeds from the event will go to the Davis Schools Foundation thanks to the efforts of the Davis Odd Fellows, ride sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers.
Check out the route map, and parade rules after the break. 
The parade will begin and finish in the heart of Downtown Davis. Starting at the Odd Fellows Lodge at 415 Second Street, the parade will travel east on Second Street to F Street where riders will turn left and head North. They will travel approximately 1 mile up F Street to 14th Street where they will turn left and travel West. The path down 14th Street will be short as the parade rides into the North Davis Elementary School parking lot (the halfway point) and make a U-turn back onto 14th Street, heading East, retracing the route. Riders will turn right back onto F Street and re-trace the path back towards Downtown Davis. Then it will be a right turn back onto Second Street and straight to the finish line.
Seeing that one of the end goals is to break a World Record, there are some rules to follow. The rules are not to cut in on the fun, but when it comes to records Guinness is serious business so rules are rules.
Parade Rules
Our goal is to set the Guinness World Record for Longest Single Line of Bicycles. The minimum to break this new record category is 1000 bicycles. The community of Davis can easily break that record. However, Guinness has specific rules which govern “bicycle parades.†Each and every rider in the parade must be aware of these rules. If we don’t follow the rules, we don’t set the world record.
- For the purpose of this record, a “bicycle†is defined as a two-wheeled vehicle powered only by human pedal power.
- Only bicycles (two-wheeled) may participate in the parade. Bicycles with 3 or more wheels, training wheel, trailers, addes wheels are not permitted.
- All bicycles participating in this world record attempt must be moving – it is not acceptable merely to park them in a row.
- The minimum distance the parade must traverse is 2 miles from the starting point to the finish line.
- The bicycles must traverse the route in a single line.
- All bicycles must cross the start line and cycle the length of the route from start to finish.
- If a bicycle cannot complete the route, the vehicle must be deducted from the total count.
- There must be no significant gaps in the flow of bicycles. The bicycles in the parade may not be more than two bicycle lengths apart. Control riders will be interspersed within the line of bicycles to maintain the flow of cyclists.
- The following must be recorded for each bicycle entrant in the parade: name and telephone number of the bicycle rider, the make of each bicycle. (This will be done through the registration process.)
- Bike riders are encouraged to pre-register before October 3 to save time and energy on the day of the parade. Registration on line for the public should open up around the middle of July.
- The route of the parade will wind through Davis streets. It will be a slow, gentle ride. Traffic will be blocked along the route.
- Children age 10 and above will be able to participate and families are encouraged to register for the parade. Children under the age of 10 are welcome to enthusiastically cheer our parade riders on and are welcome to participate in the post parade festivities.
- California State law requires that persons under the age of 18 shall not operate a bicycle unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute. Though not required by law, adults are encouraged to wear appropriate bike helmets, properly secured.
If you are going to be in the area and wish to attend, make sure to register early to keep it from being a madhouse the day of the event. Also be sure to head on over to the event’s website to check out the sponsors and get further information.
